_Carpets at Rome._--In a cutting from a newspaper or periodical, apparently
of the year 1790, narrating an accident that happened to Lady Augusta
Clavering, daughter of the Duke of Argyle (whilst staying at Rome) by her
muslin dress catching fire, it is said:
"Fortunately, the gentlemen did not lose their presence of mind; and
there happening to be a carpet in the room, _a thing very uncommon in
that that country_, they covered her with it," &c.
Can any of your readers oblige me by informing me whether it is a fact,
that the luxury of a carpet was _very uncommon_ at Rome at the period
referred to; and when carpets were first introduced at Rome?