Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/183

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and its Green Border-Land.
169

the hardiest salamanders of endurance ever submitted to the test of fire. They are as well-known to the metal factories on both sides of the Atlantic as the Bath brick is to the kitchens of Christendom. It is one of the rich and complete provisions of nature that distinguish this remarkable district. If this material had to be imported from France, it would have enhanced the cost of the production and working of iron and other metals. But the excellent qualities and exhaustless abundance of the fire-clay attracted to the town and introduced into the district a manufacture of vast importance in addition to the metal trade. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes was an ill wind to the Protestants of France, and very grievous, but it blew fortunes to England and other countries. There was a general hegira of the best French artists from before the face and force of religious persecution, and thousands of every craft found asylum and employment in Great Britain. And they well and richly repaid the realm for both. They planted in English towns nearly all the artistic trades of the country. A family by the name of Hennezel, with several relatives of the name of Tyttery and Tyzak, settled down in Stourbridge in 1557, and commenced there the manufacture of glass, selecting the locality chiefly because of its excellent fire-clay for melting-pots. Others of the same family established the same