_I have explained, in the chapter upon English Needlework with which this volume opens, the reasons which prompted me to take up the subject of Samplers and Tapestry Embroideries, and I have here only to thank the many who, since its first issue, have expressed their acknowledgment of the pleasure they have derived from it, and to record my gratification that it has induced some of them to start the study and collection of these interesting objects._ _In the present edition several American Samplers of considerable interest, kindly furnished by correspondents in that country, are noted and illustrated._ _I am indebted to the publishers for putting the present volume on the market at a more popular price than the expense of the first edition permitted._ Contents PAGES ENGLISH NEEDLEWORK.--ITS PRACTICE IN PAST TIMES.--ITS PLACE AMONGST THE MINOR ARTS.--MR RUSKIN'S VIEWS AS TO NEEDLEWORK IN A MUSEUM.--LACK OF A HISTORY.--EXHIBITION OF SAMPLERS.-- RANGE OF THIS VOLUME 1-5 PART I.--SAMPLERS.--THE NEED OF.--THE AGE OF.--INSCRIPTIONS ON.--ALPHABETS AND NUMERALS ON.--SIGNATURES ON.--INSCRIPTIONS ON.--DESIGN, ORNAMENT, AND COLOURING OF, INCLUDING: THE HUMAN FIGURE; ANIMALS; FLOWERS.--FURTHER INSCRIPTIONS ON.--VERSES WHICH COMMEMORATE RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS; WHICH TAKE THE FORM OF PRAYERS AND DEDICATIONS; WHICH REFER TO LIFE AND DEATH; WHICH INCULCATE DUTIES TO PARENTS AND PRECEPTORS; WHICH HAVE REFERENCE TO VIRTUE OR VICE, WEALTH OR POVERTY.--QUAINT INSCRIPTIONS; CROWNS; CORONETS; HEARTS; BORDERS.--MISCELLANEA RESPECTING SAMPLERS, NAMELY:--THE AGE AND SEX OF THE WORKERS; THE PLACE OF ORIGIN OF SAMPLERS; SAMPLERS AS RECORDS OF NATIONAL EVENTS; MAP SAMPLERS; AMERICAN SAMPLERS; FOREIGN SAMPLERS; SAMPLER LITERATURE; THE LAST OF THE SAMPLERS 7-122 PART II.--EMBROIDERIES IN THE MANNER OF TAPESTRY PICTURES.-- LARGE NUMBERS EXHIBITED AT FINE ART SOCIETY'S.--OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR EXAMINATION, AND FOR MAKING RECORD OF THEIR HISTORY.--DIFFICULTIES SURROUNDING INVESTIGATION OF ORIGIN OF INDUSTRY.--NO APPARENT INFANCY.--NO SPECIMENS DISCOVERABLE EARLIER THAN ELIZABETHAN ERA.--THEORY AS TO FASHION ORIGINATING WITH INTRODUCTION OF TAPESTRY MANUFACTURE TO ENGLAND.--PARTICULARS OF THAT MANUFACTURE.--THREE-FOLD INTEREST OF PICTURE EMBROIDERIES: (1) SUBJECTS DEPICTED THEREON; (2) HISTORICAL MATERIAL AS TO FASHIONS; (3) AS SPECIMENS OF NEEDLEWORK.--PARTICULARS RESPECTING SUBJECTS, FASHIONS OF DRESS, HORTICULTURE, ETC. 123-141 PART III.--(1) STITCHERY OF EMBROIDERIES IN IMITATION OF TAPESTRY AND THE LIKE.--BACKGROUND STITCHES.--FIGURES IN RAISED NEEDLEWORK.--KNOT STITCHES.--PLUSH STITCH.--EMBROIDERY IN PURL AND METALLIC THREADS.--BEAD EMBROIDERY.--FIRST STAGE OF EMBROIDERED PICTURE 143-160