Martinsburgh Gazette

We learn, with pleasure, that the Lace Loom the construction of which was commenced about two years ago, on account of Messrs. Walker & Bestwick, of Edway, Mass. has been at last completed at an expense of more than $2000 dollars. The width of this Machine within the shuttles, is 56 inches. The shuttles are 1230 in number, and all play at one time, abreast of each other with the same number of warp threads. The warp threads are prepared on 26 bobbins, to which the machinery gives two motions, one a vertical rotary to unwind the warp—the other a horizontal rotary, to turn the bobbins endwise—so that the warp runs two ways at once. The frame receives 26 breadths of lace at once; each having a selvage, and being held to the breadth on each side by a single thread drawn through the adjoining meshes as the work proceeds. When the piece is finished, these single threads are withdrawn, and the lace is divided into the requisite number of pieces. The machine has three treadles and four hands, and is moved by the labour of one man. It occupies about as much space as a common Scotch Loom. It is so complicated that its proprietors think no intelligible draft can be made of it.

A piece of lace, 93 yards long and 56 inches wide, from this loom, weighs twenty two ounces and an half. The thread is No 180. In constant operation, the machine would employ about sixty persons, mostly females, to prepare the lace for the market.

Providence Journal.