From the book of Joshua we learn that the woven stuffs of Babylon were not confined to domestic use, but exported into foreign countries. The two chief productions of Babylonian looms were _carpets_ and _shawls_. One of the principal objects of luxury in Asia from the remotest ages, were nowhere so finely woven, and in such rich colors as at Babylon. On the Babylonian carpets were woven or depicted representations of those fabulous animals the dragon and griffin, together with other unnatural combinations of form, probably originating in India, and with which we have become acquainted by the ruins of Persepolis. It was by means of the Babylonian manufactures, that the knowledge of these fanciful and imaginary beings, was conveyed to the Western world, and from them transferred to the Greek vases. “A mantle of Shinar,” or as our translators have rendered it, “A Babylonish garment,” was secreted by Achan from the spoils of Jericho; and the delinquent speaks of this as being the most valuable part of his plunder[123]. Next to carpets and shawls, the Babylonian garments called _Sindones_ were held in the highest estimation. The most costly _Sindones_, were so much valued for their fineness of texture and brilliancy of color, as to be compared to those of Media, and set apart for royal use; they were even to be found at the tomb of Cyrus, which was profusely decorated with every species of furniture in use among the Persian monarchs during their lives. [123] “When I saw among the spoils _a goodly Babylonish garment_, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them, and behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”--Joshua vii. 21. [Illustration: _Plate II_ _From Champollion_ EGYPTIAN LOOMS, with the processes of Spinning and Winding.] CHAPTER VI. SILVER TEXTURES, &c., OF THE ANCIENTS. EXTREME BEAUTY OF THESE MANUFACTURES. Magnificent dress worn by Herod Agrippa, mentioned in Acts xii. 21--Josephus’s account of this dress, and dreadful death of Herod--Discovery of ancient Piece-goods--Beautiful manuscript of Theodolphus, Bishop of Orleans, who lived in the ninth century--Extraordinary beauty of Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, and other manufactured goods preserved in this manuscript--Egyptian arts--Wise regulations of the Egyptians in relation to the arts--Late discoveries in Egypt by the Prussian hierologist, Dr. Lepsius--Cloth of glass.