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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of the
SCHOOL of FINE ARTS
YALE UNIVERSITY

THE WEDGWOODS.

imted by Sir J. H^nolds

EnjrwBd bf J T Wee^vood.

THE WEDGWOODS

LIFE OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD;

f 0tias of lis Math anli t\m fwtetOT,

MEMOIES OF THE WEDGWOOD AND OTHEE FAMILIES,

AND A HISTOKY OF THE

EAELT POTTEEIES OF STAFFOEDSHIEE.

LLEWELLYNN ,^EWITT, F.S.A.,

ETC. ETC, ETC.

WITH A
AND NUMEROUS

PORTRAIT,
ILLUSTRATIONS.

LONDON:
VIETTJE BEOTHEES AND CO., 1, AMEN COENEE,
PATEENOSTEE EOW.
1865.

LOHDON :
PHISTED Br JAKES S. VLEIUE,
CITI- EOAB.

^6^ J

TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
WILLIAM EWAET GLADSTONE, M.P.,
HER majesty's
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,
AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONY TO HIS
MATCHLESS TALENTS AS AN ORATOR AND A STATESMAN;
TO HIS HIGH AND NOBLE PRINCIPLES,
PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE MADE HIM ONE OF THE
BRIGHTEST ORNAMENTS OF THE AGE ;
TO HIS INNATE AND BOUNDLESS LOVE FOR THE BEAUTIFUL IN
NATURE AND IN ART ;
TO WHOM AND TO WHOM ONLY,
(from the PROMINENT AND PRAISEWORTHY PART HE
TOOK IN FURTHERANCE OF
THE WEDGWOOD MEMORIAL INSTITUTE),
A MEMOIR OF THAT GREAT AND GOOD MAN CAN WITH
PROPRIETY BE INSCRIBED ;
AND IN
GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MANT ACTS OF KINDLY
COURTESY RECEIVED AT HIS HANDS,
THIS VOLUME IS, BT EXPRESS PERMISSION,
DEDICATED. LLEWELLYNN JEWITT. '

INTRODUCTION.

Yielding to no one in love for the beautiful in Art and in
Nature, or in veneration for whatever is great and good and
noble in the human family, the preparation of the life
of the man whose works are pre-eminently entitled to be
classed with the former, and whose whole life and character
so imperatively demand for him a proud place amongst the
latter, has to me been a " labour of love," and one in
which I have taken more than usual delight.
The task has been one of serious labour, but fully com
mensurate with that labour has been the pleasure I have felt
in prosecuting and completing my task. To me, in literary
matters, it has ever appeared that the heavier the toil,
the pleasanter will be the result. There is, in my opinion,
but little credit and less satisfaction in accomplishing a
work which takes no trouble. It is the hard literary digging
— the throwing up of heavy spadesful of soil, in the hope of
finding even one little bulb which may germinate and add
its beauties to those that are already garnered or are yet
to come — which brings with it enjoyment and satisfaction.
It is but small merit to compile a work from data and
materials ready "cut and dried "to one's hand. It is the
getting together of those materials that constitutes the
credit, and brings with it a gratifying reward.

VlU INTRODUCTION.
It is in holding these views that I am enabled to say
the preparation of my present work has to me been a
laljour of love." Had its subject been less worthy than
it is, and had the actual toil been short of what it has
been, the pleasure I have felt in its preparation and con
tinuance would undoubtedly have been far less than that
I have experienced. How I have succeeded, it is for
others to judge. That my work may contain errors, I am
prepared to believe, and that it may not be so full and
complete as some may have desired, I can readily under
stand ; but in future editions, should they be called for, I
hope to correct whatever there may be of the former, and
successfully to accomplish the latter.
Mr. Gladstone, speaking of the subject of this memoir
in his admirable address on occasion of his laying the
foundation-stone of the " Wedgwood Memorial Institute,"'
at Burslem, said, " Surely it is strange that the life of such
a man should, in this ' nation of shopkeepers,' yet at this
date remain unwritten ; and I have heard with much plea
sure a rumour, which I trust is true, that such a gap in
our literature is about to be filled up." That "gap" I have
endeavoured in this work to " fill up'" — I hope with satis
faction to my readers ; and I trust also that what I have
now for the first time brought together, maybe found useful,
and at the same time instructive, to collectors, while it may
be read with pleasure and profit by all. A large mass of
original letters of, and documents relating to, Josiah Wed £:-
wood, are fortunately — despite the wreck of the papers which
were with reprehensible thotiglitlossness sold, destroyed, or
lost some years after his death — preserved in the hands of
my friend, Mr. Joseph Mayer, F.S.A. These having been
unreservedly placed, years ago, by Mr. Mayer, in other bands

INTRODUCTION. IX
for the purpose of their forming the groundwork of a different
publication on Wedgwood, have been a " sealed book " to
me. I have never sought to see them, or even inquired
of what they consist, but, on the contrary, have scrupulously
avoided any allusion or reference to them. It is my sincere
hope that they may be carefully and properly edited, and
may form a work which may worthily supplement my
own, which has been prepared independently of any such
aid. It is right to say that the groundwork of this — my Life of
Wedgwood— is to be found in the chapters on " WedgSSQlL \
and Etruria," which form a part of the series of Histories
of the Porcelain and Earthenware Manufactories of this
Kingdom, which I am regularly giving in the pages of that
admirably conducted and exquisitely beautiful publication,
the Art- Journal, to whose learned and able editor, my kind
friend, Mr. S. C. Hall, F.S.A., I have to express my deep
and lasting obligation for favours most kindly conferred
upon me. The chapters, however, which appeared in the
Art-Journal do but form the groundwork of the present
volume. The whole has been re-modelled and re-written,
and the additional matter has swelled it to more than
double its original size. / It is hoped that the narrative I
now present to the public will be found to be a history of
the " great Josiah," his family, and his works, which shall
form as pleasing and lasting a " Wedgwood Memorial " as
any of the others that have been projected.
Debby, Mabch, 1865.

CONTENTS.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OE STAEEORDSHIRE.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Introductory. — Gradual Progress of the Art in the District. — The Celtic
Period. — Cinerary Urns. — Drinking-cups. — Food- vessels. — Incense-
cupa ...  . . . ... 1

CHAPTER n.
The Eomano -British Period. — Varieties of Vessels.- — Anglo-Saxon
Period. — Cinerary TJms.- — Domestic Vessels. — Norman Period. —
Pitchers and other Vessels discovered in Derbyshire. — Pavement
Tiles.— Mediasval Pottery  13

CHAPTER ni.
Productions of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. — Dishes of
Toft, Sans, and Taylor.— Tygs. — The Butter Trade.— Butter-pots. —
Clays. — Dr. Plot's Account.- — Comhed "Ware. — BeUarmines and
Ale-pots. — White Stone Ware. — " Drinking Stone Pottes." — Early
Patents. — Salt Glazing. — Crouch Ware. — The Brothers Eler, from
Nuremberg ; their Secret discovered by Astbury and Twyford . . 22

, CHAPTER IV.
Manufacture of Tobacco-pipes. — Chronological Series of Examples. —
TUes for Garden Knots. — The Wedgwoods. — John Wedgwood. —
Puzzle Jugs. — Earthenware Cradle. — DeHt Ware. — English Delft
Ware. — UniverBality of Blue in Pottery. — ^Embossed Stone Ware. —
Discovery of the Use of Flint, by Astbury. — Patents for Grinding
FUnt. — Patent for Damasking, &c. — Ealph Shaw. — Litigation -with
other Potters. — Posset Pots. — Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, Junior. —
Ealph Wood  46

J

XII CONTENTS.
THE WEDGWOODS.
CHAPTER I.
Page
Burslem a Hundred and Fifty Years ago. — Wolstanton. — James
Brindley, "the S(hr;mer." — The Wedgwoods of Harracles and their
Alliances. — Hazelrigg, Vonables, and Fenton Familifra. — Horton
Hall, Church, and Manor.— The De Burslem Family: th'-ir Alliance
with the Wedgwoods. — Gilbert Wedgwood and Margaret Burslem.
— Burslem Wedgwood. — Dcscrnt of the " Overhou-se," "Church
yard," and "Big House" Families. — Thomas Wedgwood and
Margaret Shaw. — Wills of Thomas, Eichard, and Mary Wedgwood 69
CHAPTER n.
Birth of Josiah Wedgwood. — His Father and Grandfather. — Boyhood
and Early Life. — Indenture of his Apprenticeship. — Abner Wedg
wood. — The Astburys. — The Secrt-t of the Elers di.scovered by
Stratagem. — Discovery of the Use of Flint. — Thomas Wedgwood. —
The " Churchyard " Works, Burslem, as they were, and as they are.
— Descent of the Property. — Jlessrs. Bridgwood and Clarke. —
Productions of the Works. — Character of Josiah Wedgwood as an
Apprentice  . . . .83

CHAPTER m.
Boyhood of Josiah Wedgwood. — Attack of Small-pox. — Mr. Gladstone's
Notice of this Attack. — Amputation of his Leg. — Josiah Wedgwood
as a " Thrower." ^ Enoch Wood. — William Littler and Aaron
Wedgwood. — Death of the Mother of .Tosi:»h Wedgwood. — Termi
nation of hia Apprenticeship. — Commences making Agate Knife
Handles, &c. — Enters into Partnership with John Harrison. —
Partnership -with Thomas Whieldon ...  102

CHAPTER IV.
Thomas Whieldon. — The Enlargement of his Works. — " Hirings" of
Workmen. — Extracts from 'NATiieldon's Account- Book. — Josiah
Spode; his Apprenticeship and after Hiring. — Tortoisoshell Ware.
—Expiration of Partnership between Thomas Whieldon and Josiah
Wedgwood.— Wedgwood commences Business at Burslem. — Takes
the " Ivy House" Pot Works. — Doscont of the Ivy House Propertv.
— John and Thomas Wedgwood of tho " Big House."— Burslem
Shambles, &r  HI

CONTENTS. XIII

CHAPTER V. Page
The "Overhouse." — Thomas Cololough. — Madam Egerton. — Thomas
Wedgwood an.dthe"Overhouse" Branch. — The "Overhouse Works"
— Occupiers of the Works. — Allman, Broughton, aud Co. — Josiah
Wedgwood. — Jardinieres, Medallions, &c. — Difficulties with Work
men. — Matthew Boulton, of the Soho Works. — Calling Workmen
by Sound of Horn.— Cupola and Bell.— The " Bell Works:" their
Owners and Occupiers. — Wedgwood's " Queen's Ware." — Presents
a Caudle Service to Queen Charlotte. — Appointed " Queen's Potter."
— The " Queen's Pattern" Services. — Cream-coloured Ware. — En
gine Lathe.— " Queen Street" takes its Name from his Works . . 124

CHAPTER VI.
Josiah Wedgwood. — ^Did not take out Patents. — His own Views con
cerning throwing open the Manufacture. — Enoch Wood's Collection
of Pottery. — Invention of Printing on Earthenware. — Sadler and
Green, of Liverpool. — Notices of Adam and John Sadler, and of Guy
Green. — Badness of the Staffordshire Eoads. — Wares sent by Pack-
horses to Liverpool. — Mr. Mayer's Museum. — Mr. S. C. Hall's
Collection of Wedgwood Ware. — "Queen's Ware." — Burslem
Dialogue   Ill

CHAPTER VII.
Marriage of Josiah Wedgwood. — The Wedgwoods of Smallwood. —
Pedigree showing Eelationship of Josiah and Sarah Wedgwood. —
Accession of Fortune. — Thomas and John Wedgwood, of the " Big
House."— Movement for building Burslem School. — State of the
Eoads in Staffordshire : Wedgwood's Project for their Improvement
- — Opposition of the Potters of Newcastle. — Wedgwood's Visits to
Liverpool. — Illness there. — Introduction to Thomas Bentley. — Error
; Bentley. — ^Medallion of Thomas Bentley  155

CHAPTER VIH.
Inland Navigation.— Proposed Grand Trunk Canal. — Briadley's Plan.—
Duke of Bridgwater's Canal. — Meeting in Favour of the Grand
Trunk.— Josiah Wedgwood's. Liberal Offer.— State of the Pottery
District. — Want of Communication. — Pack-horses.- Clay, FUnt,
Lead, Salt, Iron, &c.— Eichard Whitworth and his Ideas.— State of
the People in Burslem.— Eev. John Wesley— His First Visit to the
Potteries— Is pelted while Preaching.— Wedgwood cuts the First
Sod of the Grand Trunk Canal.— Wonder excited at Brindley's
Operations.— Wedgwood's Zeal with regard to the Canal .... 167

XIV CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX. _ ^ ^ ^
Page e e
Josiah Wedgwood takes into Partnership his Eclative Thomas Wedg
wood.— Ralph Wedgwood— His Pot Works in Staffordshire and
Yorkshire— His Inventions.— The Pocket Secretary and the Mani
fold Writer.— Invention of the Electric Telegraph.— Scheme offered
to and rejected by Government.— John Taylor Wedgwood, the Line
Engraver— His Works. — Josiah Wedgwood's Chemical Knowledge.
— Procures Clays from America. — Alexander Chiaholm. — Introduc
tion of " Basaltes," or " Egyptian Black" Ware ... . . 177 ? ?
CHAPTER X.
Josiah Wedgwood's Inventions and Discoveries. — Terra Cotta.- — Basaltes,
White Porcelain Biscuit, Jasper, Bamboo and Mortar Warts. — Imita
tion Agate and Marble. — Mr. S. C. Hall's CoUection. — Wedgwood
Determines upon Eemoving from Burslem. — Purchases the Eidge
House Estate. — Erection of the " Black Works." — Takes Thomas
Bentley into Partnership. — Notice of the Bentlejs. — The "Octagon"
Chapel at Liverpool. — Wedgwood and Bentley. — " Etruria" Works.
— Building of Etruria HaU. — Founding and building of the Village
of Etruria. — Etruscan Vases. — .Sir William Hamilton. — Count Cay
lus. — Wedgwood declines to secure his Inventions by Patent-right
— Takes out the only Patent he ever appUed for. — Specification for
Encaustic Painting, &c  1S7
CHAPTER XI
Wedgwood and Bentley. — Opening of the Etruria Works. — First Pro
ductions of the Works thrown by Josiah Wedgwo<4 while Bentley
turned the Wheel. — Etruscan, or Encaustic Vases. — Establishes
Works at Chelsea. — Workmen engaged there. — First Teapot made
at Etruria. — Chinese Portrait ModeUer. — Audience of the King and
Queen. — Catherine the Great of Russia. — Service for the Grenouil-
U5re Palace. — Thomas Bentley "s Snond Marriage. — ^Tho .S;;muord
and Crompton Families. — Wedgwood and Bentley's First CiU;»log-\ie.
— Black and White MedaUions. — Introduction of '• .lasper Ware."
— Declaration of Noble Principles. — The Wedgwood Inkstand. —
Eye Cups and Closet Pans. — Letter from Josiah Wedgwood to his
Cousin Thomas  . . 204 t I
CHAPTER xn.
William Coolcworthy discovers tho Use of Cornish Clay and Cornish
Stone. — Memoir of Cookworthy. — His Accoimt of his lUs-
covcries. — Establishes Works at Plymouth. — Plymouth China.—
Takes out a Patent. — Success of tho Works. — Employs Artists from
Srvros and Dresden. — Decline of the Works. — Assignment to
Richard Champion, of Bristol. — Removal of the Chinii AVorks from
Plymouth to Bristol.— Act of Parliament for extending Term of
Patent Right  . . .vig > >

CONTENTS. XV

CHAPTER XIII. Page
Josiah Wedgwood's Opposition in Parliament to the Extension of
Champion's Patent. — "Memorial" of Wedgwood and others. 
Champion's " Reply." — Josiah Wedgwood issues his " Remarks." —
Wedgwood's " Eeasons " for opposing the Act. — " Case of the
Potters." — The BOl passes the House of Commons. — Amended by
the Lords. — Passing of the Act. — ^Examples of Champion's Bristol
China. — Decay of the Works. — Champion seUs his Patent Eight to
a Company in Staffordshire  237

CHAPTER XIV.
Introduction of the Manufacture of China into Staffordshire. — WiUiam
Littler and Aaron Wedgwood. — Champion's Patent bought by a
Company. — Works established at TunstaU. — Removed to Shelton. —
New Hall Works. — Samuel EoUins ; Anthony Keehng ; John
Turner; Jacob Warburton, and others. — Examples of New HaU
China. — Josiah Wedgwood enters into Partnership with Mr. Carthew
for working Cornish Stone. — Thomas Bentley visits Paris.- — Wedg
wood and Bentley's Dutch and French Catalogues. — John Flaxman.
- — Death of Thomas Bentley. — His Monument at Chis-wick. — Pro-
l Inscriptions to his Memory  258

CHAPTER XV.
jOhn Flaxman — His Connection with Josiah Wedgwood. — Original
BiUs and Letters of Flaxman's. — Mode of reducing Medallions, &o.,
by Firing. — ^Flaxman's MedaUion Portraits — His Bas-reUefs — His
Designs for Set of Chessmen. — Mr. Marjoribank's CoUection. —
Friezes and Plaques. — Flaxman's Models in Wax. — Josiah Wedg
wood elected F.R.S. — Sir Joshua Reynolds paints Portraits of
Josiah and Mrs. Wedgwood. — Wright of Derby. — ^Wedgwood in
vents a Thermometer for Measuring Heat. — Chamber of Commerce.
— Invention of " Jasper Dip."  273

CHAPTER XVI.
Pood Eiots at Etruria. — Boat-load of Provisions seized. — ^MUitary caUed
out.— Eingleaders seized and condemned. — Execution of Barlow at
Stafford. — Contemporary Account of the Eiots. — Josiah Wedgwood's
" Address to the Young Inhabitants of the Potteries." — Sale of the
Duoheas of Portland's CoUection of Antictuities. — The Barberini or
Portland Vase. — Wedgwood's Determination to possess and copy
the Vase. — ^Arrangement with the Duke of Portland. — Fifty Copies
produced. — Josiah Wedgwood elected F.S.A. — Publication of the
Sixth Edition of his Catalogue. — " Bamboo or Cane-coloured BisquS

XVI CONTENTS. Page
Porcelain,'' and "Mortar Ware" introduced. — Death of Thomas
Wedgwood. — Clay from New South Wales. — Commemorative
Medallion.— Darwin's Botanic Garden.— Wedgwood takes his Sons
into Partnership. — Thomas Byerley becomea a Partner. — Memoir of
Byerley and his Family.— Treaty -with Saxony. — Establishment of
a National GaUery of Sculpture   290

CH.Vl'TER XVII.
Jasper Ware. — Turner's Productions. — AYedgwood's Inventions and
Discoveries. — Examples of Jasper. — Mr. HaU's CoUection. — Mr.
Gladstone's Collection. — Dejeune Sernce. — Jasper Beads. — Classe.'-
of Wedgwood's Productions. — IntagUos and ilt'lallions.— .Seals,
Bracelets, &c. — ^Portrait MedaUions. — Bas-HeUefc and Plaques. —
Black Ware, or " Basaltes." — Busts and Statues.^Lamps and
Candelabra. — Tea and Cofft-e Equipages. — Flower and Eoot Pots. —
Vases. — Sepulchral Urns. — Etruscan Vases. — Inkstands, Mortars,
&c. — Stubbs, the "Animal Painter." — Thermometers for Measuring
Heat  319

CHAPTER XVm.
China Manufacture. — Jonathan Wedgwood. — Agreement with WiUiam
Duesbury, of the Derby China Works. — Abner Wedgwood. — China
made from Guano. — Enoch Wedgwood. — Francis Eginton, Inventor
of Polygraphic Pictures. — Mug given him by Josiah Wedgwood. —
Matthew Boulton of the Soho AYorks. — Letters of Eginton. — The
" Early Photographs." — Letter of Boulton, objecting to a Pension
for Eginton. — Eginton's AYorks in Stained Glass. — WiUiam Raphael
Eginton. — Letter of Josiah Wedgwood. — Etruscan Yase and French
Pie  . . . .316
CHAPTER XIX.
Josiah Wedgwood. — His last Illness and Death. — Etruria HalL — Burial
at Stoke. — Monody by Eev. AY. Femyhouirh. — AYedgwoAi's
Monument at Stoke-upon-Trent. — Obituar\- Notices .... . 356

CHAPTER XX.
Josiah Wedgwood. — MedaUion Portraits of him by Flaxman and others.
— Medallion of Mrs. AVedgwood.- Jtaccaroni Head-dresses.— Cos
tume of the Period.— Satires on tlio ProvaUing Mode— Network
Bans for tlie Head.— Heads not dressed for Nino M'ccks.— Sir
.li>sluiii Reynolds' Portrait of Wedgwood. — Stulibs' Family Picturc
of tho Wedgwood.s.— Fushion of wearing Huije Caps.— 8!;ituo of
Wedfjwood.— I'lintanii's Dust. — Bust on the Alonumorit at Stoke . 364

CONTENTS. XVII
CHAPTER XXI. Page
Children of Josiah Wedgwood aud their Alliances. — Their Descendants.
— Darwin's "Origin of Species." — John AVedgwood. — Letter of
Josiah AVedgwood. — Thomas Wedgwood. — Samuel Taj'lor Cole
ridge. — Generous Help accorded to him by the Brothers Wedgwood.
— ^Thomas AVedgwood's Researches into the Properties of Light. —
Discovers Photography. — Sir Humphrey Davy. — Josiah Wedgwood
the Second. — AYar with France : Marbles used as Bullets. — Thomas
Byerley. — Death of Thomas Byerley. — Change in the Firm. —
Manufacture of China at Etruria. — Stone China. — Death of Mrs.
Wedgwood. — John Boyle becomes a Partner. — Robert Brown taken
in Partnership. — Marks used on Wedgwood Ware. — " Wedgwood
and Co." — ^Injunction against Messrs. W. Smith aud others, of
Stockton  374
CHAPTER XXII.
Etruria Works. — ^Productions of the Present Day. — Solid Jasper and
Jasper Dip. — ^Majolica. — Mr. Minton. — M. Emile Lessore. — Parian.
— Inlaid Ware. — Queen's Ware. — Pearl Body. — Rockingham
Ware. — Porous Ware. — Red Ware. — Blue Printing. — Views of the
Works. — " Sun and Planet " Motion Steam Engine made by Watt.
— The Village of Etruria. — The ViUage Inn. — Etruria Jubilee
Group   387
CHAPTER XXHI.
Wedgwood Memorials. — The Wedgwood Statue at Stoke. — Address of
the Promoters. — Wedgwood Memorial Institute at Burslem. — Mr.
Gladstone lays the First Stone. — His Views on the Advantages of
the proposed Institution. — -Casket made by Messrs. Davenport. — •
Trowel by Mr. Macintyre. — Mr. W. Woodall. — Captain Fowkes'
Arrangement of the Rooms. — Mr. Beresford - Hope's Project for
External Fictile Decorations. — Decorations described. — Wedgwood
Memorial Jug. — Messrs. C. Meigh and Co.'s Earthenware Works. —
Happy Arrangement by which each of the three Towns possesses
its Memorials of Wedgwood  397

^

CHAPTER XXIV.

Josiah Wedgwoood. — Characteristics. — His great Success and Wealth. — -
Copy of his Will. — Alexander Ohisholm. — Wedgwood's Acquaint
ance with Men of Intellect and Science. — Dr. Priestley. — Summary
of Wedgwood's Character. — Poem on a Staffordshire Teapot. —
'Wedgwood's Labours increase the Commerce of the Kingdom. —
Staffordshire has reason to be proud of her Son  412

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PORTRAIT, AUTOGRAPH, ETC., OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.

Celtic cinerary urn, Trentham
 • Stone
 Uttoxeter
.  Monsal Dale
 Darley Dale .
 Darley Dale
Celtic drinking-vessel. Bee Low .
 Monsal Dale
Celtic food-vessel, Trentham
 Monsal Dale

Hitter HiU
• Hitter HiU
¦ AYetton .

Celtic incense-cups, Throwley .
.  Darley Dale .
 Baslow Moor
 Stanton Moor
Romano-British urn, Uttoxeter

1.
2.3.4. 5.6. 7.
8. 9.
10.11.12. 13.14.
15.
16. 17.18.19.
20.21. 22.23. 24.25.26.27.28. 29.30.31. 32.
33. 34. Dish made by Thomas Toft
35. 
36. Dish made by Ralph Toft .
37. Tyg, four-handled .
38.  three- handled .
39.  with bosses
40.  two-handled
41. Candlestick of 1049
42. Two butter-pots

Anglo-Saxon cinerary urns, Kingston
 wood punch for indenting pottery.
¦  small vessel.

Norman pitcher with badge o;

Norman jug-shaped vessel

Norman pitcher
Costrel .

Ferrara .

In tchose poaesfion.
Dr. J. B. Datis.
Dehbt ilceEUM.
Redfebs. Batemax. L. jEwrrr.
Ditto. Batzmas.Ditto.
Dr. J. B. Datis.
Batkmas.LrcA?. Ditto.Batemax. Ditto.L. jEwrrr.
Batemax.
Ditto.Redfehx.

Derby M i sevm.

L. Je-wftt.
Ditto.Ditto.
Ditto.Ditto. Ditto. Ladv Crewe.
( MvsEiM Practical
I GSOLOOY.
B.\TFMAN.
J. Mills.
B.\oshawk. Ditto.
Ifrs. Prac. Gbol.
JFi s. Piuc. Geol.
Ditto.Ditto, and H-ixley.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

XIX

43.
44. 45.46.
47. 48.49.60.61.
52. 63.
54. 65.56.57.68.59.60.61.62.63.
64. 65.
66.67.68.69. 70.
71. 72.
73. 74.76. 76.
77. 78.
79.80.
81.82.83.84,
85,86,87.

" Combed ware" plate ' .
BeUarmines, two examples.
Ale-pot . . ¦ .
Cup and- saucer, Eler's ware
Tobacco-pipes, Elizabethan .

Stuart ....
four examples from prints.
five examples from tokens.
Charles II. . . .
William IIL
 two examples
1689 
made by Charles Eiggs

 group of old Broseleys
Puzzle jug, John Wedgwood, 1691
 of Delft ware ....
 Staffordshire earthenware .
Earthenware cradle, 1691 ....
Delft ware plates of EngUsh manufacture
 flower vase, do.
 central ornament
White stoneware plate
Posset pot, 1711 
¦  1760 ....
 1819 ....

90.
91.92.93.94.
95.96.97.98. 99.

View of Horton Hall, Staffordshire.
Puzzle jug of John Wedgwood ....
Fac-simUe of autographs to indenture of appren
ticeship 
View of the Churchyard Works at Burslem.
Agate knife haft, tortoise-sheU plates, &c.
View of the Ivy House, Burslem.
View of doorway, Overhouse Works, Burslem.
View of the Bell Works, Burslem.
Queen's ware butter-boat .
 teapot, Liverpool printing
 centre piece
MedaUion portrait of Josiah Wedgwood
 Mrs. Wedgwood
Autograph of Thomas Bentley
MedaUion portrait of Thomas Bentley
Imitation marble and porphyry vases, two examples
Group of Egyptian black or "basaltes" ware
View of the Black Works, Etruria.
Etruscan vases, the first made at Etruria
Crab-stock pattern teapot ....
Jasper medaUion, black and white
Group of jasper-ware vases, tripods, &c. .
Plymouth china sheU piece ....

Ill whose possession.
L. Jewitt.
Ditto.
Mus. Prac. Geol.
Crokee,.
L. Jewitt.
Croker.

Ditto.
Ditto.Faieholt.
Croker. L. Jewitt.
F. Redfern.
Thursfield.Mus. Prac. Geol.
J. Mater.
Mus. Prao. Geol.
Batemax.
L. Jewitt.
J. Mayer.
Mills.
Mus. Prac. Geol.
Bateman. Lucas. Bramhall. Mus. Pkac. Geol.
J Hanley Museum.
L. Jewitt.

teapot
mug, painted by Saqui
large vase .

Bristol china, group of
¦ cup and saucer made for Edmund

Burke

Mus. Prac Geol.
S. C. Hall.
Ditto.
L. Jewitt.
Ditto. Ditto.Ditto. Ditto.Oliver.
S. C. Hall.
F. Wedgwood.
Wedgwood & Sons.
L. Jewitt.
S. C. Hall.
Carter. Mills.L. Jewitt.
Ditto.
F. Fry.
L. Jewitt.
I Ditto.

XX

100. 101.102. 103.104. 105. 106. 107.108. 109. 110. 111.112. 113. 114. 115. 116. 117.118. 119.120.121. 1-22.123.
124. 125.
126. 127.128.
129. 130.
131. 132.
133.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Bristol china, plaque ...
 heraldic plaque
 large vase ...
New HaU china teapot, and cup and saucer .
 group of .
Autographs of John Flaxman, two examples
Flaxman's medallion portraits, Mr.s. Meerman
 Mrs. Siddons

Mr. Meerman
BerBcheU C. JenkinBon
(iueen of Portugal
King of Sweden
Dr. Buchan .

Jn vihose possession.
LrCAS. Baller.y. Fry.
L. Jewitt.
Ditto, andDAXiELS.
AVedgwood i Soxs.
L. Jewitt.
Ditto. Ditto.Ditto. Ditto.Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.

[':

Flaxman's bas-reUef, "Peace preventing Mars from 1 ¦
bursting the door of Janus's temple" . . j'
 " Jlercury uniting the hands 1 y-,-j,
of England and France" . . . j JJino-
Armorial seal of Josiah AV^edgwood
Flaxman's designs for chessmen .
Flaxman's original models in wax of Cupids,
with masks and ivy above ....
Emblematical medallion of clay from New South )
AA''ales  j
MedaUion portrait of Thomas Byerley
Group of jasper- ware vases, &c. .
Jasper-ware vase
.  dejeune service .
 beads
Group of " basaltes" ware .
Jasper-ware tea-cup .
Section of ink-stand.
Inkstand of " basaltes" ware
Large mug of ditto . ....
A'iew of Etruria Hall.
Monument to Josiah Wedgwood at Stoke-upon-
Trent.

Ditto.

W. R. Wedgwood.
AVedgwood i Sons.

C. Mabjori-
BAXKS, JI.P.
C. Hall.

L. .jEvmr.
S. C. Hah.
B. Eathboxk.
The Chaxcellok op
the excbeqcee.
Dr. J. B. Davis.
.•^. C. Hall.
L. Jewitt.
S. C. Hall.
Lucas.

134. MedaUion portrait of Wedgwood by Flaxman

135.136.137. 138.139.
140.141.142.143.Ml.145.

Medallion portrait of Wedgwood

undraped

MedaUion portrait of Mrs. AVedgwood, by Flaxman
 \\'edgwood, by Flixman
 from his monu
ment at Sloke-upon-Trent.
Mark of " \\'odgwood and Bentley, Etruria"
Ftruria Works, general view.
interior of one of the yards, showing

/ The Chaxcelloh op
[ the ExcHsarER.
Ditto.Dr. J. B. Davls.
L. .Tewitt,
Ditto.
Ditto.

Ditto.

steps and bridge.
 view of the

' r>l.\ck Works."

Open-work basket of bamboo ware

Haxley Museum.

THE WEDGWOODS.

THE EARLY POTTEEIES OF STAFFOEDSHIEE.

CHAPTER I.
INTEODUCTOET.  GRADUAL PROGRESS OF THB ART IN THE
DISTRICT.  THE CELTIC PERIOD.  CINERARY URNS. 
DRINKING-CUPS.  FOOD-VESSELS. — INCENSE-CUPS.
The history of the important and truly beautiful art of " pot
making," so far as regards our own country, which has not
yet been written, must and will one day — it is hoped ere
long — form one of the most pleasing and instructive works
which can be produced. The deep and undivided research
of the patient antiquary, the graphic powers of the skilled
biographer, the thoughtful comparative experiences of the
collector, and the matured observations of the practised
manipulator, will need all to be united in the production of
such a work ; which, if properly carried out, cannot fail to
present a more vivid and more pleasingly instructive picture
of English industry and English art — both allied and inde
pendent of each other — than it has fallen to the lot of any
one as yet to attempt to depict.
Extending uninterruptedly through several centuries from
a period long antecedent to historic times, down through
every change of race and of peoples to our own day — followed
in one way or other in almost every district throughout the
length and breadth of the land — gradually extending itself

* THE WEDGWOODS.
from the first rude and coarse clay vessels for receiving the
ashes of the dead, to every conceivable appliance of the
table, the toilet, or the drawing room of the living — firom the
thick and clumsy half-baked urn, to the finest, most costly,
and exquisitely beautiful porcelain services and ornaments —
the art of the potter has been associated with every race,
with every age, and with every occupation of the occupiers
of the soU, aud has thus been connected with their everyday
life, their homes, and their callings. A history of this art,
then, must, more than any other, illustrate the history of
man, and the progress of his intellectual development, and
must form, when properly considered, a key to his civilisation
and to his social advancement.
This history, as I have said, has yet to be written, and
will, sooner or later, form a work of surpassing interest and
value. Introductory to the memoir of one of the greatest
potters the world ever saw — Josiah Wedgwood — I have
thought that a slight sketch of the progress of the art in the
earliest times in the district which gave him birth, and in
which he " lived and moved and had his being," could not
fail to be interesting to his countrymen, who enjoy to so
great an extent the results of his talents, his skill, and his
industry; and I have therefore thrown together the foUowing
notes, to give an insight into the state of that art, and to
show with what success it has been followed in that one
district of our kingdom which has earned for itself the proud
title of "</ie Potteries."
The early fictile history of the important district to which
I have referred, and which is universally known as the
" Staffordshire Potteries," is naturally, like that of everj'
place or seat of manufacture, involved in mystery. That
mystery, however, happily is not altogether impenetrable.
By the constimt labours of the antiquary, and the discoveries
which from time to time he is enabled to make, a lio-ht is
every now and then thrown on the productions of the early
inhabitiints of the plaee ; and thus new Imks in the chain
which_ connects tlie present with the past are continually

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. d
being formed. It is, indeed, an occupation of intense interest
to examine these links as they appear, and, by following their
ramifications back to the most remote time, take up the
thread of history, and connect the early efforts of primeval
man, with his rude and clumsy vessels of coarse clay, with
those of his successors at the present day, with their
wondrous and marvellously fine productions in earthenware
and porcelain. It is always interesting to trace out the
gradual progress of an art, whatever that art may be ; but
in the case of pottery that interest is increased an hundred
fold. The art of pot making is essentially a homely one ; its .
vessels are for the " people," and for every occupation of
the people, and therefore tell more of their manners and
customs, their occupations and their inner or home life,
than anything else does or can. But few things indeed so
well and effectively illustrate the progress of a nation or a
race as its pottery; and certainly there is nothing that
better shows the gradual development of its civilisation, and
of its " mind," than does a chronologically arranged series
of its fictile productions ; and the following slight sketch of
the history of early fictile art in Staffordshire at different
periods wUl be useful in assisting the collector to understand
the progress and development of that particular manufacture
for which it is so "world-famous."
That pottery has been "made in the district from a very
early period there can be no doubt, and that in course of time
a continuous chain of examples, from the most remote ages
down to the present time, might with care and attention be
stiU got together, is equally certain. This collection would
be of great advantage to the district, and not only to it but
to the country at large : and it is much to be hoped that in
the new Wedgwood Institute and Museum, at Burslem, this
suggestion may be fully carried out.
The four great divisions into which the history of the
Ceramic Art of this country is to be divided (leaving out the
modern manufactures) are, of course, those of the Celtic or
ancient British, the Romans-British, the Anglo-Saxon, and
b2

THE WEDGWOODS.

the Mediceml periods. To each of these periods a separate
volume, to do the subject even a shadow of justice, ought to
be devoted. My present purpose, however, is only, as I have
stated, to glance at their principal characteristics, and to
illustrate them, as far as may be, by Staffordshire examples.
In the Celtic, or ancient British, period, the pottery
consists mainly of cinerary or sepulchral urns, dnnking-
cups, food-vessels, and incense-cups. These were un
doubtedly made on the spot, or near the spot, where found.
They were, no doubt, the handiwork of the females of the
tribe, and occasionally exhibit no little elegance of form and
no small degree of ornamentation. They are formed of the
coarse common clay of the place where made, occasionally
mixed with small pebbles and gravel. They are entirely
wrought by hand, without the assistance of the wheel, and
are, the larger vessels especially, extremely thick. From
their imperfect firing, the vessels of this period are usuaUy
called " sun-baked," or " sun-dried." This, however, is a
grave error, as any one who will take the trouble to examine
an example will easily perceive. If the vessels were " sun
baked" only, their burial in the earth — in the barrows
wherein they were deposited, and where they have remained
for a couple of thousands of years — would soon soften them,
and they would, ages ago, have returned to their old con
sistency. As it is, they bear evidence of the action of fire,
and are indeed- sometimes sufficiently burned for the day to
have attained a red colour. They are mostly of an earthy-
brown colour outside, and almost black in fracture: and
many of the cinerary urns bear internal evidence of having
been filled by the burnt bones and ashes of the deceased,
while those ashes were of a glowing and intense heat.
The Cinerary Urns — i.e. such urns as have contained,
either inverted or otherwise, the burnt bones and ashes of
the deceased — of Staffordshire, like those of Derbyshire,
vary considerably in form from those of many other districts.
Their principal characteristic is a broad or deep overlapping
border or rim. They vary in size from nine or ton up to

THB EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORD SHIRE. 5
sixteen or eighteen inches in height ; and their ornamenta
tion, always produced by indenting twisted thongs into the
pliant clay, or by simple incision, is frequently very elaborate.
This ornamentation usually consists of diagonal lines, or of
" herring-bone " or zigzag lines, arranged in different ways,
and producing a remarkably good effect. Of these interest
ing vessels some excellent examples have been found in
Staffordshire, and these were, without doubt, made on the
spot. They are, therefore, the very earliest examples which

can be produced of Staffordshire pottery, and date back to
the time when that district was inhabited by the Cornavii.
Of the form of Staffordshire pottery of this early period the
best idea will be gleaned from the accompanying engravings.
The first is a remarkably fine cinerary urn, discovered in

THE WEDGWOODS.

a barrow, along with other pottery to be hereafter noticed,
at Trentham. It is richly ornamented in the usual manner,
with lines formed by indented twisted thongs, and is of
remarkably good form. It is in the possession of my friend,
Dr. J. Barnard Davis, F.S.A. The next example is from

Stone, where it was discovered some years ago. It is, as
will be seen, a fine urn, and is elaborately ornamented with
incised lines. Like the Trentham urn, this one was filled
with burnt bones when found. The third one was dis
covered, in fragments, by Mr. Eedfern, the
historian of Uttoxeter, at Toot Hill, near
that town. It is ornamented with indented
twisted thongs in the usual manner.
At Yoxall, some years ago, it is recorded
about forty cinerary urns were discovered,
but were, unfortunately, nearly all wantonly
dostroj'ed. They appear to have been of
the usual form, with somewhat elaborate
zigzag ornaments. An urn, with the upper rim punctured

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 7
in three rows, was also, many years ago, found at Over
Tean. It is interesting to note that besides the urns here en
graved and described, several discoveries of similar kinds
of pottery have been made in other parts of Staffordshire,
principally by Mr. Bateman and Mr. Carrington ; and that
even in the very centre of the potteries — at Shelton — while
digging the foundations of the Shelton Blast Ironworks,
which are now blasting the health and happiness of the in
habitants so efficiently, a barrow containing an urn, unfor
tunately not preserved, was discovered.
The next engraving shows a remarkably good cinerary
urn from the neighbouring county of Derby, which will be
seen to be of the same general form as those of Staffordshire.

It was discovered, along with many interesting relics, in a
barrow at Monsal Dale, where it was inverted over a deposit
of calcined bones, placed on surface stones, and a bone pin was
found among the remains. Two other urns, a part of a mbsi
interesting discovery of five such vessels and other remains
in a barrow at Darley Dale, are also shown on the engra
vings on next page. They will be seen to vary somewhat

THE WEDGWOODS.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

9

in general form from those with the usual overlapping rims,
and one of them has the peculiarity of looped ears at its sides.
They may possibly have been the work of the females of a
migratory tribe.
The Celtic drinking-vessels found in the Staffordshire and
Derbyshire barrows are generally from about six to nine
inches in height, tall in form, contracted in the middle,
globular in their lower half, and expanding at the mouth.
They are usually very richly ornamented with indented lines
in different patterns ; are carefully formed by hand, of fine
and well-tempered clay, mixed with fine sand, and are well
fired. They are the finest and best productions of Celtic
fictile art. Two examples from barrows in the adjoining

county, Derbyshire, will show the form of the " drinking-
cups " of this district. The first one was found in 1851, in
a barrow called Bee Low, near Youlgreave. It was six inches
and three quarters high, and carefully ornamented with
indented twisted-thong patterns. It lay in the cist, as is
usual in the barrows of this district, in front of the skeleton,
which, as is generally the case, lay in a contracted position,
with its knees drawn up, on its left side. The next one.

10 THE WEDGWOODS.
shows a different kind of ornamentation, still produced by
twisted thongs. This beautiful vessel was found in a barrow
at Hay Top, Monsal Dale, along with a skeleton and other
interesting remains.
The food-vessels— small urns so called because they were
apparently intended to contain an offering of food — vary
very considerably both in form and in character of decora
tion, from the rudest to the most elaborate. These vessels are
usually wide at the mouth, tapering gradually downwards,
until quite small at the bottom. They are formed of clay of
much the same quality as the cinerary urns, and are baked
to about the same degree of hardness. A very plain and

rude example from Trentham, Staflbrdshire, is here shown ;
and for the sake of comparison some other elaborately orna
mented examples from Derbyshire barrows, and one from
Wetton, Staffordshire, with loops at its sides, are also
given. The first of these, on the next page, is a beautiful vessel
with ears, somewhat richly ornamented with indentations.
It is five and a half incites high, and was found with a
skeleton in the usual contracted position, along with a bone
pin, and other interesting remains.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE.

11

The other engravings exhibit two vessels from an interest
ing discovery made in a barrow on Hitter Hill,* where they

were found in stone cists along with skeletons lying in
contracted positions. They are in the possession of my

friend Mr. J. F. Lucas, whose collection contains many
interesting examples of fictile art.

* For an account of this discovery see the " Reliquary Quarterly
ArchsBological Journal and Review," vol. iii. p. 159.

12

THE WEDGWOODS.

The engraving here given shows a remarkably foimed
vessel from Wetton, Stafford
shire, which is peculiar by having
looped ears at its sides.
The incense-cups of Stafford
shire, like those of Derbyshire,
vary in form and in style of
decoration. They are very small
vessels, not more than from an
inch and a half to three inches in height. The ornaments
are, as in the other remains of this period, incised or
indented lines. Their usual forms are seen in the accom
panying engravings.
The first, a remarkably fine example, was found in a

barrow at Throwley, in Staffordshire, by ]\Ir. Carrington, and
is preserved in the Bateman Museum, at Lomberdale House.
It is ornamented with incised lines, and is three inches and.
a half in diameter, and two inches and one eighth in height

The seetmil is from the barrow at Darley Dale, which has
before been spoken of; tlie third is from a barrow on Baslow
Moor ; and the fourth from a similar tumulus on Stanton
Moor.

CHAPTER IL
the ROMANO -BRITISH PERIOD. — VARIETIES OF VESSELS. —
ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD. — CINERARY TJRNS. — DOMESTIC
VESSELS.  NORMAN PERIOD. — PITCHERS AND OTHER
VESSELS DISCOVERED IN DERBYSHIRE.  PAVEMENT TILES.
— MEDI.<EVAL POTTERY.
The second great division into which the subject of the history
of the early fictile productions of the pottery district is to
be divided, is that of the Romano-British period — a period
in which, although most of the finer vessels used in England
were imported by that conquering people, a large variety
of wares were made of native clays in different districts
which they inhabited. In this period, although it is tole
rably certain that wares of some kind or other were made
in Staffordshire, there is no positive evidence of such being
the case. I am not aware of any authenticated Roman kilns *
having been discovered, though it is generally believed that
some of the interesting remains exhumed many years ago at
Fenton and other localities are to be ascribed to this period.
Certain it is that kUns beai'ing the characteristics of Roman
use are recorded as having been exhumed ; and equally cer
tain is it that vessels, and fragments of vessels, of undoubted
Roman workmanship, have frequently been dug up in the
neighbourhood. It must also be borne in mind that in the
* It is stated that a Roman kUn was found many years ago at Burslem,
in wliich were remains of pottery, but as no authentic record of the
discovery has, unfortunately, been preserved, too much reliance must
not, perhaps, be placed upon the cii'oumstance.

