(Vol. ii., p. 199.; Vol. iii., pp. 13. 229.)
In the subjoined account of some old patterns, I have, for the sake of
brevity, enclosed in brackets the descriptions of the several objects
represented, beginning with the highest and most distant. The words
enclosed within inverted commas are the inscriptions.
No. I.
[Two horsemen, with steel-caps, riding away at speed.]
[Crown.]
"PVRSV'D BY MEN. PRESERV'D BY GOD."
[Crown.] [Crown.]
[Oak branches surrounding a head surmounted
with a low-crowned hat and flowing wig.]
I may mention that this bears the mark of an ancestor of its present
possessor, who was about forty years of age at the time of the
Restoration, and died in 1707.
No. II.
"SISTE SOL IN GIBEON ET LVNA IN VALLE IAALON."
[Sun] "RIS" [Moon] "SEL."
[Fortified town.]
[Mortars throwing shells into the town.]
[Tents and cannon.]
[Trophy] "EGENIVS." [Trophy.]
[Equestrian figure holding a baton.]
Can any of your readers be so good as to explain the allusion of the
above ungainly and somewhat profane compliment to Prince Eugene?
No. III.
"STAD ANT
WERPEN."
[City gate.]
[Water with ships.]
"DER HERTZOG VON MARLBORVK."
[Equestrian figure in the proper costume, holding a baton.]
The above probably commemorates the surrender of Antwerp to the allied
armies soon after the battle of Ramillies, May 27, 1706.
No. IV.
"CAROLVS KÖNIG IN SPANIGEN."
[Equestrian figure.]
[Trophy of arms and banners.]
"MADRIED."
[City and gates.]
[Batteries with cannon planted.]
I presume this must refer to the short-lived triumph of Charles
(afterwards Emperor of Germany), who was crowned King of Spain at Vienna
in 1703, and entered Madrid in 1706.
No. V.
[City.]
[River with boats.]
[Cannon and mortars.]
[Tents and halberdiers, and arms strewn about on the ground.]
"KÖNIG GEORGE."
[Crown.] [Crown.]
[Harp.] [Harp.]
[Equestrian figure holding a sceptre.]
Will some one be so kind as to explain the meaning of this design?
I may mention that there is little doubt that this cloth, as well as the
others, belonged to the son of the gentleman before mentioned, and that
it is very unlikely that it ever belonged to the royal household. This
may perhaps affect the inference of your correspondent H. W. D. from the
inscription "Der König Georg II." (Vol. iii., p. 229.).
No. VI.
[A group of figures:--On the right an eastern
monarch standing, and in an attitude of command
towards a female figure on the left, who
is stooping down to put something into the
gaping mouth of a dragon, while with her left
hand she points towards the king. Behind the
woman are three men turning towards the king
in attitudes of entreaty.]
"BABYLON."
[A man and woman kneeling down, with hands
raised as in supplication or astonishment.]
"DANIEL, XIIII."
[A tree with two birds in it. In front of the tree
an angel flying downwards; and underneath, a
man in the same attitude, holding a vessel
shaped like a pitch-kettle in the left hand, and
what appears to be a small loaf or cake in the
right.]
All the above figures are in oriental costume. The date of this cloth
_cannot_ be later than about 1720. In each case the pattern is repeated
in rows; the alternate rows being reversed so that on whichever side the
cloth is turned, half of the patterns have the inscriptions legible.