ANTIQUITY OF UMBRELLAS.



DR. MORRISON, the missionary to China, states that there is mention made of umbrellas and parasols, in books printed in China more than fifteen hundred years ago; and that Layard relates that he discovered on the ruins of Nineveh, in bas-relief, a representation of a king in his chariot, with an attendant holding an umbrella over his head.

In India, we also find that the umbrella had been used in remote ages, and principally as an emblem of royalty, in shape differing very little from those in modern use. In Burmah, the princes use a very large umbrella; it requires a separate attendant to carry it, and his position is a recognized one in the royal household. 

One of the titles of the king is, " King of the White Elephant, and Lord of the Twenty-four Umbrellas." The Emperor of China, who never does anything on a small scale, if he can help it, has no fewer than twenty-four umbrellas carried before him, when he goes out hunting. The umbrella is used in that country as a defense against sun as well as rain, and is principally made of a sort of glazed silk or paper, beautifully painted.

 




Myrtle