The Persian carpet may be meant for the feet, but few things are
so full of lessons for head and heart and life. When choosing
one the first thing to do is to make sure that the colors are
fast, which is done by moistening a handkerchief and rubbing the
carpet to see if the color comes off. Next, count the stitches.
A good carpet contains 10,000 stitches to the square foot, while
the better ones have as many as 40,000. The weaver does not
see the pattern as he works, as the reverse side of the web is
toward him. When a native buys a new carpet he immediately puts
it down in the bazaars for all the traffic to pass over it; and
the more muddy the shoes of the passers-by the greater will be
the beauty of the carpet afterward, provided the colors are
fast, as it acquires that beautiful silky gloss, so dear to the
heart of the carpet-lover.
A man needs a character that will wear, whose colors are fast, and that
will grow more beautiful when exposed for the world’s use.
(2664)