14 THE WEDGWOODS.
adjoining county of Salop a considerable pottery existed, and
that the clays of Staffordshire must have been well known
to the Romans. Chesterton, by Newcastle-under-Lyme,
was a Roman station, and a Roman road traversed the
district of the present potteries. On this line of road frag
ments of the different wares of that people have frequently
been found ; and, as I have just stated, there can be but
little doubt that many of them were made on the spot I
am inclined to believe that at least some of the finer kind
of red ware, commonly known as "English Samian," were
made in Staffordshire. At all events, the clay would pro
duce that ware, and many remains of
it have from time to time been fotmd
in the district.
At Cauldon, at Wetton, and in
many other parts of Staffordshire,
Romano - British pottery has from
time to time been found, some at
least of which there is reason to be
lieve was made in the district. The
accompanying engraving shows an urn from the neigh
bourhood of Uttoxeter.
Some of the more usual forms of Romano-British pottery,

though not examples made or found in Staflbrdshire, are
shown on the accompanying engravings, which may, perhaps.

THB EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE.

15

be of assistance to the collector in appropriating the speci
mens in his possession.

The pottery of the Anglo-Saxon period— the next great
division of my subject — was undoubtedly, like that of the
ancient Britons, made near the places where the remains

have been discovered. The pottery of this period consists
almost entirely of cinerary urns, and their form is somewhat

16 the WEDGWOODS.
peculiar. Instead of being wide at the mouth, like the
Celtic urns, they are contracted, and have a kind of neck
instead of overhanging lip or rim. Their general form will
be best understood by reference to the accompanying en
graving of two urns from Kingston. The pottery of this
period is usually of a dark-coloured clay, sometimes nearly
black ; at others dark brown, and occasionally of a slate or
greenish tint. The vessels appear to be hand-made (i.e.
without the use of the wheel), and are tolerably well baked.
The ornaments usually consist of encircling incised lines
in bands or otherwise, and vertical or zig-zag lines, arranged
in a variety of ways, and not unfrequently knobs or pro
tuberances are to be seen around the urns. Sometimes also
they present evident attempts at imitation of the Roman
egg-and-tongue ornament. The marked features of the
pottery of this period is the frequency of small punctured
ornaments introduced along with the lines and bands, with
very good effect. These ornaments were evidently produced
by the end of a stick cut and notched across in different
directions, so as to produce crosses and other patterns.
This novel and early mode of decorating pottery will be
best understood by the accompanying engraving, in which
I have endeavoured to show one of the notched stick

"punches," such as I have reason to believe were used for
pressing into the pliant clay, and also one of the indented
patterns so produced. In some districts the vessels are
ornamented by small patterns painted on the surface in
white ; but those of tho midland counties, so far as my
knowledge goes, do not possess this peculiarity.
Among the Anglo-Saxons the bowls were principally of
metal or wood (generally of ash), and the di'inking-vessels of

the early potteries op STAFFORDSHIRE. . 17
horn and glass.* These two essentials, the food-bowls and
the drinking-cups, being of wood or metal, and of glass, left
but little for which clay could be used, except the funereal
urns which I have just described. For culinary purposes the
Anglo-Saxons seem to have had a dislike to the use of clay ;
but nevertheless some other varieties of their pottery occa
sionally occur, and show that the wheel was sometimes used.
One of their forms I here show, and others approaching in
shape the basins and unhandled cups of
our own day have been found.
Of pottery of the Norman period I am
not at present aware that any authenti
cated examples have been found in Staf
fordshire, though I have no doubt that in
that period the Norman potters worked
the clays of the district, and produced
vessels for various uses. These consisted
principally of bowls or basins, pitchers
and dishes; the bowls or basins being
used for drinking purposes, as well as for placing the cooked
meats in, and the pitchers for holding and carrying the wine,
ale, mead, water, and other liquors, to the table. In the
neighbouring county, Derbyshire, a most interesting dis
covery of a Norman pot-work was recently made by myself,!
and one or two of the forms of vessels therein found are
given in the engravings on the two following pages. The clay
is usually of a coarse kind, and the vessels in some, or rather
in most instances, bear evidence of the wheel having been
used. In colour they are sometimes of a reddish-brown, at
others of a tolerably good red, and at other times, again,
* These were the origin of oui "tumblers;" the glasses then made
being rounded at the bottom, so that they must be filled while held, and
could not be set down until emptied, without spilling.
t This pot-work is the only one either of the Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-
Norman periods which has ever been discovered, and is therefore of great
interest and importance. A notice of the discovery will be found in the
" Reliquary," vol. ii. p. 216. /
C

18

THE WEDGWOODS.

nearly black ; and one great peculiarity is, that many of the
pitchers, or jugs, are covered with a green glaze. They are

usually devoid of ornament, with the exception of having the
ends of the handles rudely foliated by the pressure of the

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 19
fingers of the workman. On one large vessel which I had
the good fortune to exhume, however, and which is repre
sented on the preceding page, were the horse shoes, &c., the
badges of the Ferrars family, laid on in slip, and a kind of
herring-bone ornament scratched into the soft clay. On

other examples heads were rudely formed, as were also,
occasionally, figures of horses and men.
Kilns for the manufacture of tiles existed in Staffordshire
from an early period ; and the name of Telwright, or Tile-
wright, is one connected with the pottery district for many
centuries. At Great Saredon, a few years ago, a kiln, where
tiles had been made, was exhumed. The manufacture of
ornamental paving tiles was one of considerable importance
till within the last two centuries, and many religious houses
c2

20 THE WEDGWOODS.
had their own tile-works and kilns within their precincts.
The manufacture, however, became gradually lost, and has
been entirely discontinued until of late years, when it has,
with considerable success, been re-introduced. The principal
makers at the present day of these encaustic tiles are, of
course, Messrs. Minton, of Stoke-upon-Trent, and Messrs.
Maw, of Broseley. The mode in which the old and remark
ably interesting tiles which are still to be seen in the pave
ments of many of our old churches were made was this : the
quarry of soft clay was made to its proper size in a wooden
frame, and then, the pattern (being first carved on a flat
square of wood in relief) was pressed into the red clay to a
sufficient depth, and the indented pattern then filled in with
a slip of yellow clay. The usual processes of baking and
glazing were next, of course, gone through, and the effect
produced, of a yellow pattern on a red ground, or vice versa,
was very pleasing. The devices impressed on tUes were
extremely various, and among others consisted of armorial
bearings, foliage, grotesque figures, inscriptions, &c., and
the patterns not unfrequently extended over four, nine,
twelve, or more, tiles.
The MEDIEVAL vessels made in Staffordshire, like those of
other districts, were chiefly confined to pitchers and jugs, of
much the same form as the Norman ones just given, and to
costrels and other similar productions. Dr. Shaw, in his
history of the potteries, says, " there exist documents which
imply that during many centiu-ies considerable quantities of
common culinary articles were made fi-om a mixture of
different clays found in most parts of the district." It is
certain that throughout the whole of the middle ages, as in
the earlier and later times, the potter's art was practised in
this district ; and examples of different periods are in exist
ence, showing the progress of that art from one time to
another. Iu the account of expenses of Sir John Howard, in 1466,
is the following entry, which shows somewhat ciu'iously the
cost of " potes " in those days : — '' AVatekin, bocher of Stoke,

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

21

delyvered of my mony to on of the poteres of Horkesley
iys. vid. to pay hemselfe and his felawes for xi dosen potes,"
I.e. about ^\d. per dozen.
The pottery of the Tudor period — so far as is known of
English make — for it must be remembered that the greater
part of the wares in use were im
ported — consisted of costrels (one of
which, for the sake of showing the
form, is shown on the accompanying
engraving), and other vessels for
ordinary use. They were coarse in
material, but generally thickly coated
with glaze, and the surfaces well
mottled. Ornaments were not often
introduced, but occasionally heads,
grotesquely formed, decorated the
handles ; and other equally rude
devices were laid on in different
clays. Excellent examples of this
period may be seen in various collections, and are well
worthy of extended notice,

CHAPTER ni.
PRODUCTIONS OP THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES.
 DISHES OF TOFT, SANS, AND TAYLOR.  TYGS. — THE
BUTTER TRADE.  BUTTER-POTS.  CLAYS.  DR. PLOT's AC
COUNT.  COMBED WARE. — BELLARMINES AND ALE-POTS. —
WHITE STONE WARE.  " DRINKING STONE POTTES."  EARLY
PATENTS. — SALT GLA2;iNG.— CROUCH WAKE. — THE BROTHERS
ELER, PROM NUREMBERG ; THEIR SECRET DISCOVERED BY
ASTBURY AND TWYFORD.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the fictile pro
ductions of Staffordshire were, like those of other districts
in which the potter's craft was followed, confined to the
manufacture of the common vessels for everyday use — thongh
but few were used, for wooden trenchers and bowls, pewter-
plates and dishes, black-jacks of leather, and metal flagons,
Ac, almost usurped their place. Large coarse dishes, tygs ot
various forms, with one, two, three, four, or more handles,
pitchers, and other vessels, were however made, and are not
unfrequently to be met with in the hands -of collectors. In
the seventeenth century these large coarse dishes and other
vessels were made at Burslem and the surroundinoj places.
The material is a coarse reddish or buff-coloured clay, and
the ornaments are laid on in different coloured clays, and
the whole is then glazed thickly over. One of these large
dishes, now in the Museum of Practical Geology, is shown
on the accompanying engraving. The body is of buff-
coloured clay, with the ornaments laid on in relief in Hght
and dark brown. The border is trcllised, and in the centre is
a lion rampant, crowned. On the rim beneath the lion is the

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 23
name ofthe maker, THOMAS TOFT. In the same museum is
a fragment of another similar dish, with the lion and unicorn.
A very fine dish of a similar kind, and by the same maker,
is preserved in the museum of my late friend, Mr. Bateman,
at Lomberdale House, and is engraved on the next page.
It is twenty-two inches in diameter, and bears a half-length
crowned portrait of King Charles, with sceptre in each hand,
ahd the initials CR. Below the figure, on the rim, which.

as usual, is trellised in red and black, is the name THOMAS
TOFT. In the same museum is another remarkably fine dish
bearing two full-length figures in the costume of the Stuarts,
the gentleman holding in his hand his hat and feather, and
having " petticoat breeches," tied stockings, and high-heeled
boots with ties, and the lady holding a bunch of flowers.
Between the figures are the initials W. T., and on the rim
at thfe bottom, in precisely the same manner, as the Toft
dishes, is the name WILLIAM : TALOR. Another dish of
this kind is in the possession of Mr. Mills, of Norwich.

24 THE WEDGWOODS.
The dish is nineteen inches in diameter. It bears three
heads in ovals, with foliage, &c., and the name RALPHOFT,
or Ralph Toft, the H and T being apparently conjoined.
The ground is buff, and the ornaments are laid on in dark
and light brown clay. It is engraved on the next page.
Another maker of this period, whr)se name occurs in the
same manner as those just described, was WILLIAM SANS.

Of the makers of these ilishes, it is interesting to observe
that Toft is an old name connected with the pottery
district, and that members of the family are still potters
in the neighbourhood. It is also an old Derbyshire name,
being connected with Youlgreave and other places in that
neigiibouring county.
The " Tygs,"' of which I have before spoken, appear to

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 25
have been made in considerable numbers, and, indeed, to
have constituted one of the staple manufactures of the
potters of that day. They were the ordinary drinking-cups
of the period, and were made with one, two, three, four, or
more handles. The two-handled ones are said to have been

"parting-cups," and those with three or four handles
" loving-cups," being so arranged that three or four persons
drinking out of one, and each using a different handle,
brought their lips to different parts of the rim. Examples
of some of the forms of these tygs are here shown. The

26

THE WEDGWOODS.

two flrst which are engraved were found in a long disused
lead mine at Great Hucklow, where they must have
remained for about a couple of centuries. The third has
three handles and a spout, and is ornamented with bosses
of a lighter colour, bearing a swan, a flower, and a spread
eagle. The -fourth, a two-handled cup, is of the same

general form as those with one handle, and is, as will be seen,
of elegant shape. These two latter specimens are in the
Museum of Practical Geology.
A curious candlestick, here represented, said to be of
Staffordshire make, is preserved in the Museum of Practical

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 27
Geology. It is of much the same kind of ware as the tygs,
and has its ornaments in white clay. It bears the date 1649,
and the initials E. M.

The manufacture of Butter Pots was an important branch
of the potter's art at Burslem at an early period, and it may
be well to say a word or two upon them, for the purpose of
exploding an opinion which I believe has gained very general
credence, that, till the time of Josiah Wedgwood, none but
these coarse vessels were made in the potteries. Nothing
could possibly be further from the truth than this, and I
trust that this glance at the history of the Staffordshire
potteries wUl prove that the potters had a far higher aim in
their art than the production only of such rude but useful
utensUs. Butter pots had been made long anterior to the
year 1670, in which year the attention of Government was
called to the frauds carried on by means of the pots not
being of an uniform size and thickness. An Act was accord
ingly passed, * compelling the Burslem potters to make their
pots of a size to hold 14 lbs. of butter, and sufficiently hard
not to imbibe moisture ; for it appears that, by being porous,
the dealers soaked them in water, and thus the buyer did not
get nearly his proper weight of butter.
* 13 and 14 Charles n. cap. 26, 1661.

28 THE WEDGWOODS.
In 1686, Dr. Plot published his " Staffordshire," and thus
spoke of the butter trade, and butter pots then made :* —
" From which Limestone HiUs, and rich pastures and meddows,
the great Dairys are maintained in this part of Staffordshire, that
supply Uttoxeter Mercat with such vast quantities of good butter and
cheese, that the Cheesemongers of London have thought it worth
their while to set up a Factorage here for these commodities, which
are brought in from this, and the neighbouring county of Derby, in
so great plenty, that the Factors many Mercat days (in the season)
lay out no less than five hundred pounds a day in these two com
modities only. The Butter they buy by the Pot of a long cylindrical
form, made at Burslem, in this county, of a certain size, so as not
to weigh above six pounds at most, and yet to contain at least 14
pounds of Butter, according to an Act of Parliament made about
14 or 16 years agoe, for regulateing the abuses of this trade in the
make of Pots, and false packing of the Butter ; which before was
sometimes layed good for a little depth at the top, and bad at the
bottom; and sometimes set in rolls only touching at the top, and
standing hollow helow at a great distance from the sides of the pot.
To prevent these little Moorlandish cheats (than whom no people
whatever are esteemed more subtile) the Factors keep a Survet/or all
the Summer here, who if he have ground to suspect any of the Pots,
tryes them with an instrument of Iron, made Hke a Cheese- Taster,
only much larger and longer, called an Auger or Butter-boare, with
which he makes proof (thrusting it in ohliquely) to the bottom of
the Pot; so that they weigh none (which would be an endless
business) or very seldom ; nor do they lore it neither, where they
know their customer to be a constant fair dealer. But their Cheese,
which comes but little, if anything, short of that of Cheshire, they
seU by weight as at other places."
In reference to this, Mr, Redfern, the historian of Ut
toxeter, says : —
" Butter pots are mentioned in the parochial records of the town
forty years before Dr. Plot wrote ; for five pots of butter were sent
from Uttoxeter to the garrison of Tutbury Castle, and had been
bought at the sum of 12s. 'As this was seventeen years before the
Act of Parliament for the regulation of the sale of butter in pots, it
is difficult from this to judge of the exact price of butter per pound
• Probably written about ten years before printed.

THB EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 29
at Uttoxeter at that remote period. And yet it may be reasonably
inferred that the pots of 1644 were of the size of those manufactured
after 1661 ; for it appears the Act was passed more for the prevention
of any irregularity in the size of the pots, and the mode of packing
butter in them, than for any actual alteration of the size the pots
were understood to be. If so, butter then at Uttoxeter was worth
but about twopence a pound, supposing the five pots of butter sent
to Tutbury, costing I2s., contained fourteen pounds of butter each.
About fifty years before butter was retailed throughout the kingdom
at sevenpence per pound ; but this was regarded as an enormous
price, which, Stowe says, 'was a judgment for their sins.' It is
highly probable, therefore, that the pots contained fourteen pounds
of butter, which consequently was twopence per pound at Uttoxeter,.
when the five pots were bought, especially as it corresponds with
the price of cheese at that time in the town, as to which the old
parochial accounts have preserved very distinct information, the sum
of £7 15s. lOd. having been paid for 8 owt. 2 qrs. 7 lbs., which was
also for the besieged at Tutbury."
The following entries, from the churchwardens' accounts
of Uttoxeter, illustrate this interesting subject : —
c. q. Tb. £ s. d.
1644. May 7. For 8 2 7 of cheese to Tutbury . . . 7 15 10
'Sot 6 potts of butter to ^ito  0 12 0
1645. June 25. Bread, beer, cheese, a pot of butter, and a
flitch of bacon, for Lieut.-Col. Watson's
men quartered at Blunts Hall . . . 2*5 6
The butter pots were tall cylindrical vessels, of coarse
clay, and very imperfectly baked. They are now of great
rarity, but specimens may be seen in the Hanley Museum,
and in the Museum of Practical Geology. Their form will be
understood by the engraving on the next page, which exhibits
one example from each of these museums. It is worthy of
remark that even yet, as it was in Shaw's days, Irish or
Dutch butter, which is generally imported in casks, and is
in most places known as " tub butter," is, in the potteries,
usually called " pot butter."
Of the state of the Staffordshire potteries at this period,
the latter half of the seventeenth century. Dr. Plot gives a

30

THE WEDGWOODS.

most interesting and valuable account, in which he shows
not only what clays were then used, but also speaks of the
glazes, and describes the modes of manufacture of some of

the vessels. The clays, it appears, were mostly procured
from the coal measures, and fine sand to temper and mix
with them was procured from Baddeley Edge, Mole Cop,
and other places. The following is Dr. Plot's account : —
" 25. Other potter's clays for the more common wares there are
at many other places, particularly at Horsley Heath, in the parish
of Tipton ; in Monway field, above mentioned, where there are two
sorts gotten, one of a yellowish colour, mixt with white, the other
blewish ; the former stiff and heavy, the other more friable and
Hght, which, mixt together, work better than, apart. Of these they
make divers sorts of vessels at Wednesbury, which they paint with
sHp, made of a reddish sort of earth gotten at Tipton. But the
greatest pottery they have in this county is canied on at Burslem,
near Newcastle-under-Lyme, where for making their different sorts
of pots they have as many different sorts of clay, which they dig
rotmd about the towne, all within half a mile's distance, the best
being found nearest tho coale, and are distinguish' t by their colours
and uses as foUoweth : —
1 . Bottle clay, of a bright whitish streaked ycUow colour.
2. Hard fire-clay, of a duller whitish colour, and fully intersperst

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 31
with a dark yellow, which they use for their hlach wares,
being mixt with the
3. Red blending clay, which is of a dirty red colour.
4, White clay, so called it seems, though of a blewish colour, and
used for making yeUow-colour'd ware, because yellow is the
Hghtest colour they make any ware of.
All which they call throwing clays, because they are of a closer
texture, and will work on the wheel.
" 26. Which none of the three other clays they call Slips wiU
any of them doe, being of looser and more friable natures ; these,
mixt with water, they make into a consistence thinner than a
Syrup, so that being put into a bucket it will run out through a
QuiU. This they call Slip, and is the substance wherewith they
paint their wares, whereof the
1. Sort is called the Orange Slip, which, before it is work't, is of
a greyish colour, mixt with orange baUs, and gives the ware
(when annealed) an orange colour.
2. The White Slip : this, before it is work't, is of a dark blewish
colour, yet makes the ware yellow, which being the lightest
colour they make any of, they call it, as they did the clay
above, the white slip.
3. The Red Slip, made of a dirty reddish clay, which gives ware
a black colour.
Neither of which clays or slips must have any gravel or sand in
them. Upon this account, before it be brought to the wheel, they
prepare the clay by steeping it in water in a square pit till it be of
a due consistence ; then they bring it to their beating board, where,
with a long Spatula, they beat it till it be well mixt ; then, being
first made into great squarish rolls, it is brought to the wageing
boa/rd, where it is sHt into thin flat pieces with a wire, and the least
stones or gravel pick't out of it. This being done, they wage it,
i.e. knead or mould it Hke bread, and make it into round balls pro
portionable to their work ; and then 'tis brought to the wheel, and
formed as the workman sees good.
" 27. "When the potter has wrought the clay either into hoUow
or flat ware, they set it abroad to dry in fair weather, but by the
fire in foule, turning them as they see occasion, which they call
whaning. "When they are dry they stouTi them, i.e. put ears and
handles to such vessels as require them. These also being dry, they
sUp, or paint them, with their severall soi-ts of slip, according as

32 THE WEDGWOODS.
they designe their work ; when the first sHp is dry, laying on the
others at their leisure, the orange slip makeing the ground, and the
white and red the paint ; which two colours they break with a wire
brush, much after the manner they doe when they marble paper, and
then cloud them with a pencil when they are pretty dry. After the
vessels are painted they lead them with that sort of Lead Ore they
call Smithum, which is the smaUest ore of all, beaten into dust,
finely sifted, and strewed upon them ; which gives them the gloss,
but not the colour ; all the colours being chiefly given by the
variety of sHps, except the motley colour, which is procured by
blending the Lead with Manganese, by the workmen call'd Magnus.
But when they have a mind to shew the utmost of their skill in
giving their wares a fairer gloss than ordinary, they lead them then
with lead calcined into powder, which they also sift fine and strew
upon them as before, which not only gives them a higher gloss, but
goes much further too in their work than the lead ore would have done.
" 28. After this is done they are carried to the oven, which is
ordinarily above 8 foot high, and about 6 foot wide, of a round
copped forme, where they are placed one upon another from the
bottom to the top ; if they be ordinary wares, such as cyJindricM
butter pots, &c., that are not leaded, they are exposed to the naked
fire, and so is all their flat ware, though it be leaded, having only
parting shards, i.e. thin bits of old pots, put between them to keep
them from sticking together ; but if they be leaded hoUow wares,
they doe not expose them to the naked fire, but put them in shragers,
that is, in coarse metall'd pots made of marie (not clay) of divers
formes, according as their wares require, in which they put com
monly three pieces of clay, called Bobbs, for the ware to stand on,
to keep it from sticking to the shragers ; as they put them in the
shragers, to keep them from sticking to one another (which they
wonld certainly otherwise doe by reason of the leading^, and to
preserve them from the vehemence of the fire, which else would
melt them downe, or at least warp them. In twenty-four hours an
oven of pots will be burnt ; then they let the fire goe out by degrees,
which in ten hours more will be perfectly done, and then they draw
them for sale, which is (.hielly to tlie poor CraU-imn, who carry
them at their backs all over the countrey, to whome they reckon
them by the' piece, i.e. Quart, in hollow ware, so that six pottle, or
three gaUon bottles, mako a dozen, tind so more or less to a dosen
as they are of greater or lesser content. The flat irairs are also
reckoned by pieces and dozens, but not (as the hollow) according to
their content, but their different bredt/in.'"

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 33
The vessels marbled, mottled, or "combed," in the manner
here so well described by Plot, were dishes and other things
for domestic use, and were, it seems, carried about the
country, as pancheons and other coarse ware are now, by
hawkers. The collector will find fragments of this kind of
ornamented ware in the museums at Stoke and at Hanley,
and others are in my own and other private collections. A
dish of this " combed ware" is shown on the accompanying
engraving. Some of the. examples are so delicate and minute
in their "combing," that it would be difficult to show the
pattern in so small a size. The one engraved is therefore

one on which the pattern is of large proportions, and has
been produced by a very wide and coarse comb.
The lead mentioned by Plot as used for glazing was the
lead ore procured from the lead mines of Derbyshire, which
was powdered, or " punned," according to the native dialect,
and dusted on to the clay vessel before submitting it to the
action of fire.
In 1685 Thomas Miles, of Shelton, made a white stone
ware, and at the same time brown stone ware was made at
the same place. The stone ware then made was probably
somewhat akin in appearance to the " BeUarmines," &c.,
at that time imported in considerable numbers from Holland
and Germany.

34 THE WEDGWOODS.
As many of my readers may not know to what kind of
vessels I allude under the name of Bellarmine, I here give
an engraving of two examples to show their form and usual

style of decoration. The Bellarmine, or Long Beard, as it
was commonly called, was a stone-ware pot of bottle form,
mostly with a handle at the back and ornament on the
front. The neck is narrow, and the lower part, or " belly,"
as it is technically called, very wide and protuberant. They
were in very general use at the " ale-houses" to serve ale
in to customers, and were of different sizes — the gaUonier,
containing a gallon ; the pottle pot, tno quarts ; the pot, a
quart ; and the little pot, a pint.
These jugs were derisively named after Cardinal Bellar
mine, who died in 1621. The cardinal having, by his deter
mined and bigoted opposition to the reformed religion, made
himself obnoxious in the Low Countries, became naturally
an object of derision and contempt with the Protestants, who,
among other modes of showing their detestation of the man,
seized on the potter's art to exhibit his short stature, his
hard features, and his rotund figm'e, to become the jest of
the ale-house, and the byword of the people. Allusions to
the BeUarmines are very common in the productions of the
English writers of the period.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 35
Ben Jonson, among other allusions, says : —
" "Whose, at the best, some round grown thing, a jug
Faced with a heard, that fills out to the guests."
Again, in his " Gipsies metamorphosed," he gives the fol
lowing, which is a somewhat different and more amusing
version of the origin of these vessels : —
" Gaze upon this brave spark struck out of Flintshire upon Justice
Jug's daughter, then sheriff of the county, who, running away with
a kinsman of our captain's, and her father pursuing her to the
Marches, he great with justice, she great with jugling, they were
both for the time turned into stone upon sight of each other here in
Chester; till at last (see the wonder!) a jug of the town ale recon
ciling them, the memorial of both their gravities — his in beard, and
hers in belly — ^hath remained ever since preserved in picture upon
the most stone jugs of the kingdom."
In another play is the following : —
" Thou thing.
Thy belly looks like to some strutting hill,
O'eishadowed by thy rough beard like a wood ;
Or like a larger jug that some men call
A Bellarmine, but we a Conscience ;
"Whereon the lewder hand of pagan workman
Over the proud ambitious head hath carved
An idol large, with beard episcopal.
Making the vessel look like tyrant Eglon."
In the curious play of " Epsom Wells," olie of the cha
racters, whUe busy with ale, says : — " Uds bud, my head
begins to turn round ; but let's into the house. 'Tis dark,
we'll have one Bellarmine there, and then Bonus nodus."
Numberless other allusions might be quoted,but these are
sufficient to Ulustrate the name of the BeUarmine, and to
show its common use, and that the ale-pots, by being
formed somewhat on the model of his corpulent figure, and
with his "hard-mouthed" features impressed in front, be
came a popular and biting burlesque upon the cardinal after
whom they were named.*
* The vulgar name of "mug" for the human face is most probably
derived from this source— the face on the " ale-mtig," or " ale-pot."
d2

36 THE WEDGWOODS.
The ordinary ale-pots, the pint-jugs, were, Hke the grey
beards, principally at first imported, but were afterwards
undoubtedly made in Staffordshire, and other places in this
kingdom. They were usuaUy ornamented with incised lines,
scratched into the soft clay with a sharp point, in form of
scroUs, flowers, &c., and then washed in with blue. Not
unfrequently a pattern was impressed from a mould on the
front, somewhat in the same manner as those on the grey
beards, but consisting usually of a flower or of initials. One
of these ale-pots, from an example in my own coUection, is

here engraved. In the reign of Elizabeth these " stone pots '"
were proposed to be made in England, as is shown by the
following curious document preserved in the Lansdowne
Manuscripts : —
"The sewte of WiUiam Simpson, merchaunte — ^Whereas one
Garnet Tynes, a straunger Uvinge in Aeon, in the parte beyond the
seas, being none of her msfi^ subjcctc, doth buy uppe aUe the pottes
made at CuUoin, called Brinking stone pottes, and he oneHe trans-
porteth them into this rcahn of England, and seUeth them : It may
please your ma"« to grauut unto the said Simpson full power and
onelio Hcense to provyde transport and bring into this realm the
same or such like drinking pottes ; and the said Simpson will putt
in good surotio that it shoU not bo prejudicial to anie of yourmati'^

THE EARLY POTTEEIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 37
subjects, but that he will serve them as plentifuUie, and seU them
at as reasonable price as the other hath sold them from tyme
to tyme.
" Item. He wUl be bound to double her ma''^= custome by the
year, whenever it hath been at the most.
" Item. He will as in him Heth drawe the making of such Hke
pottes into some decayed town within this realm, wherebie manie a
hundred poore men may be sett a work.
"ITote. That no Englishman doth transport any potts into this
realm but onHe the said Garnet Tynes, who also serveth all the Low
Countries and other places with pottes."
In 1626 a patent was granted to Thomas Rous, alias Rius,
and Abraham Cullen, for the manufacture of " Stone Potts,
Stone Juggs, and Stone Bottells." As this patent very
curiously illustrates this part of my subject, I make the
foUowing extract : —
"Whereas we are given to understand by our loving subjecte
Thomas Rous, als Eius, and Asrkkam. QtruuzTs, of London, mar-
chante, that heretofore, and at this present, our Kingdome of England
and other our "Dominions are and have beene served with stone
potte, stone jugge, and stone bottles, out of foreign parte from
beyond the seas ; and they have likewise shewed vnto vs that by
their industry and charge, not onely the materiaUe, but also the
arte and manufacture, may be foimd out and pformed — never
formerly vsed in this our Kingdome of England, by any which
profitable intenoon they have already attempted, and in some goode
measure have proceeded in and hope to pfecte, whereby many poore
and vnproffitable people may be sett, on worke, and put to labour
and good ymployment for their maintenance and reHefe, of which
they wUI make further tryaU at their own charge for the good of
our reahnes ; and in consideracon thereof they have humbly desired
that we would be graciously pleased to grant vnto them our royall
priveledge for ' The sole MAsiife of the Stoiste Potte, Stowe Jugqe,
AOT) Stone Bottle,' within our Dominions, for the tearme of
fowerteene yeares, for a reward for their Invencon ; and they have
also voluntarily offered vnto vs for the same a yearely rental of five
pounde towarde the increase of our revenue soe longe as they have
benefitte by this our grant ; neyther doe they desier by vertue of
such priviledge to prohibite or hinder the imporcacon of these
comodities by others from foreigne parte, but that they may still
bring in the same from beyond the seas as they have formerly done.

38 THE WEDGWOODS.
" Know ye that we graciously tendring and effecting the generaU
good and benifitt of our kingdomes and our subjecte of the same, and
to the end that as well the said Thomas Eons, als Eius, may receave
some convenient recompence and proffitte out of their owne labours
and endeavours as reason requireth, as also that other our loving
subjecte may be thereby encouraged in the Hke laudable service
and endeavours for the comon good of their country, and for other
consideracons vs herevnto moving of our especiall grace, certeyne
knowledge and meare mocon we have given and granted ; and by
these presente, for vs, our heires, and successors, doe give and grant
fuU and free lycence, priviledge, power, and authority, vnto the
said Thomas Eous, als Eius, and Abraham Cullin, and eyther
of them, their and eyther of their executors and administrators, and
their, and every, or any of their deputies and assignes having
authority from them or any of them in that behalfe, that they and
every or any of them, and non others, shaU and may from tyme to
tyme, and at all tymes, for and during the tearme of fowerteene yeares
nexte ensueing the date hereof, within these our Eealmes of England
and Ireland, and the Dominions thereof, at their or any of their
liberty and pleasure, vse, exercise, practise, and put in vse the arte
and feate of frameing, workeing, and makeing of aU and aU manner
of potte, jugge, and botteU, comonly called or knowne by the name
or names of stone potte, stone jugge, and stone botteUe, whatsoever,
whereof the like hath not heretofore beene vsnaUy made or wrought
within our said realmes and dominions, and also to make, erectc,
and set vpp in any ground, place, or places whatsoever, within our
said realmes and dominions, with the consent, agrement, and good
likeing of the persons to whome the same shaU belong, any fomace
or fomaces whatsoever, concerning the said feate or arte of frameing,
workeing, and makeing of stone potte, stone jugge, and stone
bottell, and the same soe made to vtter and seU in gross or by
retayle, or otherwise to doe away or dispose of the same at their
or any of their will and pleasucr, and to their or any of their best
comodity and proffitt, during the said tearme of fowerteene yeares ;
and therefore our will and pleasui-e is, and wc doe by these Presente
for vs, our heires, and succcssers, straightly charge, and prohibite,
and forbidd aU and every person and persons, as well our naturaU
borne subiecte, as aliens, denizens, and strangers whatsoever (other
than tho said Thomas Eous, als Eius, and Abraham Cullin, and
oyther of them, their and eyther of then- executors, administrators,
and assignes, and such as shall by them or any of them be sett on
worke, licenced, or autliorised), that they or any of them doe nott

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 39
during the tearme aforesaid presume, attempte, or take in hande to
make, frame, practise, vse, or exercise, within our said Eealmes of
England or Ireland, or the Dominions of the same, the said arte,
feate, or way of makeing, frameing, or workeing of any manner of
the said potte, jugge, or bottelle, comonly called or knowne by the
name or names of stone potte, stone jugge, and stone botteUe, what
soever, not heretofore vsually made or wrought within our said
realmes or dominions, and to be put in use and practise by the said
Thomas Eous, als Eius, and Abraham Cullin, or eyther of them,
their or eyther of their executors, administrators, or assignes, or to
connterfett the said arte or feate by them or any of them soe to be
putt in vse and practise, nor to presume, attempt, or take in hande
to make, erecte, frame, or sett vpp any furnace or furnaces to that
purpose, vpon payne of forfeyture of all and every such potte, jugge,
and bottelle, soe to be made, wrought, or counterfetted, contrary to
the true intents and meaning of these psente, and also vpon payne
of breakeing and defaceing of aU and every the said furnace or
furnaces to be made or erected contrary to the tenor hereof ; and,
further, vpon payne of our high indignacon and displeasure, and
such further penalties and imprisonment as may by the statute or
lawes of the said realmes or dominions, or any of them, can or may
be inflicted upon them or any of them for their contempt and dis
obedience in breakeing and contemning our comandement and
prerogative royaU."
Glazing by salt appears to have been discovered about
1680, and gradually took the place of the lead glaze before
used. The account given of this discovery is that " at
Mr. Joseph Yates', Stanley, near Bagnall, five miles east of
Burslem, the servant was preparing, in an earthen vessel,
a salt-ley for curing pork, and during her temporary absence
the liquid boiled over, and the sides of the pot were quickly
red hot from intense heat ; yet, when cold, were covered
with an excellent glaze. The fact was detailed to Mr. Palmer,
potter, of BagnaU, who availed himself of the occurrence,
and told other potters. At the small manufactories in
Holden Lane (Adams's), Green Head, and Brownhills
(Wedgwood's), salt-glazed ware was soon afterwards made."
" The ovens employed for the purpose being used only once
weekly, and the ware being cheap, were large in diameter

40 THE WEDGWOODS.
and very high, to contain a sufficient quantity to be baked
each time, to cover all contingent expenses. They were
constructed with a scaffold round them, on which the firemen
could stand, while casting in the salt through holes made in
the upper part of the cylinder, above the bags or inner ver
tical flues ; and the saggers were made of completely refrac
tory materials, with holes in their sides, for the vapourised
i salt to circulate freely among all the vessels in the oven, to
affect their surfaces." The ware thus glazed, and made
from the common clay, with a mixture of fine sand from
Mole Cop, was caUed " Crouch ware," and in this aU the
ordinary articles of domestic use, including jugs, cups,
dishes, &c., were made. At this time, it is stated, there
were only twenty-two ovens in Burslem and its neighbour
hood. " The employment of salt in glazing Crouch ware
was a long time practised before the introduction of white
clay and flint. The vast volumes of smoke and vapours
from the ovens entering the atmosphere, produced that dense
white cloud which, from about eight o'clock till twelve on
the Saturday morning (the time of ' firing up,' as it is
called), so completely enveloped the whole interior of the
town, as to cause persons often to run against each, other,
traveUers to mistake the road ; and strangers have mentioned
it as extremely disagreeable, and not unlike the smoke of
Etna or "Vesuvius. But a smoky atmosphere is not regarded
by the patriotic observer, who can view through it an indus
trious population, employed for the benefit of themselves
and their country, and behold vast pUes of national wealth
enhanced by individual industry."
In 1688 two brothers named Eler, or Elers, traditionaUy
believed to have been potters, from HoUand, are said to have
followed the Prince of Orange (^Villiam III.) to Enghmd,and
two years later to have settled at BradweU and at Dimsdale —
two very secluded situations, fiir from turnpike roads, and
scarcely discernible from Burslem or Red Hill — where they
erected kilns, and commenced the making of a fine red ware,
in imitation of the oriental red porcelain, from a vein of clay

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 41
which, by some means, they had discovered existed at this spot.
Here they produced remarkably fine and good red ware, of
compact and hard texture, good colour, and of very charac
teristic and excellent designs. They were men of much skill
and taste, aud their productions so closely resemble those of
Japan as to be occasionally mistaken for them. An example.

from the Museum of Practical Geology, is here shown. The
Elers, besides the red ware, also produced an exceedingly good
Egyptian black, by a mixture of manganese with the clay ;
and this was the precursor and origin of the fine black bodies
of Josiah Wedgwood and others. " Their extreme precau
tion," says Shaw, " to keep secret their processes, and
jealousy lest they might be accidentally witnessed by any
purchaser of their wares — making them at BradweU, and
conveying them over the fields to Dimsdale, there to be sold,
being only two fields distant from th6 turnpike road, and
having some means of communication (believed to be earthen
ware pipes, like those for water) laid in the ground between
the two contiguous farmhouses, to intimate the approach of
persons supposed to be intruders — caused them to experience
considerable and constant annoyance. In vain did they
adopt measures for self-protection in regard to their mani
pulations, by employing an idiot to turn the thrower's wheel,
and the most ignorant and stupid workmen to perform the
laborious operations, and by locking up these persons while
at work, and strictly examining each prior to quitting the

42 THE WEDGWOODS.
manufactory at night— all their most important processes were
however developed, and publicly stated for general benefit.
Mortified at the failure of all their precaution, disgusted at
the prying inquisitiveness of their Burslem neighbours, and
fully aware that they were too far distant from the principal
market for their productions — even had not other kinds of
porcelain been announced, which probably would diminish
their sales — about 1710 they discontinued their Staffordshire
manufactory, and removed to Lambeth, or Chelsea (where is
at this day a branch of the family), and connected the inte
rests of their new manufactory with those of a glass manu
facture, established in 1676 by Venetians, under the auspices
of the Duke of Buckingham. Others, however, have stated
that their removal was consequent on misunderstanding and
persecution because their oven cast forth such tremendous
volumes of smoke and flame, during the time of glazing, as
were terrffic to the inhabitants of Burslem, and caused aU
its (astonishing number of eight) master potters to hurry in
dismay to BradweU."
I shall, later on, show how the secret was surreptitiously
obtained by two persons named Astbury and Twyford, and
give some interesting particulars relating to them. It is
interesting to add that the oven erected and used by the
Elers was in existence as late as the beginning of the present
century, and that the place, in an old account book in my
possession, is caUed the " EUer field."
The two potters who had wormed out the secret of the
Elers are said each to have commenced business on his own
account at Shelton, and to have made " red," " crouch,''
and "white stone" wares from native clays, using salt
glaze for some of the vessels, and lead ore for others.
So little has hitherto been known of the Elers, and of the
important part they played in improving the potter's art in
Staffordshire, that a few words more concerning them must
become interesting to my readers, especially when it is
remembered that these brothers produccil tlie finest kind of
ware which had at that time been made in this country.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 43
and that their biography has until now been entirely neg
lected. The family of Elers is one of considerable antiquity
in the northern part of Lower Saxony, where several places,
as for instance Elersdorf, Elersdorpt, and Elerswolf, bear
their name. In Hamburg, hereditary posts of honour and
distinction were long attached to the family. Of this
family was Admiral Elers,* who was commander of the fleet
at Hamburg, and who married a princess of the royal house
of Baden. By this marriage it appears the Admiral had one
son, named Martin Elers, born in 1621. After his father's
death, this Martin Elers is said to have asserted his claim
to some of the Baden family honours and distinctions, which
were made the subject of long and expensive litigation,
and in the end judgment was given against him in the Aulic
CouncUs of the Empire. Disappointed at the result, and
affected by the great expense attending the litigation,
Martin Elers at once removed into Holland. In 1650 this
Martin Elers married a daughter of Daniel Van Mildret, a
rich burgomaster of Amsterdam, with whom he is said to
have received a tun of gold as dower. In the house of this
burgomaster, the queen of King Charles I., Henrietta
Maria, is reported to have sought an asylum, and to have
frequently nursed their daughter on her lap. By this
marriage Martin Elers had two sons — John Philip and
David ; the first one being named after the Elector of
Mentz, who was his godfather (Queen Christina of Sweden
holding him in her arms at the baptismal font). Martin
was a man of considerable ability and learning, and was
appointed ambassador to several courts.
John Philip Elers was a good chemist and an excellent
mechanician, and was held in much esteem by Boerhave.
On the Revolution of 1688, he with his brother accompanied
the Prince of Orange, afterwards King William IIL, to
England. The Prince, however, did nothing to further the
* For much of the information contained in this notice of the family of
Elers, I am indebted to Major Lacy, whose wife is a lineal descendant of
this Admiral Elers.

44 THE WEPGWOODS.
fortunes of the famUy, except the granting of a pension of
three hundred a year to the sister of the Elers, who became
the second wife of Sir WiUiam Phipps, the founder of the
house of Mulgrave. Elers, or rather, I believe, the two
brothers, settled in Staffordshire, John Philip having married
a Miss Banks (whose sister had married into the Vernon
family), in August, 1699. The story of the success of their
manufacture of pottery, and of the not very creditable means
used to worm out their secret, I have already told. On leaving
Staffordshire, John Philip Elers settled for a time at Batter-
sea, or VauxhaU, and from thence removed to Dublin, where
he embarked in commercial speculations. David Elers became
a merchant in London, and, dying unmarried, was buried at
Battersea. John Philip Elers left a son, Paul, bom in Dublin, who
was brought up to the bar, and had his chambers in the
Temple. Of this gentleman a somewhat amusing anecdote
is told. He had, it seems, an intimate friend, a member of
the family of Grosvenor. Mr. Grosvenor being on the point of
marriage to an heiress of the Hungerfords, of Black Bourton,
Oxfordshire, had arranged with his friend, Mt. Elers, to
go down with him to draw up the marriage settlements.
While this was going on, Mr. Grosvenor and his bride-elect
quarrelled, and the lady transferred her affections and her
estates to Mr. Elers. They were shortly afterwards married,
and Mr. Elers gave up his profession, and retired to the
estate he had thus acquired. He soon, however, became
involved, and ultimately, after cutting off the entail, the
estates passed into the hands of the Duke of MarlborougL
Mr. Elers had a famUy of nine chUdren — Paul Grcorge,
lieutenant of the 70th Regiment ; John, in the navy ;
Maria, married to Richard Lovell Edgeworth, and conse
quently mother to Maria Edgeworth, from whom she inherited
her talents as well as her name ; Louisa, married to the
Rev. Alexander Colston ; Charlotte, married to the Rev.
John Kirby; Diana, married to the Rev. R Welchman;
Rachel, married to Capt. Hopkins, RM., who was kUled on

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 45
board the Bellerophon, at the Battle of the' Nile; Amelia,
married to D. Baldey, R.N. ; and Jane, who died unmarried.
The eldest son, Paul George Elers, married a Miss Debo-
naire, and by her had three sons, one of whom was a major
in the 43rd Regiment; another (George) was captain in the
12th regiment ; and the third (Edwai'd) a lieutenant in the
navy, who married Eliza Younghusband. By this lady he
had four children. Mr. Elers died while the children were
yet young, and his widow afterwards married Admiral Sir
Charles Napier, who gave the children his own name in
addition to that of Elers. The name of Elers has thus, in
the direct line, become extinct. These chUdren are — Major-
General Edward Himgerford Delaval Elers-Napier ; Eliza
beth Ann Elers-Napier, married to Colonel Cherry, 1st
Madras Light Cavalry ; Capt. Charles George Elers-Napier,
R.N. ; and Georgiuna Elers-Napier, now the wife of Major
Lacy.

