Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-09-19
[rRoM TIE PATRIOT 6, PATRoI.l
ANTIQUE GLASS:
Discovered ii Hcmturg, Niagara county, Nc,t

discovered Il, Hcm6urg, Niagara county, Netr-
York
An opinion is entertained by MANY well in
formed persons IN the United States, that This
country has at some remote period, been in
habited by civilized people, prior to its sell
Element on SubIugation 10y the SavagcS; and to
the many evidences furnished to strengthen
this opinion by the remains OF Qualifications
tumuii, &c. may be added the discovery of a
number OF pieces of glass, of singular work
mansliip, lately made in Hamburger, Niagara
county
have been favored with an opportunity of
examining one of these glasses, and on the au-
thorltNOt my informant, am enabled TO remark
that they were taken up about two months a.
so from an ancient barrow in the town OF
Hamburg where they were found lin an
earthen pot. Contiguous to this pot, were al
so found skull and some other bones of ;he
human frame. This barrow, or Supposed re-
poStory of The dead, is situated III an uncul-
tvated part OF the town, and sey cra trees were
growing upon IL, at the time this excavation
vas made; some OF which were judged 10 be
upwards OF two feet la diameter
The glass which had an opportunity 10 ex
amiue, and am Informed they are all alikel
Is IN the form OF large barrel.sllaped head
consisting OF tube OF transparent green gias
covered with ait opaque coarse red enamel
lis length y-iUthS OF an inch its greatest
width SIX and an half tenths Of an inch: and
the bore OF the tube 2-lOts OF an inch Near
the circle of the bore of this tube isanaDerture
OF the size OF a large needle, peTiorating the
tnbe from one end 10 the other The enamel
which covers lbe tube of transparent glass
appears 10 have been ornameuted with paint
Ing, III figures resembling spindle, OF two in
veri6d sections OF d circle; but they are now
hardly perceptlble, as the bead appears 10 have
been considerably worn. Bat, the circum-
stances most indicative Of art in the making Of
this bead, is, IA species Of ehamelling that has
been performed both on tile external and in.
ternal surfaces OF tie tube, previous to its be-
lug covered with the coarse red enamel THIS
second enamel ~ white, aud as the external
surface OF the tube was not smooth, but iu Ba-
rdlei STRIFE, or veins, exhibits theappeaFance Of
white vine between the green tube aud the
red enamel tbs Cudmelling appears TO ne
go lave been done, not by melting Oh any Wit
rou' composition, as is pTactisedat the present
day, but by the effect OF C3iciuatiOA for some
time in q low red heat This, IL IS known. " an
deprive glass, especially green glass, Of its
transparency; aud render the surface white
to certain depth.
The composition Of the tube ofeiass have
judged to be supply a sHicious sand aud an
aikali; probably with small addition of lime,
or vegetable ashes. IL is hard, ADD will not re-
ceiYe scratches like the lead glasses; and
conclude irOin this circumstance, that the re is
no lead in tie composition. Its color seems
also, owing 10 the impurity Of the materials
employed, like the common window and bottle
glass aud is probably caused by minute por-
ton OF iron combined in the state Of All Gxyd
with the sand aada lkah.
The red enamel covering, the tube, aud the
pot 10 which these glasses we're found, Sceui O.
have been constructed Of similar materials,
IS they differ very little in color, texture, or
| other external character. Probably a very
| fusible brick clay, highly impregaated with
the OKyd iron, and puiyerILed fragments OF
| green glass, are the principal ingredients Of
| bots, The eaTthen Pot Is nianilesty Construct.