Wes'iropp — Glass-Making in Ireland. 47 



From 1788 to 1794 the value of Smylie's window glass varied annually 

 from about £4,000 to £9,500. 



Bottle and window-glass continued to be made by Smylie & Co. for some 

 years; but in 1809 the surviving partners offered for sale the entire concern, 

 with the two glass houses, either as a whole or in parts to suit purchasers. 



Probably the manufacture ceased shortly after 1800, and the concerns were 

 left idle ; but in 1 823 the whole of the ground, and one glass house thereon, 

 which was 180 feet in circumference and 150 feet high, were to be let, and, as 

 previously mentioned, were taken over in 1824 by Benjamin Edwards, junior. 



As previously stated, John Edwards erected a flint-glass house at 79 

 Peter's Hill in 1803. Edwards became bankrupt in 1804; and the glasshouse 

 was purchased by Joseph "Wright, and handed over to a company, " without a 

 farthing profit." Three of the other partners were John Martm, John 

 McOonnell and George Thompson. 



In June, 1809, this company, known as the Belfast Glass "Works, advertised 

 plain, cut, and engraved glass, lustres, girandoles, chandeliers, etc., and stated 

 that from recent improvements and discoveries they could supply goods equal, 

 if not superior, to any manufactured in any part of Ireland. 



An advertisement in July, 1809, from Hugh and Benjamin Edwards junior 

 in answer to this is rather amusing. Hugh and Benjamin Edwards beg to' 

 inform the public that they continue to manufacture flint glass of every 

 denomination of a most superior quality ; their thorough knowledge of the 

 business, acquired during a practice of upwards of twenty years, and under 

 the guidance of their father, a professional glass-maker, enables them to assure 

 their friends and the public that they have a great variety of cut, plain, and 

 engraved glass that cannot be surpassed by the recent discoveries of persons 

 totally unacquainted with the nature of any kind of glass. 



About 1813 the glass house on Peter's Hill stopped working owing to 

 repairs being necessary ; but in the following year recommenced work, the 

 proprietors stating that they were making every description of cut and 

 engraved flint glass, equal to any made in Great Britain or Ireland. 



In 1833 the proprietors stated that they intended to relinquish the 

 business, and would let or sell the interest in the concern, which was in com- 

 plete repair and in full work. The glass house, however, was not let or sold, 

 as in 1836 they stated that they were making every article of flint glass. 



In 1838, owing to the death of one of the partners, the Belfast Glass 

 "Works were offered for sale ; and the proprietors stated that there was a 

 six-pot furnace recently erected, and capable of manufacturing 4,000 lb. of 

 glass weekly, and that the premises were held on lease for thii'ty-three years 

 at an annual rent of £69 18s. 6rf., and had been established over thirty years. 