CHAPTER IV.
MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO-PIPES. — CHRONOLOGICAL SERIES OF
EXAMPLES. — TILES FOR GARDEN KNOTS.  THE WEDGWOODS.
 JOHN WEDGWOOD.  PUZZLE JUGS.  EARTHENWARE
CRADLE.  DELFT WARE.  ENGLISH DELFT WARE.  UNIVER
SALITY OF BLUE IN POTTERY. — EMBOSSED STONE WARE. —
DISCOVERY OF THE USE OF FLINT, BY ASTBURY. — PATENTS
POR GRINDING FLINT. — PATENT FOR DAMASKING, ETC. —
RALPH SHAW.  LITIGATION WITH OTHER POTTERS.—
POSSET POTS.  DR. THOMAS WEDGWOOD, JUNIOR, — RALPH
WOOD.
Among the many descriptions of fictUe art made in the
pottery district. Tobacco-pipes had, from many years before
Plot's time, been made at Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Ast
bury, soon after he commenced at Shelton, appeals to have
begun to use the Biddeford pipe-clay, for coating over and
washing the insides of vessels. By constant improvements
on this, the white dipped ware, or white stone ware, was
soon produced. The maker of tobacco-pipes at Newcastle-
under-Lyme, in 1676 and thereabouts, was Charles Riggs,
of whom Plot makes mention.
It may be interesting to my readers, while thus aUuding
to the manufacture of tobacco-pipes in the potteries, to know
something of their forms at the time when Plot wrote, as
well as in preceding and later times. This wiU be best done
by aid of the following illustrations. In the reign of Eliza
beth, the pipes — which are now and then dug up, and are in
our day, from their small size and peculiai- shapes, known
as " fairy pipes," and other similar names — were usually,
it appears, of tho elongated form. Pipes of this shape are

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

47

correctly appropriated to the reign of Elizabeth, through
examples being known bearing makers' names, who are

proved to have lived in that reign. The next, here shown, is
of the time of James I. or Charles
L, in which reigns there appears to
have been a considerable diversity
of form, as here shown from engrav
ings of the period; the dates being, Fig. 1, 1630; Fig. 2,
1632 ; Fig. 3, 1640 ; Fig. 4, 1642. The
latter, it wiU be seen, is of the same rl
shape as those of the preceding reign, ^ 
and was in general use for a long ^^ ^
period. \f
The next examples show the prevail
ing shapes in the time of the Common
wealth, and the reign of Charles II. , the
five smaller engravings being selected
from traders' tokens of the period, of the following dates : —

^

^

Fig. 1, 1650; Fig. 2,1666; Fig. 3, 1668; Fig. 4, 1668;
and Fig. 5, 1669.
Pipes of an elongated form, such as next shown, are
usuaUy ascribed to the time of William IIL, and, being
found more plentifully in those localities where his Dutch

48 THE WEDGWOODS.
troops were stationed, this is probably a correct supposition.
Barrel-shaped bowls were, however, then in use, and a very

interesting example is here engraved, bearing the date 1689.
Pipes at this time were, to some
extent, imported from HoUand, bnt
by far the greater part used were of
EngUsh make, to which Newcastle-
under-Lyme contributed no smaU quantity. From this time
downwards, the shape of the pipe gradually merged from the
bulbous into the elongated form just shown, and so on to the
wide-mouthed shape of the present time. It may be weU to
note, that instead of the old pipes being, as is commonly be
lieved, of Dutch manufacture, HoUand was originally indebted
to England for the introduction of the art into that country.
With reference to this Charles Riggs, the pipe-maker of
Newcastle-under-Lyme, I am pleased to be enabled to say,
that from recent researches I am justified in beUeving the
pipes engraved on the next page to have been made by him.
Nearly a hundred of these pipes, each bearing the initials of
0. R., found in the neighbourhood of Newcastle, and at other
places in the pottery district, have come under my notice, and
are, I think, without doubt, of his workmanship. They are
peculiarly interesting too, as showing the transition, in the
lifetime of one maker, from the flat heel to the pointed
spur. The first example on the engraving on the next page
has the flat heel,* bearing the stamp of the maker, C. R.,
with crescent above and below. The second illustration
• The flat heels served as rests tor the pipes; the old-fashioned
smokers resting them on the table while they enjoyed the "weed."

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

49

shows a pipe with the pointed spur, bearing the same stamp
on the front of the bowl. It is thus shown, that on the

change of fashion, the maker being unable to place his
" mark " in its usual position, was compelled either to
abandon it altogether, or to impress it on the bowl. Another
mark used by Riggs (also shown on the engraving) was
simply his initials C. R, and this, too, occurs on pipes of
both shapes.
Plot, speaking of the clays of the pottery district, says —
" As for Tobacco-pipe clays, they are found all over the county, near
Wrottesley House, and Stile Cop, in Cannock Wood, whereof they
make pipes at Armitage and Lichfield, both which, though they are
greyish clays, yet bum very white. There ia' Tobacco-pipe clay also
found at Darlaston, near Wednesbury, but of late disused, because
of better and cheaper found in Monway field, betwixt Wednesbury
and WUlingsworth, which is of a whitish colour, and makes excel
lent pipes ; as doth also another of the same colour, dug near the
salt water poole in Pensnet Chase, about a mile and a half south of
Dudley. And Charles Riggs, of Newcastle, makes very g6od pipes
of three sorts of clay, a white and blew, which he has from between
Shelton and Hanley Green, whereof the blew clay bums the whitest,
but not so full as the white, i.e. it shrinks more ; but the best sort
he has is from Gruffer's Ash, being whitish, mist with yellow ; it is
a short, brittle sort of clay, but bums full and white ; yet he some
times mixes it with the blew before mentioned."
As a farther iUustration of this interesting subject, the
accompanying engraving, which exhibits a number of forms
of pipes made in the adjoining county, Shropshire, is given.
E

50

THE WEDGWOODS.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 51
TUes for garden edgings were at this time made at New
castle-under-Lyme, and must have had extensive sale, as the
gardens of the better kind were, in those days, always laid
out in " knots " of more or less elaborate design. Plot,
speaking of this branch of manufacture, says : —
" Also at Newcastle-under-Lyme, the Tiles burnt in a Kill the
usual way being found not to last, one Mr. Thomas Wood of the
same Towne, first contrived to bum them (which we may look upon as
an art relating to Eire) in a Potters' Oven ; wherein he made them
so good and lasting, that notwithstanding they have been put to the
hardship of dividing the parts of garden knots, to endure not only
the perpetual moisture of the earth, but frost, snow, and aU sorts of
weather; yet they few of them decay, scarce five tiles in five
hundred having failed in twenty yeares' time ; so that now he has
been foUowed by all the countrey thereabout."
Long before the period about which I am now writing, the
Wedgwoods, as I shall show in the course of this work, were
potters in Burslem, and produced most of the varieties of
wares then in use. The family was one of considerable note,
and branches of it were settled in different localities. One
of these settled in Yorkshire, and for several generations
were potters there ; and other branches settled in Cumber
land, Westmoreland, and other districts, and carried on their
family trade. One interesting piece of earthenware, connected
with the Wedgwood family, has recently been added to the
Museum of Practical Geology, and as it is dated of the
period to which in my narrative I have now arrived, I have
introduced an engraving on the following page which I am
enabled, through the courtesy of Mr.Reeks, who has supplied
the drawing, to give. It is a " Puzzle Jug," of brown ware,
bearing the name of an early member of the Wedgwood
family. It bears the name incised —
JOHN WEDG WOOD 1691.
The jug is more simple in construction than many are, the
hollow channel merely passing up the handle and round the
upper rim, which has three spouts.

62 THE WEDGWOODS.
And here it may be interesting, perhaps, to say a word or
two on " puzzle jugs," which are curious and very interesting
vessels, about which but little is known even by coUectors.
The puzzle jug was an ale jug, and was so contrived, by
perforations in various parts, and by open work in its neck
and spout, as to render it impossible to use it Uke other jugs.

The liquor being drawn into the jug by the tapster, the
puzzle was for the customer to drink it all without spilling.
It became a prolific source of wagers, and most ale-houses
found it to their advantage to keep one or more of different
forms for their visitors. The handle usuaUy sprang from
near the bottom of the jug, and was carried up its " beUy"
some distance, when it bowed out in the general form, and
was attached to the rim at its top. The handle and rim were
made hollow, opening into the inside of the jug near the
bottom, and around the rim were attached a number of little
spouts, differently placed, acconling to the whim of the
potter. The ale could thus only be drunk by carefully
covering up with the fingers all the spouts but one, and
through this one the liquor would have to be sucked into the

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 63
mouth. Beneath the handle a small hole was, however,
usually made, through which, if not carefully and closely
covered, the ale would spUl, and thus cause the discomfiture
of the drinker and the loss of his wager.
In my own collection I have the good fortune to possess
several interesting examples of puzzle jugs, some of which
are of remarkably good form and construction, and of
different dates. One of them bears the motto —
" From motSier earth i took my birth,
Then f orm"i a Jug by Man,
And now stand here, flU'^ with good cheer,
Taste of me if you can."
The accompanying engraving of a puzzle jug of Delft ware,
in Mr. Mayer's magnificent museum, will show by its motto

the kind of wagers which were laid over these curious pots.
The verse runs thus —
" Here, gentlemen, come try yr skiU,
I'll hold a wager, i£ you will,
That you Dont Drink this liq"^ aU
Without you spiU or lett some FaU."
Another one, which bears the name of A. Norris, has a
somewhat similar verse —

04 THE WEDGWOODS.
" Gentlemen, now try your SkiU,
I'll hold you Sixpence, if you will.
That you dont drink unless you SpU."
Another one which I have seen has simply the charac
teristic motto, " The Ale is good, taste,"
around it ; implying that it is of good taste if you can but
get it I
The accompanying is the representation of another puzzle
jug of Staffordshire make, and of different construction.

preserved in the Jermyn Street Museum. It is, £is wiU be
seen, pierced through the centre.
In some instances a tube is passed from the handle down,
inside the jug, to the bottom, and thus adds to the difficulty
of drinking, " Without you spill or let some faU."
In one in my own possession, too, the inside of the jug is
made funnel-shaped, with double sides, which is a very
unusual mode of construction.
The same kind of wave as tlic Toft dishes, given on a pre
ceding page, was made in the potteries throughout the latter

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

55

half of the seventeenth and most part of the eighteenth
centuries. Of this kind of ware is the highly interesting

relic which is here engraved. It is, as wiU be seen, a small
earthenware cradle of excellent form, and elaborately orna
mented. It is of brown ware, similar, but of finer quality,
to the dishes. The ground is a rich reddish brown, the orna
ments of buff and black. It is peculiarly interesting, as
bearing the date on its top of 1693. This valuable example
of English fictUe art, which is 7| inches long, and 4| inches
in height, is in the Bateman museum at Lomberdale House,
where there are several other interesting specimens, to some
of which I shall yet have occasion to refer.
In aU these pieces the ware is first coated over with its
ground colour, and the patterns then drawn on in " slip,"
one colour on the other, and afterwards glazed. The outlines
are generally of the darkest coloured sUp, with dots, or
pellets of buff.
Delft ware was made in Staffordshire about the period of
which I have been writing, and continued to be made until
its use was superseded by the other bodies. Examples of
English Delft ware from different localities are now and then
to be met with, and some excellent specimens are in my own

66 THE WEDGWOODS.
possession. Others, for comparison, may be seen in the
Museum at Hanloy, and the Museum of Practical Geology.
In 1710 Mr. Thomas Heath, of Lane Delph, manufactured
this kind of ware, and was very successful. His productions
were of a good blue-greyish white, and were decorated in the
usual Delft fashion, with landscapes and other blue patterns
rudely drawn by hand.
Delft ware was originaUy, as its name imports, made at
Delft, in HoUand, where it is stated the manufacture of
earthenware was carried on as early as 1310. In the middle
of the seventeenth century there were, it is stated by
Chaffers, " nearly fifty potteries in operation at Delft,
employing more than a fourth part of the entire population,
viz., about 7,000 persons, and this was the most flourishing
period of its existence. In the middle of the eighteenth
century they were reduced to twenty-four, yet making a
considerable quantity of pottery. At the present day, of all
this number of potteries only one remains, and its produc
tions are of a very inferior character, being of a yeUowish
pipe-clay, devoid of any attempt at ornamentation." Of this
great change Von Bleswych says that the Delft pottery
" was so famous, not only in these provinces, but also in
Brabant, Flanders, France, Spain, and in the West and
East Indies, that in a few years twenty-eight potteries were
established in Delft alone ; the number was afterwards
increased to thirty. But these, Uke aU similar establish
ments, had their turn of prosperity ; for in 1702 the number
had decreased to twenty. In another twenty-six years more
were given up. In 1808 six only were in e:sistence, and in
1849 we are informed that only two remained- The hard
paste wares of Wedgwood were foimd to be as superior to
those of Delft as those of Delft had been to the soft wares of
the preceding epoch. This naturaUy caused the decUne of
this celebrated production, which now gave place to the
English wares."
For a long period the bulk of the pots used in England
were imported from HoUimd, but Dutch workmen coming

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE.

57

over and settling here, and English workmen prosecuting
their researches and experiments in a successful manner,
soon altered this state of affairs, and the home market became
stocked with home-made goods. Thus, instead of looking
to foreign states for a supply of wares, England so success
fully competed with them in their production as soon to be
able to export at a cheaper rate than they could manufacture.
Delft ware, although not generaUy known to have been
made in England, was, as I have on another occasion shown,
undoubtedly made in several localities. Liverpool produced
its Delft ware of excellent quality, and there its manufacture
continued tiU quite a late period, as many examples in
Mr. Mayer's museum, and in my own collection, testify.
London, Bristol, Lowestoft, and indeed several places
besides the Staffordshire district, produced the same kind
of ware during the last century. The peculiarity of the
Delft ware is that the body is formed of a soft buffish-
coloured clay, and then washed on its surface with a fine slip
of a blueish or greenish-white tint, on which the pattern is
painted — generally in blue — and then glazed over. The
effect prdduced is extremely soft and pleasing, and the better
pieces have a nearer approach in softness and brUliance of
appearance to Oriental porcelain than most wares have.

The accompanying engraving of two plates of Delft ware,
from my own coUection, wiU serve to show the commoner

68 THE WEDGWOODS.
and more homely kind of goods of that peculiar kind made
in this country ; and the next Ulustration wiU show an
example of the Delft ware to which I have aUuded as being
said to have been made in Liverpool, from the splendid
museum of my friend Mr. Mayer, F. S.A. It is one of a pair

of flower-pots of Delft ware richly decorated in blue, and
having heads at their sides.
Dated examples of Delft ware are not uncommon, and the
engraving on the following page, of the central pattern from
a plate belonging to Mr. MUls, exhibits one very favourite
style of ornamentation — that of having the names, <Jce., of
the parties for whom the piece was made painted on them.
A good specimen of English Delft ware is shown in the
inscribed puzzle jug engraved on a preceding page.
Sometimes the colours introduced on Delft ware were other
than blue, green, yellow, or red. Blue was, however, the pre-
vaUing colour for all decorations, and continued in use tUlthe
ware ceased to be lUiule. So aeeustonied had the Staffordshire
potters become to " blue aud white "' ware, from the time of
the manufacture of " Delft ware " dowiiwanls, throuffh the
different improvements of earthenware to tho introduction

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE.

59

of " blue printing," that it became, as it were, almost a part
and parcel of their manufacturing creed. I have heard it
related of one manufacturer (whose name is well known in

the district) of the last century, who was a light-hearted
merry fellow, always fiddling, dancing, and humming tunes,
that if any of his potters came to ask him what he was to do
with any piece then in progress, he would go on fiddling and
dancing, whUe he sang out the reply —
" Tip it wi' blew,
An' then it'U dew."
This the children of the neighbourhood soon caught up, and
it became a popular rhyme about the place.
Another important variety of ware made in Staffordshire
was the white ware — a dirty, creamy looking white— which is
usually, though erroneously, caUed " Elizabethan ware."
Of these a plate, for the purpose of exhibiting the raised
border, is shown on the accompanying engraving, from an
example in the Museum of Practical Geology. The centre of
this example is, of course, printed, and is of later date than

60 THE WEDGWOODS.
the plain examples. Of this ware I possess some exceUent
specimens, and others will be found in various collections.
The ware was impressed from metal mouhLs, some of which,
of extreme interest, are preserved in the Hanley Museum.

In 1720 the discovery of the use of flint was made by
Astbury, as wUl be shown in a future chapter, and to this
introduction may be dated many of the improvements which
afterwards took place. Soon after this period the '• sun-
pans," or tanks, in which the clay was aUowed to lie untU it
became flt for use, were superseded by "slip-kilns," in
which the clays were prepared.
In 1724 a patent was taken out by Redrich and Jones for
"a new art or method, as weU for staining, veining,
spotting, clouding, damasking, or otherwise imitating the
various kinds of marble, porphiry, and other rich stones, and
tortoiseshell, on wood, stone, and earthenware, and aU and
every such goods, wares, utensils, and things as are made,
cut, or fashioned thereout, as for the making, marbling,
veining, spotting, staining, clouding, and damasking any
linen, silks, canvas, paper, and leather."
In 1726, and again in 1732, patents were taken out for
methods of grinding flints, itc, which were of much im
portance. Tho first of these, by Thomas Benson, is described

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 61
as " an engine or new method for the more expeditious
working the said flint stone, whereby all the said hazards
and inconveniences attending the same wiU effectually be
prevented." It is stated that in the making of " white
pots," flint stone is "the chief ingredient," and that the
method hitherto used in preparing it " has been by pound
ing or breaking it dry, and afterwards sifting it through
fine lawns, which has proved very destructive to mankind ;"
and this invention is to obviate it, and is as follows : — The
flint stones are first wetted, then crushed as fine as sand
by two large wheels, of the bigness and shape of mUlstones,
of iron, and made to turn upon the edges by the power of
a water-wheel. This material is afterwards conveyed into
large circular iron pans, " in which there are large iron
balls, which, by the power of the water-wheel above named,
are swiftly driven round : in a short time the operation is
concluded, and by turning a tap the material empties itself
into casks."
The next one, by the same Thomas Benson, taken out in
1732, was described as —
" A new engine, or method for grinding of flint stones, being the
chief ingredient used in making of white wares, such as pots and
other vessels, a manufacture carried on in our county of Stafford,
and in some other parts of this our kingdom ; that the common
method hitherto used in preparing the same hath been by breaking
and pounding the stones dry, and afterwards sifting the powder
through fine lawns, which, hath proved very destructive to mankind,
occasioned by the dust suckled into the body, which being of a
ponderous nature, fixes so closely upon the lungs that nothing can
remove it, insomuch that it is very difficult to find persons to
engage in the said manufacture, to the great detriment and decay of
that branch qf trade, which would otherwise from the usefulness
thereof be of great benefit and advantage to our kingdom ; that by
the petitioner's invention the flint stones are sprinkled with water,
BO that no dust can arise, then ground as fine as sand, with two
large stones made to turn round upon the edges by the power of
a wheel, worked either by wind, water, or horses, which is after
wards conveyed into large stone pans, made circular, wherein are
placed large stone baUs, which, by the power of suoh wheels are

62 THE WEDGWOODS.
driven round with great velocity; that in a short time the flint
stones so broken are reduced to an oUy substance, which, by turning
of a cock, empties itscH into casks provided for that purpose ; that
by this invention aU hazards and inconveniences in making the said
manufacture in the common way wiU be effectuaUy prevented, and
in every particular tend to the manifest improvement and advantage
thereof, and preserving the Hves of our subjects employed therein."
In 1733 (AprU 24th) Ralph Shaw, potter, of Burslem,
who, like many other potters of the district, had long
adopted the improvements introduced by Mr. Astbury and
others, took out a patent for employing " various sorts of
mineral, earth, clay, and other earthy substances, which,
being mixt and incorporated together, make up a fine body,
of which a curious ware may be made, whose outside wfll
be of a true chocolate colour, striped with white, and the
inside white, much resembling the brown China ware, and
glazed with salt." The secret was merely nashing the inside,
and forming broad lines on the outside of the articles, wifh
a very thick slip of flint and pipe-clay. " To keep his
process more secluded and secret, he was accustomed to
evaporate his mixed clays on a long trough, in a place
locked up under cover, beneath which were flues, for the
heat from fire applied on the outside. This also kept the
clay free from any kind of dirt ; and the idea is supposed
to have been gained from the tUe-makers' method of drying
their tUes in stoves. A pair of flower-pots, exceUent speci
mens of this person's manufacture, which had been received
as a present from the maker by his wife's grandfather, were
in the author's possession tiU very recently. Mr. Shaw
became so litigious and overbearing, that many of the manu
facturers were extremely uncomfortable, and prevented im
proving their productions. Not content with the success
he exiierienccd, and the prospect of speedily acquiring
affluence, his excessive vanity and insatiable avariix^ incited
to proceedings that terminated in his ruin. UiiwiUing to
admit the eustomary practices of the business, and tobrook
any appearance of competition, ho w;is constantly objecting

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE, 63
to every trifling improvement as an infringement of his
patent, and threatening his neighbours with suits in equity
to protect his sole rights ; tiU at length self-defence urged
them to bear the expenses of a suit he had commenced
against J. MitcheU, to try the validity of the patent, at
Stafford, in 1736 ; and very aged persons, whose parents
were present, give the general facts of the trial : — AU the
manufacturers being interested in the decision, those most
respectable were in the court. Witnesses proved Astbury's
invention and prior usage of the practice, and a special
jury of great intelligence and wealth gave a verdict against
Mr. Shaw. The learned judge, after nullifying the patent,
thus addressed the audience — ' Go home, potters, and make
whatever kinds of pots you please.' The hall re-echoed
with acclamations, and the strongest ebullitions of satis
faction from the potters, to the indescribable mojtification
of Mr. Shaw and his family, who afterwards went to France,
where he carried forward his manufactory, whence some of
his family returned to Burslem about 1750." This event
is thus characteristicaUy spoken of in native tongue, in the
" Burslem Dialect," by Mr. Ward :—
Terrick. Dust moind; Eafe, owt o' th' treyal at Staffurt o' Johnny
MutchU for makktn Eafy Shay's patten ware ?
Leigh. Oi just remember, bu oi wur ony a big lad at th' teyme.
It had bin mitch tawkt abaht, an when it wur'oer, they aw toud'n
wot th' judge Bed to th' mesters — " Gooa whoom, potters, an mak
wot soourts o' pots yoa loiken." And when they coomn to Boslem,
aw th' bells i' Hoositon, an Stooke, an th' tahn, wurn ringin loike
hey-go-mad, aw th' dey.
The kind of ware just described was sometimes known
as "bit-stone ware," from "bits" of stone being used to
separate the pieces in the oven. This was, of course, prior
to the use of " stUts," " triangles," or " cockspurs."*
* The marks produced by these ingenious little contrivances for keep
ing the pieces of ware from sticking to each other while under the action
of fire, may frequently be noticed on pottery. It has been absurdly said
that three spots on the bottoms of old pieces of china denoted it to be

64 THE WEDGWOODS.
One description of vessel made in the pot-works of Staf
fordshire and Derbyshire— for Chesterfield, in the latter
county, produced some of the Lest— may not be generaUy
known to the readers of this volume, and therefore a few
words concerning them may appropriately be introduced.
I allude to posset pots. These have been made and regu
larly used in these and some neighbouring counties from an
early period until the last few years. " Posset," my readers
will need to be told, is an excellent mixture of hot ale, milk,
sugar, spices, and small slices of bread or oat-cake. In
Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and their neighbourhood, this
beverage was formerly almost, if not quite, universal for
supper on Christmas Eve, and the " posset pot" was thus
used but once a year, and became often an heir-loom in the
famUy. A small sUver coin, and the wedding ring of the
mistress of the famQy, were generally dropped into the
posset when the guests were assembled, and those who
partook of it took each a spoonful in turn as the "pot"
was handed round. Whichever of the party fished up the

coin was considered certain of good luck in the coming year,
while an early and happy marriage was beheved to be the
certain fate of the lucky individual who fished up the ring.
A posset pot, here engraved, of much the same kind of ware
Chelsea, and was indeed the distinguishing mark of that celebrated make.
Those three spots were simply the marks of the stUts, not of the manu
factory, and may be seen on Delft, aud indeed almost all other kinds of
ware, and of every period.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE.

65

as the cradle before illustrated, is in the Bateman Museum,
and is dated 1711, and bears the words —
GOD : SAVE : THE : QUEEN : 1711 :
the queen alluded to so loyally being, of course. Queen
Anne. For the purpose of showing that the same general form
has obtained to our own time, I here give two other exam
ples, the first one bearing the date of 1750, and the next
that of 1819. They are both of the hard brown stoneware

made at Chesterfield and Nottingham, and, as is not tin-
common, bear the names of the parties for whom they were
made, incised, i.e. scratched into the soft clay with a fine
point. One of the principal potters in Burslem in the early part
of last century was Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, junior (son of
Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, also an eminent potter), who pro
duced imitation agate, marble, and other coffee and tea
pots, &c., and made a remarkably fine and good white stone
ware, beautifully ornamented with raised patterns, produced
from the metal or "tough tom" moulds to which I have
before alluded. One of the most skilful cutters of these

66 THE WEDGWOODS.
moulds was Aaron Wood, who was apprenticed to Dr. Thomas
Wedgwood in 1731. The following is the indenture of this
apprenticeship, and will serve to show the wages then paid,
and many other interesting particulars relating to the pot
ter's art : —
" This Indenture, made the three-and-twentieth day of August,
in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George
the Second over Great Brittaine, &c., Anno Dni. 1731, between
Ealph Wood of Burslem, in the County of Stafford, miUer, and
Aaron Wood his son, of the one part, and Dr. Thomas Wedgwood,
of Burslem aforesaid, potter, of the other part ; Witnesseth that the
said Aaron Wood, with his own free will and consent, and to and
with the direction and appointment of his said fether, Hath put
himself, and doth hereby bind and put himself apprentice unto the
said Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, the art, trade, mystery, and occupation
of a potter to leam ; that is to say, turning in the lathe, handling
and trimming (throwing on the wheel being out of this indenture
excepted), and with him the said Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, to worke
from the eleventh day of November next, being Martinmas day, for
duiing and until the lull end and terme of seven years from thence
next ensuing and following, and fuUy to be compleat and ended,
and during all which terme and time of seven years the said Aaron
Wood, as an apprentice to his said master, wiU and faithfully shall
serve, his secrets shall keep, his commands lawfuU and honest every
where shall do, the goods of his said master he shall not inordinately
waste, nor them to any one lend without the said master's lycence, frt)m
the business of his said master he shall not absent himself, but as a
true and faithful servant shall, during the said terme of seven years,
behave and demean himself towards his said miistir and aU his.
And the said Ealph "Wood shall, during the said terme of seven
years, find and provide for his son aU sorts of apparell, whether
Hnen, woollen, or other, as also meat, diink, washing, and lodging,
fitting and necessary for an apprentice to such ti-.ule as aforesaid.
Aiul the said Dr. Thomas "\\'edgwood, in consideration thereof, and
of the said seven years' scniie, doth hereby covenant, promise, and
agree, that hec, the said Dr. Thomas Wedgwood, sliall and will
during the said terme of seven years, teach aud instruct, or cause
and procure to be taught and instructed, him the said Aaron
Wedgwood, his said a])prentice, in tlie busiuess of the said trade
ul'oiesaid, so fai' as tuming iu tho lathe, handling and trimming, as
much as thereunto bclongeth, or the best way and method he can.

THE EARLY POTTERIES OP STAFFORDSHIRE. 67
And the said Dr. Thomas Wedgwood doth also promise and engage
to pay unto his said apprentice, the said Aaron Wood, for every
weeke's worke done by the said apprentice in the first, second, and
third year of his said apprenticeship, the sum of one shilling weekly,
of good and lawfuU money of Great Brittaine, and for every weeke's
work done by the said apprentice in the fourth, fifth, and sixth
year of his said apprenticeshipp, the full sum of one shilling and
sixpence, and for every weeke's work done by the said apprentice
in the seventh and last year of his said apprenticeshipp, the full
and just sum of four shillings of lawful money of Great Brittaine ;
and the said Dr. Thomas Wedgwood doth hereby further covenant,
promise, and agree that he, the said Dr. Wedgwood, shall and will
over and above the weekly wages aforesaid, give yearly to the said
Aaron Wood his said apprentice, one pair of new shoes, during the
terme of seven years. In witnesse whereof the said parties afore
said to these present Indentures, have interchangeably put their
hands and scales the day and year first above written.
" Ealph Wood.
" Aaeou- Wood.
" Dk. Tho. Wedgwood.
" Sealed and delivered in the presence of
" Saba x Wood.
her mark.
" Jos. AlLEN'."
At the conclusion of this term of apprenticeship he was
engaged as a journeyman, at five shillings a week, for five
years. At the end of that time, in 1743, he engaged himself
with' John Mitchell, of Burslem, for seven years, at seven
shillings per week, and to work by himself. After a time
the introduction of plaster moulds, which I shall have to
refer to later on, found him constant employment for different
masters, among whom was Thomas Whieldon, who afterwards
became the partner of Josiah Wedgwood.
Of the general state of the potter's art at the time when
Josiah Wedgwood sprang into existence I shall give a glance
in the next chapter, and it will therefore be unnecessary here
to allude to it. I shall also, later on, show when the manu
facture of China was first introduced into the district, and
F 2

68 THE WEDGWOODS.
so give a general insight into the progress of the fictile art
in Staffordshire.
My object has been to show, what has never before been
shown, a continuous chain of evidence of pottery having
been made in the district from the earliest — the pre-historic
— times, down through every successive change of periods
and of races, to the present, and to bring my narrative down
to the time of the great Josiah Wedgwood, and to give a
slight — and but a very slight — insight into the state of the
art at the time when that famous master of his craft first
entered into existence.
I have shown that the art of potting was practised by the
ancient British inhabitants of Staffordshire ; have given
reasons for believing that it was followed in the district by
the Roman occupiers of the soil; have shown that the
Anglo-Saxons practised it in the neighbourhood; and that
through the whole of the mediaeval period, and without
intermission to the present day, pot making has continued
in the locality. I have given iUustrative engravings of some
of the characteristic examples of the different periods, for the
purpose of enabling the collector to appropriate correctly
such specimens as may come into his hands ; and having
done this, I proceed in the next part of my work to speak of
the great master of his craft, Josiah Wedgwood, and to trace
by the events of his life the progress of the art which he
dignified and brought to perfection. Other great potters —
the Turners, Booths, Woods, Spodes, Mintons, Mayers,
Neales, Yateses, and other art-heroes — and the important
parts they have played in bringing the district to its present
flourishing position, and the manufacture to the high state
of perfection it now enjoys, must be left for a future work.

THE WEDGWOODS.

CHAPTER I.
BURSLEM A HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS AGO. — WOLSTANTON. —
JAMES BRINDLEY, " THE SCHEMER."  THE WEDGWOODS OP
HARRACLES AND THEIE ALLIANCES. — HAZELRIGG, YEN-
ABLES, AND FENTON FAMILIES. — HORTON HALL, CHURCH,
AND MANOR. — THE DE BURSLEM FAMILY : THEIR ALLIANCE
WITH THE WEDGWOODS. — GILBERT WEDGWOOD AND MAR
GARET BURSLEM.  BURSLEM WEDGWOOD.  DESCENT OF
THE " OVEfiHOUSE," " CHURCHYARD," AND " BIG HOUSE "
FAMILIES. — THOMAS WEDGWOOD AND MARGARET SHAW. 
WILLS OF THOMAS, RICHARD, AND MARY WEDGWOOD.
BuRSLEM, the birthplace of Wedgwood, is called the " mother
of the potteries," while Wedgwood himself is usually styled
the " father of potters." With these two close relationships
to the potters of England my narrative of the career of the
" great Josiah" will, of course, begin, and as it proceeds wUl
trace out the progress of the one and the works of the other,
and show how the perseverance, the industry, the energy, and
the taste of the latter have conduced, not only to the pros
perity of the former, but to that of the whole district and of
the commerce of the kingdom. During the early part ofthe
century which saw the birth of Josiah Wedgwood, and in
the latter portion of the preceding one, the potters of Burslem,
which in Plot's time was the principal seat of the trade, had,
as I have already shown, made much progress in improving
their art. Men had risen up amongst them who produced
wonders when compared with what had been done by their

70 THE WEDGWOODS.
forefathers, and they began to feel that their art, as yet in its
infancy among us, would grow strong and healthy, and
become one day what it soon proved to be, a successful rival
to foreign workers in the plastic art.
At the time of which I write — a hundred and flfty to two
hundred years ago — Burslem was a small, unassuming,
straggling little place, with the houses and pot-works, few in
number, scattered about in its gardens and by its lane sides.
In its centre was a huge May-pole,* around which the "jolly
potters " danced and held their festivals, and in every direc
tion were clay pitsf and " shard-rucks, "J where, from time
immemorial, their ancestors had dug the native clay, and
thrown by their " wastrels "§ till they had accumulated to a
considerable size. Pitfalls and hUlocks, the results of the
hard labours of the early potters, were thus the principal
features of the place, where now the busy and thriving town,
raised by the increase of their trade, so flourishingly stands.
The wares then made in the district were the coarse brown
ware, the finer cane-coloured ware, also made from native
clay. Delft ware, crouch ware, a comparatively fine red ware,
and clouded, mottled, or marbled ware ; and some of the pro
ductions, years before the birth of Josiah Wedgwood — who
is by many people popularly believed to have been the founder
of the art in Staffordshire — are of remarkably good form, of
excellent workmanship, and are indeed such as it would
almost puzzle even an experienced potter of the present day
to reproduce. I name this en passant, because I wish to
remove the impression which seems iu some places to prevail,
that until Josiah "\^^edgwood's time the productions of the
' neighbourhood were confined to the manufacture of coarse
brown butter-pots, porringers, and other clumsy vessels alone,
• The May-pole stood where the Town Hall now stands.
t Pits from which the native day for the manufacture of earthenware
was dufT by the potters.
\ Shards, broken pots; rwrA-i, heaps. Thus "shard-ruck ' was a heap
of broken pots — a rubbish heap, in fact, made up of the refuse from the
pot- works.
§ Pots spoiled in their manufacture.

WOLSTANTON.  JAMES BRINDLEY. 71
and that anything approaching towards art, or even moderate
utility, was unknown. Of some of these early potters I have
already spoken, and have endeavoured to show that Stafford
shire could boast not only of master-minds, but of skilful
and expert hands, long before the period to which the first
approach to art in the district is generally ascribed.
The family of Wedgwood, for many generations before the
birth of Josiah, had been potters at Burslem, and indeed a
considerable portion of the place belonged to one branch of
them, having passed into their hands by marriage with the
heiress of the De Burslems, the original owners of the place,
in the beginning of the seventeenth century. They were
thus people of note in the district, and it is affirmed that
one-third of the inhabitants of Burslem at one time bore the
now honoured name of Wedgwood, or were descended from
them. The Wedgwoods originally, I believe, were of Wedgwood,
a parish in the township of Wolstanton, in the very centre
of the Potteries. The church of St. Margaret, Wolstanton —
a fine and particularly interesting building — -standing on the
summit of a high hUl, forms one of the most conspicuous
and pleasing objects in the district. It lies on the high road
from Burslem to Newcastle-under-Lyme, and commands
one of the finest views which can anywhere be obtained of
the busy hives of potting industry by which it is surrounded.
In this church James Brindley, the engineer — or " the
schemer," as he was popularly called — married, when half a
century old, his young, loving, and priceless wife of nine
teen, Anne Henshall, on the 8th of December, 1765; and
in the same parish, at New Chapel,* not far from his
residence at Turnhurst, he was buried, in less than seven
years afterwards, after passing a most worthy and industrious
life, and earning for himself a name and a fame which are
* Brindley was bmied in the churchyard at New Chapel, his tombstone
bearing the simple inscription —
"In Memory of James Brindley, of Tuinhurst, Engineer, who was
Interred here, September SO, 1772, Aged 56."

72 THE WEDGWOODS.
imperishable. The \7edgwoods appear to have been seated
at the township bearing their name, from a very early date,
and in 1370 (13 Edward III.) Thomas de Weggewood was
frankpledge, or headborough, of the hamlet of Weggewood.
When they left their original patrimony is not known; but
about the year 1470, John Wedgwood, of Blackwood, or
Dunwood, " descended from a family that took its name
from Wedgwood, in Wolstanton parish, whence they came,"
married Slary, daughter and heiress of John Shawe, and had
with her Harecels (Harracles, in the parish of Horton, near
Leek), to which I shall have occasion again td refer
later on.
Richard Wedgwood of Harracles married Jane Shirrot, and
had by her a son, John Wedgwood, who became High Collector
of Subsidy in 1563; and another son, Richard Wedgwood,
of the Mole in Biddulph, who married, on the 14th of
September, 1567, Margaret Boulton, and had by her three
sons — Richard, Handle, and Gilbert, the latter of whom
(baptised at Biddulph, November 6th, 1588) married Mar
garet, daughter and heiress of Thomas Burslem, of Burslem,
by his wife, Mary Ford, and had by her Burslem Wedgwood,
baptised at Burslem, December 11th, 1614, and Thomas,
who became ancestor of Josiah Wedgwood.
John Wedgwood, the High Collector of Subsidy, married
Anne, daughter of William Bow}-er, of Knypersley (whose
sister married William Ford, of the Mosse, about the year
1505), and had by her John Wedgwood, of Harracles, who
married Mary, daughter of Thomas Egerton, of Walgrange
and Horton, " with whom he had part of the mannour."
This John Wedgwood, who died Aprd 6th, l."»S9, had by his
marriage with this lady, who died September 5th, loS~,
eight children — viz., John, of whom presently; Egerton,
who died without issue ; Rilph, married to Alice Leighe ;
Alary, married to Ambrose Arden ; Anne, married to James
Gibson ; Margaret, married to Thonias Smith, of London,
goldsmith, aud afterwards to Richard Rand, of London;
Eliza, married to Richard Fo.xe, and afterwards to William St.

THE WEDGWOODS OP HARRACLES. /3
Andrew, of Gotham, in Derbyshire ; and Felix (qy. Phillis),
married to Richard Hilders. The eldest son, John Wedg
wood, married his cousin, Margaret, daughter and heiress of
WiUiam Forde, of the Mosse, near Leek. He died April 5,
1658, aged 87, having had by his wife, Margaret Forde, three
sons — John, Egerton, and William — and four daughters.
Of these, John, the eldest, who died in 1651, married Jane,
daughter of Sir Thomas Hazelrigg, of Mowseley, and brother
of the celebrated Arthur Hazelrigg, one of the five com
moners in whom the generalship was invested by the Rump
Parliament, and who was impeached in 1641-2. He died
in the Tower of London, January 8th, 1661. He was
" The activ'st member of the five,
As well as the most primitive." — HudOn-as.
This John Wedgwood had issue by his wife, Jane Hazel
rigg, four sons — William, of Harracles, who died in 1677,
aged 42 ; John, Arthur, and Egerton ; and two daughters.
"Wniiam Wedgwood,* the eldest son, married Elizabeth,
eldest daughter of Mills Cotton, of Bellaport, by his wife,
Joyce, daughter of Sir Thomas Bromley, of Holt Castle,
and had by her William, who died young ; and John, second
son, who succeeded his father in the estates ; and a
daughter, Joyce, who married John HoUins, of Mossleigh,
and was grandfather to Sir Brooke Boothby, whose family
eventually inherited the Wedgwood estates. John Wedg
wood, who died January 11th, 1757, aged 88, married
Susanna, daughter of Sir Charles Wolsley, Bart., and had
by her Charles Wedgwood, of the Inner Temple, who died
without issue, aged 35, in 1 729 ; William Wedgwood, who
died in 1715, aged 19, also without issue; and five
daughters, three of whom, Elizabeth, Susanna, and Dorothea,
became his co-heiresses. Of these daughters, Elizabeth,
the eldest, married Robert Venables, of the Mere, of the
* This William Wedgwood, who died December 10, 1677, aged 42, was
buried at Leek, where his monument, stiU remaining, bears the arms of
Wedgwood and Cotton.

74 THE WEDGWOODS.
family of Venables, of whom Drayton, in his " Battle of
Blore Heath," wrote —
" There Datton Button kills ; a Done dith kill a Done ;
A Booth a Booth ; a Leigh by L?igh U overthrowne :
A Venables against a Venahles doth stand,
And Troutbeok fighteth with a Troutbeck hand to hand ;
There Molineux doth make a Molineux to die :
And Egerton the strength of Egerton doth trie.
O Cheshire, wert thou mad ? of thine owne native gore
So much untiU this day thou never shedst before."
This lady died in 1784, without issue.* The second daughter,
Susanna, married John Fenton, of Newcastle, nephew of
Elijah Fenton, the poet, of the old Staffordshire family of
Fenton and Shelton, and had one daughter, Susannah
Fenton, married to John Daniel, of Daresbury, and died
without issue in 1 770. The third daughter, Dorothy Wedg
wood, married Dr. John Addenbroke, Dean of Lichfield and
Rector of Sudbury, and died without issue in 1772 The
Dean and his lady were both buried in Sudbury Church,'
where a tablet bearing the foUowing inscription is erected
to their memory : —
"Here He the bodies of the Eev. Dr. Addenbroke, Dean of
Lichfield and Eector of this Parish, who died Feb. 25, 1776, aged
64 ; and Dorothy his wife, 3rd daughter of John Wedgwood, of
Harracles, Co. Stafford, Esq., who died March 27, 1772, aged 64.
The estate at Harracles, by the death of these three co
heiresses, passed as before indicated, to the Boothbys, fitim
whom, by sale, it passed through the hands of MUls and
Cave to Davenport.
In Horton Church is a monumental brass to John Wedg
wood, bearing the arms of Wedgwood with Egerton, and
other quarterings, and figures of the deceased, his wife, and
children. The inscription is : —
*'¦ Hie jaeent sepidt corpora Joins Wedgwood, de ILiracle.", armigeri,
et Marie uxoris ejus, filie Tlioma Egerton, de Walgrange, armigeri,
* For a port of this information I am indebted to my friend Mr.
Sleigh, the historian of Leek.

HORTON HALL. /O
qui ohierunt,'hic sixto die Aprilis, Ann" Doin. 1589; ilia quinto
Septembris Anno Dom 1582. Sobolem post se relinquentes filios tres,
filiasque quinque, quorum animas cum ju-itis remanere sperani. Johes
duxit Margaret Forde, Egerton celebs mor. Radus duxit Aliciam
Leighe. Maria nUpt Ambro Arden. Anna nupt Jacob Gibson.
Marga nupt Tho Smith. Eli%a nupt Rico Foxe. Felix nupt Rico
Hilders,"

.¥

'SC.'

