Nor even while courted and caressed in courts and palaces did Needlework absent herself from the habitations of the poor. Oh no, she was their familiar friend, the daily and hourly companion of their firesides. And when she experienced, as all do experience, the fickleness of court favour, she was cherished and sheltered there. And there she remained, happy in her utility, till again summoned by royal mandate to resume her station near the throne. The illustrious and excellent lady who lately filled the British throne, and who reigned still more surely in the hearts of Englishwomen, and who has most graciously permitted us to place her honoured name on these pages, allured Needlework from her long seclusion, and reinstated her in her once familiar place among the great and noble. * * * * * Fair reader! you see that this gentle dame NEEDLEWORK is of ancient lineage, of high descent, of courtly habits: will you not permit me to make you somewhat better acquainted? Pray travel onward with me to her shrine. The way is not toilsome, nor is the track rugged; but, "Where the silver fountains wander, Where the golden streams meander," amid the sunny meads and flower-bestrewn paths of fancy and taste--there will she beguile us. Do not then, pray do not, forsake me. FOOTNOTES: [1] On aurait de la peine a se persuader qu'une pareille opinion eut ete mise gravement en question dans un concile, et qu'on n'eut decide en faveur des femmes qu'apres un assez long examen. Cependant le fait est tres veritable, et ce fut dans le Concile de Macon. Probleme sur les Femmes, ou l'on essaye de prouver que les femmes ne sont point des creatures humaines.--_Amsterdam, 1744._ [2] As, for instance, the ancient Germans, and their offshoots, the Saxons, &c. [3] Southey's Life; vol. ii. CHAPTER II. EARLY NEEDLEWORK. "The use of sewing is exceeding old, As in the sacred text it is enrold: Our parents first in Paradise began." John Taylor. "The rose was in rich bloom on Sharon's plain, When a young mother, with her first-born, thence Went up to Sion; for the boy was vow'd Unto the Temple service. By the hand She led him; and her silent soul the while, Oft as the dewy laughter of his eye Met her sweet serious glance, rejoic'd to think That aught so pure, so beautiful, was hers, To bring before her God." Hemans.