
Up: Glassmaking

Reminiscences 60 of 123
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The wonderful mystery attached to the art of
glass-making seems to have followed its introduction into this country.
The glass-blower was considered a magician, and myriads visited the
newly-erected works, and coming away with a somewhat improved idea of
an unmentionable place and its occupants; and the man who could compound
the materials to make glass was looked upon as an alchemist who could
transmute base metal into pure gold.
The fame of the works spread into a neighboring
State, and in 1810 or 1811 a company was formed in Utica,
to establish glass-works in that place, and quite a number of workmen
in the Essex Street Works were induced to leave their employ and break
their indentures from the offer of increased wages; while, however,
on their way, and just before they reached the State line, they, with
the agent, were arrested, brought back, and expensive lawsuits incurred.
The Utica Works were abandoned, and, we believe, never revived.
Subsequently another company was formed in New
York, being influenced by a fallacious view of the silicious sand. This
company erected their works at Sandy Lake, a locality
abounding both in silex and fuel. A few years' trial convinced
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