Horton Hall, of which I give a view in the accompanying
engraving, as having been in somewise connected with the
Wedgwoods and their alliances, is a handsome Elizabethan
building, belonging to the family of Fowler, of Leek and
Horton. The whole of the manor of Horton appears to
have belonged, by descent and purchase, to John Wedgwood,
who, by will, dated July 29th, 1749, left his real estates to
Phoebe HoUins, wife of Brooke Boothby, and the manor of
Horton was sold in 1 796 by Sir Brooke Boothby to Thomas
Harding, from whom it has passed by purchase to the
Antrobus family. The house at Harracles, still standing, is
a picturesque and interesting building.
The alliance of the Wedgwoods with the De Burslem
family, to which I have alluded, took place in the persons of

76 THE WEDGWOODS.
Gilbert Wedgwood and Margaret, one of the co-heiresses of
Thomas Burslem, who were married about the year 1612.
The Burslem family was one of considerable note and of long
standing in the district, having been settled at Burslem from
an early period. In the court rolls the name occurs as early
as 5th Henry "V. John Burslem, of Dale Hall, who was fore
man of the leet jury in 1563 and 1569, was a man of sub
stantial means, holding extensive lands in Burslem and other
places in the district. He died in 1596, and was succeeded
in his estates by his eldest son, Thomas Burslem, who died
in 1619. This Thomas Burslem had two sons, Thomas, who
succeeded him, and William, from whom are descended, by
female lines, the families of Smith-ChUd, Biggs, and Earl of
Huntingdon. Thomas Burslem, the eldest son, married
Mary Forde, of the Mosse, in lo'JO, and had two daughters,
co-heiresses — Margaret, married to Gilbert Wedgwood, and
Catherine, married to WUliam Cololough, by whom she had
a son John, who died without issue. By this Catherine
Cololough some lands were, at her death, devised to her
nephew, Thomas Wedgwood, who also purchased lands from
his cousin, Burslem Wedgwood.
G ilbert Wedgwood and Margaret (Burslem) his wife had,
it appears, a family of six sons and two daughters — Joseph,
who died without issue ; Burslem, of whom presently ;
Thomas, ancestor of Josiah Wedgwood ; William, who left
issue ; Moses, who left issue ; Aaron, who was ancestor of
the " Big House " branch of the famUy ; Mary, married to
Broad ; and Sarah, married to Daniel. The eldest, Joseph,
(lied without issue, and the issue of the eldest surviYinw son,
Burslem Wedgwood, became extinct in the male line in the
third descent. By his wife, Margaret, he had two sons,
Burslem and Thonias, and four daughters. This Thomas
Wedgwood died without issue, and Burslem Wedi^^wood
having married Elizabeth Cross, had three sons, who all
died young, and four daughters. The second surviving son
of ( ) ilbert and Margaret Wedgwood, Thomas, having, in 1653,
married IVlargaret Shaw (who survived him, and afterwards

THE OVERHOUSE AND CHURCH WEDGWOODS. 7 7
married Francis Fynney), had a family of several sons
and daughters, and was the ancestor of the families known
as the " Overhouse Wedgwoods " and the " Church Wedg
woods," of which latter Josiah was a member. He died
in the year 1678. By his will, which is dated February
14th, 1678, it appears that he had then a family of three
sons and five daughters living, seven of whom were under
age. The sons were John, of whom presently, Thomas, of
whom also more presently, and Timothy ; and the daughters
were Margaret, Margerie, Catherine, Mary, and Sarah.
This Thomas Wedgwood was a man of considerable sub
stance, owning a large part of Burslem, with three or four
pot-works. He resided at " the Upper or Over House,"
which at that time appears to have been a goodly mansion,
with a " long table and forms thereunto belonging , standing
in the hall place of the house," and with barns, outhouses,
stables, cowhouses, yards, folds, orchards, gardens, fish
ponds, fields and crofts, and kiln yard for the pot works,
belonging to it. This estate was his own property, and
besides it he owned the " housing and lands lying at the
Churchyard side in Burslem," which were formerly in his
own possession and that of his father-in-law, Shaw ; a horse-
mill and buUdings attached ; large pot works, consisting of
workhouses, shops, pot ovens, and all kinds of implements
" belonging to the art or trade of potting," which he had
erected on land which he had purchased of one William
Keen, of Crow Borrow ; houses, gardens, &c., and, I believe,
pot works called the "Almshouse ;" fields of land in various
parts, coal mines, and other property. His will, which is a
particularly interesting document, I here for the first time
make public : —
" In the name of God, Amen. The fourteenth day of February, in
the one and twentieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
Charles the Second, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland,
France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and Ann. Dom.
1678. " I, Thomas Wedgwood of Burslem, in the County of Stafford,

78 THE WEDGWOODS.
Potter, being weake in body, but of sound mind, perfect memory
(praised be God therefore), do make this to be and continue my last
will and Testament, in manner and form following : first, I commend
my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator, hoping through
the only merits of Jesus Christ my dear Eedeemer to obtain life
everlasting ; & as for suoh worldly and outward estate it hath pleased
God out of his superabundant Goodness to bestow upon me, I give
and assign the same in manner and form following, that Ls to say,
I give and devise unto Margaret my loving wife, so long as she
remain sole unmarried after my decease, for the time of her natural
life, all the dwelling house wherein I now inhabit, called the Upper
or Over House, with all bams, outhouses, stables, cowhouses, yards,
folds, orchards, gardens, thereunto belonging, with the fish-pond
and fish ; and also the Oxley Crofts, the great Old Field, the Httle
Old Field, the Oxley Croft Meadow, the KiU yard, with aU and
every of these appui-tenances & privileges which are situate in
Burslem aforesaid, for and during her widowhood, in full recompense
of her jointure and dower, of aU my lands and tenements and under
this proviso. Also that my said wife do and shall relay & release
all her title and interest in all my hou.^ing and lands lying at the
Church Yard side in Burslem aforesaid, which were formerly or are
in the holding of myself & father-in-law, Shaw, one or both of us,
or to my Son John during her said widowhood, and no longer.
I give and assign unto my said wife for her natural life my horse
mill, with the buildings wherein it now stands, for a further help to
her & for the educating and maintaining of my younger Children
until they come to the age of one and twenty years, to be disposed
of in marriage or receive their portions. Item I give and assign
unto my said wife all my workhouses, shops, ovens, wliieh I have
erected and built upon a certain piece of ground which I lately
purchased of William Keen of Crow Borrow, with all and every
their appurtenances lying in Burslem aforesaid, irntU such time as
my Son Thomas Wedgwood shall accomplish the age of Twenty One
years, and for no longer time, to keep her, the better to maintain
and educate my younger children. I give and assign unto my said
Son Thomas Wedgwood, his heirs aud assigns for ever, when he
shall come to the age of one & twenty yeais, aU the said work
houses, & pot ovens, & folds or yards belonging to the same, all and
every their appurtenances i!!: privileges ; also the said house, mill,
with the buildings thereunto belougiug after the determination of
my wife's estate. 1 give unto my Son Thomas when he shall attain
the said ago of one & twenty years, all the plonk boards & shelves

WILL OF THOMAS WEDGWOOD. 79
which are at the said workhouse, & all other implements whatever
at the said workhouse, belonging to the art or trade of potting. I
give and assign unto my Son Timothy all my right, title, interest,
claim, and demand, which I have in and to all that housing, barns,
stable, cowhouse, and backside, & gardens, and all & every their
appurtenances, called by the name of Almshouse, situate in Burslem
aforesaid & now in the holding of one Paul Shelton & Wm. March.
And my will is that my said Son Timothy shall enter upon and
enjoy the same when he shall accompHsh the age of one & twenty
years. I give and devise unto my daughter Margaret Wedgwood,
& to my Son Thomas Wedgwood, & to my daughter Margarie
Wedgwood, their heirs and assigns for ever, all those several parcels
or pieces of land called the Smallthoms, situate & being in Sneyd
Hamel, within the parish of the said Burslem, which land my aunt
Catharine Cololough deceased gave unto me, and also that parcel of
land or meadow grounds called the ' Digged Lakes,' lying in Burslem
meadows aforesaid, which I lately purchased of my Cousin Burslem
Wedgwood, to the intent that my said daughters Margaret Wedgwood,
Margarie Wedgwood, and my Son Thomas Wedgwood, may leece
and raise the sum of two hundred pounds out of the said several
pieces of lands & meadows, grants by sale of the same, or by any
other way that they may find prudent for to raise the said sum of
two hundred pounds, to be paid and distributed in manner and form
following. , For the portions and perferment of my said three children
Margaret, Margarie, & Thomas, that is, to my said daughter Margaret
the sum of fourscore pounds of lawful money, to my said Son
Thomas the sum of Fourty pounds when he shall accomplish the age
of one & twenty years ; to my said daughter Margerie the sum of
fourscore pounds when she comes to the age of one & twenty years.
And my mind & will is that my said children shall marry to and
with the consent of my said wife, provided nevertheless it is my
mind & will that if my Son John Wedgwood shall within some
reasonable time after my decease, either pay the said two hundred
pounds to my said three children Margaret, Thomas, & Margerie,
or give them good security to pay the said sum of £200 or their
several parts & proportions thereof at the ages, days, & times above
mentioned & Hmited, that then my will is, that my said Son John
shall have to him and heirs for ever, the aforesaid parcels of lands
caUed the Smallthoms & Digged Lake Meadows. I give unto my
daughters Katherine Wedgwood, Sarah Wedgwood, Mary Wedg
wood, and my said Son Timothy Wedgwood the said sum of £200,
to be raised out of aU the buildings and lands by me in this my

80 THE WEDGWOODS.
last wiU given, bequeathed, and devised to my said wife if she keep
her widowhood for her Hfe, so soon as it can be raised out of the
said lands & buildings, my said Wife's interest & term therein,
& applied & paid to my said children, Katherine, Sarah, Mary, &
Timothie, when they shaU respectively accomplish the age of one
and twenty years, or be disposed of in marriage, which shaU first
happen, if my Wife's estates therein be then determined, and to be
paid unto my said children in manner & form foUowing, that is to
say, to my daughter Katherine three score pounds of lawful money,
to my daughter Sarah three score pounds, to my daughter Mary
three score pounds, to my Son Timothy twenty pounds, which last
said £200 to my four last mentioned children, I wiU shaU be paid
out of all the said lands devised to my said Wife in manner afore
said, & I charge all my said lands with the payment of the said
£200 to my four last mentioned children, so soon as it can be raised
& paid in manner aforesaid ; & my mind & will is that if any of my
younger children in this my will mentioned shaU die in their
minority or before they be married, or receive their portion or
portions, that then such deceased child or children's parts or por
tions shall go and be equaUy paid & distributed amongst aU my
surviving younger children ; & after the determination of my said
Wife's Estate therein & the said last named £200 paid to my said
children, I give the said lands to my said Son John and his heirs
for ever ; but in case my said Son John shall make default paying
the last mentioned £200 to my four last named younger children, at
such time and in such maimer as is expressed in this my last wiU,
then my wiU is my said children shaU have, hold, and enjoy all the
said houseing & lands in this my last wiU devised to my Wife for
her life for so long time, due term of vears. as until they mv
said children have raised the said sum of £200 to be paid as afore
expressed. I give and assign to my said wife for the term of her
natural life if she keeps her widowhood, all my rights & interest
which I have in any coal mine or coal mines within the said parish
of Burslem or elsewhere, for the keeping of her as to her comfort
able living & the educating of my siud younger children, & after
determination of my said Wife's estates in the coal mines I give the
said coal mines & all my claim & interest in the same to my Son John
Wedgwood. I give to my said Sou John the long table with the forms
thereunto belonging standing iu the liaU place in the house wherein
1 now do inhabit. I give unto my Son John all the rikes that are
in tho mill house below the eutre whei-o I now inhabit. I give
unto M': (ieo. Hargieaves, minister of God's Word, ten sliiUingsto

WILL OF THOMAS WEDGWOOD. 81
preach my funeral sermon. I give unto my Cousin George Hawson
of Wolstanton, 12/. ; my debts, legacies, & funeral expenoes, & all
such monies as shall be necessary to be expended about the due
execution of this my last will & testament being first paid and
discharged. I do for the better education & maintainance of my five
younger children until they shaU respectively accomplish the said
age of twenty-one years, or be married, or receive there portions,
& for the due maintainance of my wife's livelihood & subsistence
during her widowhood, give unto my executors herein named all
the residue & remainder of my personal estate, my goods, monies,
plate, cattle, chattels, & personal estate whatsoever ; & my wiU is
my said youngest children shall be educated & maintained out of the
same residue & remainder of my said personal estate aforesaid. My
mind & will further is that what remains of the said residue of my
personal estate after my wife's estate or interest therein determined
& my said children educated as aforesaid, shaU go to be equaUy
divided amongst all my said seven children. Lastly, I do hereby
nomiuate, constitute, & appoint Margaret my loving wife, and my
said Son John, & my said Son Thomas Wedgwood, to be the
executors of this my last WUl & Testament, hoping they will
faithfuUy perform the same ; & interest my loving friends the said
Mr Geo. Hargreaves & Geo. Hawson to be overseers of this my
last wUl & testament & to aiding & assisting my said executors.
In witness thereof I the said Thomas Wedgwood have hereunto
set my hand & seal the day and year first mentioned in this my
last wUl. "Thomas WEDewooD.
" Signed, sealed, pubHshed & declared to be & contain the last wUl
and testament of me the said Tho^- Wedgwood, in presence of, &
all the interHneations done before the sealing thereof, in presence
of Geo. Hargreaves & Geo. Hawson."
"Proved 4«i AprU, 1679, on the Oath of Margaret Wedgwood,
widow, John Wedgwood, & Tho^- Wedgwood, the Executors named
therein." The eldest son of Thomas and Margaret, to whom I have
alluded, was John, who appears to have been born in 1654,
and to have died in 1705. He married in 1679, and had by
his wife, Alice, a daughter, Catherine, who married her
cousin Richard, of the " Overhouse " branchd and had by
G

82 THE WEDGWOODS.
him John, an only child, who died a minor. This lady,
who survived her husband, married, secondly, Thomas
Bourne, and, thirdly, Rowland Egerton, and died a widow
in 1750.
This Richard Wedgwood was, like the rest of the family,
a potter, and owned considerable property in Burslem, as is
evidenced by his wUl, here for the first time given.
" In the name of God, Amen. I, Eichard Wedgwood, of Burslem,
the County of Stafford, Earthen Potter, do make and advise my last
will and Testament in maimer and form foUowing. Impri', I
give, devise, and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife aU y' my
Messuage, Cottage, or DwelHng-hou.se, being in Bur.'lem aforesaid,
now in the holding of Samuel Malkin, together with aU out-
buUdings, barns, stables, gardens, orchards, ways whatever, and
backsides to the same belonging, together with a certain piece of
land caUed the Towncroft, lying in Burslem aforesaid, and also aU
those pieces or parcels of land caUed the two Brownhills, in the
holding of Stephen Cartlidge ; to hold the said Messuage, or
Cottage, lands, tenements, Hereditements, and premises, to my said
wife Catherine Wedgwood for and during her natural Hfe. And
after her decease, I give, devise, and bequeath aU the aforesaid
Messuage, or Cottage, Lands, Hereditaments, and premises aforesdd
to my Son John Wedgwood, his heirs and assigns for ever. Item,
I give, devise, and bequeath to my said wife all y< my workhouse,
being in Burslem aforesaid, now or late in the holding of Ealph
Simpson, for her life ; and after her decease, I give, dcTise, and
bequeath the same to my son John Wedgwood, his heirs and
assigns for ever. Item, I give to Henry Mountford, of Burslem
aforesaid, twenty shillings. Item, I give to Margery Mountford,
wife of the said Henry, ten shillings. Item, I give, devise, and
bequeath unto my dear wife one p.ircel of ground caUed the Service
Tard, during her life ; and after her decease I give the same to my
said son John, his heirs and assigns for ever. Item, aU the rest
and residue of my Goods, cattle. Chattels, and pei-sonal Estate what
soever, after my debts, Legaeies, and funeral expeiues are paid and
satisfied, I give to my said wife Katlierine. Lastlv, I constituto
and appoint my said wife executrix of this my last WUl iiud Testa
ment, hereby revoking all foimer wUls by mo at any time heretofore
made. In witness whereof, I, the said Eichaitl Wedgwood, the Tes
tator, have hereunto put my hand and seal, tho second day of

WILL OF MARY WEDGWOOD. 83
November, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King
George, Sovereign of Great Britain, &c.. Anno Domini 1718.
" EicHAiu) Wedgwood, his X mark.
" Signed, sealed, pubUshed, and declared to be and contain the last
wiU and Testament of Eichai'd Wedgwood the Testator, and after-
wai-ds attested in his sight by Mai'garet Eichards, Margaret Wedg
wood, Thomas Bourne."
" Proved 23''« AprU, 1719, on the Oath of Catherine Wedgwood,
Executrix." The second son of Thomas and Margaret, Thomas Wedg
wood, was born in 1660, and maiTied, in 1684, Mary Leigh.
He resided, and had his pot-works close to the church
yard at Burslem, where they stUl exist. By his wife, Mary
Leigh, he had a family of fom* sons and five daughters. The
sons, as named in her wiU, dated 1718, ai-e Thomas (the
father of the great Josiah Wedgwood), John (a son Abner
appears to have died young), Aaron, and Daniel; and the
daughters — Catherine, mai-ried to her relative, Dr. Thomas
Wedgwood, jun. ; Alice, married to Thomas Moore ; Eliza
beth, married to Samuel Astbury; Margaret, married to
Moses Marsh ; and Mary, married to Richard Clifton. Mary
Wedgwood (Maiy Leigh) survived her husband, and by her
wiU, dated January 1st, 1718, devised her personality as will
be seen in the foUowing interesting document : —
" In the name of God, Amen, the first day of January, Anno
Domini 1718. I, Maiy Wedgwood, of the Churchyard, in the parish
of Burslem, in the County of Stafford, widow. Being weak of body.
But of sound and perfect disposing mind and memory, thanks be
therefore given to the Almighty for the same. Doe make and
ordaine this to be and containe my last wiU and testament, In
manner and fforme ffoUowing (that is to say) ffirst and principally
I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator,
hopeing through the merritts, death, and passion of my Saviour
Jesus Christ, to receive free and fuU pardon of all my sins, and to
Inheritt Life etemaU, and my body to be decently Interred accord
ing to the discretion of my Executors hereinafter named. And for
such TemporaU Estate it hath pleased God out of his superabounding
goodness to bestow upon me, I give and devise the same as foUows.
G 2

84 THE WEDGWOODS.
Imp*. I wiU that my debts and funerall charges be paid and
discharged. Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Wedgwood
Three pounds and tenn shUHngs, and gave to him in my Hfetime
Sixteen pounds tenn shUHngs, w""* makes his the sume of Twenty
pounds. Item, I give and bequeath to my son Aaron Wedgwood
ffifteen pounds, and gave to him in my lifetime ffive pounds, ¦w'^
makes him the sum of Twenty pounds. Item, I give to my son
DanicU fflvc pounds, and five pounds I gave him in my lifetime,
w*"* makes his the sume of tenn pounds. Item, I give and
bequeath to my daughter Mary Wedgwood the sume of Twenty-
three pounds of Lawful EngUsh money, to be paid to her within six
months next Eifter my decease. Item, I give and bequeath to my
Daughter EUzabeth Wedgwood the sume of Twenty pounds. Item,
I give and bequeath to my Daughter Alice Wedgwood the sume of
Twenty pounds. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mar-
garett Wedgwood the sume of Twenty pounds — w** three last
Legacies to my three youngest Daughters, I wiU they shall be paid
as they each of them shaU attain the respective age of twenty-one
years. And each of them to receive yearly interest for their
Legacies towards their maintainance and education. Item, I give
and bequeath to Thomas Wedgwood, my son-in-law, one Cow.
Item, It is my wiU and mind that if any of my chUdren dye or
depart this life before they attaine the age of one-and-twenty years
of age, that then such ChUd or ChUdren's portions shaU be eqnaUy
divided amongst my surviveing Daughter or Daughters. Alsoe it is
my wUl and mind that what overplus (if any be) after my debts,
funeral expenses, and Legacies are paid and discharged, the same
to be for the maintainance and education of my three youngest
Daughters. Item, Lastly, I nominate, constitute, and appoint, my
loving brother Thomas Leigh, and my loveing son Thomas Wedg
wood, to be the Executors of this my last wUl and Test.imcnt,
hopeing they wiU faithfuUy execute and performe the same. In
Witness whereof I the said Mary Wedgwood, Testator, have here
unto put my hand and scale, the day and year first above written.
" Mart Wedgwood, her marke X and seale.
"Sealed, signed, published, and declared to be and remaine the
Last WiU and Tostam' of me, Mary Wedgwood, iu the pivsence of
David Gibson, Henry Mountfoi-d."
" Proved on the 23«i of AprU, 1719,by tlie Oaths of Thomas Leigh
and Thomas AVedgwood, tho Executors therein named, having been
flrst sworn duly to administer."

THE WEDGWOODS OF YORKSHIRE. 85
It wiU be seen from this interesting document of the grand
mother of the great Josiah, that his father (who inherited the
pot-works and other property) was made executor to the wiU
along with his uncle, Thomas Leigh. This Thomas Wedg
wood, the eldest son, was born in 1687, and married Mary
Stringer, by whom, who survived him, he had a famUy of
thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters. The
daughters were, I believe, Maria, born in 1711 ; Anne, born
in 1712; Mary, born in 1714; Margaret, born in 1720;
Catherine, born in 1726; and Jane, born in 1728; while the
sons were Thomas, of the Churchyard and Overhouse, born
in 1716; Samuel, in 1718; John, in 1721; Aaron, in 1722;
Abner, in 1723; Richard, in 1725 ; and Josiah, in 1730.
Most of these Wedgwoods were, of course, potters, and
carried on, in the different places in which they were
located, the ordinary business of the district. One branch
of the famUy settled at Yearsley, in the Yorkshire wolds,
at an early date, and commenced pot-making, which was
carried on successfuUy for some generations. In 1682 John
Wedgwood, of Yearsley, was " buried in woollen," as were
also in 1692 William Wedgwood, and in 1690 Isabell, who
was wife of one of these. John, the son of this John
Wedgwood, who died in 1707, was, I have reason to believe,
the John Wedgwood whose name appears on the puzzle jug
engraved on the following page, with the date 1691.
The ware made by the Yorkshire Wedgwoods was the
common hard brown ware, made from the clays of the
district, and consisted, of course, mainly of pitchers,
pancheons, porringers, and other vessels of homely kind.
From researches I have made, I have succeeded in tracing
out, with tolerable accuracy, a pedigree of the Yorkshire
Wedgwoods for seven or eight generations, ranging from
the middle of the seventeenth century down to the
present time, when their descendants are still living in the
district, not as potters, but in other equaUy useful walks of
life. So weU known ¦were the Wedgwoods of this district, that

86 THE WEDGWOODS.
one member of the famUy has been immortalised in song,
thus : — " At Yearsley there are pancheons made
By Willie Wedgwood, that young blade."
For this interesting fragment of a Yorkshire ballad I am
indebted to my friend, the Rev. Robert PuUeine, Rector of
Kirkby Wiske.

Pancheons, it may be weU to note, are thick coarse
earthenware pans, made of various sizes, and used for
setting away mUk in, and for washing purposes. They are
made in several localities, and, besides being sold by
earthenware dealers, are hawked about the country by men
who make their living in no other way.

CHAPTER IL
BIRTH OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.  HIS FATHER AND GRAND
FATHER. — BOYHOOD AND EARLY LIFE.  INDENTURE OF
HIS APPRENTICESHIP.  ABNER WEDGWOOD. — THB AST
BURYS. — THB SECRET OF THB ELERS DISCOVERED BY
STRATAGEM.  DISCOVERY OF THE USE OF FLINT.  THOMAS
WEDGWOOD. — THB " CHURCHYARD " WORKS, BURSLEM,
AS THEY WERE, AND AS THEY ARE.  DESCENT OP THE
PROPERTY.  MESSRS. BRIDGWOOD AND CLARKE.  PRO
DUCTIONS OF THE WORKS.  CHARACTER OF JOSIAH
WEDGWOOD AS AN APPRENTICE.
Josiah Wedgwood, it will have been seen, was — like''
another self-made man. Sir Richard Arkwright, who was
born only two years later — the youngest of a family of
thirteen children ; and therefore, whatever patrimony there
might be in the family, it is tolerably certain the usual
fate of younger sons — that of having to work out the
problem of their fortunes — must have awaited him. How
successfully he solved that problem future chapters will
amply show.
He was born in July, 1730, and was baptised on the 12th
of that month, as will be seen by the following extract
from the parish register of his native place, Burslem : —
" 1730. — Josiah, son of Thomas and Mary Wedgwood, bap*
July 12th."
His father was, as has been shown in the preceding chapter,
Thomas Wedgwood, eldest son of Thomas Wedgwood,
potter, of the Churchyard House and Works, by his wife
Mary Leigh. Thomas Wedgwood, the father of Josiah,
was baptised at Burslem in 1686-7. The following is the
entry in the register of that parish : —

08 THE WEDGWOODS.
" Thomas Wedgwood, fiUus Thome et Marie uxoris ejus, bapti-
zatus fuit 11 die," Januaiy 1686-7 —
His father and mother having, as will be seen from the
foUowing entry, married in 1684 : —
" Inter Thomam Wedgwood et Mariam Leigh, 26 die."
The father of Josiah was therefore, it would seem, in his
forty-fourth year at the time of his birth, and had had a
family of thirteen chUdren, most if not all of whom were
then living.
At the time of Josiah's birth, as for many years before,
his parents occupied the house and pot-work closely adjoin
ing the churchyard of Burslem, which had belonged to then-
fathers before them, and in that house the man whrise
memory all delight to honour was bom. The house stood, I
have reason to believe, near the site of the slip-house shown
in the view of the Churchyard Works given on a succeeding
page; but it has been taken down many years, and not a
vestige of the building now remains. I believe in those
days there was an open pathway through the churchyard,
and that there was also an entrance to the works and house
from the churchyard. It is well to nute. whUe speaking of
the birthplace of Josiah Wedgwood, that the house near the
works, now known as the " Mitre Hotel," in Pitt Street,
has, but erroneously, had that honour assigned to it. This
error has, no doubt, arisen from the fact of the house having
been built and inhabited by one of the Wedgwood HimUy,
but at a somewhat later date. It has, however, been occu
pied since then as a residence by a later owner of the
Churchyard AVorks, Mr. Green, and this has, doubtless,
strengthened the belief that the father of Josiah Wedgwood
had previously lived in it.
Of the boyhood and early life of Josiah Wedgwood, as a
schoolboy, we know, unfortunately, literally nothing, beyond
the fact that he was an amiable, thoughtful, and particularly
intelligent child, over quiet and studious, and delighting
more in thoughtful occupations than in the games and rough

J0SL4.H WEDGWOOD. 89
exercise of the boys of that, and indeed of every, time. At
this period, or rather thirty years later, there was but one
school in Burslem, and that so ill adapted to the purpose
" that two parts of the chUdren out of three are put to work
without any learning, by reason " of that school being " not
sufficient to instruct them." Probably to the only school in
Burslem, Josiah Wedgwood was sent, but whether there,
or under the tuition of his excellent father and mother, he
must have made exceeding good progress, for, at the age of
fourteen, he wrote, not a boyish, but a fine, firm, manly
hand, as wiU be seen by the fac-simile I give of his signature
at that age. We are told that at the early age of eleven
Josiah was put to the famUy business of a potter, as a
thrower ; and thus he had not much opportunity of gaining
extended knowledge in any branch.
About midsummer, 1739, when Josiah was barely nine
years old, his father, Thomas Wedgwood, died, and was
buried a few days afterwards in the churchyard at Burslem.
And here it may be well to correct an error which has crept
into all the accounts hitherto published of this remarkable
man. Mr. SmUes says, "His father was a poor potter at
Burslem, barely able to make a living at his trade. He died
when he was only eleven years old." It will be seen that
Josiah was only nine years old, not eleven, when he lost his
father; and the statement regarding the poverty of his
father is equally erroneous. I believe him to have been a
weU-to-do tradesman, and this is borne out by the fact
that the house and pot- works were his own property, and,
apparently, were inherited by him from his father. This
error, and the statement which foUows it, that at the time
when Josiah began " to work at the potter's wheel, the
manufacture of earthenware could scarcely be said to exist in
England," are so glaringly wrong, that it is well to point
thein out 'in this place. The latter assertion my preceding
chapters wUl already have fully refuted, and the former ones
this memoir will put in their proper light.
The will of this Thomas Wedgwood — a document which

90 THE WEDGWOODS.
I now for the first time make public— is dated June 26th,
1739, and was proved at Lichfield, the 25th of October in
the same year. It shows him to have been possessed of
landed property, and to have been a man far above the
station of a " poor potter." The foUowing is a copy of this
interesting document.
" In the Name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Wedgwood, of Burslem
churchyard side, make this my last WUl and Testament, in manner
& form following : Imp" I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas,
All my Eeal Estate, chargeable & to be enter'd on as hereafter
mentioned, viz., my WUl, is that the produce of that part of my
Eeal Estate which is not settled on my Wife, shaU be laid out by
my Exec"^^- hereafter mentioned, in the bringing up of my younger
children, & in raising the sum of Six score pounds, which I hereby
charge my real estate with. And my WUl is that the said sum be
equally divided among my six younger chUdren, viz., Margaret,
John, Aaron, Eichard, Katherine, & Josiah ; and that in paying the
said sums, the elder shaU be stUl preferred before the younger. My
Will likewise is that my Ex""- shaU have power to mortgage any
part of the said Estate not settled, or the whole thereof, in order to
raise the Six score pounds or any part thereof. And my wiU further
is that my Son Thomas shaU enter on the Estate not settled on
my wife, when the said several sums are paid as above, and not
sooner. And that if my Wife shaU die before the payment of the
money to my chUdren as above, then my Son Thomas shaU enter
on the other part of my Eeal Estate, and pay of it twenty pounds
apiece to aU & each of my younger chUdren above mentioned, that
shall then be unpaid ; & the said Sums he shall pay them as they
shall severkUy arrive at the age of twenty yeai^s ; my mind, how
ever, in this is, that if my younger children are aU twenty years
of age when my Wife shall die, my Son Thomas shall enter on the
whole Estate paying as above. But if any one then under the age,
then he shall only enter on that w*^ is my Wife's Jointure, &
mako up to my said younger childi-en twenty pounds apiece as they
amv(! at the aforesaid age, reckoning fii-st what is raised by my
Exe'""- towards it. I Hkc'W'ise give my said Son Thomas that
Leas'' tenement now in the holding of Jn"- WiU'burton, h"ing in
tho parish of Burslem. Item, my vi"iU is that my debts, except on
niortgagc & fun' expenses be p.iid out of the rest of my personal
I'islati', exei'pt my household goods, w*^'' I leave to my AA'ife to use

will of JOSLiH's FATHER. 91
during her life, and at her decease to be divided equaUy among aU
my chUdren except my daughter Ann. Item, if anything remains
out of my personal Estate besides what wiU discharge my debts
that are not secured on my land, my WUl is that it be eqnaUy
divided betwixt aU my yoimger chUdren except my daughter Ann.
Item, if by my marriage settlement I have not power to charge Six
score pounds on my Estate, my wUl is that what I have power to
charge be equally divided among my six chUdren above mentioned,
and raised as above. And I appoint Samuel Stringer, of Newcastle-
under-Lyme, & John Wedgwood, son of Aaron Wedgwood, of
Burslem, Ex<"^- of this my WUl. Witness my hand, this 26 day
of June, 1739. "T. Wedswood.
" Sealed and deHvered, these words being first interHned (due of
real the other of my the rest of) (except on mortgage) in the
presence of ns, who signed this in the pres"^® of the Testator,
E. Latham, W. WUlets, E. Mansfield."
" At Lichfield, on the 25*^ day of October, 1739, Administration
(with the Will annexed) of the personal Estate and Effects of
Thomas Wedgwood, deceased, was granted to Mary Wedgwood,
Widow, the reUct, a Legatee named in the said WiU, she having
been first sworn ; Samuel Stringer and John Wedgwood, the
Executors therein named, having renounced."
By this wUl it wUl be seen that the sum of twenty pounds
was left to Josiah Wedgwood, to be paid to him on his
coming of age — a smaU fortune for that eminent man to
start life with.
The father of Josiah, I have shown, died at midsummer,
1739. His eldest son, Thomas, who succeeded him, carried
on the business at the Churchyard, and probably continued
to reside there untU his marriage, between two and three
years afterwards. To him Josiah was bound apprentice on
the 11th day of November, 1744 — soon after he had attained
his fourteenth year. The indenture of apprenticeship is
fortunately stiU in existence, and I am enabled, for the first
time, to make it public by presenting the following literal
copy to my readers. The indenture is written on the usual
foolscap paper of the period, and is duly stamped with three
sixpenny stamps impressed at the top. It is carefully

92 THE WEDGWOODS.
framed and preserved, as such an important and interesting
historical document ought to be, in the museum of the
Hanley Mechanics' Institution, at Hanley, along with
other interesting relics relating to the great Josiah. The
indenture is endorsed — Josiah Wedgwood To
Thomas Wedgwood
Indenture
for 5 years
Novembr. 11th, 1744.
It reads as follows : —
" This Indenture, made the Eleventh day of Xovember, in
the Seventeenth year of tlie Reign of our Soveraign Lord,
George the Second, by the grace of God, King of great Brittain,
and so forth, and in the year of our Lord one Thou.sand Seten
Hundred forty and four, Between Josiah Wedgrcood, son of
Mary Wedgwood, of tlie Churchyard, in the County of
Stafford, of the one part, and Thomas Wedgwood, of ttie
Churchyard, in the County of Stafford, Potter, of the otlier
part, Wittnesseth tliat tlie said Josiah Wedgwood, of his own
free Will and Consent to, and rcith the Consent and Direction
of his said Mother, Hath put and doth hereby Bind himselfe
Apprentice unto the said Thomas Wedgwood, to Leam Ms
Art, Mistery, Occupation, or Lnployment of Tlirowing and
Handleing, which he tlie said Tlwmas Wedgwood now useth,
and with him as an Aj)prentice to Dwell, Continue, and Serve
from the day of the Date hereof, unto the full end and term of
five years from tlience next Ensuing, and fully to be Compleat.
and Ended ; During which said Term, the said Apprentice Ais
said Master well and faithfully sluill serre, his se^rits keep, his
Jjawfull Commands Every were gladly do : Hurt to his said
Master he shall not do, nor willfully suffor to be done by others,
but the same to his Power shall let, or fortlmith give notice
thereof to his said M(i.'<fir : the goods of his said JIaster he
shall not imbezil or waste, nor them Lend, without his Consent
to any: at Cards, Dice, or ajiy other tmlanfuU Games he

J0SL4H APPRENTICED. 93
shall not Play ; Taverns or Ale Houses he shall not haunt ar
frequent; Fornication he shall not Commit, Matrimony he shall
not Contract; from the Service of his said Master he sluill not
ai any time depart or absent himselfe without his said Master's
Leave : but in all thirds as a good and faithful Apprentice
Shall and Will Demean and behave himselfe towards his said
Master and all his, During the said Term, and the Said
Master his Apprentice the said Art of Throming and Handleing
which he now useth, nnth all things thereunto, shall and will
Teaeh and Instruct, or Cau^e to be well and Sufficiently
Taught and Instructed after the best way and manner he can ;
and shall and wAll also find and allow unto the Said Appren
tice Meat, Drink, Washing and Lodging, and Apparell of all
kinds, both Linen and Woolen, and all other Necessaries, both
in Sickness and in Health, meet and Convenient for such an
Apprentice During the Term aforesaid, and for the true
performance of all and Every the said Covenants and Agree
ments either of the Said Parties Bindeth himselfe unto Each
other hy these presents, in Witness wereofthey have Interchange
able Set their hands and Seals the Day and year before mentioned.
"Josiah Wedgwood.
" Sealed and Delivered^ " Maey Wedgwood.
in the presence of j " Thos. Wedgwood.
" Samuel Astbury.
"Abner Wedgwood."
This indenture, by which it wiU be seen Josiah Wedgwood
was bound apprentice to his eldest brother, Thomas, for a
period of five years, " to learn his art, mistery, occupation,
or imployment of Throwing and Handleing," is signed by
himself, his mother, and brother Thomas, as the three parties
to the deed, and attested by Samuel Astbury and Abner
Wedgwood. Of these signatures, so historically interesting,
I give on the next page a careftiUy engraved fac-simUe.
Abner Wedgwood, whose signature here appears, must
have been either uncle or brother to Josiah — for there were
two Abners — but I am incUned to beUeve the latter, who

94

THE WEDGWOODS.

was seven years the senior of Josiah, and had therefore
already attained his majority. Samuel Astbury, the other
attesting witness, was uncle to Josiah, having married his

J^ojco/n. n/^ac^^

i^^9!ikp^

I^^^M^a^i^-^

father's sister, Elizabeth Wedgwood. He was one of the
famUy of Astbury to whom the potters were indebted for
the discovery oi so many improvements in their art, some
of which it may not be out of place briefly to notice.
Towards the close of the seventeenth century, when the
brothers Elers, to whom I have before referred, had begun
their manufacture of fine red ware at BradweU, and had
surprised their neighbours with their productions, and
excited their jealousy by their success and the care with

discovery of the elers' secret PROCESS. 95
which they guarded their secret, a potter of Burslem named
Astbury determined to discover their process, and accordingly
took means to do so. To accomplish his end he is said to
have assumed the garb and manners of an idiot, and then
sought the hovel of the Elers, and with every appearance ot
vacant idiotcy made it understood that he was wUling to
work. Here he " submitted to the cuffs, kicks, and unkind
treatment of masters and workmen, with a ludicrous grimace,
as the proof of the extent of his mental abUity. When food
was offered to him, he used only his fingers to convey it to
his mouth ; and only when helped by other persons could
he understand how to perform any of the labours to which
he was directed. He was next employed to move the treadle
of an engine lathe, and by perseverance in his assumed
character he had opportunity of witnessing every process,
and examining every utensU they employed. On returning
home each evening he formed models of the several kinds
of implements, and made memoranda of the processes,
which practice he continued a considerable time (nearly two
years is mentioned), until he ascertained that no further
information was likely to be obtained, when he avaUed
himself of a fit of sickness to continue at home, and this
was represented as most malignant, to prevent any person
visiting him. After his recovery he was found so sane that
Messrs. Elers deemed him unfit longer to remain in their
service, and he was discharged, without suspicion that he
possessed a knowledge of their manipulations." The infor
mation he had thus surreptitiously and dishonestly acquired,
he soon turned to such good account that the Elers, " mor
tified at the fact that their precaution had been unavailing,
and disgusted at the inquisitiveness of the Burslem potters "
(for another potter named Twyford had also discovered their
secret), found that their trade was fast leaving them, and
removed at once from the neighbourhood. Astbury com
menced business on his own account, and soon became a
"man of mark," and took journeys to London to seU his
wares and to procure orders. On one of these journeys, it

96 the WEDGWOODS,
is said, he accidentally discovered the use of flint as an
ingredient in the plastic art. This circumstance is thus
recorded: — On one of his journeys, on arriving at Dun
stable, he found the horse on which he rode so much affected
in its eyes, that he feared blindness would result. Having
spoken to the ostler at the inn, he recommended burnt flint,
and having put a piece of flint in the fire, and kept it there
until red-hot, allowed it to cool, and then powdered it. Some
of this powder he blew into the eyes of the horse, and relieved
it. Mr. Astbury, who had watched the process carefuUy, was
much stuck with the pure whiteness which the flint attained
on being burned, and the ease with which it might be
reduced to powder ; and having also noticed its clayey nature
when moistened in the horse's eyes, immediately conceived
the idea that if mixed with clay in his trade, it would pro
duce a finer and whiter kind of ware than any which had
been yet produced. Having procured some flints on his
return home, he profited by his observation, and the result
of his experiments was more than satisfactory to him. He
soon obtained a preference for his ware over others, and
amassed a comfortable fortune ; and thus flints became a
general ingredient in the potter's materials. Samuel
Astbury is said to have been a son of this eminent potter ;
and thus was united to the Wedgwood famUy the abiUty
and skUl of the Astburys.
r^ It wUl be noticed that in the indenture of apprenticeship,
both Mary Wedgwood, the mother of Josiah, and Thomas,
his brother, to whom he was bound, are described as "of
the Churchyard, in the county of Staffordf the town, or
village as it then was, of Burslem not being named. It is
probable, from this fact of both being described as " of the
Churchyard," that not only was Josiah, as a matter of
course, at that time living with his mother, but that
Thomas, the eldest son, and successor of his father, also
resided under the same roof. Whether this were so or not
is, however, a matter of grave doubt ; for, although in the
indenture of apprenticeship executed in November, 1744,

THE CHURCHYARD WORKS. 97
he is described as " ofthe Churchyard," yet in his marriage
settlement with Isabel Beech, dated October 12th, 1742,
two years previously, he is described as " of the Over House,
Burslem, Potter." By this deed the Churchyard house and
works, then his property, are settled, as will soon be shown.

THE " CHUBCHYAKD WOEKS," BUKSLEM.

The probability is, that Thomas Wedgwood resided at the
Over House at the time when Josiah was apprenticed to
him, that he carried on his potter's business both there and
at the Churchyard (which was his own property), and that

H

98 THE WEDGWOODS.
he was in the indenture described as " of the Churchyard,"
because at those works, where his mother resided, it was
intended that Josiah should serve his time, and thus, with
nearly the whole of her large family, continue under her
roof, and consequently under her careful and watchful eye.
The " Churchyard Works," at which the boy Josiah
was apprenticed, are, in their present state, shown in the
preceding engraving, from a drawing recently made by
myself. The sketch is taken from the large graveyard
which surrounds the old church of Burslem. The manu
factory, it wUl be observed, forms the boundary of the
churchyard on its north-east side. The building with the
bell-turret, seen above the works, is the National Schools.
Since the time of Wedgwood, these works have, naturaUy,
been much altered and enlarged ; but the site is the same,
and some of the buildings now there are what stood and
were used in his day. The house in which he was bom —
which, as I have said before, there is reason to believe stood
near where the present slip-house now stands — has been
taken down many years, and the site has since been occupied
by fresh buUdings. New hovels and other conveniences have
recently been added to the establishment, which is now a
very complete and commodious manufactory.
These historically interesting works, which seem for
several generations to have belonged to the Wedgwoods, are
described in 1698 as belonging to Thomas Wedgwood, "of
the Churchyard House," to whom they appear to have
passed on his father's, death. His son Thomas, eldest
brother of Josiah, inherited this property on his father's
death in 1739, and three years later, on his marriage
with Isabel Beech, by marriage settlement dated 12th
October, 1742 (in which he is described as Thomas
Wedgwood, of the Over House, Burslem, Potter), the
" messuage, with the appurtenances situate and adjeiining
the churchyard, Burslem, and all outhouses, ?rork houses,
&c., then in the occupation of the said Thomas Wedgwood,
or his under tenants," were settled upon the children of this

THE CHURCHYARD WORKS. 99
marriage. On the death of Thomas Wedgwood, in 1772,
this property, and the other he had acquired, descended
' to his son Thomas, of the Over House, subject to portions
to his younger children, under the settlement of 1742. The
works were for some time carried on, along with the " Bell
Works " and " Ivy House Works," by Josiah Wedgwood.
On his removal to Etruria, they were occupied by his second
cousin, Joseph Wedgwood (brother of Aaron, and nephew
of the Aaron Wedgwood who was partner with WiUiam
Littler in the first manufacture of porcelain in the district),
whp lived at the house now the Mitre Hotel, near the works.
This Joseph Wedgwood, who made jasper and other fine
bodies under the direction of, and for, Josiah, occupied the
works until the time of their sale to Mr. Green, when he
removed to Basford Bank. About 1780 "the Churchyard
premises were sold to Josiah Wedgwood, then of Etruria,
who, in 1787, conveyed them to his brother John, also of
Etruria, who, in 1795, sold them to Thomas Green, at which
time two newly-erected houses near the pot-work were
included in the sale." Mr. Green manufactured earthen
ware at these works, and for some time resided at the house
near the works, now known as the " Mitre Hotel," which
had been built by one of the Wedgwood family. The pro
perty remained in Thomas Green's hands until his bank
ruptcy in 1811, when it appears to have been purchased
by a manufacturer named Joynson, or Johnson, from whom
it again passed, some years later, to Mr. Moseley, its present
owner. WhUe in his hands, the pot-work has been held by
various tenants, and until about seven years ago it wa.s let
off in small holdings to different potters. About that period
Mr. Bridgwood, of TunstaU, became the tenant of the
premises as a general earthenware manufacturer, and was
soon afterwards joined in partnership by Mr. Edward
Clarke, whose large practical experience has tended much to
increase the reputation of the works. This firm, having
taken a lease of the premises, remodelled many of the build
ings, and erected others, and greatly improved the whole
h2

100 THE WEDGWOODS.
place, by bringing to bear many improvements in body
unknown and unthought of by their predecessors. Since
Mr. Bridgwood's decease, which took place in 1864, these
works, and the large establishment at TunstaU, have remained
in the hands of the surviving partner, Mr. Clarke, who is
gradually withdrawing the manufacture from them to Tun
staU, where his operations will be concentrated. The pro
ductions of the Churchyard Works at the present day are
like those of the TunstaU works, principally intended for the
American market, where they very successfuUy compete
with the French porcelain, and where, being opaque porce
lain of the finest and hardest quality, they are known by the
name of "white granite." Many of the goods, as services,
&c., are embossed in excellently designed patterns, and the
greater proportion are sent off white, and are then decorated,
on the glaze, in the States.
One of the most notable features in the mannfactures at
these works, is that of artists' materials, for which they
rank deservedly high. Their palettes, tiles, slabs, saucers,
&c., possess all the requirements of hardness, evenness,
and durability of glaze, and are consequently much esteemed.
Another prominent feature of the productions is that of door
furniture, which is here manufactured to a large extent both
in black and in white, and highly gilt and decorated porce
lain, the peculiar hard and fine nature of the body being well
adapted for these useful and elegant articles. The firm
gives employment to nearly four hundred hands. They have
lately turned their attention to the home markets, in
addition to the American trade, and are gradually extending
their connections, and producing services faultless in style
and material. The body, which is remarkably fine and
compact, is of good colour, the glazing hard and fine, and
the decorations of elegant design and artistic finish. My
readers who see the impressed mark of " Bridgwood and
Clarke," or the printed mark of a royal arms, with the words
" Porcelain Opaque, B ^ C, Burslem," will be gratified to
know that these are made at the works at which Josiah

josiah's early life. 101
Wedgwoed was born, and at which he served his appren
ticeship. Having traced, briefly, the history of the works in which
Josiah Wedgwood was born, at which he was apprenticed,
and at which he grew up to man's estate, down to the
present day, it will be necessary to again revert to the time
when he there learned the " art, mistery, occupation, or
imployment of Throwing and Handleing." Of the period
of his apprenticeship, of the habits of the boy, of his occu
pations when away from the wheel, or of his progress at the
wheel or the mould, but little is known. It is not mere
conjecture, however, to say, that his boyhood, and the years
which he passed in growing up to man's estate, were spent
in the most exemplary manner, and that he grew up a credit
to himself, an honour to the place which gave him birth, and
a blessing to his friends and relatives. I have heard it from
those best able to know — from some of the oldest inhabitants
of the place — that in their boyhood, at the end of the last
century, they were continually admonished by their parents
and grandparents to be good, as Wedgwood had been, and
to lead such a life as he, as a youth, had done before them.
It is pleasant to put this fact on record, and to hear this
kind of testimony given to the character of this great man,
even when young, that he was held up to the youth of his
native place as a pattern for emulation.

