Irish glass is far tougher and stronger than any other, hence its
wonderful survival even when in constant use. It takes a severe blow
to break it, or even chip it, and I have seen solid pieces fall on a
hard floor without being any the worse, beyond "singing" loudly. It
has a wonderful elasticity, and actually bounces in a way that I have
never found in any other glass. Some time ago the ring securing a large
and valuable chandelier to the ceiling of one of my rooms gave way,
with the result that the chandelier fell to the ground from a height
of twelve or fifteen feet. It was, of course, broken with the fall
from such a height, but the centre pendant, a large solid lump of lead
glass, weighing 9 lbs., had not been shattered in the least, _though
the force of the fall had flattened its point_.