Neither did they refuse the weed which cheers but not inebriates.” The author laments that this form has disappeared from use in Holland. “In course of time,” he says, “bitters and gin took the place of brandy, and the pretty vessel degenerated into a characterless bottle or jug, which in its turn was replaced by the teapot.” [Illustration: SUGAR-CASTER. EDINBURGH, 1746. Marked with Maker’s mark, E O, and Assay Master’s initials H G (Hugh Gordon), castle, and date Letter R. (_At Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh._)] The quaich illustrated, in date 1705, exhibits the purity of design of the early years of the eighteenth century. It belongs to the year prior to the appointment of a commission to arrange the terms of union between England and Scotland. In 1707 this was legally effected. The United Kingdom was to be called Great Britain. There was to be one Parliament for the United Kingdom, in which Scotland was to be represented by forty-five members in the Commons and sixteen peers in the Upper House. The Union Jack was to be the flag of Great Britain. The cup with the flat handle, or “lug” as it is termed in Scotland, level with the brim, was sometimes of more ornamental form, with six spheroidal sides, and the handles were chased. There is also the “bleeding-cup” used by barber-surgeons so freely in the late seventeenth and eighteenth century. There is a specimen of this class of silver vessel, diminutive in character, at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The marks for the year 1698 are taken from this bowl (see p. 373). A quaich made by Thomas Moncur at Glasgow in 1665 sold in 1909 for £408, at 560s. per oz. On the same page as the quaich is illustrated a mug, in date 1790. It is the other end of the century from the simple quaich. It marks the beginning of decadent styles; the overloaded ornament, the want of subtle suggestiveness in the design, shows that the nineteenth century was at hand. It has an interest as being contemporary with Robert Burns. _Tam O’Shanter_ was written in this year. To this year belongs Burke’s _Reflections_ on the French Revolution, which work had a great influence in turning English opinion against the revolutionists. Many replies were published to refute Burke, the most important being the _Rights of Man_ by Thomas Paine. The sugar-caster (illustrated p. 317) belongs to the George II epoch of silver. Evidently the rich and varied styles extended to Scotland. The same impulses influenced both nations before the union; in date this is 1746. This is marked with the maker’s initials, E. O., and the assay master’s initials, H. G. (Hugh Gordon); there is, in addition, the mark of the castle and the date letter R. The baluster ornament is in almost acorn form. The top with its perforated design is always a pleasing feature in casters. The floriated ornament in this example is of fine character. [Illustration: EARLY GEORGE III COFFEE-POT. EDINBURGH, 1769. Height 12¹/₄ in. Maker Patrick Robertson.