end of its career, which closed in 1763, the output was a clear glass of greenish tint, with faintly coloured streaks. Fig. 29 is a characteristic example. I have also seen a few pieces gilt. The glass is now exceedingly scarce, and good specimens command a very high price. There is a curious charm about Nailsea glass. In appearance, the best specimens are of a dark toffee-like colour, and when held up to a strong light exhibit a greenish tinge. The lighter and finer kinds display a characteristic ground which, if not beautiful, is certainly quaint. Collectors who are fortunate enough to come across a specimen of Nailsea at a reasonable figure should undoubtedly seize the opportunity of acquiring it, but such opportunities are few and, were they more numerous, it is hardly likely that anyone would wish to form a large collection of it. The “Simpson” Jug, illustrated in Fig. 28, is transparent, but of a curious yellowish-green tinge, and is probably one of the last pieces produced at the old factory. CHAPTER VI IRISH GLASS--CORK AND WATERFORD The history of the manufacture of glass in Ireland is very obscure, and the dates of its various periods difficult to fix. Hence it is well-nigh impossible to place before the reader any reliable data in the way of photographs of pieces that can be guaranteed authentic both as regards place of origin and date. Yet numerous specimens do exist, including drinking glasses of all shapes and sizes, as well as fruit dishes, epergnes, sweetmeat glasses, decanters, and salt-cellars, which are undoubtedly Irish in their origin, and which are generally known as “Waterford” glass. As far as can be determined, glass-making in various forms, enamelling, and even mosaic work and cameos, were carried on in Ireland as early as the beginning of the eighth century. The finest examples of the earliest period are to be found in the Royal Irish Antiquities [Illustration: FIG. 29.--NAILSEA JUG AND MUG.] Collection, which includes the famous Ardagh Chalice, the Tara Brooch, the Cross of Cong, and the Crozier of Clonmacnoise, as well as other well-known and interesting exhibits. At any rate, experts are agreed that even at this early date the art of enamelling on glass was practised in Ireland, being probably introduced by the Phœnicians who, in turn, had acquired the art from Ancient Egypt. In support of this belief is the fact that a large piece of red enamelled glass was found in the Rath of Caílchon on Tara Hill; but it is equally clear that the art of glass-making, if introduced at the time mentioned, speedily fell into desuetude, for there is no mention of any manufacture of glass between the ninth and the seventeenth centuries, nor are there to be found any specimens which may be attributed to this period. There are, further, no traces of the manufacture even of window glass of the commonest description.