The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-03-15

Inc period or the lnventlon OF glass ~
quite unknown. The usual story OF its
origin Is taken from Pliny. who relates
that some merchants. who were driven by
q storm 10 tho coast of Phcnicia, near tho
river Belus, made large fire on the sand
to dress their food. using for fuel some
plants that grew near; when an imper-
feet glass WAS formed by the melting to-
gether OF the sand and ashes This pro
duc'ion was accidentally picked up by a
1yrian merchant, who, from its beauty
and probable utility, was led TO investi-
gate It's manufacture. The legend most
probably originated in the circumstance
mat glass was very anciently made at
Tyre. aud the sand on the sea-shore in the
immediate neighborhood Of the Belus is
very white and crystalline, and well
adapted 20 glass making. IL is certainly
probable that an accidental vitri6cation
might give rise to the discovery but that
was much more likely TO take place in
some operation requiring great fire than
by dressing food on the open sand
Although the most ancient manufacturers
OF glass on record were at Tyre. il ia Ger.
TAIN that the art was known TO the Egyp-
Cans. Small pieces Of blue glass, resem.
bling Turquoise, have been recently dis.
covered IN ancient tombs ut Thebes. which
were probably used in glazing tho earth
enware beads often found adjoining mum
mics, and which have been enormously
cited as made OF glass
lstsF time. fi,.p onv N m
tomos Of Thcbes can be referred. glass
was made n; Alexandria, and was supplied
from that city TO the Romans at least as
late NJ the Reign al Hadrian. The manu-
faciure had been introduced a, Rome,
whers the glass makers had particular
street assigned 10 them. There can be lit
tie doubt that the art made some progress
there, although we may reasonably doubt
the story of malleable glass, for tho in
vention OF which Tiberius is said 10 have
rewarded sn artist with death. It's princi
pal use was at that time In the making of
bottles and ornamental vases, in which the
skill OF the workman appears to have
been very great, as may be seen in speci
mems at the British Museum, though .he
metal rs the mass of glass is called by
the trade, is usually thick and cologed
We have no testimony that ii w4s used in
glazing windows previous TO that of Lac
tanius, IN the beginning of The fourth
century. who compared Il penetrating mind
TO one looking through glass window
fhe AT is said 10 have been known to
the ancient Britons. before the coming OF
the Romans 49, the supposed Druidica
rinQs occasionally picked up, and believed
e. be g source or token OF good luck to
the Under. have been often mentioned
and. 81 genuine, they afford proof that
Tho att must have made considerable pro
gress among the ancient inhabitants Of our
island The Romans may have added
some improvements during their long
resdenc- here, but the arrival of the Sax
ous destroyed this and almost every other
marx OF civilization in Britain About
two centuries after this event, glass was
again imported a. an ornament 70 church
2, aud other religious establishments,
though the manufacture was not intro.
duced until after the lapse of nearly a
thousand years The introduction among
the Saxons is placed by Bede in the year
ga and its use was nj first wholly con.
fined 10 churches and religious edifices
nov was +, generally employed in windows
of private dwellings until long after the
Norman Conquest Specimens of Saxon
glass may be seen in Westminster Abbey,
cementci into the tomb of Edward the
IonI.ssny tbav are small souare Or do
mond-~hsped pieces, not more than an inch
ia length. and lined with gold leaf Sim.
liar ornaments were seen in Il tomb dis.
covered in making Preparations TO the cs.
;hedral " Rochester some years ago
though Of rather later date.
During these early times, the manufac
tul, appOSTs TO have been confined 70 Italy
az Gcriusuy. Venice became particularly
celebrated for the beauty of its material
and the TX III OF It's workmen AS early as
the thi .centh century, It's manufactures
supplied the greatest part Of the glass
used ia Europe and specimens of the skill
o. their artists arc yet in existence, con.
posed Of various colored glasses fused to.
gether enclosed i'm beautiful transparent
crust 1ae artists of Bohemia were also
held in considerable reputation to them
is due tire invention of the white spiral
string which runs twisting down the stems
Of wine glasses. 80 much admired in the
hst rrntury, and of which many speci-
meus remain.
Che swiss People.