[Illustration: _Hosier_]
those nice warm stockings. What are they called, papa, I have seen
them at my grandfather's."
"They are called Lambs'-wool stockings, my dear, and are particularly
serviceable to the aged and infirm. The old gentleman looks as if he
was reckoning up his money, that he may know whether his purse will
allow of his indulging himself with more than one pair of his favourite
Lambs'-wool stockings. Let us look at some white silk.--Silk you know
is imported from Italy, it is produced by a worm which feeds on the
leaves of the mulberry-tree. Cotton is imported from Asia, of which
we make our fine cotton stockings. The wool of sheep supplies us with
worsted stockings, the chief wear of the working classes of men, and
the skins of animals give us that necessary finish to our dress,
gloves. The best and handsomest of this latter article are made in
France, but are prohibited from being sold in England, that they may
not injure our own manufactures."
"Let us now examine the beauties of the