CHAPTER IIL
BOYHOOD OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. — ATTACK OF SJIALL-POX. —
MR. Gladstone's notice of this attack. — amputation of
HIS LEG.— josiah WEDGWOOD ASA " THROWER." — ENOCH
WOOD.  WILLIAM LITTLER AND AARON WEDGWOOD. —
DEATH OF THE MOTHER OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.  TERMI
NATION OF HIS APPRENTICESHIP. — COMME^•CES MAKING
AGATE KNIFE HANDLES, ETC. — ENTERS INTO PARTNERSHIP
WITH JOHN HARRISON.  PARTNERSHIP WITH THOMAS
WHIELDON.
During his apprenticeship, probably about his sixteenth
year, Josiah Wedgwood was seized with illness — a violent
attack of the small-pox, it is stated — and was laid up for a
considerable period with that complaint. By this illness,
and the weakness which followed it, he was incapacitated
from following, to any extent, one branch of the art to
which he had been bound — that of a thrower — and thus,
fortunately, his ever active mind had more time, and
more opportunity, to develop itself in the other and more
ornamental branches of his trade. The Right Hon. W. E.
Gladstone, in his able and truly eloquent address at Bvu^lem,
on occasion of his laying the foundation stone, as Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, of the Wedgwood Memorial Insti
tute in that town, thus strikingly and pleasingly aUudes to
this affliction — or, rather, blessing — which visited the boy-
genius : — " Then conies the well-known attack of small
pox, the settling of the dregs of his disease in the lower
part of the leg, and the amputation of the limb, rendering
him lame for life. It is not often that we have such
palpable occasion to record our obligations to the small-pox;

josiah ATTACKED BY SMALL-POX. 103
but in the wonderful ways of Providence, that disease, which
came to him as a twofold scourge, was probably the occa
sion of his subsequent excellence. It prevented him from
growing up to be the active, vigorous English workman,
possessed of all his limbs, and knowing right well the use
of them ; but it put him upon considering whether, as he
could not be that, he might not be something else and some
thing greater. It sent his mind inwards, it drove him to
meditate u|)on the laws and secrets of his art ; the result
was that he arrived at a perception and a grasp of them,
which might perhaps have been envied, certainly have been
owned, by an Athenian potter. Relentless criticism has long
since torn to pieces the old legend of King Numa receiving
in a cavern, from the nymph Egeria, the laws that were to
govern Rome ; but no criticism can shake the record of that
illness and that mutilation of the boy, Josiah Wedgwood,
which made for him a cavern of his bed-room, and an oracle
of his own inquiring, searching, meditative, fruitful mind.
" From those early days of suffering — weary, perhaps, to
him as they went by, but bright, surely, in the retrospect,
both to him and us— a mark seems at once to have been set
upon his career. But those who would dwell upon his
history have still to deplore that many of the materials are
wanting." It would be far from my wish to destroy, or to entrench,
even in the slightest degree, on the true poetry of this
relation; but as its sentiment cannot be altered, or its
beauty impaired, by correcting one of the statements, I do
not hesitate to say, what I have every reason for believing
to be the case, that the amputation of the leg was not alto
gether the result of the small-pox, which had produced a
disorder and weakness in that limb, but of an accident ; and
that it did not take place during the boyhood of the great
man, but at a much later period of his life. The boy had
genius and thought, energy and perseverance, in him, which
wanted not the bodily affliction to become developed, and to
bring them to active perfection. His mind was such as

104 THE WEDGWOODS.
would have surmounted every obstacle which manual em
ployment could offer, and would have risen above every
mjifavourable circumstance by which he might be surrounded.
The small-pox, it is true, at that early period gave him
leisure and opportunity to think, to experimentalise, and to
form those ideas which in after life he so successfidly and
beneficially, both to himself and to the world, worked out ;
but he would have become a great man even without that
ailment to help him on.
The small-pox left a humour which settled in the leg, and
on every slight accident became so painful, that for one half
of the time of his apprenticeship he sat at his work with his
leg on a stool before him. The same cruel disorder continued
with him till manhood, and was at one time so much aggra
vated by an unfortunate bruise, that he was confined to his
bed many months, and reduced to the last extremity of
debility. He recovered his strength after this violent shock,
but was not able to pursue his plans for some years without
frequent interruptions from the same sad cause. At length
the disorder reached the knee, and showing symptoms of
still advancing so as to endanger his life, he was advised to
undergo amputation, and submitted to it. it is said, about
the 34th year of his age. From this period he enjoyed a
tolerably good state of bodily health and activity, and has
been known to attribute much of his success of life to his
confinement under this illness, because it gave him oppor
tunities to read, and to repair the defect of an education
which had, as I have shown, been necessarily narrowed by
circumstances. It is recorded that during his apprenticeship he worked
in the same room, as a thrower,* with his brother Richard,
* A "thrower " is the man who forms at the '' potter's wheel " the vessel
by hand from the moist clay. The " ball " of clay being pkceil on the
disc, the boy, or girl, employed for the purpose, turns the wheel quickly
(ir slowly, as occasion requires. By this means the disc is made to rotate
horizontally, and the "thrower," who is seated, forms the vessel by hand,
and by the aid of guides for shape which he has prepared for the purpose.
The throwing, it will thus be seen, ia the first imd most important opera-
tiiiM iu the formiug of tho vo.--sols.

ENOCH WOOD. 105
who was five years his senior, and who, it is fair to presume,
was also an apprentice, having probably been bound to his
father during his lifetime. Richard, however, unlike his
thoughtful brother, appears to have left his employment,
and enlisted as a soldier. A fragment of an interesting
little memorandum in the handwriting of the late eminent
potter, Enoch Wood, which I saw, and copied, at Hanley,
gives an interesting reminiscence of the boyish days of
Josiah Wedgwood. It was written in 1809, and appears to
read thus (it refers to a piece of early porcelain made by
Littler) — " This was given to E. Wood by Wm. Fletcher in
Jany., 1809. He informs me he remembers it being made
by Mr. Wm. Littler,* at Longton, near Stoke, about 55
years ago — say in the year 1754. It has never been out
of his possession during that time, and is highly valued.
This Fletcher says he used to work at the Churchyard works,
and made Balls f for two of the Throwers at the same time,
namely, Richd. Wedgwood and Josiah Wedgwood, both of
whom worked in one room for their father, who was the
owner of the works. WUliam Fletcher, within named, was
in my employ during part of the last years of his life, and
said he was about the same age and size as Josiah Wedg
wood, and generally had his old cloaths, because they fitted
him weU. E. Wood." " Fletcher was a ' Stouker '| by
trade. I gave him a pint of ale to show my handlers the
old way of ' Stouking.' He did so, and the men gave him
a few pence, with which he bought more ale and got tipsy,
and took a cold, and never recovered, but died soon after,
' Although only stated to be made by Littler, this piece was doubtless
the joint production of William Littler and Aaron Wedgwood, his
brother-in-law. These two potters having observed how closely in some
respects the fine " white stone ware approached to porcelain," united
their skiU and means to prosecute experiments in the manufacture of
"china."' Their experiments were eminently successful, both in the
body and in the liquid glaze discovered by Wedgwood ; but heavy losses
were the result, and the work was given up. The information they had
gained was afterwards imparted to Josiah Wedgwood by his relative.
t BaUs of clay ready for throwing.
+ A " stouker " was the m.in who formed the handles of vessels.

106 THE WEDGWOODS.
and was buried by the parish officers." As an interesting
illustration of the rate of wages in the days of Wedgwood's
apprenticeship, it may be mentioned that Fletcher, — who
" made balls " for the two brothers working at two comers
of a small room, he being placed between them and sup
plying them alternately, — received fourpenee per week for his
first year, sixpence for the second, and ninepence for the
third. Of these rates of wages I shall yet have more to say
later on.
While yet in his apprenticeship, Josiah lost his mother,
who died, it is said, at Burslem, early in the year 1748,
when he was between seventeen and eighteen years of age.
She was buried near to her late husband, in the graveyard
adjoining the works — the graveyard shown in the engraving of
the " Churchyard Works," where the burial-place maybe seen
to the left — but the tomb in which they were both doubtless
interred has been despoiled of its inscription. Close beside
it are other tombs of members of the famUy. After the
death of his mother, to whom Josiah was, I believe, most
deeply attached, he is said to have continued to reside with
his brothers and sisters in the same house in the works, and
to have applied himself most sedulously to the improvement
of his art.
WhUe yet an apprentice he had made great progress in
his art, not being content to follow simply that branch prac
tised in his brother's works. He particularly made himself
master of the method of colouring wares with metalUc
calces in imitation of agate, tortoiseshell, ic. During this
period, too, he first made advances in his afterwards famous
cream-coloured ware. He thus, however, spent so much of
his time in experiments, and in trying new applications of
his art, that his brother became uneasy, and continually
exhorted him to give up these flights of fancy and confine
himself to the beaten track of his ancestors — an exhortation
which, happily for himself and for the world, was of no avail.
At the expiration of his apprenticeship Josiah Wedg-wood
pointed out to his brother many modes of increasing their

TERMINATION OF APPRENTICESHIP. 107
trade, and made proposals to be received into partnership.
His brother, however, did not think it right to put his
wealth at stake in the pursuit of projects which he deemed to
be visionary, and declined the proposition.
The term of Josiah Wedgwood's apprenticeship for fiv(
years naturally expired on the 11th of November, 1749,1
when he was a little more than nineteen years of age, and
it appears more than probable that, for a short time at least,
after he was " out of his time," he remained at his old home
as journeyman to, instead of as he had hoped partner with,
his brother. It will have been noticed that by the terms of
the indenture, no wages were paid him during those five years,
his brother merely covenanting to find him in meat, drink,
lodging, and clothes. He had at this time, as will have been
seen by his father's will — i.e., when he should attain the age
of twenty years — the legacy of twenty pounds to begin life
with,, and we next find him, having left home, lodging with
a Mr. Daniel Mayer, a mercer, at Stoke, and engaged in
making mottled earthenware knife handles, in somewhat
rude imitation of agate, tortoiseshell, and various kinds of
marble, which he supplied to the hardwaremen of Sheffield
and Birmingham.
Here, at Stoke, in 1752, Josiah Wedgwood entered into
partnership with John Harrison, of Newcastle, afterwards
of Cliff Bank, Stoke, a man possessed of some means but
Uttle taste ; and the two commenced business in manufac
turing tbe same kind of goods as I have just named. Har
rison was not, it appears, a practical potter, but was taken
into partnership by Wedgwood for the advance of capital.
Wedgwood, it is said, found the brains, and Harrison the
money, and the craft to appropriate to himself the lion's
share of the profits. The partners carried on their manu
factory at what was Mr. Aldersea's pottery, at the top of
Stoke, and opposite to the works belonging to Mr. Hugh
Booth. Here, besides agate and other knife hafts, they
made the ordinary kinds of wares then in demand, both
" scratched and blue," and no doubt, but for " the cupidity

108 THE WEDGWOODS.
of Harrison," the works here would in time have become as
celebrated as the later ones of Wedgwood have done.
The works at Stoke are not now in existence, having been
destroyed many years ago. They were, I am informed, at
the failure of Harrison, bought by Josiah Spode, who pulled
them down, and built cottages in their place.
In 1754 Wedgwood and Harrison entered into partner
ship with Thomas Whieldon, the most eminent potter of
his day. The partnership with Harrison, however, con
tinued but for a very short period, and in two years from
Wedgwood first joining him (in 1752), he went out of the
concern altogether, and the two remaining partners, Wedg
wood and Whieldon, continued in jiartnership for'five years.
The basis of this union was the secrets of the trade which
Wedgwood possessed, and was to practise for their common
benefit without any stipulation to reveal them.
" Mr. Wedgwood," says a document I have before me,
" spent six months in preparing the models, moulds, and
other necessary apparatus for this work, and the first fruit
of his genius was a new green earthenware, having the
smoothness and briUiant appearance of glass. He made
principally of this ware services of dessert ; the forms were
different kinds of leaves, and the plates were moulded with
fruits grouped in a very fanciful way, and they had a con
siderable sale. He also made toUet vessels, snuff-boxes.
and many different toys for mounting in metals, coloured
in imitation of precious stones. When he offered these
things to the jewellers of London and Bath, they considered
them as the productions of some valuable discovery, the
nature of which they could not guess at. But there was
one of them, among the first at that time in fashion, who,
having bestowed many encomiums upon them, excused hun-
self from encouraging their sale when he heard the low price
at which their maker estimated them. It was during this
connection that he was so much reduced by his complaint,
and rendered incapable of attending to business. He was
then under the necessity of communicating the knowledge

PARTNERSHIP WITH WHIELDON. 109
of his mixtures to a workman, and these two first works
soon became a general manufacture in the neighbourhood."
In 1754, then, Josiah Wedgwood became the partner of
Thomas Whieldon, at whose works at Fenton Low the two
carried on their business, bringing to bear on the concern
their united skill and united taste. Whieldon at that time
was a man of substance, and had been in business as a potter
for many years. "In 1740," says Shaw, "Mr. Thomas
Whieldon's manufactory at Little Fenton consisted of a
small range of low buildings, all thatched. His early pro
ductions were knife hafts for the Sheffield cutlers, and
snuff-boxes for the Birmingham hardwaremen to finish with
hoops, hinges, and springs, which himself usually carried in
a basket to the tradesmen, and, being much like agate, they
were greatly in request. He also made toys and chimney
ornaments, coloured in either the clay state or biscuit, by
zaffre, manganese, copper, &c., and glazed with black, red, or
white lead. He also made black glazed tea and coffee-pots,
tortoiseshell and melon table plates (with ornamented edge
and six scollops, as in the specimens kept by Andrew Boon,
ofthe Honeywall, Stoke), and other useful articles. Mr. A.
Wood made models and moulds of these articles ; also pickle
leaves, crab stock handles, and cabbage-leave spouts for tea
and coffee-pots, which utensils, with candlesticks, chocolate-
cups, and tea-ware, were much improved, and his connec
tions extended subsequently, when Mr. J. Wedgwood became
his managing partner. He was a shrewd and careful person.
To prevent his productions being imitated in quality or
shape, he always buried the broken articles, and a few
months ago we witnessed the unexpected exposure of some
of these by some miners attempting to get marl in the road
at Little Fenton. The fortune he acquired by his industry
enabled him to erect a very elegant mansion near Stoke,
where he long enjoyed, in the bosom of his family, the fruits
of his early economy. He was also sheriff of the county in
the twenty-sixth year of the late reign. The benevolence
of his disposition, and his integrity, are honourable traits

110 THE WEDGWOODS.
of character, far superior to the boast of ancestry without
personal merit. He died in 1798 at a very old age, and in
1828 his relict was interred beside him in Stoke churchyard.
Of the four apprentices to Mr. Whieldon, three commenced
business, and were eminently successful : Mr. Josiah Spode
(the first), Mr. Robert Gamer, Mr. J. Barker, and Mr.
Robert Greatbach," &c.
Whieldon had already acquired a reputation for his wares
far exceeding that of most, or almost any, of the potters of
his day, and was thus as desirable a partner for Wedgwood,
as Wedgwood, with his exquisite taste and skill, was for
him. He had increased his works very considerably, and
was employing many hands, some of whom became eminent
and wealthy potters. I have now before me the original
account-book of hirings, and lettings of land and houses,
&c., of Thomas Whieldon, in which all the entries are in his
own handwriting, and show him to have been a man of
precise and careful business habits, and of good education.
From this highly interesting book, in which the entries
extend over the jieriod from 1747 to 1754, with some entries
of a still later date, I shall in my next chapter make a few
extracts, to show the rate of remuneration paid to potters
in the days when Josiah AVedgwood first began business,
and the curious bargains and customs which were usual at
hirings, which, it may be well to remark, were always, among
potters, from Martinmas to Martinmas.

CHAPTER IV.
THOMAS WHIELDON. — THE ENLARGEMENT OF HIS WORKS. —
"hirings" OF WORKMEN. — EXTRACTS FROM WHIELDON's
ACCOUNT-BOOK. — JOSIAH SPODE : HIS APPRENTICESHIP
AND AFTER HIRDfG. — TORTOISESHELL WARE.  EXPIRATION
OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THOMAS WHIELDON AND JOSIAH
WEDGWOOD. — WEDGWOOD COMMENCES BUSINESS AT BURS
LEM. — TAKES THE " IVY HOUSE" POT WORKS.  DESCENT
OF THE IVY HOUSE PROPERTY. — JOHN AND THOMAS WEDG
WOOD OF THE "big HOUSE." — BURSLEM SHAMBLES, ETC.
Having traced the career of Josiah Wedgwood from his
birth down through the period of his apprenticeship and his
affliction, and so on, through his short partnership with
Harrison, at the start of life, to the time when he was fairly
embarked in business with his second partner, Thomas
Whieldon, at Fenton, it will now be interesting to give some
few further particulars relating to Whieldon, and to his
works, and to the varieties of wares produced by him ; and I
am enabled to do this partly by the aid of the original account-
book kept by Whieldon, which is now in my possession.
In 1749, Thomas Whieldon buUt for himself an addition
to his works, and as these were the works at which Wedg
wood, as a partner, carried on his business, the following
account of the " Expenses of the new end & Seller of the
Over Work-house," copied from the curious old account-
book to which I have alluded, will be found to possess much
interest : —

112

THE WEDGWOODS.

1749.
June 10. John Wood, at sinking Seller, * 8 days
,, „ Hancock, 8 days
„ „ Stananer, 2 days
„ 17. Wood, 3 days .
„ „ Hancock, 3 days
„ „ Boys to help
„ „ Stanner, 2 days
„ 19. Ed. Shaw, 4^ days.
„ „ Thos. Shaw, 4^ days.
„ „ Jno. Shaw, 41 days.
„ „ Saml. Hardy, 41 days.
„ „ His boy, 4^ days.
„ „ Henny, 4i days. •
„ ,, Mearheath, o^ days.
„ „ Saml. Astley, 4} days.
At serving Masons —
„ ,, Jno. Cressall, 6 days.
June 12. Jarvis Forister carrd. 4 load. Brick
from Brickd.
„ „ Isaac Greatbach card. abot. o load.
1 load sand brt. wth. him.
„ 13. Jarvis, 2 load Brick.
2 load sand from Bridge.
„ „ Isaac, 4 load brick.
„ 14. Isaac wth. one Team most the day.
„ 15. Jarvis Forister, aU day wth. standing
tumbrell, but come late.
„ 16. Jarvis Forister, 1 day wth. one Tum
brel.
„ 17. do. card. abt. 5 or 6 load.
„ „ Ed. Shaw.
„ 26. Pd. for pUinge for thack .
„ „ Wm. Daniell, 2 days.
,, „ Jno. Wood, a day wrkg.
„ ,, Pd. for Springles * . . . .
„ ,, Do. for getting Clay out of SeUor
,, „ Ale at Rearing 
,, „ Casements, f)o lbs.
,, ,, Barrs for windows, abt. 4J B>s. from
Heaton.
,, „ Pd. for glazing to Hatton, 30 foot
@ Od 
„ „ Pd. John Heaton ....

£

s.

d.

0

8

0

0

7

4

0

0

10

0

3

0

0

2

9

0

2

0

0

1

8

0 16

0

1 0

0

4 9

0

¦2 0

0 15
0 6

Cellar.

WAGES AND GENERAL MONEY. 113
June 26. Pd. John Wood, for drawing ten £ s. d.
thrave pUeings * for thaching the
Over ^Ti. house . . . .030
„ ,, Thos. Payne, 184 foot 1^ in. thick
popr.t Board.
460 foot 1 in.
81 foot Popplary, 1 in. thick
„ „ Moses Stockleys team card, brick &
loam 2 hour qtr. One a Clock to
Six, but no man wth. it.
„ „ In 4 windows 80 foot glass by Jno.
Hatton, 6d  0 15 0
„ 27. Moses Stockleys team, 1 load timber
from Boothen Green.
„ „ 2 or 3 load Shawds,J & 2 or 3 load
brick to the wall.
„ 28. 4 load Shawds to wall.
„ „ 12 load brick.
., „ 7 load to wall.
July 1. 3 to Wk. house.
From this same curious and highly interesting account-
book the following extracts wUl show the small amount of
wages paid in those days as compared with the present, and
the singular and amusing bargains between master and work
man, regarding gifts of " earnest money," " old cloaths,"
testaments, &c., which were made and agreed upon at
" hirings " among the potters, from a hundred to a hundred
and fifty years ago : —

1749.

£ s.

d.

Jany. 27. Hired Jno. Austin for placeing

white,

&c. pr week .

. 0 5

6

Pd. his whole earnest

. 0 3

0

Feby. 14. Then hired Thos. Button .

. 0 6

6

Pd. 1 pr. Stockins.

. 0 3

6

Earnest for vineing || .

. 0 15

0

* " Thraves of pUeing." Piling was straw, and the thrave was twelve
sheaves ; thus there were ten thraves led in this account, which would be
120 sheaves.
t Poplar.
X Shawds, pot shards, i.e., broken pots for the foundations.
II Veining, same as in the combed and tortoiseshell wares.
I

114 THE WEDGWOODS. £ «. d.
Feb. 14. 1 pr. Stockins  0 2 6
Pd. in part  0 10
Pd. do. in 7 yds. cloth . . .089
„ 16. Hired Wm. Keeling for handleing * . 0 6 0
Pd. his whole earnest . . .010
„ 20. Hired Wm. Cope for handleing &
vineing cast ware, for . . .070
Pd. his whole earnest . . . 0 10 6
„ 28. Then hired Robt. Gardner pr week .066
Earnest  0 10 6
Pd. him toward it . . . .010
I am to make his earnest about Ss.
more in somthing. ,
March 8. Then hired Jno. Barker fr ye huvelst @ 0 5 6
Pd. earnest in part . . . .010
Pd. it to pay more . . . .010
„ 24. Hired  Lowfor maHag SUp .053
Pd. him in part of his earnest . .026
To pay more  0 2 6
„ 26. Then hired George Bagnall, for fireing
for this year, for . . . .053
FuU earnest, 5s.
Pd. in part, 23. 6d.
Hired for 1750  0 o 0
1749.
April 9. Hired Siah Spoade, to give him from
this time to Martelmas next 2s. 3d.,
or 28. 6d. if he Deserves it
2d year  0 2 9
3d year  0 3 3
Pd. full earnest . . . .010
This entry is of considerable historical interest, as being the
first hiring of the great Josiah Spode, the founder of the
famUy which rose to such great eminence in the art The
" hiring," which appears to have been the apprenticeship,
or, what was tantamount to it, the learning of the trade,
would, from this entry, appear to have been for three years.
The first at 25. 3a?. per week, " or 25. %d, if he deserves it,"
and the succeeding years at a rise of sixpence per week
each. There are two other entries in this same book relating
* Making and putting on handles, &c
t The kihi.

J0SLA.H SPODE. — POTTERS' HIRINGS.

115

to Josiah Spode, which I here give, as they relate to future
hirings after the expiration of the first term : —

1752.
Feby. 22.

Hired Josiah Spoad for next Martle-

£

s.

d.

mas, per week ....

0

7

0

I am to give him earn.

0

6

0

Pd. in Part 

0

1

0

Pd. do 
0
4
0
1764.
Feby. 25.
Hired Siah Spode, per week .
0
7
6
Earnest 
1
11
6
Pd. in part 
0 16
0
1749.
June 2.
Hired a boy of Ann Blowrs for Tread
ing ye lathe, per week .
0
2
0
Pd. earnest 
0
0
6
1751.
Then hired Elijah .Simpson for
Turning, he is to have pr week .
0
8
0
Whole earnest ....
2
2
0
Pd. in part 
1
2
0
Jany. 11.
Then hired Saml. Jackson for Throw
ing Sagers and fireing, pr week
0
8
0
Whole earnest ....
2
2
0
Pd. in part 
1
2
0
Pd. more 
1
1
0
Feby 9.
Hired Jno. Edge, for per week
0
6
0
He is to have earnest
0
6
0
& a new pr. stockins
0
2
0
Pd. in part 
0
1
0
Hired his son Saml. for .
0
1
3
April 6.
Hired Wm. Kent, per week
0
7
6
To give for earnest ....
0 12
0
Pd. in part . . .
0
1
6
To give a new Shirt at 16d. per yard.
Hired Aim Blowrs Girl & Boy —
Girl 
0
0
9
Boy, Joseph ....
0
2
0
To give earnest, Testament.
Deer. 26.
Then hired Cupit, pr week
0
2
3
Pd. earnest . . . -.
0
0
6
I am to give him a old pr. stockins,
or somthing.
1752.
July 22.
Hired George Bagley for 2 years.
1st year 
0
3
6
2d year 
0
4
0
To give him a pr. shoes each year.
I 2
116 THE WEDGWOODS.
175.3.
June 21. Hired Wm. Marsh for 3 years. He
is to have 10s. 6d. earnest each
year, and 78. per week. I am to
give a old Coat or somthing abt
5s. value.
Augt. 29. Hired Westabys 3 children.

per week 

0

4

0

Pd. earnest 

0

0

6

Hired John Everal, pr week .

0

4

6

Pd. earnest, 2 pr. stockins
0
4
0
1 shillin in Ca.sh ....
0
1
0
To have a handkershef.
1760.
Deer. 3.
Hired Joseph  son to look after
my flint mill. He is to have six
shillings pr Ton for grinding, & to
find his own Candles. To pay £3
a year for the Mill House.
Pd. Earnest  0 0 6
Nothing further, unless I chuse to
give him a old coat — he is to work
for me at any time when I want
His father is to assist him in any
thing he cant do about the mill.
1752.
Augt. 24.
Hired little Bet Blowr to leam to
flower.*
Ist year, per week . . .0
1 0
2d year  0
1 3
3d year  0
1 6
From the same document the prices charged for some of
those beautiful and peculiar wares for which Whieldon and
his partner Josiah Wedgwood were so famed, may be
gathered. They are of great interest to the coUector, and
are as follows : — To send Mrs. Davison.
0 J pt mugs, white, 2d.
1 flat candlestick, Tor.t
* To paint the simple little sprigs wliich decorated the pottery.
t Tortoiseshell, the famous ware for which these earlv potters were
celebrated.
WARES MADE BY THOMAS WHIELDON. 117
Mr. Thos. Fletchbe, Dr. £ s. d.
To 1 doz. Plates, Tor. . ... 0 8 0
2 I do. plate  0 2 6
2 2 dishes  0 2 0
1 do. painted  0 2 0
1 do. Cream Cob  0 18
5 pails  0 2 6
Mr. Davison.
1 pail  0 0 6
Mr. Beoad.
82 desert handles.* To make for Mr. Gbben.
4 Tor. Teapots, aU Toys.
4 Coffee Pots.
4 Slop Bowls.
4 Ewers.
4 Sugar boxes, China make.
4 Mustard pots, high.
8 Salts, high feet.
12 2 Dishes, Tor.
5 doz. pails.
2 doz. piggins.
6 doz. large plates.
4 doz. round do.
8 doz. a size less
7 of ym round wth. Ribd. edge i
1 do. sqr.
3 doz. Bread & butter plates, Ribd.
3 Qt Coffee Pots.
6 pints.
4 2nd size dishes.
2 larger.
The Mr. Green for whom these goods were ordered, was
of Hovingham, near Eylsham, Norfolk.
The goods manufactured by Whieldon, both during his
partnership with Wedgwood and afterwards, were of remark
ably good quality, of excellent form, and were well " potted "
in every respect. They are now very scarce, and are highly
and deservedly prized by collectors. I have in my own col-
* Probably the imitation agate knife handles.

118

THE WEDGWOODS.

lection, among other examples, a fine " tortoiseshell plate "
and a small " cauliflower jug," which have passed into my
hands from the present aged descendant of Uriah Sutton,
who is named in more than one place in the document just
referred to as being " hired " by Whieldon. The tortoise-
shell ware is beautifully mottled, sometimes by the rich,
reddish brown colour, which belongs to the original, and at
other times by a fine green, or deep purplish tinge. The
glaze is invariably good, and the potting itself of thoroughly
good quality. In my own collection is a jardiniere of this
kind of ware, of large size, and of excellent design. In the
accompanying engraving are shown two of these remarkably

TORTOISESHELL WARK.

fine plates — the centre octagonal one measuring in its largest
diameter fifteen and a half inches — a small green " cauli-
flowec jug," and an imitation agate knife-haft, from my own
collection. These are aU highly characteristic examples of
the manufacture of this period.
I have it from exceUent authority that as early as 1745—
when only in his fifteenth year— Josiah Wedgwood had
begun to make a few trial articles of that improved kmd of
ware which afterwards obtained for him the distinction of
" Queen's Potter," and for the ware itself that of " Queen's
Ware ; " and tliese trials and improvements he continued to

CLOSE OF WHIELDON AND WEDGWOOD'S PARTNERSHIP. 119
make and to carry on during the remaining years of his ser
vitude, and afterwards until he brought it to perfection.
Whieldon, however, it seems, doing a large business in his
own peculiar wares, did not care to embark much on the
"new-fangled ways" of his young partner, although he
evidently feU into some of those ways in a very profitable
manner. In 1754 — the year in which he became the partner of
Whieldon — Josiah Wedgwood, after many patient trials,
succeeded in producing his admirable green glaze, and this
. invention did more, it is believed, to augment the already
rising fortune of Whieldon than any other ware did. Whiel
don in the end acquired a large fortune by his trade, and in
1786 was High Sheriff of the county of Stafford.
In 1759, the term of five years, for which he had by
agreement become the partner of Thomas Whieldon, expired,
and Josiah Wedgwood immediately returned to his native
place, Burslem, with the full determination of prosecuting
his own favourite pursuits, and of bringing the schemes and
the experiments he had so long tried to a successful issue.
Here, at twenty-nine years of age, he commenced business
entirely on his own account, and soon showed to the world,
not only the extraordinary capacity of his ever active mind,
but the extreme skill, intelligence, and taste which he
brought to bear on every branch of his native and chosen
art On his first returning to Burslem, Wedgwood, for a time,
I believe, occupied the old pot-work at the Churchyard,
where he had been born and apprenticed, and here, un
trammelled by partners with views adverse to his own,
and by the surroundings of jealous and watchful eyes, he
set himself earnestly to the work of improvement his whole
heart had longed for, and took leisure to carry on his grand"]
design of raising the potter's art above its then standard of J
excellence, and of successfuUy rivaUing in earthenware not^
only the more costly productions of foreign countries of his
day, but those of long past ages. Here he was so eminently

120 THE WEDGWOODS. »
successful that he soon found himself obliged to extend his
operations, and he entered on a pot-work nearer to the
centre of the town, and within a stone's throw of the works
of his cousins, Thomas and John "Wedgwood, to whom the
premises belonged.
This, the second pot- work occupied by him, with the house
belonging to it, and which was called the " Ivy House,"
from the fact of its being covered with ivy, was situated
where the butchers' shambles now stand, the old buUdings
having been purchased by the market commissioners, and
taken down for the erection of the present market in 1835.
The " Ivy House," with the pot-works belonging to it, are
shown in the engraving on the next page, from a sketch kindly
furnished to me by the oldest member of the Wedgwood
family.* These premises belonged to Thomas and John
Wedgwood, of the " Big House," to whom Josiah became
tenant, covenanting by written agreement to pay for the
house and the pot-work attached to it the yearly rent of ten
pounds — a rent which, in those days, when Burslem was but
a village, and when its pot-works were scattered about the
almost waste lands, might be deemed good, but which, at the
present day, for similar premises, would have to be multi
plied by at least ten, before a tenant could have possession.
The " Ivy House " and works were situated nearly in the
centre of the town, or rather vUlage, of Burslem. The
premises stood at the corner of what was then, as long after
wards, known as Shoe Lane, or Shore Lane, now caUed
Wedgwood Street, which at that time was a narrow way, only
wide enough for a single cart to pass along, and as rough
and uneven as well could be. The visitor to Burslem who
desires to know exactly the site of this historicaUy interesting
house should stroll up to the fine modern-buUt shambles, or
" Mr. Aaron Wedgwood, of Burslem, an artist of very considerable
talent, and a most worthy man, who is lineallv descended from Aaron
Wedgwood, who, with William Littler, wns the flrst maker of china in
the district. Mr. Wedgwood's father, too, was a clever modeller and
painter.

THE IVY HOUSE.

121

>;¦

122 THE WEDGWOODS.
"butchery," as it is sometimes called, and while he stands
at the corner facing down Swan Square, he may rest assured
that he is standing on what was the little enclosed garden
in front of Wedgwood's house ; that the outer waU of the
building at his back goes diagonaUy across the house from
corner to corner, one half being under the shambles and the
other where the street now is ; that the site of one of the
kilns is just beneath the centre of the shambles, and that
another kiln was about the middle of the present street at
his back ; the surrounding workshops being partly where
the street now is, and partly where the buUding at present
stands. The " Ivy House," so called, as I have said, because it was
covered with a profusion of ivy, might originaUy have been
roofed with thatch or mud, Uke the other buildings of the
district, but it was afterwards tiled, as shown in the engraving.
In front was a small garden enclosed with a low waU, and a
brick pathway led from the gate to the doorway. The front
faced the open space called the " Green Bank," where the
vUlage children played to their heart's content among the clay
and shards which, even in those days, had no doubt usurped
the place of the " green" grass from which it took its name.
Adjoining the house was a low, half-timbered, thickly-
thatched building, afterwards known as the " Turk's Head,"
and beyond this again was the maj-pole, on " Ma_ii-pole Bank,"
of which I have before spoken, and which stood on the site
now occupied by the Town Hall. At the opposite side of the
house from the " Turk's Head" was a gateway leading into
the yard of the works, which made up one side of Shoe Lane,
the pot-works of John and Thomas Wedgwood, with which
these were connected, being on the opposite side of the lane,
where some of the buUdings are now occupied by ^Messrs.
Harley and Dean. These works and house have the reputa
tion of being the first roofed with tdes in the district— the
usual roofing being thatch, or, oftener stUl, mud.
The Ivy House and ^^\n•ks Josiah ^^' edgwood rented, as I
have stated, from his relatives, John and Thomas Wedg-

THE IVY HOUSE. 123
wood, of the " Big House," at the annual rental of £10, and
here, the Churchyard Works not being sufficient to meet his
expanding views and extending trade, he carried on the
manufacture of his ornamental goods, his more ordinary
ware, I believe, being produced at the Churchyard. At the
Ivy House Works he produced many things far in advance of
his day, and such as, when he had previously foreshadowed
them to his brother, were considered by him and others to
be wild and visionary schemes, unlikely to lead to profit, and
only to be indulged in at the expense of time, money, and
connections. To the Ivy House itself, too, Josiah brought home his
bride, and there lived happily with her for several years.
It was after being established here for a little time, and
" feeling his way" onwards, that Josiah Wedgwood proposed
to purchase the works, and also those of his relatives at the
" Big House," with which they were connected, but was
unsuccessful. The property, therefore, remained in the
hands of the " Big House" Wedgwoods until sold by their
descendant, Thomas Wedgwood, in 1831 and 1834. In the
former year the portion of the property sold for the purpose
of enlarging the market-place — the sum paid for which was
£1,400 — consisted of four buildings on the side of the pro
perty nearest to the Town Hall, which were taken down and
their site thrown open to the market. In 1834, it was deter
mined by the market trustees to purchase and take down the
remainder of the buildings on this part of the Wedgwood
property lying between the market place and Shoe Lane,
and to erect the present convenient and spacious market-
house on its site. Thus the Ivy House, with its kilns and
workshops, the Turk's Head, and other buildings, were swept
away. The price paid for this portion of the estate was
£2,600, making in all £3,000 paid for taking away one of
the most interesting memorials of Josiah Wedgwood which
the neighbourhood possessed.

CHAPTER V.
THE " OVERHOUSE." — THOMAS COLCLOUGH. — MADAM EGERTON
— THOMAS WEDGWOOD AND THE " OVERHOUSE " BR.\NCH.
 THE " OVERHOUSE WORKS "  OCCUPIERS OF THE WORKS.
 ALLMAN, BROUGHTON, AND CO.  JOSLiH WEDGWOOD. —
JARDINIERES, MEDALLIONS, ETC. — DIFFICULTIES WITH WORK
MEN. — MATTHEW BOULTON OF THE SOHO WORKS.  CALLING
WORKMEN BY SOUND OF HORN. — CUPOLA AND BELL. —
THE "bell WORKS:" THEIR OWNERS AND OCCLPIEKS. —
Wedgwood's " queen's ware."— presents a caudle
SERVICE to queen CHARLOTTE.  ^APPOINTED "' QUEEN's
potter." — THE "queen's PATTERN'" SERVICES.  CREAM-
COLOURED WARE.  ENGINE LATHE.  " QUEEN STREET"
TAKES ITS NAME FROM HIS WORKS.
Thomas Wedgwood, the elder brother of Josiah, and to
whom, indeed, the boy was, as I have already shown, appren
ticed, owned and resided at the " Overhouse," at Burslem.
Of this place, to which I have already alluded, it wiU now
be necessary to my narrative to give some particulars. The
Overhouse, which is now the residence of Mr. W. E. Twigg,
chief baUiff of Burslem — an office almost tantamount to that
of mayor in other places — is a large and somewhat imposing-
looking house, opposite to what is now called " Wedgwood
Place." It stands back from the street, the grounds being
enclosed by a Y^all where, in Wedgwood's time, wooden
railings stood. The " carcase " of the house is, I believe,
precisely the same as when occupied by Thomas Wedgwood,
but modern windows have been substituted for the old leaden
casements, the roof and doorway have been altered, and
other changes made, so as to convert it into a residence
suited to present requirements.

THE OVERHOUSE WORKS.

