In the hieroglyphics over persons employed with the spindle on the Egyptian monuments, it is remarkable that the word _saht_, which in Coptic signifies to twist, constantly occurs. The spindles were generally of wood, and in order to increase their impetus in turning, the circular head was occasionally of gypsum, or composition: some, however, were of a light plaited work, made of rushes, or palm leaves, stained of various colors, and furnished with a loop of the same materials, for securing the twine after it was wound[21]. Sir Gardner Wilkinson found one of these spindles at Thebes, with some of the linen thread upon it, and is now in the Berlin Museum. [21] The ordinary distaff does not occur in these subjects, but we may conclude they had it. Homer mentions one of gold, given to Helen by “Alcandra the wife of Polybus,” who lived in Egyptian Thebes.--Od. iv. 131. Theocritus has given us a very striking proof of the pleasure which the women of Miletus took in these employments; for, when he went to visit his friend Nicias, the Milesian physician, to whom he had previously addressed his eleventh and thirteenth Idylls, he carried with him an ivory distaff as a present for Theugenis, his friend’s wife. He accompanied his gift with the following verses, which modestly commend the matron’s industry and virtue, and, at the same time, throw an interesting light on the domestic economy of the ladies of Miletus: O Distaff, friend to warp and woof, Minerva’s gift in man’s behoof, Whom careful housewives still retain, And gather to their households gain; With me repair, no vulgar prize, Where the famed towers of Nileus rise[22], Where Cytherea’s swayful power Is worship’d in the reedy bower. Thither, would Jove kind breezes send, I steer my course to meet my friend, Nicias, the Graces’ honor’d child, Adorn’d with sweet persuasion mild, That I his kindness may requite-- May be delighted, and delight. Thee, ivory distaff, I provide, A present for his blooming bride; With her thou wilt sweet toil partake And aid her _various vests_ to make. For Theugenis the shepherds shear The sheep’s soft fleeces twice a year, So dearly industry she loves And all that wisdom points, approves, I ne’er design’d to bear thee hence To the dull house of Indolence; For, in that city thou wert framed Which Archias built, Corinthian named,-- Fair Syracuse, Sicilia’s pride, Where troops of famous men abide. Dwell thou with him whose art can cure Each dire disease that men endure; Thee to Miletus now I give, Where pleasure-crown’d Ionians live; That Theugenis by thee may gain Fair honor with the female train; And thou renew within her breast Remembrance of her muse-charm’d guest. Admiring thee, each maid will call The favor great, the present small; For love the smallest gift commends,