The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-08

and the Arabs, did 1t attain so great a stage of perfection. Glass blowing was one of the earliest arts; many of the largest museums of America have specimens showing that the Egyptians and the Ro- mans had great skill fin blowing glass. It is difficult to say when glass-making was first begun in Italy; some Italian au- thorities say with the founding of the city in the fifth century. The oldest mo safes that adorn the Cathedral of St. Marks are those found at the entrance, those representing the Christ, the Ma donna and St. Marks. They belong to the 10th Century but many say that this is the work of glassmakers from the Orient.
 The government was anxious to develop the industry and therefore granted these corporations so many privileges that they soon developed into monopolies. But these factories burned so often that they threat ened the entire city and laws had to be passed ordering the destroying of all fur naces on the Rialto and later limiting the industry to the Island of Murano.
 Marco Polo, the son of an old patrician family, did more than all others to make glassmaking a fine art. He went to Con stantinople where his brother Andrea had a large trading house He traficked in the Black Sea. in the region of the Caucasus and the yolga. Among the Persians, In India and Cochin China he saw beautiful examples of glass making and he brought many fine samples and ideas on glass blowing back with him. He was called the best citizen in Venice and his ser vices were rewarded by his being made a member of the Great Council. He urged the glass-makers to experiment with the enamels known to the Orient and not to limit themselves to the making of fanta aes. The successful glass manufacturers were exceedingly proud of their calling; they were men of great wealth, and were ranked as patrictans. They often spent large fortunes working out a new proc ess. They held firm position in so- ciety and were allowed 10 marry their daughters to noblemen.
 Their skill soon beca me known in every part of Europe and the Orient and glass manufacturers of other countries offered them large wages to tempt them away from home The Council of Ten passed the following laws to put an end to these alluroments. They said that if a glass blower took any of the secrets of his cra1t DO any 1OreiBu country ue Whs to pe imprisoned and If he persisted in spite of his Imprisonment he was to be kflledD In spite of this law some were tempted to Persia. China. Brussels. France and Eng land.
 - Though the yenstians succeeded in dis covering few new colours they became wonderfully successful in fashioning fan tastic shapes and enhancing their glass with beautiful decorations some of the designs etched into the glass and plates are as fine and as exqutsitely done as though they were paintings. They etched on glass the most delicate and graceful designs; this was done with diamond. As early as the 18th Century they began to make glass for mirrors, this became such an important industry that special laws were passed governing their manu- fecture. In 1908 all the corporations were abolished and thirty years hter they were limited to dozen.
 Modern Glass
 To-day the traveller finds plenty of shops in historic palaces on the grand canal and anoQAd St Marks sGpareA 1AD veskGD