125

The " Overhouse Works " are situate at the back and to
the side of the house, with entrance in Wedgwood Place,
where that place joins the Scotia Road. Since the time
when they were occupied by Thomas Wedgwood, of the
Churchyard, they have been, of course, much altered, but it
is pleasant to know that a considerable part of the buUdings,

DOOEWAY, OYBBHOUSB WOEKS.

as they now stand, stood in his day, and that here were
produced by him such an amount of earthenware goods as
must have helped to secure to his family the handsome
competence which they enjoyed. A part, at all events, of
the premises now used as pot-works were, I believe, formerly

126 THE WEDGWOODS.
the farm buildings belonging to the Overhouse. They were
connected with the house by a doorway in the old brick waU,
stiU remaining, which forms an interesting link between the
present and the past. This doorway is shown in the vignette
on the preceding page. It is surmounted, as wUl be seen, by
a cleverly carved stone tablet, of remarkably good design,
and has evidently been intended to bear an inscription. The
Overhouse estate appears for a long time to have belonged
to the Wedgwoods. From 1620 to 1657 it was held by
Thomas Cololough, who married Catherine, one of the
co-heiresses of Thomas Burslem, and sister to the other
co-heiress, Margaret, married to GUbert Wedgwood. Mr.
Cololough had an only son, who died without issue, when
most of his estates passed to his second cousin, Burslem
Wedgwood. Mr. Cololough (who at one time was constable
of the Manor of TunstaU) and his wife, Catherine Burslem,
resided for many years at the Overhouse, and he is described
as its occupier in 1662. In 1678, as appears by the wiU
which I have already given on a preceding page, Thomas
Wedgwood, who had married Margaret Shaw, died, seized
of the " Upper or Overhouse, with aU bams, outhouses,
stables, cowhouses, yards, fields, orchards, and gardens
thereunto belonging, with the fish-pond and fish, and also
the Oxley Crofts, the great Old Field, the Uttle Old Field,
the Oxley Croft Meadow, the KiU Yard," kc, along with
a considerable estate in land and houses. The Overhouse
and kilns, and other appurtenances, he devised to his widow
for life, or so long as she remained single, and at her
death, to his son John Wedgwood. This John Wedgwood
had a daughter, Catherine, who married her relative, Richard
Wedgwood. In 1718, Richard Wedgwood, by wUl, gave to
his wife, Catherine (daughter of John Wedgwood), aU the
messuages, lands, &c., in the holding of Samuel Malkin,
with a piece of land, called the " Town Croft," and several
closes, caUed the " Brown HUls," for her life, and after her
decease, to his son John, in fee ; and to his said wife he
gave a work house, and one parcel of ground, called the

madam EGERTON. — THOMAS WEDGWOOD. 127
" Service Yard," for her life, with remainder to his son
John. This son, John Wedgwood, was a minor, and died
under age, and so never came into possession. Catherine
Wedgwood, after the decease of her husband, Richard, mar
ried secondly Thomas Bourne, and thirdly Rowland Egerton,
Esq., and the Overhouse became their chief residence after
the decay of Dale Hall. This lady, usually known as Madam
Egerton, died at the Overhouse, at an advanced age, in
1756. Catherine Egerton gave to the parish of Burslem
the Communion plate, which is still used, and which bears
the inscription recording that it is her gift. The property
had already passed to Thomas Wedgwood, brother of Josiah,
as heir-at-law of her deceased son, John.
Thomas Wedgwood — who married first Isabel Beech,
and had by her two sons, John and Thomas, and three
daughters, Catherine, Sarah, and Mary — married secondly
Jane Richards, by whom he had issue two sons, WUliam
and John, and a daughter, Jane. He died, it appears, in
1772, when the property passed to his son Thomas, who,
having married Mary Alsop, had two sons, Thomas and
John. He died in 1786, and was succeeded by his son
Thomas, who occupied the Overhouse until his death, in
1809, when the property was sold by the trustees under his
,will to Christopher Robinson, who sold it to John Wood, in
whose hands it has remained untU recently purchased from
his representatives by its present owner, Mr. Challinor.
The " Overhouse Works " were occupied early in the pre
sent century by Messrs. Goodfellow and Bathwell, who were
succeeded by Mr. Challinor, by whom they were carried on
for some years. They next passed into the occupancy of a
manufacturer named Pointon, who in turn w;as, in 1856, suc
ceeded by Messrs. Morgan, Williams, and Co., and Morgan,
Wood, and Co., by whom the works were carried on untU
1861, when they passed into the hands of the present occu
piers, Messrs. Allman, Broughton, and Co. The productions
of these works are the ordinary description of earthenware
goods, in services of various kinds, and in the usual classes

128 THE WEDGWOODS.
of useful articles. Some of the ware produced is of fine and
good quality, and is made to suit the requirements of both
home and foreign markets. Like many of the other works
in the neighbourhood, much of the goods produced at this
establishment are shipped to the United States, Canada,
and Sweden, to the requirements of which markets attention
is paid in the manufacture. Stoneware jugs are also pro
duced by this firm ; and the finer earthenware services, some
of which are of good and effective designs, are either plain,
printed, enamelled, or gUt. The works give employment
to about one hundred and fifty " hands," and these are
engaged in producing the ordinary useful classes of wares,
no ornamental goods being made by the firm. Those who
either at home, or when travelling abroad, notice the printed
initials "A. B. & Co.," either with or without the addition of
" WEDGWOOD PLACE, BURSLEM," wUl know, after
reading this account, that the crockery which bears it was
made at the " Overhouse Works," so long and so intimately
connected with the Wedgwood family.
The precarious state of Josiah Wedgwood's health %t the
time when he was carrying on the Ivy House Works,
rendered him incapable for some time of extending his
connections so widely as he otherwise would have done ; but
in the midst of all his distressing ailments he superintended
the production of every article, and never allowed himself
that proper meed of rest which was so essential to him.
His mind, ever active, seemed at this time to spurn the
trammels which his bodily afflictions appeared to throw
around it, and to rise, phoenix-like, from that &re which
would have destroyed hundi'eds of minds of the ordinary
stamp. He turned his attention not to the making of the ordinary
classes of wares which then formed the staple manufactures
of the district, though he still, to some degree, produced
them, and to no small extent made the tortoiseshell and'
marble plates which had already gained much celebrity:
his principal products at this time were ornamental flower

MATTHEW BOULTON, OF THB SOHO WORKS. 129
9,nd other vases, with gilt or coloured foliage, mouldings,
and handles ; jardinieres ; white-ware medallions, and other
goods of a similar kind. He also made much green-glazed
earthenware, and designed and produced some tea-services,
in which the different vessels were formed and coloured to
represent various fruits and vegetables, as the apple, pine,
melon, pear, cauliflower, &c., and these novelties took so
weU that they soon had an abundant sale. These, like all
his other designs and inventions, were speedily caught up by
the other potters in the place, and so became a part of the
general trade of the district. Some of these pieces which I
have seen, and indeed possess, are of great excellence in
design, and are well painted in imitation of the fruit sought
to be represented.
His connections and reputation rapidly increasing, and
his health improving, Josiah Wedgwood soon found it neces
sary to increase his establishment, and therefore he entered
upon fresh premises, not far from the Ivy House ; and thus
he held at one and the same time three distinct manufac
tories in his native town.
One of the greatest difficulties he had to contend against i
was the irregular habits of the workpeople and the conse
quent want of order in the workrooms. To these matters very v
little attention had hitherto been given in these manufac
tories. They might probably be more easily dispensed with
in small works, but are essentially requisite when the com
munity becomes too considerable to be always within the
compass of the master's eye. " He had to combat in this
reform the force of customs that had the authority of ages,
but which had tended very much to check improvement, and
to injure the morals of the people employed. He made
himself acquainted with what had been done in this respect
in the great manufactories of other parts that had already
been reduced to a state of some discipline. His worthy and
ingenious friend, Mr. Boulton, had lately formed his
establishment at Soho, near Birmingham, under nearly the
same circumstances, and Mr. Wedgwood adopted such parts

130 THE WEDGWOODS.
of his plan as were practicable in a manufactory so dis
similar. The frame and temper of his mind were well
suited to such an undertaking. He had now, and retained
through life, the habit of a cool and patient investigation ol
every subject that came before him, and his own previous
conviction gave energy to action. His regulations were
never introduced, therefore, in a crude or hasty way, but
seemed to rise naturally out of the occasion, and stifled
' opposition by their evident necessity. He felt, too, a sincere
Y/&nd zealous interest in the welfare of his workmen, of which
he made them sensible in a thousand ways, and gained over
both their judgment and affection to his side. Thus he suc
ceeded in establishing a system of order and management by
which, while he held in his own hands the great checks that
regulate the general motion, his mind was left at Uberty to
dwell upon the objects that were to perpetuate the blessing
of employment to those he had coUected around him, and
which have eventually furnished it to many thousands more.
He had also other difficulties to encounter, arising from the
novelty of his works. The workmanship of the pottery was
at that period in a very low state as to style. There were
only three professed modeUers in the whole manufactory.
One of these was brought up under Mr. Wedgwood, at
Fenton, and had left him a little before to establish works
for himself. The wares he made, however, were aU pro
duced for the use of Mr. Wedgwood on an engagement that
lasted some years, and they received their last finish at his'
own manufactory in Burslem. Another of the three was
altogether in his employment, and the third was modeller to
the country at large.
1 " The machinery consisted only of the potter's wheel,
known from all antiquity, and the common turning lathe,
and their tools were little more than a few cutting knives.
His manner of working required more nicety and skUl than
had been used before, and he was not only obUged to instruct
his men individually, and to form tbem upon his own model,
but had also their tools to contrive, and new kilns, drj-ing-

POTTERS CALLED BY SOUND OF HORN. I Si
pans, and other apparatus to construct for the purpose of the
new manufacture he introduced from time to time, and for
which he had very few resources beyond those of his own
mechanical invention. If we consider besides the necessary /
dependence of his discoveries on experimental chemistry and
a knowledge of fossils, which he acquired by his own efforts
without any inteUigent assistant, we shall perceive him in a
state of uncommon labour and fatigue of spirits. He was
attached to his profession, he saw very early the improve
ments it was susceptible of, and he pursued it with a willing
mind. His days were spent at the bench with his workmen,
instructing them, and generally forming with his own hands
the first models of the things he proposed to make ; and his
evenings were taken up in designing or contriving tools for
the purposes of the succeeding day. He possessed a decision
of mind very favourable in this situation of difficulty. He
began, after contriving anything, by declaring that it must
be done let what would stand in the way ; and it almost
constantly was so in the end, for only a very few things that
he undertook were unsuccessful. He contracted at this time
a habit of thinking during the night on the difficulties of the
day, which generally were surmounted before the return of
morning, and he was prepared to go on with his work ; but
he felt the inconvenience of this custom very much in the
advanced part of his life, for if any subject of business took
hold of his mind before he went to rest, it was sure to
deprive him of sleep the greatest part of the night." Unlike
his friend Brindley — who it is said would lie in bed for the
day to think over some great scheme — Wedgwood studied in
the night, that he might be "up and doing " in the day.
Up to this period the only method — in the few places ^
where even that primitive mode had been adopted, for the
workmen generally loitered in and out of the pot-yards as
they pleased — for calling the potters to their labours was by
sounding a horn. Wedgwood, at the new works he was
now entering upon, adopted a better plan, and one which
gave a name to the works which will remain with them so '
k2

132 THE WEDGWOODS.
long as they are in existence. At this new manufactory he
put up a cupola with a bell, which was, as is now the case
€verywhere, rung to call the workpeople together. This was
the first bell put up and used for the purpose in the district,
and from this circumstance the Burslem potters, always
ready to give to people or places distinctive appellations, got
into the habit of calling it the " BeU Bank," or " Bonk,"
as it was and is more commonly pronoimced. Thus the
name of the " Bell Works " originated in the same maimer
as had the distinctive names of " Church Wedgwoods,"
" Big House Wedgwoods," " Duke Wedgwoods," and a
score or two other simUar appellations.
The Bell Works, of which, in their present state, I give
the accompanying engraving from a sketch recently made
by myself, was, at the time when Josiah Wedgwood entered
on its occupancy, the property of Mr. .lohn Bourne, an army
contractor, in the neighbouring town of Newcastle. From
him the property passed to his grandson, Mr. John Adams,
of Cobridge, about the year 1771, and in 1847 the estate
again passed by will into the hands of its present owner,
Mr. Isaac Hitchin, of Alsager. The pot- works were occupied
by Josiah Wedgwood, as tenant to Mr. John Bourne, until
his removal to Etruria. The next tenant was, I beUeve,
Mr. WUUam Bourne, an earthenware manufacturer, who
held them for some years, and was tenant in 1809. Mr.
Bourne afterwards entered into partnership with a potter
named Cormie, and the works were carried on under the
style of " Bourne and Cormie." In 1836, the works having
then remained for some time unoccupied, were divided, a
portion being taken by Messrs. Beech and Jones as an earth
enware manufactory, another portion taken away for the
buUding of the present Independent Chapel, which was
erected on its site in the following year ; and other parts
were let off to various holders for difterent purposes apart
from the pot trade. In 1839, the partnership between Beech
and Jones was dissolved, the former gentleman alone con
tinuing to occupy the same portion of the premises, in which

BELL WORKS.

133

.^

134 THE WEDGWOODS.
he produced china and earthenware figures. In 1846, Mr.
Beech having increased his business, became tenant of the
whole of the remaining premises, with the exception of that
part occupied by Mr. Dean's printing-office, &c., and in 1853
took into partnership Mr. Brock, which firm, however, only
lasted a couple of years. In 1855 Mr. Brock went out of
the concern, and from that date Mr. WUliam Beech carried
on the manufactory untU his death, which took place in
1864. The goods produced at the present day at these historjcaUy
interesting works are the ordinary marketable china and
parian chimney ornaments and toys, which are produced in
large quantities, both for home sale and for exportation to
the United States, the East Indies, the Netherlands, and
Australia. In the manufacture of these articles alone, I am
given to understand that about a hundred hands are con
stantly employed at these works. In parian, besides flower-
vases and other smaU ornaments, some tolerably large
groups have been produced at this establishment, and
among the most recent improvements is an " ivory body."
which possesses great softness in appearance, and is capable
of being made largely avaUable for ornamental purposes.
Unlike the time of Wedgwood, no services of any kind are
produced at these once famed works at the present day.
. At the BeU work house Josiah Wedgwood turned his
attention more especiaUy to the production of the fine and
delicate descriptions of earthenware, which soon earned for
him the proud distinction of " Queen's Potter." The result
of his close and incessant application, and of his endless
experiments into the properties of clays, itc, led to the pro
duction of this marvellous kind of earthenwai-e, and to the
beauty of finish which characterised it, and which is rarely,
if ever, equalled at the jiresent day. "Well and truthfully has
Mr. Gladstone expressed his sense of the beauty, and, at the
same time, mechanical nicety for useful purposes, which cha
racterises the " potting " of this earthenware, when he says
that the speciality of ^^¦cdgwood lay in the uncompromising

MR. Gladstone's estimate of wedgwood. 135
adaptation of every object to its proper end. Mr. Gladstone
says : —
" His most signal and characteristic merit lay, as I have i
said, in the firmness and fulness of his perception of the true,\ ,
law of what we term industrial art, or in other words, of the
application of the higher art to industry : the law which -^
teaches us to aim first at giving to every object the greatest
possible degree of fitness and convenience for its purpose,
and next at making it the vehicle of the highest degree of
beauty, which compatibly with that fitness and convenience
it will bear : which does not substitute the secondary for the
primary end, but recognises as part of the business the study
to harmonise the two. To have a strong grasp of this prin
ciple, and to work it out to its results in the details of a vast
and varied manufacture, is a praise, high enough for any
man, at any time and in any place. But it was higher and
more pecuUar, as I think, in the case of Wedgwood, than in
almost any other case it could be. For that truth of art,
which he saw so clearly, and which lies at the root of excel
lence, was one, of which England, his country, has not
usually had a perception at all corresponding in strength and
fulness with her other rare endowments. She has long
¦taken a lead among the nations of Europe for the cheapness
of her manufactures : not so for their beauty. And if the
day shall come when she shall be as eminent in taste as she
is in economy of production, my belief is that the result wiU
probably be due to no other single man in so great a degree
as to Wedgwood. This part of the subject, however, deserves
a somewhat fuller consideration. There are three regions
given to man for the exercise of his faculties in the produc
tion of objects, or the performance of acts, conducive to
civUisation and to the ordinary uses of life. Of these, one
is the homely sphere of simple utility. What is done, is
done for some purpose of absolute necessity, or of immediate
and passing use. What is produced, is produced with an
almost exclusive regard to its value in exchange, to the market
of the place and day. A dustman, for example, cannot be

136 THE WEDGWOODS.
expected to move with the grace of a fairy ; nor can his cart
be constructed on the flowing lines of a Greek chariot of
war. Not but that, even in this unpromising domain,
beauty also has her place. But it is limited, and may for
the present purpose be left out of view. Then there is,
secondly, the lofty sphere of pure thought and its ministering
organs, the sphere of poetry and the highest arts. Here,
again, the place of what we term utUity is narrow, and the
production of the beautiful, in one or other of its innu
merable forms, is the supreme, if not the only object.
" Now, I believe it to be undeniable, that in both of these
spheres, widely separated as they are, the faculties of
Englishmen, and the distinctions of England, have been of
the very first order. In the power of economical production,
she is at the head of all the nations of the earth. Kin the
fine arts, in painting for example, she must be content with
a second place, yet in poetry, which ranks ever higher than
painting (I hope I am not misled by national feeling when I
say it), she may fairly challenge all the countries of Christen
dom, and no one of them, but Italy, can as yet enter into
serious competition with the land of Shakspeare. But, for
one, I should admit that while thus pre-eminent in the
pursuit of pure beauty on the one side, and of unmixed
utUity on the other, she has been far less fortunate, indeed
for the most part she has been decidedly behindhand in
that intermediate region where art is brought into contact
with industry, and where the pair may wed together. This
is a region alUie vast and diversified. Upwards, it embraces
architecture, an art which, whUe it affords the noblest scope
for grace and grandeur, is also, or rather ought to be,
strictly tied down to the 'purposes of convenience, and has
for its chief end to satisfy one of the most imperative
and elementary wants of man. Downwards, it extends to a
very large proportion of the products of human industry.
Some things, indeed, such as scientific instruments for
example, are so determined by their purposes to some par
ticular shape, surface, and materials, that oven a Wedgwood

MR. Gladstone's estimate of wedgwood. 137
would find in them little space for the application of his
principles. But while all the objects of trade and manufacture
admit of fundamental differences in point of fitness and
unfitness, probably the major part of them admit of funda
mental differences also in point of beauty or of ugliness.
Utility is not to be sacrificed for beauty, but they are
generaUy compatible, often positively helpful to each other ;
and it may be safely asserted, that the periods, when the
study of beauty has been neglected, have usually been
marked, not by a more successful pursuit of utility, but by a
general decline in the energies of man."
And again he most characteristicaUy remarks, " It would
be quite unnecessary to dwell on the excellencies of such of
the works of Wedgwood as belong to the region of fine
art, strictly so called, and are not, in the common sense,
commodities for use. To these all the world does justice.
Suffice it to say, in general terms, that they may be con
sidered partly as imitations, partly as reproductions of Greek
art. As imitations they carry us back to the purest source.
As reproductions they are not limited to the province of
their originals, but are conceived in the general and free
spirit and soaring of that with which they claim relation
ship. But it is not in happy imitation, it is not in the
successful presentation of works of fine art, that, as I con
ceive, the speciality of Wedgwood really lies. It is in the
resuscitation of a principle, the principle of Greek art ; it
is in the perception and grasp of the unity and comprehen
siveness of that principle. That principle, I submit, lies
after all in a severe and perfect propriety ; in the uncom
promising adaptation of every material object to its proper
end. If that proper end be the representation of beauty
only, then the production of beauty is alone regarded ; and
none but the highest models of it are accepted. If the proper
end be the production of a commodity for use, and perish
able, then a plural aim is before the designer and producer.
The object must first and foremost be adapted to its use as
closely as possible ; it must be of material as durable as

138 THE WEDGWOODS.
possible ; and whUe it must be of the most moderate cost,
it must receive all the beauty that can be made conducive
to, or concordant with, the use. And because this business
of harmonising use and beauty, so easy in the works of
nature, is so arduous to the fraUty of man, it is a business
that must be made the object of special and persevering
care. To these principles the works of Wedgwood habituaUy
conformed.^  I
" He did not, in his pursuit of beauty, overlook exchange
able value, or practical usefnlness. The first he could not
overlook, for he had to live by his trade : and it was by the
profit derived from the extended sale of his humbler pro
ductions that he was enabled to bear the risks and charges
of his higher works. Commerce did for him what the King
of France did for Sevres, and the Duke of Cumberland for
Chelsea — it found him in funds. And I would venture to
say that the lower works of Wedgwood are every whit as
much distinguished by the fineness and accuracy of their
adaptation to their uses as his higher ones by their suc
cessful exhibition of the finest arts. Take for instance his
common plates, of the value of, I know not how few, but
certainly of a very few pence each. They fit one another as
closely as the cards in a pack. At least, I for one have
never seen plates that fit like the plates of ^'edgwood, and
become one solid mass. Such accuracy of form must, I
apprehend, render them much more safe in carriage. Of
the excellence of these plates we may take it for a proof that
they were largely exported to France, if not elsewhere ; that
they were there printed or painted with buildings or scenes
belonging to the country, and then sent out again as
national manufactures. Again, take such a jug as he would
manufacture for the washhand table of a garret. I have
seen these made apparently of the commonest material used
in the trade. But instead of being built up, like the usual
and much more fashionable jugs of modern manufacture, in
such a shape that a crane could not easily get his neck to
bend into them, and tho water can hardly be poured but

CAUDLE SERVICE PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN. 139
without risk of spraining the wrist, they are constructed in
a simple capacious form, of flowing curves, broad at the
top, and so weU poised that a slight and easy movement of
the hand discharges the water. A round cheese-holder or
dish again generally presents in its upper part a flat space,
surrounded by a curved rim ; but a cheese-holder of Wedg
wood's will make itself known by this — that the flat is so
dead a flat, and the curve so marked and bold a curve ; thus
at once furnishing the eye with a line agreeable and well
defined, and affording the utmost available space for the
cheese. I feel persuaded that a Wiltshire cheese, if it could
speak, would declare itself more comfortable in a dish of
Wedgwood's than in any other dish."
In September, 1761, his Majesty George IIL, who in the
previous year had ascended the throne, married the Princess
Charlotte of Mecklenburgh StreUitz, and on the occasion of
her accouchement in the succeeding year, Wedgwood, having
by that time perfected the body and glaze of his fine cream-
coloured ware, presented to her Majesty (then of course
Queen Charlotte) a caudle and breakfast service of his
manufacture, which was most graciously and flatteringly
received. This service, which was of course made of the
finest and best cream-coloured quality which could be pro
duced, was painted in the highest style of the day by the
first artists of the works, Thomas Daniell and Daniel Steele.
The ground of this service, which was prepared with all the
skill the art would then admit of, was yellow, with raised
sprigs of jessamine and other flowers, coloured after nature.
The Queen received this tribute of an infant art, and was so
pleased with it that she at once expressed a wish to have a
complete table service of the same material, Wedgwood
submitted patterns for the several pieces, "which were
approved with the exception of the plate, which was the
common barleycorn pattern, then making by all the salt-
glaze manufacturers. Her Majesty objected to the rough
ness — the barley cor n-mork as it is called — and therefore this
part was made plain ; on the edge was left only the bands,

140 THE WEDGWOODS.
marking the compartments ; and being approved by her
Majesty, the pattern was caUed Queen's pattern.^'' The ware
was at once named by Mr. Wedgwood Queen's Ware, and
he received the Queen's commands to call himself by the
proud distinction of " Potter to her Majesty." On the
service being completed the King gave Wedgwood his
immediate patronage by ordering a similar service for him
self, but without the bands or ribs. This alteration in
pattern was " effected to the entire satisfaction of his
Majesty," and some little alterations being made in the
forms of some of the other pieces, it was caUed the " Royal
Pattern." The patronage thus given, and which was continued in
the most liberal and gratifying manner, was of incalculable
benefit to Wedgwood, to the district around him, and indeed
to the whole kingdom, for it opened up a source of wealth
to thousands of people, and was the means of extending
commerce to a marveUous extent Orders for the new kind
of ware flowed in upon him in a regular and constantly
increasing stream, and at prices which were then considered
liberal, or even high. It is recorded that at this period he
received at the rate of fifteen shillings per dozen for table
plates, and for other pieces a proportionate price. The tide
of fortime which had thus set in upon him was immensely
increased by his subsequent inventions, and ultimately, as
wUl be seen, swept him from his small manufactories at
Burslem to the colony he established a few mUes off at
Etruria. The other most usual form of plate in his Queen's
ware, was " the Bath or Trencher, from its resemblance to
the wooden platter; " and this was succeeded by the concave
edge, and other varieties.
These successes were not gained without heavy and severe
losses, but the mind of Wedgwood overcame them aU, as it
would have done any amount of obstacles which might have
been placed in his way. A most interesting document,
written in the reign of George III., which is now before me,
thus speaks of some of these difficulties : —

DRAWBACKS TO THE POTTERS' ART. 141
" The uncertain element of fire is the great enemy that the
potter has to struggle with all his life. It is more especially
formidable to him if he ventures to make vessels of any
extraordinary size, such as some of those which are necessary
for the use of the dining-table. Hence so few European
manufactories of porcelain can be supported in the produc
tion of large vessels without the revenues of a prince. Mr.
Wedgwood experienced all these vexations when he fibrst
began to make this earthenware for the table. Disasters
after disasters ; the labour and expense of a month destroyed
in a few hours ; one kiln puUed down and another erected ;
that, again, found deficient, and to be altered. A fatal mis
take removed, another was discovered elsewhere. Thus it
was not only after a considerable time, but with very heavy
losses, that he accomplished this point, which has bestowed
so many benefits on the neighbourhood he lived in, and given
such extension to the national commerce. This is the cream-
colour, or Queen's ware, now universally used in these king
doms, and in every part of Europe where it is not shut out
by the jealousy of the sovereign. Its introduction was very
rapid. Under the auspices of the powerful patroness it had
obtained, it found its way at once to the tables of persons of
fortune, and was very soon afterwards universally adopted.
The other manufacturers immediately took up the making of
it, and building on the experience of the inventor, they were
enabled to do so without the losses and vexations he had
endured. " This event was very soon followed by a great improve
ment of the forms of thp vessels in use, and the addition of
many others that have given taste and conveniency to the
economy of the table. This first melioration of the forms in
general use belongs exclusively to Mr. Wedgwood, and is a
decisive proof that his mind was capable of comprehending
whatever had relation to the work he had in hand. The fact
is, that the models of everything his manufactory produced
were originally formed by himself, with the same ideas of
fame and reputation as must possess the mind of every

142 THE WEDGWOODS.
successful artist in more splendid works ; and hence it
happened that most of his forms were found to be useftd
studies, and they became patterns not only for the manufac
turer in his own way, but for the sdversmith and most other
workers in metal. They have also been sought for with
great eagerness by the conductors of porcelain manufactories
on the Continent, and often sent to China as patterns for
the manufacturers there. To this last use of them Mr.
Wedgwood always thought it right to throw in the way
every impediment he could, because the Oriental porcelain,
better adapted in its forms to the European table, would
very materially injure the sale of English earthenware in
many foreign markets, where the former is admitted on low
duties, or none at all, and" the latter pay very heavy duties.
" About the same time he adapted to the uses of pottery
that curious machine the engine-lathe, heretofore employed
only in the turning of ivory, wood, or metals. He first
became acquainted with the engine-lathe from a large foUo
volume on the subject in French, which is now perhaps in
his library. It was so rare an instrument that the possessor
of one in London refused to let him go into the room where
[_it was for a few minutes without paying five guineas.
" By the friendly assistance of Mr. Taylor, of Birmingham,
he readily got one of them made at that place, and a person
instructed in the manner of using it. The first apphcation
he made of this machine was to the red porcelain, which,
being of a close texture, and without a glaze, was well
suited to receive and retain a sharpness of work ; but he also
used it to decorate the vases which he made at that time in
tlie green ware, after the antique, and the designs of several
ingenious ladies of this comitry. And it enabled him to
introduce so great a variety of new workmanship upon his
wares of every species, both for ornament and use, that it
may well deserve to constitute an era in the art of pottery,
having become so necessary to it that there is scarcely a
work without one or more of them."
The Bell ^Vorks are situated at the corner of Brick Street

QUEEN STREET. 143
and Queen Street, very near to the new Wedgwood Institu- ,y
tion now in course of erection. At the time of which I write,
however. Brick Street was not formed, but was a part of the
ground belonging to the manufactory, and was, indeed, waste
land, covered with " shard rucks," and other unmistakable
evidence of the potter's art. Queen Street then, too, was
little better than a lane, but was dignified with the name of
Queen Street, through Wedgwood being now appointed
QueerHs. potter, and there making his celebrated Queen's
ware. *

CHAPTER VL
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. — DID NOT TAKE OUT PATENTS. — HIS OWN
VIEWS CONCERNING THROWING OPEN THE MANUFACTURE. —
ENOCH wood's COLLECTION OF POTTERY.  DTVENTION OF
printing on earthenware.  sadler and green, of
liverpool.  notices of adam and john sadler, and
of guy green. — badness of the staffordshire roads.
 wares sent by pack-horses to liverpool. — mr.
Mayer's museum. — mr. s. c. hall's collection of wedg
wood WARE.  " queen's ware."  BURSLEM DIALOGUE.
So Uberal-minded, so open in disposition, so devoid of
selfish feelings, and so ready to impart to others the know
ledge he had gained, was Josiah Wedgwood, that in his
" Queen's," or " cream-coloured ware," as in most other
matters, he did not secure to himself by patent, as almost
every other person would have done, his improvements in
the manufacture of earthenware ; and thus aU the potters in
the district immediately, to the utmost of their skUl, imitated
ibis ware and his patterns. It is remarkable that of aU his
inventions only one, and that the least important, was secured
to him by patent, as I shall soon have occasion to show. In
reference to his Queen's ware, Josiah Wedgwood himself
thus writes a few years later on. This remarkable passage
I quote from an exceedingly rare paper by himself, in my
possession : —
J " "WTien Mr. Wedgwood discovered the art of making Queen's
ware, which employs ten times more people than all the china works
in tho kingdom, ho did not ask for a patent for this important dis
covery. A patent would greatly have limited its pubhc utihty.
Instead of one hundred manufactories of Queen's ware there would

queen's ware. 145
have been one ; and instead of an exportation to all quarters of the
world, a few pretty things would have been made for the amuse
ment of the people of fashion in England  It is upon these
principles, and these only, that he has acted in this business."
A little further on, still speaking of " stone ware, Queen's
ware, or porcelain," Wedgwood says —
"It is well known that manufacturers of this kind can only
support their credit by continual improvements. It is also weU
known that there is a competition in these improvements in aU
parts of Europe. In the last century Burslem, and some other
villages in Staffordshire, were famous for making milk-pans and
butter-pots, and by a succession of improvements the manufactory
in that neighbourhood has' gradually increased in the variety, the
quality, and the quantity of its productions, so as to furnish, besides
the home consumption, an annual export of useful and ornamental
wares, nearly to the amount of two hundred thousand pounds ; but
during all this progress it has had the free range of the country for
materials to work upon, to the great advantage of many landowners
and of navigators. Queen's ware has already several of the proper
ties of porcelain, but is yet capable of receiving many essential
improvements. The public have for some time required and
expected them. Innumerable experiments have been made for this
purpose," &c.
Of the early " Queen's Ware," a specimen, authenticated

as being made at the " Bell Works," is preserved in the
Museum of Practical Geology, having previously formed a
part of the collection of Mr. Enoch Wood — a coUection illus
trative of the staple Staffordshire manufacture, which ought

146 THE WEDGWOODS.
never to have been dispersed.* This example, a butter-boat
of excellent form, is here engraved.
A few years before this time, Messrs. John Sadler and
Guy Green, of Liverpool, had brought out their invention of
printing on earthenware tiles, which process had occupied
their attention for some years. John Sadler, it appears,
from what information has been collected by my friend Mr.
Mayer, F.S.A., of Liverpool — who owns one of, if not the,
finest private museums in the kingdom, and whose public
spirit in the cause of antiquities is beyond aU praise — was
the son of Adam Sadler, a favourite soldier of the great Duke
of Marlborough, and was out with that general in the Low
Countries war. Whilst there, he lodged in the house of a
printer, and thus obtained an insight into the art of printing.
On returning to England on the accession of George L, he
left the army in disgust and retired to Ulverstone, where he
married a Miss Bibby, who numbered among her acquaint
ance the daughters of the Earl of Sefton. Through the
influence of these ladies he removed to Melling, and after
wards leased a house at Aintree. In this lease he is styled
" Adam Sadler, of Melling, gentleman." The taste he had
acquired in the Low Countries abiding with him, he shortly
afterwards, however, removed to the New Market, Liverpool,
where he printed a great number of books — amongst which,
being himself an excellent musician, one called " The Muses'
Delight" was with him an especial favourite. His son, John
Sadler, having learned the art of engraving, on the termination
of his apprenticeship bought a house from his father, in Har
rington Street, for the nominal sum of five shillings, and in
that house, in 1748, commenced business on his own account
Here he married a Miss Elizabeth Parker, daughter of Mr.
* I camiot forbear expressing a profound regret — a regret shared in by
all lovers of English fictile .\rt— that this collection, made long ago, at
immonso labour and at considerable cost, should have been allowed to be
frittered away and destroyed. Some of the e.vamples ore now in the
Museum at the Mechanics' lustitution, Hanley, others ore in the Museum
of the Athenreum at Stoke, and others again are in the Museum of
Practical Geology, London.

147
Parker, watchmaker, of Seel Street, and soon afterwards
became engaged in litigation. Having got together a good
business, his fellow-townsmen became jealous of his success,
and the corporation attempted to remove him as not being
a freeman of Liverpool, and therefore having no right to
keep a shop within its boundaries. Disregarding the order
of removal, the corporation commenced an action against
him, which he successfully defended, and showed that the
authorities possessed no power of ejection. This decision
was one of great importance to the trading community, and
opened the door to numberless people to commence business
in the town.
Mr. John Sadler was, according to Mr. Mayer, the first
person who applied the art of printing to the ornamentation
of pottery, and the story of his discovery is thus told: — Sadler
had been in the habit of giving waste aad spoUed impressions
from his engraved plates to little children, and these they
frequently stuck upon pieces of broken pot from the pot-
works at Shaw's Brow, for their own amusement and for
building dolls' houses with. This circumstance gave him
the idea of ornamenting pottery with printed pictures, and,
keeping the idea secret, he experimentalised until he had
nearly succeeded, when he mentioned the circumstance to
Guy Green, who had then recently succeeded Mr. Adam
Sadler in his business. Guy Green was a poor boy, who
spent what halfpence he could get in buying ballads at
Adam Sadler's shop, who, taking a fancy to the boy, who
was intelligent beyond his age or his companions, took him
into his service and encouraged him in all that was honour
able. John Sadler having, as I have said, mentioned his
discovery to Guy Green, the two " laid their heads together,"
conducted joint experiments, and having ultimately, suc
ceeded, at length entered into partnership. This done, they
determined to apply to the king for a patent ; which, how
ever, under the advice of friends, was not done.
The art was first of all turned to good account in the
decoration of tUes — " Dutch tUes," as they are usually called ;
l2

148 THE WEDGWOODS.
and the following highly-interesting documents relating to
them, which are in the possession of Mr. Mayer, and to
whom the antiquarian world is indebted for first making
them public, will be read with interest : —
" I, John Sadler, of Liverpoole, in the county of Lancaster,
printer, and Guy Green, of Liverpoole, aforesaid, printer, severally
maketh oath that on Tuesday, the 27th day of July instant, they,
these deponents, without the aid or assistance of any other person
or persons, did within the space of six hours, to wit, between the
hours of nine in the morning and three in the afternoon of the same
day, print upwards of twelve hundred Earthenware tiles of different
patterns, at Liverpoole aforesaid, and which, as these deponents
have heard and believe, were more in number and better and neater
than one hundred skilful pot-painters could have painted in the like
space of time, in the common and usual way of painting with a
pencil ; and these deponents say that they have been upwards of
seven years in finding out the method of printing tUes, and in
making tryals and experiments for that purpose, which they have
now through great pains and expence brought to perfection.
" Jobs SiBLZB,
" Gut Geeen.
" Taken and sworn at Liverpoole, in the county of Lancaster,
the second day of August, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-
six, before William Statham, a Master Extraordinary in Chancery."

"We, Aldei-man Thomas Shaw and Samuel GUbody, both of
Liverpoole, in the county of Lancaster, clay potters, whose names
are hereunto subscribed, do hereby humbly certifye that we are
wen assured that John Sadler and Guy Green did, at Liverpoole
aforesaid, on Tuesday, the 27 th day of July last past, within the
space of six hours, print upwards of 1,200 earthenware tiles of
different colours and patterns, which is upon a moderate computa
tion more than 100 good workmen could have done of the same
patterns in the same space of time by the usual painting with the
pencil. That we have since burnt tho above tiles, and that they
arc considerably neater than any we have seen pencilled, and may
bo sold at little more than half the price. We are also assured the
said John Sadler and liuy Green have been several years in bring
ing tho art of printing on eartlienware to perfection, and we never

INVENTION OF PRINTING ON EARTHENWARE, ETC. 149
heard it was done by any other person or persons but themselves.
We are also assured that as the Dutch (who import large quan
tities of tiles into England, Ireland, &c.) may by this improve
ment be considerably undersold, it cannot fail to be of great
advantage to the nation, and to the town of Liverpoole in particular,
where the earthenware manufacture is more extensively carried on
than in any other town in the kingdom ; and for which reasons we
hope and do not doubt the above persons wiU be indulged in their
request for a patent, to secure to them the profits that may arise
from the above useful and advantageous improvement.
" Thomas Shaw,
"Saituel Gilbodv;"

" Liverpoole, August 18th, 1756.
" SlE, " John Sadler, the bearer, and Guy Green, both of this
town, have invented a method of printing potters' earthenware
tyles for chimneys with surprising expedition. We have seen
several of their printed tyles, and are of opinion that they are
superior to any done by the pencill, and that this invention wiU. be
highly advantageous to the kingdom in generall, and to the town of
Liverpoole in particular.
" In consequence of which, and for the encouragement of so
useful and ingenious an improvement, we desire the favour of your
interest in procuring for them his Majesty's letters patent.
" Ellis Cuhclute,
" Spencee Sieees,
" Chaeles Gooee.
" Addressed to Charles Pole, Esq., in London."
In Mr. Mayer's magnificent museum are found, among
other invaluable treasures, some enamels on copper bearing
impressions from copper-plates transferred on to them, and
having the name of "J". Sadler, Liverp\ Enam\" and other
examples of enamels and of earthenware with the names of
Sadler, Sculp., or of Green. Messrs. Sadler and Green
appear to have done a very profitable and exceUent business
in the printing on pottery. The process was soon found to
be as applicable to services and other descriptions of goods
as to tiles ; and these two ' enterprising men produced many

150 THE WEDGWOODS.
fine examples of their art, some of which, bearing their
names as engravers or enamellers, are still in existence.
Josiah Wedgwood, always alive to everything which coidd
tend to improve or render more commercial the productions
of his manufactory, although at first opposed to the intro
duction of this invention, as being, in his opinion, an unsa
tisfactory and unprofitable substitute for painting, eventuaUy
determined to adopt the new style of ornamentation, and
arranged with the inventors to decorate such of his Queen's
ware as it would be applicable to, by their process.
' The work was a troublesome one, and in the then state of
the roads — for it must be remembered that this was before
the time even of canals in the district, much less of railroads
— the communication between Burslem and Liverpool was
one of great difficulty. Wedgwood, however, overcame it,
and having made the plain body at his works, packed it in
waggons and carts, and, I believe, even in the panniers of
pack-horses, and sent it to Liverpool, where it was printed
by Sadler and Green, and returned to him by the same con
veyance, to be, in most cases, finished in his own works.
Adam Sadler died on the 7th of October, 1788, aged
eighty-three, and his son John Sadler the lOth of December,
1 789, aged sixty-nine, and they were buried at Sefton. Mr.
Guy Green continued the business after this date, and
printed earthenware for Wedgwood, probably some special
patterns only, until as late a date as 1793 or 1794. Examples
of Liverpool pottery printed by Sadler and Green, and of
Wedgwood's body printed by them, are of uncommon occur
rence. In Mr. Mayer's museum, at Liverpool, the best, and
indeed only series worthy the name in existence, are to be
found. In my own possession, too, are some examples.
Specimens of these early printed goods, bearing Wedg
wood's mark, are rare. I select, as an example, a curious
teapot, in the possession of Mr. S. C. HaU, F.S.A., which
is highly characteristic and interesting.
The teapot bears on one side a remarkably well engraved
and sharply printed representation of the quaint subject of

GRINDING OLD PEOPLE YOUNG AGAIN.

151

the miU to grind old people young again — the kind of curious
machine which one recollects in one's boyish days were taken
about from fair to fair by strolling mountebanks — and on the

other an oval border of foliage, containing the ballad belong
ing to the subject, called " The MUler's Maid grinding Old
Men Young again." It begins —
" Come, old, decrepid, lame, or blind,
Into my miU to take a grind."
The teapot, which is an exceUent specimen of black-
printing, is marked WEDGWOOD. In the same superb
collection of Wedgwood ware are also other examples of
" Queen's ware," among which are some plates with flowers
painted in red, in simple and pure taste, and true to nature ;
a centre and sides with fine figures ; and a remarkably elegant
and beautifully potted whey jug and cover, formerly in my
own collection. In the Museum of Practical Geology is an
example of this printing, the design on one side of which is
a group at tea — a lady pouring out tea for a gentleman, and
on the opposite side the verse : —
" Kindly take this gift of mine,
The gift and giver I hope is thine ;
And tho' the value is but small,
A loving Efeart is worth it all."
In my own possession are, among other pieces of early

152 THE WEDGWOODS.
Queen's ware, some marked plates which fit with the mecha
nical nicety so well pointed out by Mr. Gladstone, and a
saucer of a pure cream colour, ornamented with a simple
green border of foliage between rich red lines. This saucer
bears the impressed mark WEDGWOOD, not at the bottom,
but on its side.
The centre and side pieces to which I have just aUuded, in
Mr. HaU's possession (one of the pieces of which is here

engraved), are among the choicest examples now existing of
Wedgwood's Queen's ware. The baskets are beautifully

BAD STATE OF THE ROADS. 153
perforated, and are each supported by three exquisite figures
on bases. They are of large size, and must have been among
the best and most costly production^ of the works.
The manufacture of Queen's ware, as I have said, soon
became general throughout the district, and numerous manu
facturers sprang up around the great centre, Wedgwood,
ready to adopt whatever improvements by his great skUl and
his indomitable perseverance he should from time to time
make, and to build their fortunes on the results of his
labours. The consequence was that, as we have seen he
said, there were one hundred manufactories of Queen's ware
instead of one, and ten thousand workmen employed instead
of one hundred. At this time Wedgwood bestirred himself
to have the roads improved and made more passable for
wares ; but in this he was met by a strong opposition from
the potters, who thought that if the roads were made more
passable, their trade would be carried away, and ruin
would await them! The roads, however, were mended,
and the trade of the district has gone on increasing ever
since. In the " Burslem Dialogue," to which-I have on a former
occasion referred, the following amusing allusion to the state
of the roads, and of Wedgwood's plan of sending his Queen's
ware to Liverpool to be printed, occurs, and I cannot refrain
from giving it as a fitting close to this chapter : —
" L. — Oi'd summat t' doo t' get dahn t' L'rpool wi' eawr caart,
at th' teyme as oi fust tayd Mester 'Siah Wedgut's wheit Ware for
t' be printed theer. Tu known as hae ther wur noo black printin'
on ware dun i' Boslem i' thoos deys.
" T. — Oi remember 't varry weel. Oi s'pose as 'Siah wur abaht
th' same age as thiseln, Eafy, wur he no' ?
" L. — ^Ya, oi rek'n he wur tew year yunker til me.
" T. — ^When he started i' bizness fust, he made spewnes, knife
hondles, an' smaw crocks, at th' Ivy hahs, close to where we're nah
sittin'. " L. — Ay, oi weel remember th' toyme ; an' arter that he flitted
to th' Bell Workhus, wheer he put up th' beU-coney for t' ring th'

154 THE WEDGWOODS.
men to ther work isted o' blowin' em together wi' a htim. 'Twur
a pity he e'er left Boslum, for he wur th' cob o' th' Wedguta."
Having traced the progress of his works, and followed the
career of this remarkable man through another decade of his
useful life, I must now close my chapter, reserving for my
next the important period down to the time of the buUding
of Etruria.

CHAPTER VIL
MARRIA.GE OF JOSUH WEDGWOOD. — THE WEDGWOODS OP SMALL-
WOOD. — PEDIGREE SHOWING RELATIONSHIP OF JOSLA.H AND
SARAH WEDGWOOD.  ACCESSION OF FORTUNE.  THOMAS
AND JOHN WEDGWOOD, OF THE ' ' BIG HOUSE."  MOVEMENT
FOR BUILDING BURSLEM SCHOOL. — STATE OF THB ROADS IN
STAFFORDSHIRE : WEDGWOOD's PROJECT FOR THEIR IM
PROVEMENT  OPPOSITION OF THE POTTERS OF NEWCASTLE.
— WEDGWOOD'S VISITS TO LIVERPOOL — ILLNESS THERE. 
INTRODUCTION TO THOMAS BENTLEY. — ERROR REGARDING
BENTLEY.  MEDALLION OF THOMAS BENTLEY.
In 1764, Josiah Wedgwood, then in his thirty-fourth year,
the sole proprietor of an extensive, lucrative, and rapidly
increasing manufactory, and enjoying the proud distinction
of being " Potter to her Majesty," and of having earned for |
himself a name and fame which were the envy of all his |
neighbours, married and brought home his young bride to
the Ivy House, at Burslem. The lady who became his wife
was his distant — in fact, the magical number of " seven
times removed" — cousin, Sarah Wedgwood, the daughter,
and eventuaUy sole heiress, of Richard Wedgwood, Esq., of
Smallwood, in Cheshire. The marriage was solemnised just
a hundred years ago, on the 25th of January, in the year
1764, as wiU be seen from the following copy ofthe register
of the parish of Astbury, which has been kindly furnished to
me by the rector of that place : — " Astbury Church, Cheshire.
" m. 453.
[All the flrst part of the register not filled in.]
" Married in this church by License, this twenty-fifth day of

156

THE WEDGWOODS.

JOSIAH Wedgwood's marriage. 157
January, in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-four,
by me, " John HARDrffG, Curate.
, " This marriage was solemnised between us, "Jos. Wedgwood,
" Saeah Wedgwood.
" In the presence of
" Ed. Wedgwood,
"Jiro. Claek."
The Richard Wedgwood, one of the witnesses to the
marriage, was, of course, Richard Wedgwood of Smallwood,
the father of the bride.
The Wedgwoods of Smallwood were descended from Aaron,
the sixth son of Gilbert, from whom also the " Big House"
and "Red Lion" families were derived, while Josiah was
descended, as I have already shown, from Thomas, the third
son of Gilbert, and, therefore, elder brother to Aaron. The
simple table on the next page, which I have drawn up, leaving
out the collateral branches and descents, wUl show the rela
tionship that existed between the great Josiah and his bride,
and also both his and her descent, through several genera
tions, from the Wedgwoods of Harracles and Leek.
By his marriage Josiah Wedgwood received an accession
to his fortune, in the dowry of his wife, who eventually, as
sole heiress to her father, and to her brother John, who died
without issue in 1774, brought to him the whole of the
property of the Smallwood branch of the famUy. This
fortune, I have heard it stated, amounted in the end to no
less than £20,000 —a magnificent sum in those days, and
of incalculable use to a rising, energetic, and judicious
manufacturer. About this period the brothers, Thomas and John Wedg
wood, of the " Big House," retired from business, and Josiah
made proposals for the purchase of their works and those of
the Ivy House, which he then rented under them. This
offer, unfortunately for the town, but fortunately for Wedg
wood himself, was not accepted. Had the property passed

John Wedgwood, = Mary Shaw,

of Dunwood. 1470

heiress of
John Shaw,
of Harracles.

