S GIRL WITH HER LACE PILLOW (from a Photograph). haps, looking forward to a visit this summer to the Paris Exhibition. I hope such as enjoy this pleasure will not fail to find their way to the building specially set apart to show the successes of Christian Missions among heathen nations. The London Missionary Society has sent a great variety of articles from its Museum, and other societies have also contributed to this department. The Society for Promoting Female Education in the East is likewise occupying a small space to exhibit the work of native Christian females from various parts of the world where that society's agents are employed. Here, among many other interesting objects, will be seen some pillow-lace from Nagercoil, made by the Christian women of that Mission. Other specimens of their work will be found in the Indian department, among the contri butions of the Maharajah, or King of Travancore, in whose kingdom Nagercoil is situated. It has been suggested to me that many would feel interested to hear how lace-making was introduced into Travancore. In 1819 Mr. Mault, a missionary of the London Mis. sionary Society, arrived with his wife at Nagercoil. Before Mrs. Mault left England she learnt to make lace, and procured materials for that work, such as bobbins, pins, thread, and parchment patterns, to take with her to teach the native women among whom her lot might be cast, if she had the opportunity. Soon after her arrival at their station she established a female boarding-school; but funds for its support had to be sought by her from Christian friends, as the London Missionary Society does not undertake to maintain such schools. In those days it took months for letters to reach England; and therefore her wants were long before they were made known, and the help needed was still longer in being sup plied. So this good missionary's wife thought if she could teach her scholars to make lace, the sale of their work might help to support the school. Thus, after a time, when the girls had been taught to read and sew, lace-making was commenced. As may be expected, there were at first many failures and mistakes; but before long the patient effort of the kind teacher was rewarded by the production of wellmade lace. European ladies, in visiting Nagercoil, were surprised to see pillow-lace made by native hands, and were glad of the opportunity of purchasing a supply. These specimens were shown to their friends, who in their turn requested that some might be sent to them. Strangers, spending the day at Nagercoil, on their journey frequently visited the objects of interest at the Mission station, among which was the lace-school, and they seldom left without purchasing specimens. Several kind ladies, who felt a deep interest in the success of the Mission work, offered to undertake the sale of the lace among their friends. Thus, for more than forty-five years the lace-school has existed and prospered, and the work finds ready sale all over India, even as far north as Simla, two thousand miles from where it is made. Two other lace-schools have since been established. All the lace materials are procured from England, and new patterns are being constantly introduced. Specimens of Nagercoil lace were sent to the London Exhibition of 1851, as well as to the Exhibition in Madras, and from both medals were received. The introduction of lace-making has been a great benefit to the native Christian females, for whom it is so difficult to obtain suitable employment. Many widows have kept themselves and their families in comfort by the gains of their lace-pillow, who, but for this work, would have been in poverty. Girls who know how to make lace are eagerly sought for in marriage, though they may have little else to recommend them. The lace-makers contribute liberally from their earnings to benevolent societies. When their "great mother," as they always call Mrs. Mault, has left them nearly fourteen years, they remember her with unceasing affection, and often testify their love by tokens of regard. When Dr. Mullens visited Nagercoil, before his return to England, they sent by him three beautiful collars and cuffs-one for Mrs. Mault, and the others for those who had likewise been engaged in the same good work. The funds raised by the sale of lace have not only contributed to the support of the Nagercoil Boarding-school, but have also been employed in promoting female education in the many villages where schools have been established in connection with the Nagercoil Mission. Many benefits have resulted from this occupation. It is a clean, respectable, and profitable employment, which can be carried on at home in the midst of their families, and under the shade of their own roof. Many of these very women, but for Christian effort carried on among them, would have been working in rice-fields ankle-deep in mud, in the scorching heat of an Indian sun, miserably clad, and, when their work was done, but scantily fed. 1 |