Previous to this there is mention of a "broaken mahogany skreen" in the inventory of John Jones, in 1708, at Philadelphia, valued at two shillings. If we conclude, then, that the use of mahogany for furniture in this country was contemporaneous with the opening of the eighteenth century, we shall certainly place it early enough, and we are equally safe in concluding that it was not in general use earlier than 1720-30. The Boston Evening Post throughout the year 1741 advertises mahogany boards in large quantities, and after this time the newspapers and inventories frequently mention mahogany tables, chairs, and desks.

It may be well, while on this subject, to speak here of the difference between the old mahogany and the new. There are in the market to-day in commonest use two kinds of mahogany. One, from Mexico, is quite a soft wood, and light in colour, which does not darken with age, and consequently must be stained. It weight but about two and a half pounds to a square foot, an inch in thickness, while West Indian mahogany weighs about six pounds. The other kind of mahogany is from Honduras, and is even softer than the Mexican, with a much coarser grain. It is therefore often possible to tell by the weight of a piece of furniture whether it is old or new, and this is particularly true in respect to chairs.

The best mahogany to-day, as well as in former days, comes from the West Indies, and is sometimes called Spanish mahogany. There is also a very beautiful grained mahogany now in the market coming from Africa.