Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/408

330  Under this head we have no other alteration to record in the present month, except that leather breeches, of a very deep colour, approaching to brown, and boots, are much worn by gentlemen. It will be recollected, that, in our number for March, we announced the probability of such a change.

 22.MESSRS. PELLATT AND GREEN'S SHEW-ROOM ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD. plate, which accompanies this article, is a representation of a shew- room, 57 feet long and 21 broad, fitted up with great taste, and forming part of the extensive premises of Messrs. Pellatt and Green, glass-makers to the king, St. Paul's church-yard. In this room is exhibited an elegant assortment of glass, china and earthen-ware, in a word, of all those articles of humble utility, or costly decoration, which are to be found in the principal glass-shops of this metropolis.

The manufacture of glass was not introduced into England till the year 1557. The finer sort was first made in Crutched Friars, and flint glass, little inferior to that of Venice, in the Savoy-house, in the Strand. This manufacture appears to have been much improved in 1635, when it was carried on with sea-coal or pit- coal instead of wood; and a monopoly was granted to Sir Robert Mansell, who was allowed to import the fine Venetian flint glasses for drinking, the art of making which was not brought to perfection till the conclusion of the seventeenth century. Since that period, however, so much attention has been paid to the making of glass of every description, that oar manufacturers are allowed to excel those of any other nation, in the superior quality of their productions, as well as in the style and ingenuity of the cutting. Such, indeed, is the perfection which they have attained, that these brilliant articles contribute not a little to the internal embellishment of the mansions of the great and wealthy.

In the manufacture of porcelain also British ingenuity has been lately exercised with such success, as to be making a rapid progress to an equality with other countries, by which it has hitherto been excelled. On the other hand, the superiority of our earthen-ware is universally acknowledged, and is particularly attested by the vast quantities which are continually exported to every quarter of the globe. Its utility, indeed, is so extensive, that it would be difficult to devise a substitute equally cheap, elegant, and convenient; and with respect not only to this, but likewise to glass and china, it may be truly affirmed, that they are become articles of necessity as well as ornament.

England has lately derived considerable advantages from the useful inventions of many ingenious men. Among these should be classed Messrs. Pellatt and Green's Glass Illuminators, for admitting day-light into the internal parts of ships and buildings, for which they have obtained a patent. The benefit derived from the application of this invention is incalculable, and its advantages are such as to increase, in a surprising degree, the comfort of our tars in particular, which the following statements sufficiently attest:

Messrs. Pellatt and Green, ,

I feel much satisfaction in being able to substantiate the value of your patent illuminators, by a fair and regular trial of them in two vessels I am concerned in, the George and the Weymouth, to prove their utility. I caused the forecastle scuttles to be shut, and we found but little difference in the light below; a sailor was mending his stocking when we went in, the forecastle, and