r. We
will pray that Germany may spare these art works of the world."

Mr. Croyden did not speak for a moment; then he said:

"And while you are remembering so many things remember in addition
that the word _glaze_ comes from the term _glassing_ or _glazing_,
which means putting a coating of glass over the surface. Of course
the covering is not really glass, but it is hard and shiny, and so
people used to think it was. Some day I will tell you more about the
different kinds of glazes."

"So it was the Italians who gave Europe its glazed pottery and
porcelain," remarked Theo.

"Not alone the Italians," protested Mr. Croyden, "although they
helped. Somebody else had a share in the discovery--somebody very far
away from Italy. It was the knowledge of the Italians combined with
the skill of this other distant nation that gave to Europe the perfect
product."

"What nation was that?" demanded Theo.

"The Dutch."

"The Dutch!"

"Yes. You see at this time the Dutch were great traders, and it was
while the nation was at the height of its commercial glory that the
Dutch began bringing from China shipments of Chinese porcelain.
Portuguese traders had also brought some of it into Europe, so in
these two ways the beautiful blue and white ware we know so well was
introduced to the Continent.

"The Portuguese were content to import it; they never attempted to
copy either the pottery or the porcelain. But the Dutch were more
ambitious. As early as 1300 they began experimenting with glazed
pottery. To the knowledge of glaze which they got from Italy they
added all they could find out about the making of Chinese wares. They
learned that the blue color the Chinese got came from oxide of cobalt,
which would melt and mingle with the glaze when exposed to a high
temperature; they also learned a little--a very little, of the
clay. As a result they began to turn out a blue and white pottery
known as Delft, which they soon made in great quantities and sold to
European nations at a much lower price than imported Chinese potteries
and porcelains could be bought."

Mr. Croyden bent forward and tossed a small log upon the fire.

"This fact revolutionized daily living throughout Europe. Up to this
time you must remember the common people everywhere were using square
pieces of tile or wood for plates, and were eating from wooden bowls
or hollowed out slabs of wood called trenchers. The more well-to-do
used pewter, and kings and queens