114 On the Maruifacture of Glass, Porcelain, §t. 



answer for rich and variegated compositions."' The emeralds 

 mentioned by Apion and Theophrastus, which, we before ob- 

 served, are supposed to have been of glass, might also be cited 

 to shew that the art was known in the Pharaonic age, if we had 

 not abundant and far more satisfactory proofs from specimens 

 found in the ruins of Thebes ; and we can readily believe the 

 assertion of Pliny, that in his time they succeeded so com- 

 pletely in the imitation, as to render it " difficult to distinguish 

 false from real stones/'* Many in the form of beads have 

 been met with in different parts of Egypt, and particularly at 

 Thebes ; and so far did the Egyptians carry this spirit of imi- 

 tation, that even small figures, scarabaei, and objects made of 

 ordinary porcelain were counterfeited, being composed of still 

 cheaper materials. A figure, which was entirely of earthen- 

 ware, with a glazed exterior, underwent a somewhat more 

 complicated process than when cut out of stone, and simply 

 covered with a vitrified coating; this last could therefore be 

 sold at a low price : it offered all the brilliancy of the former, 

 and its weight alone betrayed its inferiority ; by which means, 

 whatever was novel, or pleasing from its external appearance, 

 was placed within reach of all classes ; or at least the possessor 

 had the satisfaction of appearing to partake in each fashionable 

 novelty. 



Such inventions, and successful endeavours to imitate costly 

 ornaments by humble materials, not only shew the progress of 

 art among the Egyptians, but strongly argue the great ad- 

 vancement they had made in the customs of civilized life ; 

 since it is certain, that, until society has arrived at a high de- 

 gree of luxury and refinement, artificial wants of this nature are 

 not created, and the lower classes do not yet feel the desire of 

 imitating their wealthier superiors, in the adoption of objects 

 dependent on taste or accidental caprice. 



Glass bugles and beads were much used by the Egyptians 

 for necklaces, and for a sort of net-work, with which they 

 covered the wrappers and cartonage of mummies, arranged so 

 a0 id form, by their varied hues, numerpus devices and figures, 

 in the manner of our bead-purses ; and the ladies sometimes 



* Plin. xxxvii. 12. 



