the mould opened, a cream-pitcher appeared, with the handle, all
complete.
"This," said the gaffer, "is what we call
pressing. It is claimed by some as an American invention.
Whether it is or not, it is quite modern, and it has been carried
to a higher degree of perfection in this country than anywhere else.
Here is a press that is making a large preserve-dish, elaborately
figured, a really elegant article. It is done, you see, almost in
a moment. Here is another man working two different moulds, and
turning out two hundred small preserve-plates in a minute. You can
see by this how much the use of moulds must have done towards
cheapening the price of glass. And, really," he added, "we are
making pressed glass nowadays that is almost as clear and beautiful
as blown,-- though of course there is a popular prejudice in favor
of the blown article, since it is more expensive."
Lawrence asked a workman who was cutting off
the melted glass from the ponty, as it dropped into a mould, if it
"cut easy."
"Well, about as easy as stiff dough cuts.
Try it."
And Lawrence, applying the shears, clipped
off a lump, which, pressed in the mould, came out a graceful goblet.
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