Richard Wedgwood, ^ Alice or Jane Sherratt.
of Harracles, I

00

Catherine, marric
1. Richard W<;fl;f»'
2. Thf^mas houmc.
3. Rowland Egerti

John Wedgwood, = Ann, daughter of
High Collector of William Bowyer,
Subsidy, 1563. of Knypersley.
From whose descendants the Manor
of Horton and other property passed
to Hollins, and ultimately to Boothby.

Richard Wedgwood,
of the Mole, in
Biddulph (2nd son).

Gilbert Wedgwood,
youngest son,
settled in Burslem.

: Margaret Burslem,
daughter and co-heiress of
Thomas Buislem, by Marv
Ford, of the Moss.

Joseph. d. s. p.

.John Wedfjwood 

Burslem Wedgwood = . . . . Thomaa Wedgwood, _ Margaret Shaw. William ~
I 3rd son, ancestor of
the " Overhouse" branch.

Sloses =_ Aaron M'edg\vood, = Margaret
I 6tli son, ancestor of tlio I .
I " Big House" family

( Wa

Alice Thorna.t Wedcfwood,
2nd son, of ihr;
Cliurchyard Works.

1—
ood .

I
Mary Leigh. Other
flonti and
dnuyliters.

iWe^

Dr. Thomas Wedgwood
and other ohildi'on.

Aaron Wedgwood = Mary Hollins.

Tliornas W edgwood, ^^ Mary .Stringer.
eldcKt son ; of tho
Churchyard WorltH.

And other
sons iinfl
daughters.

Riclinrd Wedgwood,
of Smallwood.

Susan Irlam.

Other sons
and daughters.

Thomas Wedj^ood,
of the Overhouse, Ac,
and otlier children.

.Jo.siAIi Wi:rmw(ini), _ S.MiAii Wunownoi),

youngest son

cvcntunlly heiress to
her futliii- nnd brother.

Jolin.
d. 8. p.

F(jur Sons and four Daughtere.

oooo

THOMAS AND JOHN WEDGWOOD. 159
into his hands he would have formed it into an extensive
manufactory, which would have been of incalculable benefit
to Burslem. As it was, the rejection of the proposal led him
to look elsewhere for a site for his manufactory, and ulti
mately to establish it where it still stands, a lasting monu
ment to his enterprise, his unwearying industry, and his
talents, and of the benefits which he conferred on. the neigh
bourhood and on the kingdom at large.
Thomas and John Wedgwood, of the " Big House," were
the sons of Aaron Wedgwood, who died in 1743, by his
wife, Mary Hollins. This Aaron Wedgwood, who made the
white stoneware of the period, was son of Aaron, the sixth
son of the Gilbert Wedgwood from whom Josiah and the
other Burslem branches were descended. He married Mary
Hollins, and it is a remarkable circumstance, which is thus
recorded in the parish register, that they were both buried
in one grave, and on the same day : —
" Aaron Wedgwood and Mary his wife, both of Burslem, were
interred in y^ same grave, April 24, 1743."
The tomb of this worthy couple still stands in the church
yard, not far from Ihe north door of the church.
About the year 1740, it is said, the two brothers, Thomas
and John Wedgwood, left their father Aaron's employ, " as
lead-ore glaze potters, and commenced the manufacture of
white stoneware upon their own account ; but although very
industrious and ingenious workmen (one of them being well
skilled in burning or firing the ware, and the other an
excellent thrower), they were unsuccessful for a long time,
and had actually determined to abandon any further attempt
to make the white stoneware, when an accidental circum
stance encouraged them to proceed. The water, with which
they prepared the clay, it seems, became highly saturated
with salt, owing to the shard ruck or rubbish from their
ovens being placed immediately above their water pool, and
which . rubbish contained much salt. The rain passing
through the shard ruck, dissolved the salt, and carried it

160 THE WEDGWOODS.
into the pool, whence it got into the body of the ware, and,
in conjunction with the flint and clay, together with the
lime which generally adheres to flint stones, formed a fusible
body that arrived at a state of vitrification with a lower
degree of heat than was requisite to prepare this body for
the salt glaze. This discovery induced them to make
another trial with purer water ; and in this they succeeded
beyond expectation. The Wedgwoods followed up their
success with unremitting diligence ; and shortly afterwards
built a new and commodious manufactory, where they had
a supply of good water. This was near the Windmill,
invented and erected by the .celebrated Brindley for reducing
flint stones to a fine powder by grinding them in water, and
thereby preventing the pernicious effects upon the health of
the men employed in preparing the flint according to the
old method, by pounding it by hand in a dry state in a
mortar. The fine dust of the flint getting into the lungs
produced coughs and consumptions, which frequently proved
fatal. This buUding, censured at the time as having been
upon too extensive a scale, was the first earthenware manu
factory in the Potteries not covered with thaich. In 1750
they erected an excellent and substantial dwelling-house
adjoining their manufactory, which so far exceeded the
other houses in the Potteries, in point of size and elegance,
that it then was, and now is distinguished by the appella
tion of the ' Big House ;' and in the year 1763 these gentle
men retired from business in the possession of an ample
fortune, the just and honourable reward of their industry
and integrity."
The " Big House " stands at the corner of Wedgwood
Street and Market Place, facing down Swan Square, from
which place, and from the Waterloo Road, it forms a con
spicuous object. It stands back from the street, with a
walled enclosure in front The old pot-works are at the
rear, and are now occupied as builder's premises, by Messrs.
Harley and Deane. The property, I believe, still belongs
to the Wedgwood family.

THOMAS AND JOHN WEDGWOOD. 161
Thomas and John Wedgwood, the buUders of the Big
House, and Aaron Wedgwood, the first maker, with Littler,
of china at Longton, being brothers of Richard Wedgwood,
of Smallwood, were uncles to Sarah, the wife of the great
Josiah. Thomas was, it appears, bom in 1703, and married his
cousin Mary, daughter of Dr. Thomas Wedgwood. He died
without issue, in 1776, and the following somewhat curious
epitaph to his memory— for it is not often that an inscrip
tion of " brother of" so and so is to be found — is still to be
seen on the floor of the vestry : —
" Here hes the body of Thomas, brother of John Wedgwood, who
died April 8, 1776, aged 73. Also Mary Wedgwood, wife of the
above Thomas Wedgwood, who departed the 6th of July, 1781."
John Wedgwood, who was born in 1705, married Mary
Alsop, by whom he had issue, and died in 1779.
At the time of his marriage, and for some time pre
viously, Josiah Wedgwood had, besides the business of his
manufactory, been actively engaged in many schemes for
the benefit of his native town, for the furtherance of its
commercial interest, and for the good of its inhabitants
generaUy. . Accordingly, we find him, in 1760, signing a
petition to the lords of the manor, praying for a grant of
" a small piece of land lying in Burslem, where the May
pole did formerly stand, in order to erect a piece of Building
for a Schoole, as there is but one Schoole in the Town, and
for want of an other, two parts of the children out of three
are put to Work without any learning, by reason the other
Schoole is not sufficient to instruct them." To this peti
tion, which went on to say — " so we humbly beg of your
Honours that you wUl be pleas'd to be aiding and assisting
in this, and consider that it is a great piece of charity done
by your Honours, which wUl be in memory of you and your
posterity for ever, and the prayers of the Poor wUl always
be with you, so we hope your Honours will be agreeable to
this charitable request," were appended a number of names,
M

162 THE WEDGWOODS.
" being the Gentlemen and Freeholders " of the liberty and
manor, who "do firmly promise to advance the sums of
money foUowing their names, to be applyed in errecting the
piece of Building for the use and purpose above mentioned ;
that is to say, a Schoole for the education of poore
chUdren." In this list, Josiah Wedgwood, and his relatives,
Burslem and Thomas Wedgwood, appear for the sum of
£10 each, being amongst the highest contributors. This
scheme was afterwards altered, and from it sprang the
present Town Hall and Market of Burslem.
I — ^ About the same period he had been busying himself in
I the project for making a turnpike road through the district,
which was achieved by the passing of the Act of Parliament
a few months before his marriage. The state of the roads at
this time maybe gleaned from the following extract from
the petition of the potters, in 1762 ; and it is highly credit
able to Wedgwood, that in this, as in the case of the schools,
of the Grand Trunk Canal (of which I shaU have to speak
later on), and of every other scheme which could benefit his
native town or its surrounding district, or tend to the increase
of its trade, he was not only one of the foremost and most
strenuous supporters, but was the prime mover. The peti
tion says : —
"In Burslem and its neighbourhood are near one himdred and
fifty separate potteries for making various kinds of stone and earthen
ware, which together find constant employment and support for
near seven thousand people. The ware of these potteries is ex
ported in vast quantities from London, Bristol, Liverpool, Hull, and
other seaports, to our several colonies in America and the West
Indies, as well as to almost every port in Europe. Great quantities
of flint stones are used in making some of the ware, which are
brought by sea from difl'erent parts of the coast of Liverpool and
HuU ; and the clay for making the white ware is brought from
Devonshire and Cornwall chiefly to Livei-pool, the materials from
whence are brought by water up the rivci-s Mersey and Weaver to
Winsford, in Cheshire; those from Hull up the Ti-ent to Willington ;
and from Winsfonl and Willington the whole are brought by land
carriage to Burslem. The Wiuc, when made, is conveyed to Liver-

improvement of the roads. 163
pool and Hull in the same manner as the materials are brought
from those places.
"Many thousand tons of shipping, and seamen in proportion,
which in summer trade to the northern seas, are employed in winter
in carrying materials for the Burslem ware ; and as much salt is
consumed in glazing one species of it as pays annually near £5,000
duty to government. Add to these considerations the prodigious
quantity of coal used in the Potteries, and the loading and freight
this manufacture constantly supplies as well for land carriage as in
land navigation, and it will appear that the manufacturers, sailors,
bargemen, carriers, colliers, men employed in the salt works, and
others who are supported by the pot trade, amount to a great many
thousand people ; and every shilHng received for ware at foreign
maikets is so much clear gain to the nation, as not one foreigner is
employed in, or any material imported from abroad for, any branch
of it ; and the trade flourishes so much as to have increased two-
thirds within the last fourteen years.
" The potters concerned in this very considerable manufacture,
presuming from the above, and many other reasons that might be
offered by the pot trade, not unworthy the attention of parliament,
have presented a petition for leave to bring in a bill to repair and
widen the road from the ' Eed Bull ' at Lawton, in Cheshire, to
Chff Bank, in Staffordshire, which runs right through the Potteries,
and falls at each end into a turnpike road. This road, especially
the northern road from Burslem to the ' Eed Bull,' is so very
narrow, deep, and foundrous, as to be almost impassable for car
riages, and in the winter almost for pack-horses ; for which reasons
the carriages with materials and ware to and from Liverpool, and
the salt works in Cheshire, are obliged to go to Newcastle, and
from thence to the ' Bed Bull,' which is nine miles and a half
(whereof three miles and a half, viz., from Burslem to Newcastle,
are not turnpike road), instead of five miles, which is the dis
tance from Burslem to the ' Eed Bull ' by the road prayed to be
amended." In this scheme, as I have before hinted, Wedgwood and
his brother manufacturers met with severe opposition,
especiaUy from the inhabitants of Newcastle-under-Lyme, J
who considered that by diverting the traffic into another
channel, their town would \>e ruined, and their trade,
especially that of the innkeepers, destroyed. The Act,
m2

164 THE WEDGWOODS.
however, passed with the alteration that it should end at
Burslem instead of being continued to Cliff Bank. The
formation of this turnpike-road— which has the reputation
of being the first in the Potteries — was mainly due to the
immense exertions of Wedgwood, who only grew more
determined as opposition increased, and eventuaUy carried
his point, and thus conferred an incalculable benefit on the
neighbourhood, much against its wUL
In the course of his own business, as weU as upon the
schemes of the turnpike-road and canal, Wedgwood had not
unfrequently occasion to go to Liverpool, where, indeed,
he had already found an important market for his goods.
On one of these visits, in consequence of some accidental
aggravation of his old complaint, he was laid up for some
weeks, and was then under the charge of, I have reason to
believe. Dr. Matthew Turner, a man of high inteUectual
attainments, and an excellent chemist, who resided in John
Street, and to whom the merit of the re-discovery of much
of the lost art of glass-staining belongs.*
The doctor was an intimate friend of ]\Ir. Thomas Bentley,
of Liverpool, a nian of superior attainments, of refined taste,
and of most agreeable manners and conversational powers,
and " pitying the situation of Mr. Wedgwood, a stranger,
and so much afflicted, introduced Mr. Bentley to him as a
companion, whose intelligence, vivacity, and philanthropy,
would quicken the lingering hours of pain." From this
acquaintanceship, so accidentally and so strangely brought
about, sprung up a lasting friendship, which ripened as time
drew on, until it culminated in a partnership, and ended only
in the death of Bentley.
And here let me correct a wide-spread error regarding
this well-known partner of Josiah Wedgwood's, concerning
whom I shall have some particiUars to give in another
chapter. Ward, in his " History of Stoke-upon-Trent," a
* This clever man, I believe, in conjimction with Mr. Chubbard,
executed the south window of St. .Anne's Church, Liverpool.

THOMAS BENTLEY. 165
work written at Burslem, Wedgwood's native place, says,
speaking of Josiah Wedgwood, — " He took into partnership
Mr. Richard Bentley, son of Dr. Bentley, the celebrated
critic and Archdeacon of Ely, a man of great ingenuity,
taste, and learning, possessing too a large circle of acquaint
ance among people of rank and science. To him, it is
generally understood, Mr. Wedgwood v^as chiefly indebted
for his classical subjects, for which his establishment became
so highly celebrated." This statement has been repeated
with but little variation, in almost every notice which has
yet appeared of Wedgwood or of his productions down
to the present time. I am enabled, however, to show
that this statement is erroneous, and that not only was
Wedgwood's partner not the son of Archdeacon Bentley,
the critic, but was not even named Richard. The com
panion, and afterwards partner, of Josiah Wedgwood was,
as will be seen from the fac-simile of his autogiaph, which

I here engrave from a letter in my own possession, Thomas
Bentley. The letter from which this autograph is copied, is
addressed to " My dear Friend," " Mr. Josiah Wedgwood,
at Etruria," &c. In connection with this autograph I give
in the foUowing illustration an engraving of the beautiful
medallion of Bentley, produced by Wedgwood as a com
panion, probably, to his own, from an example in my own
coUection. The bust, it will be seen, is remarkably bold
and fine, and must have been the work of an artist of no
common order.
In connection with this medaUion, it wiU be interesting

](

THE WEDGWOODS.

i 0 note that a portrait of Thomas Bentley was painted by
Wright, of Derby, and is now preserved at Linley Wood. In

Wright's diary the painting of this portrait is thus entered,
under the year 1777 :— " Copy of Mr. Bentley, KC, £21."
Wright also painted a portrait of " Miss Bentley (fuU),
£31 10s."
In another chapter I shall show that Thomas Bentley.
about whom too little has hitherto been known, and con
cerning whom so many errors have been perpetuated, was a
native of Derbyshire, and a member, doubtless, of the old
family of that name long connected with that county.

CHAPTER VIIL
INLAND NAVIGATION. — PROPOSED GRAND TRUNK CANAL. — BRIND-
LEY'S plan. — DUKE OF BRIDGWATER'S CANAL.  MEETING
IN FAVOUR OF THE GRAND TRUNK. — JOSIAH WEDGWOOD's
LIBERAL OFFER. — STATE OF THE POTTERY DISTRICT. — WANT
OP COMMUNICATION.  PACK-HORSES. — CLAY, FLINT, LEAD,
SALT, IRON, ETC.  RICHARD WHITWORTH AND HIS IDEAS. 
STATE OF THE PEOPLE IN BURSLEM.~REY. JOHN WESLEY. —
HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE POTTERIES.  IS PELTED WHILE
PREACHING. — WEDGWOOD CUTS THE FIRST SOD OF THE
GRAND TRUNK CANAL.  WONDER EXCITED AT BRINDLEY'S
OPERATIONS — WEDGWOOD's ZEAL WITH REGARD TO THE
CANAL.
Inland navigation, at the period of which I am now writing,
was in its veriest infancy ; but the advantages which an
increased water communication between different towns
would give to trade were fully understood by Mr. Wedg
wood, whose mind, ever active, grasped the subject in aU
its bearings, and determined him to bring those advantages
to his native place, and to the trade which was its sole
support His mind once made up, nothing was allowed to
brook it. Obstacles only increased his determination, and
opposition his firmness of purpose. As early as 1755, a
scheme had been broached in Liverpool for joining, by means
of a canal which should pass through the great towns
of Chester, Stafford, Derby, and Nottingham, the rivers
Trent and Mersey, and thus connect the important ports of
Liverpool on the one hand, and HuU on the other. Surveys
were made for this and other schemes, some passing through
the " pot district," and others purposely avoiding it
The progress of the Duke of Bridgwater's canal inten-

108 THE WEDGWOODS.
sified the interest which had been created in the subject, and
at length, in 1702, James Brindley, the prince of engineers,
who had been emj^loyed in erecting wind flint-mUls, corn-
mills, engines, &c., in the pot district, and who was success
fuUy carrying out the duke's canal, was engaged to make
the survey through Staffordshire. "The schemer," as he
was aptly called, had, as early as 1758, made a rough survey
of the district, and in the two succeeding years he continued
his surveys and mastered the levels necessary on the pro
posed line of canal. Meetings in support of the proposed
scheme were held, and Smeaton as well as Brindley pro
duced their plans ; but the project of inland water commu
nication being in its entire infancy, and the duke's canal
being unfinished, the projectors left their scheme in abey
ance for some time, whUe they watched with intense anxiety
the progress towards completion of the duke's canaL When
it was opened, and its success became palpable, the StaflVird-
shire scheme was revived with increased spirit. Wedgwood
entered into it with all the ardour and energy of his nature ;
but at this time rival schemes, unthoughT cif before, sprang
up and had to be encountered. Brindley's project was
wisely considered to be the plan for the district, and to this
plan, which was also backed by the Duke of Bridgwater,
Josiah Wedgwood gave his firm and lasting adhesion. One
of Brindley's letters, written on the 21st of December, 1705,
shows how energetically Wedgwood worked in the promo
tion of this scheme, which became in the end one of the
greatest blessings to the district which it ever enjoyed. The
following is an extract : —
" On Tusdcy Sr Georg sent Nuton in to Manchestr to make what
intrest he could for Sir Georg and to gather ye old Xavogtors
togather to meet Sir Georg at Stoperd to make Head a ganst His
grate. I sawe Doctor Scswige who sese Hoe wants to see you
aboat pamant of His Laml in Chofliiro. Ou Wednesday ther was
not much transpired, but was so dark I could carse do aneything.
" On Thursday "\^'ado^Yoo^l of Burslam came to Dunhiim and
sant for mee ami wee dined with Lonl Gree & Sir Hare Mainwcring
and others. Sir Uiu-e cud not eeep Ilis Tamer. Mr. Wedgwood

GRAND TRUNK CANAL. — WEDGWOOD's LIBERALITY 169
came to sehset Lord Gree in faver of the Staff'ordshire Canal and
stade at Mrs. Latoune all night & I whith him & on frydey sat out
to wate on Mr. Edgerton to selesit Him. Hee sase Sparrow and
others are indavering to gat ye Land owners consants from Hare
Castle to Agden."
On the 30th of the same month (December, 1765) a
meeting was held for the furtherance of the scheme, the lord-
lieutenant of the county presiding, and being supported by
the county and borough members, and others of influence.
At this meeting Brindley, in his quiet and simple manner,
explained his plans, and having fully shown their feasibility,
they were at once adopted, with only some trifling altera
tions. At this meeting it was determined to apply to Par- ^/
liament for power to construct the canal, and the question
of ways and means was fully discussed. Wedgwood took so
prominent a part in the discussion, and was so warm in his
support of the scheme, that the chairman. Earl Gower,
asked him, it is said somewhat derisively, as he was so for
ward in pressing the scheme, what was he prepared to
embark in it ? To this Wedgwood immediately replied, that
he would at once subscribe a thousand pounds towards the
preliminary expenses and take, I know not how many,
shares besides. This liberality, showing an honesty of
purpose, and a strong faith in the project, became conta
gious, and put to the blush many milk-and-water sup
porters of the scheme who were present. Wedgwood's
offer, it would seem, decided the matter ; money enough was
raised, an Act bf Parliament was applied for, and by the
middle of the ensuing year, 1766, obtained.
He inhabita,nts of Burslem and the neighbourhood were
so much elated with the news of the result of the meeting,
and so rejoiced at the spirit which Wedgwood and others
had displayed, that the next evening foUowing the meeting
— the last day of the year 1765 — they lit a huge bonfire in
the town, and round it drank the healths of the promoters
of the scheme.
In the preceding chapter I have alluded to the bad state

170 THE WEDGWOODS.
of the roads in the pottery district, and to the opposition
which Wedgwood met in his laudable endeavours for their
improvement. The same reason which induced him to
/promote the improvement of the roads actuated him in his
labours to promote the canal. The transit of goods to and
fro was heavy, and greatl}' impeded the rising trade of the
county ; and it became, in his expansive mind, a matter of
absolute necessity that greater means of' communication
should be provided. As it was, the roads were scarcely
passable even in summer to the lumbering old waggons and
carts which occasionaUy jolted along them. They were
narrow, with high banks at their sides, always, even in
summer, soft and clayey, and fuU of deep ruts, in which
the wheels sank and stuck fast In winter, even the strings
of pack-horses, which did somehow or other manage to drag
their weary way along, knee-deep in mud, could scarcely
get from place to place, and many a poor brute fell down
exhausted, and died on the road, breaking, in falling, the
heavy load of crockery it bore on its back.
It must be remembered that some of the essentials of the
Ijotter's art had to be brought on the backs of these pack-
horses, or by cart and waggon, from great distances, and
that by the same means provisions had to be procured and
pottery despatched. Although coal was plentiful on the
spot, and the commoner clays abundant, flint, one of the
essentials of fine wares, and of heavy carriage, had to be
brought from the nearest point of water communication,
which was at WiUington in Derbyshire, to which place,
having come by sea to Hull, it was brought up the river
Trent Clays from CornwaU, Devonshire, and Dorsetshire,
had to be brought up in like manner from Bewdley, Bridg
north, Winsford, Cavendish Bridge, and other places, to
which it had been brought by water. Li the same manner
salt and lead had to be conveyed to the district ; and thus
the restrictions on trade were immense, and there was diffi
culty in procuring even the common necessaries of food
and clothing. Shops, of course, there were none worthy of

BAD STATE OF ROADS.  HEAVY FREIGHTAGE. 171
the name in the pottery district, the people being supplied
by itinerant hucksters, chapmen, and packmen from other
places. In 1760, Richard Whitworth, of Balcham Grange,
wrote : — " There are three pot waggons go from Newcastle
and Burslem weekly, through Eccleshall and Newport to
Bridgnorth, and carry about eight tons of potware every
week, at £3 per ton. The same waggons load back with
ten tons of close goods, consisting of white clay, grocery,
and iron, at the same price, delivered on their road to New
castle. Large quantities of potware are conveyed on horses'
backs from Burslem and Newcastle to Bridgnorth and
Bewdley, for exportation, about one hundred tons yearly, at
£2 lOs. per ton. Two broad- wheel waggons (exclusive of
150 pack-horses) go from Manchester through Stafford
weekly, and maybe computed to carry 312 tons of. cloth
and Manchester wares in the year, at £2 10s. per ton. The
great salt trade that is carried on at Northwich may be
computed to send 600 tons yearly along this (proposed)
canal, together with Nantwich 400, chiefly carried now on
horses' backs at 10s. per ton on a medium." So accustomed,
however, had the inhabitants of the principal pottery town,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, become to this state of things that,
as I have already hinted, every scheme for the improvement
of the roads and for developing the resources of the district
met with dogged and determined opposition. They, in their
narrow-mindedness, feared that if the roads were unproved,
the country opened out with water and other means of
communication, the traffic would be taken otherwise than
through their good old town, and that therefore their inn
keepers and others would lose by the proposed change.
The success of the duke's canal brought forward many
opponents to the scheme to which Wedgwood had wedded
himself. The promoters of each of these rival schemes had
their own interests to serve, and their own selfish ends in
view. They were, however, impotent except in delaying the
Grand Trunk scheme, and eventuaUy one by one were dis
posed of. The Duke of Bridgwater threw his influence and

173 THE WEDGWOODS.
interest into the scale of Wedgwood's scheme, and in the end
the Act was, as I have said, obtained.
Whitworth, to whose writings I have just alluded, pro
posed, in order that the pack-horses and other rude modes of
conveyance might still be used, that " no main trunk of a
canal shall be carried nearer than four mUes of any great
manufacturing and trading town ; which distance from the
canal," he says, " would be sufficient to maintain the same
number of horses as before." This narrow-minded policy,
as in later days has been the case in proposals for raUways,
was adopted by some towns, and produced their gradual
decay and almost ruin. HappUy for the pottery district, it
contained no " great manufacturing and trading towns," but
it possessed public spirit, energy, and perseverance centered
in the ever-active brain of Wedgwood and his able coadjutors,
and the consequence was that the canal was cut through ita
very heart, and thus gave its vital trade-streams inlet and
outlet, which at once gave it strength, vigour, and nourish
ment It must be remembered that the generality of the people
living at that time at Burslem and its surrounding YiUages
were, partly through their isolated position, partly from the
want of schools, and partly, it must be confessed, from
an innate rudeness, many of them ignorant, low, and
brutish in their conduct ; but it must be remembered, also,
that it was not these people who opposed the march of im
provement, but their "betters" in a worldly sense — the
landowners, innkeepers, and the like. The commoner people,
the hardworkers, hailed the proposals with deUght, and their
joy on the scheme being in a fair way of being successfuUy
, carried out culminated in bonfires and other popular demon-
' strations of satisfaction.
In 1760 John Wesley had for the first time visited
Burslem, and in the following highly-interesting extract
from his journal he tells how ignorant the poor people there
were, and how on one occasion "a clod of earth" was
thrown at him while preaching ; but he also shows that the

JOHN WESLEY AT BURSLEM. 173
^'¦poor potters" at Burslem were " more civUised" than " the
better sort (so-called) at Congleton." The following is an I
extract : —
" 1760, March %th. — ^Went from Wolverhampton to Burslem
(near Newcastle-imder-Lyme), a scattered town on the top of a hill,
inhabited almost entirely by potters, a multitude of whom assembled
at five tn the evening. Deep attention sat on every face, though as
yet accompanied with deep ignorance ; but if the heart be toward
God, He will in due time enlighten the understanding.
"  Sunday, 9th. — I preached at eight to near double the
number, some quite innocent of thought. Pive or six were
laughing and talking tOl I had near done ; and one of them threw
a clod of earth, which struck me on the side of the head, but it
neither disturbed me nor the congregation."
" 1761, March 9th. — Preached at Burslem at half-past five, in an
open place on the top of the hill, to a large and attentive congrega
tion, though it rained almost aU. the time, and the air was extremely
cold. The next morning (being Good Friday) preached at eight,
and again in the evening. The cold considerably lessened the con
gregation — so small are the things which divert mankind from what
ought to be the means of their eternal salvation."
"1764, July 20th. — It rained all day till seven in the evening,
when I began preaching at Burslem. Even the poor potters here
are a more civilised people than the better sort (so called) at
Congleton." The Act of Parliament for the proposed Grand Trunk
Canal having been obtained, after constant and unwearied
anxiety, the honour of cutting the first sod was wisely
accorded to Mr. Wedgwood, its most prominent, most ener
getic, and most liberal promoter. This important ceremony
— important, as it proved to be, not only to the potteries, but
to the kingdom at large — was performed with all necessary
formalities on the 26th of July, 1766. The first sod was cut
by Josiah Wedgwood, on the declivity of Brownhills, on a
piece of land within a few yards of the bridge which now
crosses the canal. Brindley, the engineer, and many in
fluential persons, were present, and each cut a sod, or wheeled
away some earth after Wedgwood had set the good example.
In the evening a bonfire was lit in Burslem, a sheep was roasted

174 THE WEDGWOODS.
whole in the market-place, -a feu dejoie was fired in front of
Mr, Wedgwood's house, and all the usual demonstrations of
joy were indulged in to their hearts' content by the potters
of the district.
Thus this important undertaking was fitly inaugurated by
the man who had taken the most active part in its pro
motion, and to whom the neighbourhood was indebted for
so many benefits. The history of the progress of this canal,
which has been pleasantly and graphically told by Mr. SmUes,
would form a pleasing episode in the memoirs of Wedgwood,
but it is enough for my present purjiose to say that it was
carried on with aU the energy, and aU the tact and skUl, of
which the truly wonderful nature of Brindley was capable,
untu his death. For six years he laboured closely and assi
duously at it, and after his death, in 1772, the remaining
portion of the work was successfuUy completed by his brother-
in-law, John Henshall.
The wonder with which the operations of Brindley, the
" Prince of Engineers," especially as regarded his immense
cutting of the Harecastle Tunnel, were looked upon by the
inhabitants of Burslem, is weU told in a letter quoted by ;
Mr. Smiles, dated 1767, and written by an inhabitant of
Burslem to a friend in a distant part of the country. It is
as follows : —
" Gentlemen, — Come to view our eighth wonder of the world,
the subterraneous navigation which is cutting bv the great
Mr. Brindley, who handles rocks as easily as yon would plum
pies, and makes the four elements subservient to his will. He is
as plain a looking man as one of the boors of the Peak,* or as one
of his own carters ; but when he speaks, all ears listen, and every
mind is flUed with wonder at the things he pronounces to bo prac
ticable. He has cut a mile through bogs, which he binds up,
embanking them with stones which he gets out of other parts of
the navigation, besides about a quarter of a mile into the hill
Yeldcn, on the side of which he has a pump worked by water, and
a stove, tho firo of which sucks through a pipe the damps that
* .Tames Brindley wa.1, it will be remembered, ft native of Timstead, in
the High Peak of Derbyshire.

GRAND TRUNK CANAL. 175
would annoy the men who are cutting towards the centre of the
bill. The clay he cuts out serves for bricks to arch the subterra
neous part, which we heartily wish to see finished to Wilden Perry,
when we shall be able to send coals and pots to London, and to
different parts of the globe."
The zeal which Wedgwood showed in the furtherance of ^
this scheme is thus well expressed in the private manuscript
to which I have before had occasion to refer. When he once
fairly took up the subject, "business, family, everything,
gave place to this important object, for many months in the
year 1765. Drawing around him the few that then thought
with him on the subject, or were inclined to take an active
part, they concerted on the means of gaining friends, and
overcoming opposition. At this time the principle itself of
the utility of canal navigation was disputed, and if any -
advantages were admitted, they did not appear to a very
powerful class of the people as of sufficient importance to
counterbalance the injuries they apprehended to themselves.
Here was a great deal of intellectual ground to be cleared,
and the contest was not for this or that modification, but
whether the thing itself should exist at all. In this struggle
Mr. Wedgwood was certainly the foremost and most active
person, and for three months, during the progress of the Bill
in Parliament, was nearly as much lost to his private con
nections as though he had been in China. The canal in
question was called the Grand Trunk, because it was foreseen
that many lesser ones would break out of it, as has sinc^
happened. It is upwards of ninety mUes in length, joining
the Trent about a mile below Cavendish Bridge, in Derby
shire, and terminating in the Duke of Bridgwater's Canal,
in Preston Brook, in Cheshire. The internal passage through
the hUl at Harecastle is an object of great curiosity, being a
mUe and three quarters in length, and crossing many veins
of coal, which are got at a smaU expense, being thus laid
dry, and the canal is greatly benefited by the supply of
water. Mr. Brindley began this work on both sides at the
same time, and his workmen met in the middle. The con-

176 THE WEDGWOODS.
trivances of this great man, by which he executed stupendous
works in a short time that seem to have required ages, have
been properly noticed in the account of his life in the
' Biographia Britannica,' the materials for which were fur
nished by Mr. Wedgwood, who Uved in habits of intimacy
and friendship with him, and ever revered his memory.
Mr. Wedgwood was the first treasurer of the canal, and an
active member of the committee for making and carrying it
on for more than twenty years."
The Grand Trunk Canal was finished by Mr. Henshall,
brother-in-law to Brindley, in May, 1777, and was imme
diately productive of the greatest benefit to the neighbour-
,hood. Trade increased, freight of goods was lowered to
about the rate of thirteen shiUings per ton, where fifty shd-
lings had before been paid, the despatch and receipt of goods
was more rapid and more certaui, and the whole district
assumed a vitality which has gone on regularly increasing to
the present day.
If for no other reason, the part he took in the carrying
out to a successful issue the scheme of canal communication,
to which undoubtedly the Staffordshire potteries owe their
prosperous increase, would fuUy entitle Josiah Wedgwood
to the thanks of his country, and to be ranked among the
foremost benefactors of mankind.

CHAPTER IX.
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD TAKES INTO PARTNERSHIP HIS RELATIVE
THOMAS WEDGWOOD.' — RALPH WEDGWOOD. — HIS POT
WORKS IN STAFFORDSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE. — HIS INVEN
TIONS.  THE POCKET SECRETARY AND THE MANIFOLD
WRITER.  INVENTION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 
SCHEME OFFERED TO AND REJECTED BY GOVERNMENT. 
JOHN TAYLOR WEDGWOOD, THE LINE ENGRAVER.  HIS
WORKS. — JOSIAH WEDGWOOD's CHEMICAL KNOWLEDGE. 
PROCURES CLAYS FKOM AMERICA. — ALEXANDER CHISHOLM.
—INTRODUCTION OF "BASALTES," OR "EGYPTIAN BLACK "
WARE.
Haying by this time firmly established the manufacture of
his staple commodity, " Queen's Ware," and placed its pro
duction on a sure and lasting basis, and having by the
improvements of the roads, and the construction of the
canal, removed the only impediments which seemed to fix
a limit to its consumption, from a want of easy and more
rapid conveyance of raw materials to, and finished goods
from, the pot district, Wedgwood felt that it was timev/
to relieve himself to some extent from the weight of a
constant personal supervision. He desired to be more free
from this now established branch of his business, in order
that he might devote himself more to the study of chemistry,
and of clays and other mineral substances, with a view to
the production of those higher classes of goods for which his
manufactory afterwards Isecame so justly famous. " With
this view, and to reward the merit of a worthy man, a
relation, Mr. Thomas Wedgwood, who had been some years
a faithful and industrious foreman in the manufactory," he
entered into partnership with that gentleman, giving him
a share of the profit in, with the entire direction of, that
N

178 THE WEDGWOODS.
branch of the manufactory (the Queen's Ware), and in
this position Thomas "Wedgwood remained untU the time
of his death, in 1 788.
This Thomas Wedgwood was, I believe, cousin to Josiah,
being son of Aaron Wedgwood and his wife Hannah Malkin.
He was born, it would appear, in 1734, and was, therefore,
four years younger than Josiah. He was a man of high
J scientific attainments, and has the reputation of being the
first inventor of the electric telegraph (afterwards so ably
carried out by his son Ralph), and of many other valuable
works. He married Elizabeth Taylor, ofthe Hill, Burslem,
and by her had issue, Ralph, of whose descendants more
anon ; Samuel, who died without issue, at Whitworth ;
Thomas, who died in New York of yeUow fever, also with
out issue ; Aaron, of Liverpool ; Abner : and John Taylor
Wedgwood, the eminent line engraver, whose works are so
justly prized by coUectors.
Thomas Wedgwood, the partner of Josiah. of whom I have
just spoken, resided at Etruria, after the removal of the
works there, and died at that place in 17SS, having, it is
said, been accidentaUy drowned.
His eldest son, Ralph Wedgwood (elder brother of the
engraver), was three times married — first to Mary Teomans,
of Worcester, by whom he had issue Ralph Wedgwood, of
Barnes andCornhill, stiU living ; secondly, to Sarah Taylor;
and thirdly, to Anne Copeland, by each of whom also he had
issue. By the latter marriage was his son W. R. Wedgwood,
of Greyshot HaU, who has done so much, and so com-
mendably, to establish his father's claim to the invention
of the electric telegraph.
Ralph AVedgwood was a man of extraordinary and varied
ability, the originator of important scientific inventions,
and the author of the " Book of Remembrance," published
in 1S14, in which the invention of the electric telegraph,
under the name ofthe " fulguri-polygraph," is made known,
and its benefits— precisely such as are now reaped by the
public— arc described. Ralph Wedgwood was born in 1766,

RALPH WEDGWOOD. — MANIFOLD WRITER. 179
and was brought up with his father at Etruria, where 'he
received much valuable aid in chemistry, &c., from Josiah
Wedgwood. He afterwards carried on business as a potter,
under the style of "Wedgwood & Co.," at the Hill- works,
Burslem, but was ruined through losses during the American
war. While at the Hill, he prepared and presented to
Queen Charlotte some fine examples of his manufacture,
on occasion of the restoration of health to the king, which
was graciously accepted through the hands of Lord Cremorne.
He then removed into Yorkshire, where, having entered
into partnership with Messrs. Tomlinson & Seton, of Ferry
Bridge, he again commenced business. This engagement,
however, was not of long duration, his partners being
dissatisfied at the large amount of breakage caused by his
experiments and peculiar mode of firing, and he retired
from the concern with a thousand pounds awarded as his
share of the business. He next removed to Bransford,
near Worcester, where he issued prospectuses for teaching
chemistry at schools, and thence to London, in 1808,
travelling in a carriage of his own constructing, which he
describes as " a long coach, to get out behind, and on grass
hopper springs, now used by all the mails." This carriage
was so extraordinary in its appearance as to be taken for a
travelling show. While at Bransford he had been perfecting
his niany inventions, among which was his celebrated
manifold writer, which still maintains its high repute'
" against all comers." One of his copying schemes, which
he called a " Penna-polygraph," that of writing with a
njimber of pens attached to one handle, he found on his
arrival in London had already been made by another person.
His other plan, proving to be new, he called the " Pocket
Secretary," and afterwards the " Manifold Writer ; " and
on the 7th of October, 1806, after much discouragement
and opposition, he took out a patent for this as " an apparatus
for producing duplicates of writing." In 1808 he took out
a second patent for " an apparatus for producing several
original writings or drawings at one and the same time,
n2

180 THE WEDGWOODS.
which I shall call a Pennsepolygraph, or pen and stylo-
graphic manifold writer." An ".^rial zone" was also
proposed by him, and his invention was laid before the
Admiralty, but judging from the following extract from a
letter now lying before me, the invention was not considered
to be a very feasible one. " The ..Erial zone is in proper
hands if it is laid before the Admiralty, for there does not
seem to be any greater likelihood of its becoming an article
of general use, than there is of the ladies leaving off muslin,
because some lose their lives every year by its use." *
In 1806, Ralph Wedgwood established himself at Charing
Cross, and soon afterwards his whole attention began to be
engrossed with his scheme of the electric telegraph, which
in the then unsettled state of the kingdom — in midst of war
it must be remembered — he considered would be of the
utmost importance to the government. In 1814, having
perfected his scheme, he submitted his proposal to Lord
Castlereagh, and most anxiously awaited the result. His
son Ralph having waited on his lordship for a decision as to
whether government would accept the plan or not, was
informed that " the war being at an end, the old system
was sufficient for the country ! " The plan, therefore, feU
to the ground, untU Professor Wheatstone, in happier and
more enlightened times again brought the subject forward
with such eminent success. The plan, thus brought forward
by Ralph Wedgwood in 1814, and of which, as I have stated,
he received the first idea from his father, was thus described
by him in a pamphlet entitled, " An Address to the Public,
on the advantages of a proposed introduction of the Stylo-
graphic Principle of writing into general use ; and also of
an improved species ot Telegraphy, calculated for the use
of the Public as well as for the Government." The pamphlet
is dated May 29th, 1815, and as the question of the merit of
invention is one of considerable importance, I gladly give
the extract, so as to establish the claim to that merit to a
member of tho "Wedgwood family.
* tetter from Josiah Wedgwood, ^I.P.

INVENTION OF THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. 181
" A modification of the Stylographic principle, proposed for the
adoption of parliament, in lieu of telegraphs, viz. : —
"The Fulguri-Polygraph, which admits of writing in several
distant places at one and the same time, and' by the agency of two
persons only.
"This invention is founded on the capacity of electricity to
produce motion in the act of acquiring an equihbrium ; which
motion, by the aid of machinery, is made to distribute matter at
the extremities of any given course. And the matter so distributed
being variously modified in correspondence with the letters of the
alphabet, and communicable in rapid succession at the wiU of
the operator, it is obvious that writing at immense distances hereby
becomes practicable, and further, as lines of communication can be
multiplied from any given point, and those lines affected by one
and the same application of the electric matter, it is evident from
hence also that fac-similes of a dispatch, written as for instance in
London, may with faciUty be written also in Plymouth, Dover,
Hull, Leith, Liverpool, and Bristol, or any other place, by the
same person, and by one and the same act. Whilst this invention
proposes to remove the usual impediments and imperfections of
telegraphs, it gives the. rapidity of lightning to correspondence,
when and wherever we wish, and renders null the principal
disadvantages of distance to correspondents. Independent of
the advantages which this invention offers to government, it is
also susceptible of much utUity to the public at large ; inasmuch
as the offices which might be constructed for the purposes of this
invention might be let to individuals by the hour, for private uses,
by which means the machinery might be at all times fully occupied,
and the private uses which could thus be made of this invention
might be applied towards refunding the expenses of the institution,
and also for increasing the revenue. Innumerable are the instances
wherein such an invention may be beneficially applied in this
country, more especially at a time when her distinguished situation
in the political, commercial, and moral world, has made her the
central point of nations, and the great bond of their union. To
the seat of her government, therefore, it must be highly desirable
to effect the most speedy and certain communication from every
quarter of the world, whilst it would at any moment there concen
trate instantaneous intelligence of the situation of each and every
principal part of the nation, as well as of each and every branch of
its various departments."

