122 GLASS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE AND FANCY PURPOSES. 



because the quality of the fuel, and the materials generally, ave 

 superior. The first enables the manufacturer to use a greater propor- 

 tion of silica in his glass, thereby producing a closer and stronger 

 texture of body, preventing what is technically known as " sweating " 

 in plate glass ; and by the second, the greater purity and brilliancy of 

 colour iu flint glass is obtained. Another great advantage secured by 

 the country possessing fuel of the greatest power, is that in superior 

 qualities of glass, the manufacturer is enabled to fuse his materials in 

 covered and larger crucibles, entirely protected from the action of the 

 fuel ; and this is a great advantage, inasmuch as the colour of the glass 

 is very much deteriorated by the carbon of the fuel passing over the 

 fluxed materials, the carbon absorbing oxygen rendering the glass of a 

 green tint. The same cause (the presence of carbon) prevents the use 

 in uncovered crucibles of the oxide of lead, except to a small extent, 

 the deoxidation of the metal resulting in the formation of metallic lead, 

 which byits own density falls to the bottom of the crucible. In judging, 

 therefore, of the comparative value of the qualities of glass made by 

 this and other countries, allowance must be made for these as well 

 as for other considerations. Again, as to the formation of glass into 

 objects of general utility or luxury , the Jurors would remark, that to 

 the habits Cdomestic or social) of different nations, the progress in the 

 manufacture of specially useful or ornamental articles ia to be 

 ascribed. 



Whilst from the more domestic habits of this country, much pro- 

 gress has been made in the production of works of every day life, our 

 continental friends have, from their more social habits and mode of 

 living, been engaged in the manufacture of articles of ornament, suited 

 to the drawing-room, boudoir, &c. The Jurors regret that the same 

 attention has been found wanting in the foreign department to articles 

 of general use ; they must at the same time admit the superior excel- 

 lence of the foreign manufacturer in articles of luxury and vertu. The 

 Jurors would particularly notice the advance made by the British 

 exhibitors in the forms of articles for general use, which is in a great 

 measure to be attributed to the taste nurtured by the schools of design 

 throughout the country; the endeavours by many manufacturers to 

 encourage a better appreciation of form on the part of purchasers, and 

 the general advance of the public in Art knowledge. Much of this 

 also is due to these National and International Exhibitions, particularly 

 to the latter, in which the exhibitors learn from each other by com- 

 petitions in the arts of peace. 



The greatest advance the Jurors have to notice, is that made in 

 engraved glass. In the English department much taste is shown in the 



bustible le plus abondant chez eux, le charbon de terre, &c. Mais enfin ils virent 

 qu'il etait temps d'imiter nos voisins d' outre mer, et d'empecher l'introduction 

 de leurs cristaux dans notre patrie. Nous fimes done l'analyse de leurs produits 

 et nous reeonnues distinctement les substances qui les constituaient." 



