Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/146

120 proof of the government’s desire for the improvement of the people and the maitenance of a light standard of excellence in their productions.

Vamberk lace is made either of linen or cotton which is the material used in making „vláčková krajka“. The laces are sold through Austria-Hungary and the Orient by pedlars, but this old-fashioned way of doing business is gradually giving place to the more up-to-date methods of the modern world of commerce.

In 1889, the city corporation founded a municipal school for the purpose of improving the lace-makers methods, so as to raise the standard of the art-work and enable the lace-makers to increase their daily production without adding further strain on their physical powers.

Vamberk has about 1000 engaged in the work (600 pillows), and throughout the district a total of 3000 (2600 pillows). The proof of the general spread of this industry, is in the fact, that out of 450 schoolchildren, 270 girls and 92 boys are employed in it.

The earnings of a child under fourteen years of age who is bound to attend school amount to 3½ d—4 d per day for work done in leisure hours. A smart hand can make much as 1 s 5 d but many barely contrive to get 3—4 d for their day’s work.

The value of the year’s production is about ₤ 10.000 a fairly big total which promises to go on increasing.

Sedlice near Blatná, and Strážov close to Klatov in the S. W. of Bohemia now claim a brief reference. Pillow-lace making has been practised in these villages and their vicinity for a great number of years, in Sedlice there are two hundred engaged in the industry. The women, who are chiefly employed, are very much indebted to the lady of the domain, Mrs Stránecká for her active and practical benevolence. This lady has been a generous patron of the industry who has exorted herself in the interests of the humble workers and the prosperity generally by showing the importance of preserving tasteful designs of antique form and at the same time keep on bringing out novelties.

The motto that this lady appears in a practical manner to recommend to those engaged in the beautiful work of Pillow-lace making is EXCELSIOR!