12 
“ The Antiquity of Toughened Glass,” by William E. A. 
Axon, M,R.S.L., F.S.S. 
The toughened glass of modern times appears to have 
been anticipated in imperial Rome. Inventors have never 
been very well treated, but the peculiar fashion of rewarding 
mechanical and scientific skill, then employed, has fortunately 
found no parallel in modern days. That the secret of render- 
ing glass hard had been discovered some 1800 years before 
the patent of M. de la Bastie appears probable from the 
following passage in the well known, work of Pancirollus. 
“ If is reported, that in the time of Tiberius there was 
glass found out so rarely temper’d that it might be made 
ductile and flexible like paper, and also that the author of 
this invention was put to death, because having repair’d at 
Rome a magnificent palace that was ready to fall, and being 
paid by Tiberius , and forbidden to come any more in his 
sight, he having found out the way of making glass malle- 
able, came again into his presence to shew his art, expecting 
from the Emperor (as Dio writes) a great reward. 
“ But Pliny tells us in the 26th chapter of his 36th book 
that the whole shop of this artist was ruinated and demo- 
lished, to prevent the lessening and bringing down th q price of 
silver and gold. Some think it was done by the malice of 
Tiberius, who had no kindness for virtuous and ingenious 
men. 
“ That which our author saith concerning this artizan, Dio 
relates (in the 27th book of his history) after this manner, 
who tells us that when the great Portico at Rome lean’ d dll 
on one side, it was after a wonderful manner set upright 
again ; for a certain Architect, (his name is not known, for 
Tiberius so envy’d his art that he forbad it to be register’d) 
having; so fixed the foundations as to render them immove- 
able, did, by the strength and force of men and engines, 
restore it again to its former posture. 
“ Tiberius wondered at the thing, and so much envy’d the 