182 THE WEDGWOODS.
Ralph Wedgwood from Charing Cross removed succes
sively to Piccadilly, and Southampton Street, Strand,
where he continued producing his " Pocket Secretary "
in large numbers. Lady Percival had been instrumental in
introducing the invention to members of the government
and others, and the result was that a profitable business was
acquired. The advantages he had thus gained, were, how
ever, lost by his researches concerning the electric telegraph,
and in the end his business graduaUy decayed. He was
a man of perhaps too visionary a nature for the ordinary
pursuits of life, and was thus led into the speculative ideas
rather than the substantialities of worldly existence. Among
his schemes was one for the founding of an universal
language, over which he held a lengthy and elaborate cor
respondence with Percy Byshe SheUey and other men of
the day. Ralph Wedgwood died at Chelsea in 1837, and I
am glad to have been enabled thus briefly to allude to his
scientific labours, and to place on record some few particulars
of his life.
John Taylor Wedgwood, the line engraver, who received
the appointment of "Engraver to H.R.H. the Princess
Charlotte, and to Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg" (the
present King of the Belgians), was the youngest brother of
Ralph Wedgwood, of whom I have just spoken. He was born
in 1782, and spent the whole of his long life in the steady
practice of his art For many years he resided in Paris, but
left it at the Revolution of 1830. He was an accurate and
most exceUent draughtsman as weU as engraver, and exceUed
most in the human figure. In this his intimate knowledge
of anatomy, which he had made his constant study, was of
immense service. He received the appointment of engraver
to the Royal College of Surgeons and to the British Museum ;
and is said to have been so wrapped up in his art that when
not engraving at night he spent his time in making pen and
chalk drawings. It is related of him by many who knew
him well, that nothing would induce him to engrave any
thing which he believed to be untruthful. On one occasion

JOHN TAYLOR WEDGWOOD. 183
he is said to have been applied to, to engrave a portrait of Sir
Hudson Lowe from a painting which he thought untruthfully
exhibited his somewhat plain features, and he refused the
commission because he could not think that the painting
was Ufe-like. He engraved, among other exquisite works,
an admirable portrait of his deceased relative, the Great
Josiah, from Sir Joshua Reynolds' painting. This engraving
I have been fortunate enough to secure for my readers, and
it wUl be found as a frontispiece to the present volume. It
wiU be seen to be a remarkably fine work of art, and one
in every way worthy not only of himself but of the great
man whom it so weU represents. Among his other more
celebrated works were a fine portrait of Lord Byron, pub
lished in Paris, and portraits of the Princess Charlotte and
of Prince Leopold, with numberless others which wUl be well
known to print and portrait collectors. John Taylor Wedg
wood, who was never married, died in London in the year
1856, aged seventy-four. ,
With Thomas Wedgwood — himself the improver of some
of the wares — as his partner, the " Great Josiah " found
himself more at leisure, as I have said, to pursue his experi
ments and researches. Speaking of these chemical pursuits,
the manuscript to which I have before referred says —
" It is not to be wondered at that his mind had a strong
direction to this study in connection with chemistry, since
he could not but be sensible how entirely the advancement
of his views depended upon it, and he had happily acquired
a fondness for the pursuit which, independently of the
advantages he derived from it, was the source of rational
amusement to his latest day. He possessed himself, at
considerable expense, of all the minerals in this island, and
there were few in other countries whose properties he had
not examined. Being once shown a specimen of beautiful
white clay, from the country of the Cherokees, in North
America, he engaged the person who brought it over to
return to that country, and procure him what quantity he
could get of it. The fruit of -this expedition was, however.

184 THE WEDGWOODS.
only a few tons, which were carried on the backs of mules,
from a great distance, to the port of Charlestown, in South
Carolina. No clay equal to this in purity has been met with
in England, nor perhaps in Europe, except in a few lead mines
about Brassington, in Derbyshire, and there only in such
smaU quantities that it cannot be made the basis of a manu
factory. In 1792 Colonel Ironsides sent him a specimen of
the brown matrix, from the East, which the colonel wrote to
be the very clay itself, but herein was set right by Mr. W.
in a letter to him. Mr. Wedgwood was weU acquainted with
the Brassington clay in 1765, and then procured small
quantities of it for experiment*
" By numbering and registering the results of the experi
ments he was constantly making, he could take up the ideas
they furnished at any distant time when occasion required,
and by these means he saw in the drawers of his cabinet the
employment of his future life, and perhaps of that of his
successor. He was thus enabled to keep up the spirit and
attraction of his works by a succession of novelties, and his
manufactory appeared in a progressive course of improve
ment. His inventions as they rose had the good fortune to
be countenanced by the fashionable world, which secured
them a favourable reception with the bulk of mankind. His
contemporaries in the pottery (in every instance but one that
wUl be pointed out) soon adopted them, and they became
general articles of commerce and public benefit
" ' That the efficacy of causes may have their due influence,'
we have known him ever forward to declare that it was alone
owing to the munificent protection of his sovereign, and the
liberal encouragement of the nobility and gentry of these
kingdoms, that he was able to risk the expense of these
continual improvements, unparaUeled, we believe, in the
history of any similar manufactory in Europe.
" Thus honoured and thus prosperous in his humble pot-
• The importance of this material was evidently known to Wedgwood's
contemporary, Duesbury, of the Derbv china works, who rented some lead
mines at the place.

BASALTES, OR EGYPTIAN BLACK WARE. 185
tery, he used to say jocosely, ' his friends threatened him
with the statute of lunacy if he should begin to make
porcelain.' It was not possible, however, to continue his
improvement of earthenware without producing substances
that, having most of the genuine and essential properties of
porcelain, must necessarily be so classed. But he so profited
by the admonition of his friends as to keep himself dis
engaged from any plan of making the porcelain in common
use, so much and often so fatally the ambitious object of
so many individuals. His researches marked him out a new
and unbeaten track in the same field that was more con
genial to his disposition and powers. About this time, the
year 1766, he first discovered the art of making the unglazed
black porcelain, now so well known in this country, and
called it Basaltes, as it has nearly the same properties with
the stone of that name. And the first uses that he made of
it were to imitate the fine vases of antiquity that he found
in Montfaucon's works, and other collections that had then
come to his knowledge. He saw the extensive application
that might be made of such compact and durable substances
as this, and others that he had begun with but not then
brought to maturity, in multiplying copies of the fine works
of antiquity, as well 8S those of our own times ; and he was
not without hopes that the improvement of pottery, by
exciting the public attention to the productions of the arts,
would lay the foundation of a school of miniature modelling
in this country, which had long felt a deficiency of ^.rtists
in that way. To this end his labours were directed, and it
must be allowed that he has done much to promote it ; but
many objects yet unattained dwelt in his mind's eye, and he
used to declare in his later days, that 'he considered the
pottery as stUl in its infancy.' "
The close and constant attention which Wedgwood noW^
gave to the properties >of clays and different minerals, and
the researches and experiments he prosecuted in chemistry,
soon led to the production of a number of different kinds of
wares unknown before, and which have gained for him a

186 THE WEDGWOODS.
lasting and honourable fame. He formed an admirable
library of chemical works, and carefully noted the results,
not only of his own observations and experiments, but of
those of others, and he soon became one of the most clever
of chemists, as he certainly was one of the most accom
plished of the scientific men of his time. I have now lying
before me, through the kindness of Mr. Francis and Mr.
Godfrey Wedgwood — to whom I have to express my deep
obligation for much cordial and valuable assistance through
out my work — three large and thick folio volumes of MS.
collections, partly in Josiah Wedgwood's handwriting, but
principally in that of his chemist, Alexander Chisholm, on
chemicals, metals, and kindred subjects, which show pretty
forcibly the great attention which must have been paid to
these important matters. In one of these volumes is a long
list of scientific books, with the note, " Those marked 0 are
in our coUection," which evidently must have been a •' col
lection" of no little importance.
One great result of Wedgwood's labours — indeed, one of
the greatest — was the production in 1766 of the fine black
ware, which he called " Basaltes" or " Egyptian." In this
ware he produced, even in those early days, many fine pieces
of work, and of a quality which only his own careful hand
could afterwards improve. The other important bodies —
the jasper, the white stone, the cane-coloured, and the
mortar, &c., — foUowed in succession, each producing its
beauties, and each being specially adapted for the purposes
for which, by his master mind, it had been intended. Each,
too, found its imitators among the potters of the district,
who, envious of his success, were not slow to foUow as
closely as might be in his steps. Not one of these varieties
of ware did Wedgwood patent, but with that liberality of
mind which ever characterised him, he was willins: that all
who cared to make the bodies he had invented should do so.
I He was content with the knowledge of his own superiority —
' a superiority which he ever maintained over all his many
competitors.

CHAPTER X.
J0SL4.H WEDGWOOD's INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES. — TERRA
COTTA. — BASALTES, WHITE PORCELAIN BISCUIT, JASPER,
BAMBOO AND MORTAR WARES.  IMITATION AGATE AND
MARBLE. — MR. S. C. HALL'S COLLECTION.  ^WEDGWOOD DE
TERMINES UPON REMOVING FROM BURSLEM. — PURCHASES
THE RIDGE HOUSE ESTATE.  ERECTION OF THE " BLACK
WORKS."  TAKES THOMAS BENTLEY INTO PARTNERSHIP. 
NOTICE OF THE BENTLEYS. — THE " OCTAGON" CHAPEL AT
LIVERPOOL.  WEDGWOOD AND BENTLEY.  " ETRURIA "
WORKS.  BUILDING OF ETRURIA HALL. — FOUNDING AND
BUILDING OF THB VILLAGE OF ETRURIA.  ETRUSCAN VASES,
— SIR WILLLiM HAMILTON.  COUNT CAYLUS. — ^WEDGWOOD
DECLINES TO SECURE HIS INVENTIONS BY PATENT-RIGHT. 
TAKES OUT THE ONLY PATENT HE EVER APPLIED FOR. 

The characteristic properties of the different varieties of
wares to which I alluded at the close of the last chapter
as having been introduced in rapid succession by Josiah
Wedgwood, were thus described by himself ; and I cannot,
therefore, do better than quote his own words : —
"1. A terra-cotta ; resembling porphyry, granite, Egyptian
pebble, and other beautiful stones of the silicious or crystalline
order. V
" 2. Basaltes or black ware ; a black porcelain biscuit of nearly
the same properties with the natural stone ; striking fire with steel,
receiving a high polish, serving as a touchstone for metals, resisting
all the acids, and bearing without injury a strong fire : stronger,
indeed, than the basaltes itself.
"3. White porcelain biscuit, of a smooth, wax-like surface, of the
same properties with the preceding, except in what depends upon
colour.

188 THE WEDGWOODS.
"4. Jasper; a white porcelain biscuit of exquisite beauty and
delicacy, possessing the general properties of the basaltes, together
with the singular one of receiving through its whole substance,
from the admixture of metalUc calces with the other materials, the
same colours which those calces communicate to glass or enamels in
fusion ; a property which no other porcelain or earthenware body of
ancient or modem composition has been found to possess. This
renders it peculiarly fit for making cameos, portraits, and all
subjects in bas-relief, as the ground may be of any particular
colour, while the raised figures are of a pure white.
" 5. .Bamboo, or cane-coloured biscuit porcelain, of the same
nature as No. 3.
" 6. A porcelain biscuit, remarkable for great hardness, little
inferior to that of agate This property, together with its resis
tance to the strongest acids and corrosives, and its impenetrability
by every known hquid, adapts it for mortars and many different
kinds of chemical vessels.
" These six distinct species, with the Queen's Ware already
mentioned, expanded by the industry and ingenuity of the different
manufacturers into an infinity of forms for ornament and use,
variously painted and embellished, constitute nearly the whole of
the present fine English earthenwares and porcelain, which are now
become the source of a very extensive trade, and which, considered
as an object of nationed art, industry, and commerce, may be
ranked amongst the most important manufactures of the kingdom."
In the first bf these bodies Wedgwood produced some
marvellously fine ornamental vases, in imitation of por
phyry, granite, various marbles, agates, and other stones,
and decorated with medaUions, festoons, &c., in white, or
gilt The material was so exceeding hard, that it would
bear grinding and working by the lapidary, and took as
good and fine a polish as tlie stone itself. I have in my own
possession some small pieces of Wedgwood's producing
which have been thus ground and polished, and present
as fine a surface as could well bo got from the hardest
marble. Some examples of vases in this material are shown in the
accompanying woodcut In this engraving the centre vase,
belonging to Mr. Oliver, is a fine example, twelve inches

IMITATION PORPHYRY, AGATE, ETC. — BASALTES. 189
high. It has on its front a medaUion of " Cupid Shaving
his bow," after Correggio, which, with the heads, &c., is gilt.
The other two, one of which has the handles and festoons,
and the other the medallion, in white, are from my own

collection, and are excellent and characteristic examples.
In the collections of Mr. S. C. HaU, Mr. Mayer, Mr. Marjori-
banks, Mr. Rathbone, and others, as well as in different
museums, may be seen splendid examples of vases, &c., in
this beautiful material.
Of the black ware or basaltes, an inflnite variety of
goods was in the course of a very few years produced.
Of a dense and compact body, hard enough to strike fire
when struck on steel, capable of receiving and retaining a
high polish, untouched by acid or metal, bearing a much
more intense heat than the stone itself, of the deepest and
purest colour, and yet having a surface as soft, delicate, and
smooth as an infant's flesh, this material was capable of
being moulded and used in a variety of ways, and of pro
ducing works of the. highest and most exquisite order.

190

THE WEDGWOODS.

A group of examples of this " black ware," which I have
selected from the extensive collection of jSlr. S. C. HaU, is
given in the accompanying engraving ; and later on I shall
have occasion to speak of other varieties of this truly admir

able ware, and to again refer to Mr. Hall's coUection — a
collection which is, unquestionably, one of the finest and
most valuable in existence.
In 1766, the same year in which so many other im
portant events connected with "\\' edgwood took place, he
determined upon the purchase of an estate, and the founding
of works of a commensurate character with the rapidly
increasing extent of his commercial transactions. FoUed in
bis attempt to purchase the pot-works, i*i;c., at Burslem, and
fully impressed with the importance of having his manufac
tory close to the canal in whose formation he had taken so
prominent a part, he fixed his mind upon an estate in the
township of Shelton, two miles distant from Burslem, which
he considered to be the best adapted of any in the locality

WEDGWOOD PURCHASES RIDGE HOUSE ESTATE. 191
for this purpose. This estate, called the " Ridge House
Estate," lay most advantageously for his projected works,
being intersected by the proposed canal, and offering many
facilities for his manufacture which others did not possess ;
and with that quickness of decision which always marked his
character, he determined to possess it at any risk. It was at
this time in possession of a life tenant, with reversion to a
gentleman then in Ireland. To Ireland Mr. Wedgwood at
once despatched a trusty and professional friend, who com
pleted the purchase to his entire satisfaction, and, changing
the rent into an annuity for the life of the then proprietor,
he came into immediate possession. "This land," says the
contemporary manuscript from which I have before quoted,
" had little to recommend it but conveniency of situation.
It was naturally an indifferent soil, and had been neglected
for many years. Mr. Wedgwood, now in the new situation
of a cultivator of the earth, did not live long in the desert
without converting it into a. garden ; and the taste which he
displayed in moulding anew the exterior surface, while he
removed its sterility in the disposition of extensive planta
tions, and laying out the ground for varying the prospects,
has a just correspondence with the simplicity and true
elegance of his other works. This tract of country, of a
cold, clayey nature, seemed before to be despaired of by its
inhabitants, who thought it little worth but for the materials
it furnished for the manufactories ; but since this example,
and the making of good rpads, it has graduaUy assumed
that smiling aspect which usually accompanies prosperous
industry." Having Secured this desirable estate, Wedgwood in the
succeeding year, 1767, commenced building the "Black
Works," near the canal side. By the " Black Works," I
mean, of course, the works intended for the production of
the black " basaltes " and ornamental wares. Like Brindley,
who cut an underground canal tunnel from his coal pits to
the main cafial at Harecastle, Wedgwood cut branches into
his own pot-works for conveniency of landing the raw

192

THE WEDGWOODS.

materials, and for the despatch of his finished goods to
various parts of the kingdom. These " Black Works," in
their present state — and it must be mentioned that they are
scarcely, if at all, different from the time when they were

TITK "BLACK WOEKS, ETEtHUA.

first erected — are shown, with the branch canal in front, in
the accompanying view, which has been specially taken for
the purpose.
In the succeeding year, 1768, Josiah Wedgwood, finding
more and more that to be successful in his designs it was
necessary that he himself should be stationary with his
workmen, who possessed no principles of art save such as he
was constantly instilling into their minds, determined upon
making a change in his establishment, which he soon after
wards happily carried out. Everything in the ornamental
portion of his works required the most scrupulous personal
attention, for the slightest deviation fi-om the model or
drawing of an ornamental vessel would be fatal to its
success, and irretrievably mar its beauty. Much also had to

WEDGWOOD TAKES BENTLEY INTO PARTNERSHIP. 193
be done abroad. To accommodate the ordinary productions of
a manufactory to the wants of civil life, there is necessary an
intimate knowledge of its customs and manners. To succeed
in a profession of art, it is proper to know at least
the prevailing taste of the age, the works of contemporaries,
and occasionally to sharpen the fancy and skill of the artist
by a collision with the talents of others.
Mr. Wedgwood found this employment incompatible with
the avocations of his manufactory, though we must not infer
from hence that he had any reluctance to go into society.
By the habit of never quitting any object tUl he had
completely effected his purpose, by arrangement, and a
careful distribution of his time, he never wanted leisure for
the service of his friends, and came often to the social circle
with an unclouded mind. This was so visible that some of
his neighbours, who were witnesses to the progress of his
works, expressed their surprise that he should have so much
time to spare.
In this situation he opened his views to his friend Mr.
Bentley, and proffered to him a partnership in this branch
of his manufactory, which was called the ornamental, to^
distinguish it from that of the Queen's ware, which was
called the useful, and in which Mr. Bentley had no part.
" This gentleman, in taste devoted rather to literature than
the drudgery of commerce, of a lively imagination, and a
warm and affectionate heart, found in this proposal what at
once suited his disposition and gratified his feelings ; and
thus took place, on the principle of mutual regard, as much
as upon those of mutual interest, an intimate union between
two deserving men, who, having been inseparable in their
subsequent lives, ought not to be separated in any account
that may be given of one or the other."
Thomas Bentley was the son of Thomas Bentley, and was
.born at Scropton, in Derbyshire, on the 1st of January, —
New Year's Day, — 1730, six months before Josiah Wedg
wood first saw Ught He was, I believe, brought up at
Manchester, and afterwards removed to Liverpool, where.

194 THE WEDGWOODS.
in partnership with a Mr. Boardman, he commenced business
as a Manchester warehouseman, under the style of " Bentley
and Boardman." In 1700 their names, as Manchester ware
housemen, occur in Gore's Directory — the first Directory of
Liverpool ever prepared, and now a very scarce and curious
work. In 1754 he married, for his first wife, Hannah Oates,
of Sheffield, but in the course of a short time became a
widower. In Liverpool Messrs. Bentley and Boardman became
agents for Josiah Wedgwood, and this agency continued
to be carried on during the time of Bentley's partnership
with Wedgwood. The two partners (Bentley and Boardman)
lived together in a house in Paradise Street (then the fashion
able quarter of Liverpool, and so called from the charms of
its situation), since known as the " Cloth Mart," opposite
College Lane ; and here Mr. Bentley's refined taste and
genial habits drew around him an inteUectual circle of
friends. Dr. Priestley, who then held one of the jirofessor-
ships in the celebrated Warrington Academy (of which
academy Bentley was one of the founders), James Brindley,
the engineer, John Wyke, " famous for instruments in the
watch way," as he is curiously described in tbe account of
his second marriage, in 1768, and one ofthe founders ofthe
Liverpool Institution, Dr. Turner, an eminent chemist and
man of letters, Thomas Chubbard, the portrait painter,
Peter Burdett, the engraver. Dr. Clayton, the minister of
the Octagon Chapel, and many others, were among his
friends and visitors.
In 1757 Thomas Bentley was one of the founders of the
Presbyterian Academy at Warrmgton, which was started on
the decay of the famous academies at Fiudern aud Kendal.
In the following year, 1758, he was one of the founders of
the Liverpool Library; and in 1763 was the originator of a
religious society, for whose worship an edifice of octagonal
form was elected in Temple Court, and from whence the sect
took its curious but appropriate name of " Octagonians."
This sect, which was said lo be founded for tlio improvement

THOMAS BENTLEY AND THE OCTAGON. 195
of religious worship, was, I believe, principally composed of
Presbyterians, and had a liturgy specially drawn up for its
members. Dr. Clayton, of London, a man of great eminence
in his day, was engaged as minister ; but the society, after
Bentley's removal from Liverpool, seems . rapidly to have
waned, and in 1776, the chapel was sold. This result was
very mortifying to Mr. Bentley, who thus wrote to Mr.
Boardman concerning it : —
" I have received a very mortifying letter on the subject of the
sale of the Octagon. I cannot understand the principle upon which
that institution has been sacrificed, but I am sure if the gentlemen
had not been unnecessarily precipitate, and had thought proper to
consult their distant friends upon the subject before they had con
sented to ruin the noblest institution of the kind that has been
established, it need not have been given up.
" Considering the pains I have always taken upon this matter,
and the many years, I may say, I have spent upon it, I ought in
decency to have had some intimation of the state of things before
so fatal a determination was made, and especially as I had neither
dropped my subscription nor cooled in my affections for that re
spectable society. But it has been otherwise managed, and at this
distance I cannot be active in the matter. I can only lament the,
loss of an institution favourable to virtue and social worship 
If others who have had much greater benefit from the institution
than myself had felt the advantage of it as strongly as I have
always done, I am sure it would not have been abandoned."
While Bentley was a resident in Liverpool he was a
staunch and unswerving opponent of the slave trade ; and
this principle, so creditable to him, but so completely at
variance with that of the money-making shippers and
merchants of those days, made him far from popular. Had
he sought popularity in the town of his adoption he would
have been in favour of the slave trade and of the part which
England was taking in the American war ; but he chose
" the better part ; " and taking the enhghtened side of
religion and humanity, gained for himself, by his pursuits
and his principles, a name which is an honour to his
country. It is interesting, in connection with this allusion
o 2

196 THE WEDGWOODS.
to the slave trade, to remark, that one of the most suc
cessful of Wedgwood and Bentley's smaller productions — or,
rather, one which took fastest hold on the popular mind —
was a small medallion, on which was represented a chained
negro kneeling in a supplicating attitude, and having above
him the words, " Am I not a Man and a Brother." This
medallion was produced of various sizes and in a variety of
ways, and has been, in later days, constantly copied in one
form or other for purposes of Ulustration.
In 1768, as I have shown, Thomas Bentley became the
partner, after being the Liverpool agent, of Josiah Wedg
wood ; and from this point the future of his short history —
for he lived but twelve years to enjoy his new and useful
sphere of life — will be best mixed in with my narrative as it
proceeds. In January, 1768, it appears from one of Wedgwood's
letters, in which he discusses the elevation of the " Useftd
Works," the "Black Works" may probably have been
completed, and both the more extensive manufactory and
the mansion were soon afterwards commenced, and were so
japidly carried forward that by November the hall was up
"plinth high," and in the foUowing year, or 1770, were
both finished. Throwing aside its previous name of " Ridge
House," Wedgwood, with that refinement of tase and feeling
which characterised his every action and thought, named
his newly-acquired estate, with its manufactory and haU,
"Etruria" — a name to which, for pm-ity of taste, beauty
of execution, and excellence of body, its productions, under
his fostering care, eminently entitled it.
The Etruria. Works wore in tliose days — as, indeed,
with but few exceptions, they are now — the most extensive
in existence. Planned with the master-mind of Wedgwood,
with his practical and practised eye to direct every part, the
arrangement of the new manufactory was the most complete
of its kind which the w^orld had yet seen : and the world was
not Ions: in acknowledging tho debt of ^Tatitude which was
owing to its fomidcr. No sooner were the works " set in

BUILDING OF THE VILLAGE OF ETRURIA. 197
order," and filled with a staff of skiUed workmen, than all
were fully employed; and it is pleasant to add, that from
the day of their opening down to the present hour — in
midst of aU the many changes which have taken place
around them — they remain as they were, fully occupied and
fully employed in 'the production of both the staple branches
for which they were founded — the " ornamental ware " and
the "useful ware."
The building of the manufactory and the residence for y
himself was not, however, sufficient for Wedgwood to do.
To be comfortable himself, he must know that those around
him were comfortable also ; to be happy, he must impart
happiness to others, even the most lowly of his employes ;
to sit at ease in his own new home, he must know that
those he employed were well and cosily housed. He there
fore set about buUding a village for his workmen and their
famUies, and it is pleasant to add that of late years, since
the establishment of locomotives, this village, formed for the
workpeople of one establishment, has its station on the main
line ofthe North Staffordshire Railway. The works, which
are enclosed in walls on all sides, except where bounded
by the canal, which parts them from the lawn of the hall,
occupy about seven acres of ground. The viUage, at its
upper end, closely adjoins the manufactory, and consists
principally of one long straight street, reaching down to
the raUway bridge. Etruria contains, I believe, one hundred
and twenty-five numbered houses, and about half as many
unnumbered ones, and of course a proportionate number of
inhabitants, nearly, the whole of whom are employed by the
Wedgwoods ; as were their predecessors — in numberless
instances their fathers or grandfathers — by Josiah Wedgwood,
its founder and builder. Of its present state, howeverj I
shaU have more to say anon.
With Bentley now fairly joined with him in business,
Wedgwood had more leisure to apply himself undividedly tg/
his favourite projects for improvement of the Ceramic Arts ;
and his successes were rapid, as they were varied and

J

198 THE WEDGWOODS.
surprising. He lost no opportunity of making himself
acquainted with specimens of ancient art — Grecian, Roman,
or Etruscan — and of studying, not only their forms and
decoration, but the composition of their bodies ; and col
lectors and connoisseurs were only too glad to lend him their
aid, by entrusting their treasures to his hands. With his
great chemical skill, his practical and systematic searchings
into the properties of different clays and other materials,
his perfect knowledge of the effect of heat in its various
degrees, and his almost boundless knowledge of everything
relating to his art, and to science generaUy, he was soon
enabled to produce vases comparable with the best period of
ancient Etruscan Art
Of the manner in which he was indebted to Sir William
Hamilton's great work, and Sir WUliam to him, the interest
ing manuscript to which I have more than once aUuded in
my memoir, says^" We believe that Mr. Wedgwood was
the first artist in this country who conceived the design of
thus making general the works of long past ages, and he
was enabled to carry it into effect by the liberal disposition
of the nobility, who opened their cabinets to his use. and
permitted him to copy the first specimens of art they had
purchased in their travels, with patriotic views. Mr. Bentley,
too, situated in London, the great emporium of arts, as of
commerce, was very successful in forming other collections,
and assisted him in classing them. It will be remembered
by many of our contemporaries, that almost aU our ideas
of taste were borrowed from our neighbours, the French,
who, disdaining the study of antiquity, had established a
peculiar style, and aspired to the distinctive character of
a school of art ; till at length, by the unwearied researches
and nice discernment of Sir ^^'Uliam Hamilton, we were
enabled to avail ourselves of a direct application to the fine
works of an age when the arts were in so hi^h a state of
cultivation, that we must yet despair of excelling, and can
but rarely succeed in copying them. Sir William's justly
celebrated publication will remain for ever a monument of

SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON. 199
his patriotism and of his taste ; but his labours would not
probably have been attended with their full and proper
advantages to society, without the aid of Mr. Wedgwood,
who diffused the knowledge of these fine models throughout
the world, and brought them within the reach of every
artist. Those who have given attention to the subject, must
feel the difficulty of making a good copy of a fine form,
where the slightest deviation destroys the effect. The most
minute exactness will not always be sufficient, for some
essential thing wiU escape it unless the artist is capable of
comprehending the original intention, is conscious of each
beauty as he proceeds, and is warmed with his subject In
addition to these talents others were necessary to a suc
cessful imitation of the vases of ancient Etruria, which the
industry and energy of Sir William Hamilton had rescued
from the oblivion of ages. The art of painting them in
durable colours, without the shining appearance of enamel
that offends the critical eye, had been lost, it is supposed,
ever since the time of Pliny. The ingenious Count Caylus
had supplied this desideratum of the moderns in another
branch of painting, by the discovery of colours that, applied
on canvas by the mediation of wax, made encaustic pictures
in the ancient manner. Under the discouraging judgment
of all the antiquaries and connoisseurs who spoke upon the
subject at that time, and who gave up the art as irretriev
able, Wedgwood had the good fortune to produce the same
effects in paintings burnt in upon porcelain with a red heat.
The colours he made for this purpose had also- another
advantage ; they never spread in the fire, or ran out of the
drawing as other enamels must necessarUy do, in a greater
or less degree, in consequence of their vitrifying and melting
upon the piece.
" Mr. Wedgwood was advised by his friends to take out a ,
patent for this discovery, and it was the only one he ever"^
had. He procured it in this instance, not probably with the
full consent of his own mind ; for at other times when patents
have been the subject of conversation among his friends.

200 THE WEDGWOODS.
accompanied with marks of surprise that he did not avail
himself of that privilege, he has said that hewas content with
the advantages he had, and better pleased to see thousands
made happy and following him in the same career, than he
could be at any exclusive enjoyment."
This principle actuated him throughout the whole of his
/¦career, and this and his other noble qualities it is, as weU as
his intrinsic merit as a producer of wares unapproached for
excellence by any other, that has cast such a halo around
his memory. The patent of which I have just spoken was
granted on the 16th of November, 1769. As it is the only
one which he ever applied for, and as, on this ground, as
well as for the important matter which it contains, it pos
sesses considerable interest, I here give the specification
entire which Wedgwood duly enrolled, after it had been
drawn up by himself.
"To all to whom these presents shall come, I, Josiah Wedgwood,
of Burslem, in the County of Stafford, Potter to Her most Excel
lent Majesty the Queen, send greeting :
" Wheebas His most ExceUent Majesty King Gfeorge the Third
did, by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain,
bearing date the Sixteenth day of November, in the tenth year of
His reign, give and grant unto me, the said Josiah Wedgwood, His
especial Hcence, that I, the said Josiah Wedgwood, during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might use, exercise,
and vend within England, Wales, and town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention for ' The Purpose of Ornamenting Earthen
and Porcelaine Ware ¦with an Encaustic Gold Bronze, together -with
a peculiar species of Encaustic Painting in Various Colours in
Imitation of the Antient Etruscan and Roman Earthenware ; ' in
which said Letters Patent there is contained a provisoe obliging me,
the said Josiah Wedgwood, under my hand and seal, to cause a
particular description of the nature of my said invention, and how
the same is to be pei'formed, to be enrolled in His Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within four cnlondar months at^er the date of
tho said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same (relation being
thereunto had) may more fully and at Imge appear.
"Now KNOW YB that, in compliance -with the said provisoe, I,
the said Josiah Wedgwood, do hereby declai-e that my said inven-

SPECIFICATION FOR ETRUSCAN VASES. 201
tion for the Purpose of Ornamenting Earthen and Porcelaine Ware
with an Encaustic Gold Bronze, together with a peculiar species of
Encaustic Painting in Yarious Colours, in Imitation of the Antient
Etruscan and Eoman Earthenware, is described in the manner fol
lowing (that is to say) : —
"FlEST Peocess, OS Pkepaeation oe the Inoeedients.
" No. 1. A white Earth from Ayoree, in North America. Cal
cine this in a red heat about half an hour.
"No. 2. Bronze powder. Dissolve one ounce of pure gold in
aqu. rega., precipitate it ¦with copper, then wash the precipitate
with hot water tiU. it is sweet or clean from the acid, dry it, and
lay it up for use.
"No. 3. Take two ounces of crude antimony Hvigated, two
oimces of tin ashes, and six ounces of white lead ; mix them well
together, and calcine them in a potter's furnace along with gloss
cream-coloured ware.
" No. 4. Take eight ounces of good smalts, one ounce of roasted
borax, four ounces of red lead, one ounce of n^tre ; mix the ingre
dients well together, and fire them in a crucible in a potter's bisket
oven. " No. 5. Take English copperas or vitriol of iron, calcine it in a
moderate red heat about two hours, then wash it in hot water till
it is sweet, dry it, and lay it up for use.
" No. 6. White lead.
"No. 7. Plint calcined and ground.
"No. 8. Manganese.
" No. 9. Zaffer.
"No. 10. Copper calcined to blackness.
" Second Peocess, oe Compounding and Mixing the Colohes.
" Shineing Black. — A. Three ounces No. 8, three ounces No. 9,
three ounces No. 10, eleven oimces No. 6, six ounces of the green P.
" Eed. — B. Two ounces No. 1, two ounces No. 3, one ounce
No. 5, three ounces No. 6.
" Orange. — C. Two ounces No. 1, fourteen ounces No. 3, half an
ounce No. 5, four ounces No. 6.
"Dry Black. — D. One ounce No. 4, two ounces No. 8.
"White. — E. Two ounces No. 1, two ounces No. 6.
"Green. — F. One ounce No. 1, two ounces No. 3, five ounces
No. 4.
" Blue. — G. One ounce No. 1, five ounces No. 4.
"Yellow.— H. No. 3 alone.

202 the WEDGWOODS.
"Thied Peocess, oe Application of tee ENCATJsrrc Beonze and
CoLOUES.
" Application of the Bronze.
" I. When the vessels are finished ready for burning, and before
they are quite dry, grind some of the powder No. 2 in oyl of tur
pentine, and apply it to the vessels or figures ¦with a spnnge or
pencil, to imitate bronze in such manner as your fancy directs ;
polish this powder upon the vessel or figure, and bum it in such a
furnace, and to such a degree of heat as is necessary for the ware.
After it is burnt, burnish the bronze upon the vessels to what
degree you please, and the process is finished.
"Another method of applying the bronze after the ware is fired Bisket,
as some figures or vessels may he too delicate to bear the process I.
" K. Take four ounces No. 6 and ounce No. 7, grind them
well together, spread this very thin ¦with a spunge or pencil over
the ware to be bronzed, and fire it till this layer of size is fluxed,
which may be done in a potter's furnace ; then take the powder
No. 2, and apply it to the vessel as before directed ; then bum the
ware over again till the powder adheres to the size ; burnish, &c.,
as before.
"Application of the Shineing Black upon Red Vessels in the Manner of
the Antique Etruscan Vases.
" L. Take the colour A, grind it very fine -with oyl of turpentine,
and with it trace the outlines of the design you intend to have upon
the vessel, then fill up the vacant spaces very even, and shade the
drapery, &c. Fire the vessels in a heat sufficient to flux the black,
and they are finished.
' ' M. Another method to produce a different effect •with the same
colour, in the manner of the Etruscans, is to paint the design ¦with
black, laid on as dead colouring upon red bisket ¦ware, and to
cut up or finish the design •with red and other colours, for which
purpose tho above-mentioned ones are prepared ; they must also be
ground in oyl of turpentine, and burnt upon the vessels in a muffle
or enamel kiln.
"N. Another method to produce in a more expeditious way
nearly the effect of the process L. Take the red B or the orange
C, and lay in your design with it, as a dead colour upon black
bisket vessels, and shade it •with the black D, with or ¦without the

SPECIFICATION FOR ETRUSCAN VASES. 203
addition of any of the other colours, firing them upon the vessels as
before directed.
"In ¦witness whereof, I, the said Josiah Wedgwood, have here
unto set my hand and seal the thirteenth day of March, one thou
sand seven hundred and seventy. " Josiah Wedgwood. (L.S.)
" And be it remembered, that on the same thirteenth day of
March, in the year last above mentioned, the aforesaid Josiah
Wedgwood came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the Specification, and aU and everything therein
contained in form above written. Ajid also the Specification afore
said was stampt according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
sixth year of the reign of the late King and Queen William and
Mary of England and so forth.
"Inrolled the fourteenth day of March, in the year above written.
"P. HOEPOED."
Examples of the vases made under this patent — ^which
was to secure his invention " for the purpose of ornamenting
earthen and porcelain ware with an encaustic gold bronze,
together with a peculiar species of encaustic painting in
various colours, in imitation of the ancient Etruscan earthen
ware," to himself — are to be found in many coUections, and
I shaU have more to say of them in my next chapter.

CHAPTER XI.
WEDGWOOD AND BENTLEY. — OPENING OF THE ETRURIA WORKS.
 FIRST PRODUCTIONS OF THE WORKS THROWN BY JOSIAH
WEDGWOOD WHILE BENTLEY TURNED THE 'WHEEL. — ETRUS
CAN, OR ENCAUSTIC VASES. — ESTABLISHES WORKS AT CHEL
SEA.  WORKMEN ENGAGED THERE.  FIRST TEAPOT MADE
AT ETRURLi.  CHINESE PORTRAIT MODELLER.  AUDIENCE
OF THE KING AND QPEEN.  CATHERINE THE GREAT OF
RUSSIA. — SERVICE FOR THE GRENOUILLIERE PALACE. —
THOMAS bentley's SECOND MARRIAGE.  THE STAMFORD
AND CROMPTON FAMILIES.  ¦WEDGWOOD AND BENTLEY's
FIRST CATALOGUE. — BLACK AND WHITE MEDALLIONS. —
INTRODUCTION OF "JASPER WARE."  DECLARATION OF
NOBLE PRINCIPLES.  THE WEDGWOOD INKSTAND.  EYE
CUPS And closet pans. — letter from josiah ¦wedg-
WOOD TO his COUSDSr THOMAS.
In 1769 the works at Etruria were opened, and on the 13th
of June in that year the first productions of the manufactory
were thrown. On that day might have been seen gathered
together in one of the rooms of the " Black Works " such a
group of persons as would have made a painter's heart glad
— such as would have been a fit subject for the painter of
the orrery and the air-pump * to have revelled in, and such
as I hope yet to see treated by a " master hand." Here sat
the great Josiah Wedgwood — great in fame, great in reputa
tion, great in worldly goods, but greater far in mind and
intellect, and in nobleness of character — at the potter's
bench, his bare arms encircling the ball of pliant clay, whUe
his busy fingers and practised eye formed it into classic
shape ; and there stood his partner, Thomas Bentley, at the
potter's wheel, which he turned with a care suited to the
auspicious occasion and to the requirements of his great
* Wright, of Derby,

FIRST productions OF THE ETRURLA. WORKS. 205
chief, standing by, no doubt, and watching with pleasure-
able anxiety the progress of the work, were Mrs. Wedgwood
and many friends ; while on the board in front of the " father
of potters " would be ranged the urns as he produced them.
The vases thus formed, of Etruscan shape, went through
all the subsequent processes of baking, &c., and were ulti
mately painted in the purest Etruscan style, with figures,
and each piece bore this appropriate inscription : —
JUNE XIII. MDCCLXIX.
ONE OF THE FIEST DAV'S PEODITCTIONS
AT
ETBtTEIA, IN STArFOEDSHraE,
BT
WEDGWOOD AND BENTLEY.
AETBS BTEtrBI.E BBNASCUNTBE.
Three of these vases — the historical interest attaching to
which it is impossible to overrate — are in the possession of
Mr. Francis Wedgwood, of Barlaston, through whose cour
tesy I am enabled to engrave two of them for my readers.
These two are shown in the engraving on the foUowing page,
from sketches recently made by myself, and I have so
arranged them as to show the inscription on one vase, and
a group of figures on the other. The body, " Basaltes," is
hard, of a slightly bluish tinge, with the surface, of course,
like the original Etruscan, black. On this the figures and
inscriptions are painted in red. The vases are respectively
ten inches, and ten and a half inches, in height. Each one
bears a group — differing from the others — of Hercules and
his companions in the garden of the Hesperides, on its
front ; and beneath, the appropriate inscription of
ARTES ETRURIA RENASCUNTER.
On the opposite side of each is the inscription given above,
and around the lid and upper portion are characteristic and
elegant borders. Each vase is labelled, in Josiah Wedg
wood's own handwriting, "Part of Plate 129, vol. i. of
Hamilton's Antiq. Hercules and his Companions in the
Garden of the Hesperides."

206

THE WEDGWOODS.

SimUar vases to these, it is recorded, were deposited
under the foundation of one of the wings of Etruria HaU.
Like every other production of the inimitable Wedgwood,
these Etruscan vases — the "peculiar species of encaustic
painting in various colours, in imitation of the ancient
Etruscan and Roman earthenware" which is spoken of in
his specification — soon "took" amazingly with the wealthy
and influential classes, and produced a taste for the antique

which before did not exist When they thus became called
for in large quantities by the public, it was judged best to
have them painted in the neighbourhood of London, where
a number of ingenious artists, such as would bo required,
might more easily be assembled together, and where this
siiccies of classical decoration, so entirely in consonance

WORKS ESTABLISHED AT CHELSEA. 207
with his taste, might be carried on under the immediate
superintendence of Mr. Bentley, whose residence had been
fixed in London for the purpose of managing the business
there. Accordingly works were established at Chelsea —
the locality, doubtless, being fixed upon as being near the
then famous Chelsea China Works, where painters would
be more easily procured ; and I am fortunate in being able,
from a document in my possession, to show the names of a
portion, at all events, of the artists who were employed
there in the month of October, 1770. The document is very
fragmentary and imperfect, but, so far as remains, is as
foUows. The year 1770, it must be borne in mind, was the
very year when the Chelsea China Works passed by purchase
into the hands of Duesbury, the owner of the Derby China
Works, and where, of course, the
" Derby-Chelsea" porcelain was produced.*
Cash paid at Chelsea for Wages.
1770.
Oct. 6. John Lawrence, 6 days. .
Timothy Roberts, 6 days
„ 5. James Bakewell, 6 days .
Thos. Blomeley's BiU . .
Thos. Hutchings, 6 days
William Roberts, 4 days
Nathl. Cooper, 6 days . .
William Shuter's Bill . . 0 8 0
Thomas Simcock, 6 days 0 16 0
Ralph Wilcocks, 6 days.
Mrs. ditto 6 days.
John Winstanley, 6 days 0 13 0
„ 6. Thomas Barrett,t 5 days 0 7 0
Thomas Green, 6 days.
Miss Ed'wards, 6 days.
Miss Parkes,}; 6 days.
Mr. Rhodes
Ditto for Joe.
Ditto for Will.
Ditto for Unwin.
* For an account of these works see Art-Journal for January, 1862,
and February and April, 1863.
t Or Barnett. % Or Parker.

now much-sought-for

iuced.*

On

On

J. ¦W.'a

W. & B.'s

Aoct.

Aoct.

£s. d.

£s. d.

0 5 3

0 6 3

0 12 0

0 16 0

10 5

16 0
0 4 4
0 16 0
208 THE ¦WEDGWOODS. .
How long the establishment at Chelsea was continued, I
do not know ; but painting was done in London for Wedg
wood to a late date. In a letter now lying before me,
dated February 27th, 1795 — the month foUowing Josiah
Wedgwood's death — while speaking of painters and ena
mellers on porcelain, the writer says, "I believe Wedgwood's
men here do not get less than 26«. or 28«. per week."
I have before explained that the partnership of Wedgwood
and Bentley had reference only to the ornamented, not to
the useful ware ; and it wiU be seen in the above account,
that although the workmen at Chelsea were employed on
both branches, the amounts paid them in wages were dis
tinguished as on " Josiah Wedgwood's account," and as
on " Wedgwood and Bentley's account." Thus, for instance,
John Lawrence, for the week ending October 6th, is paid for
six days' work, at \s. 9rf. a-day, of which 5s. 3rf. is charged
to " J. W.," and the other 5s. "id. to " W. & B."
An immense number of these Etruscan vases, paterae, ko..,
were sold both at home and on the Continent, "where there
is scarcely any museum without specimens of them. As
this material is undoubtedly as durable as that of the original
vases, we may reasonably predict that these too will find
their way to very remote posterity, and Ulustrate the history
of our era. Some few of them (and only a few, on account
of the expense) were finished with all the art that the age
was capable of, and wUl convey no unfavourable idea of the
state of the arts at this time. It may with truth be said
that the body is far more durable than the antique. It is
basaltic, and has this great advantage over the antiques,
that whereas they are of a tender, brittle body, this is the
hardest body made. It is as durable as mortar material,
which is the most durable that any product of clay can be
made to arrive at"
At Etruria is preserved a smaU teapot, of red ware, of
what is usually called the "crab-stock pattern," which beai's
a written label, stating that it is " the first teapot at Josiah
WedgW'ood's, made by Josiah Wedgwood himself." This

CiHINESE PORTRAIT MODELLER. 209
piece I show on the accompanying engraving, not because I
place credence in the statement, but because it is interesting
to note that an example witb such a memorandum attached

to it is preserved at the works. I ought to mention that the
original spout has been replaced by one of metal.
Mr. Bentley seems to have busied himself, as did also
Wedgwood, in seeking out all the talent which could be
rendered avaUable for the purposes of the manufactory, and
in getting together, by loan or purchase, impressions of
intaglios, bas-reliefs, and other specimens of ancient art.
And in all this the partners were well and liberally seconded
by people of every rank, who appear to have been only too
glad to place at their disposal the treasures of their cabinets.
In 1769, on the 4th of November, Bentley thus writes in
one of his interesting letters from London : —
" We have been so much taken up of late with fine articles and
fine things that I have not had a moment to spare, and am ia debt
to everybody. We are every day finding out some ingenious man
or curious piece of workmanship, aU which we endeavour to make
subservient to the improvement of our taste or the perfection of our
manufacture. I have not time to name the things that we have
seen ; but one great curiosity I cannot omit, with which we have
been highly entertained — I mean a Chinese portrait modeller, lately
P

210 THE WEDGWOODS.
arrived from Canton ; one of those artists who make the mandarin
figures that are brought to England, a pair of which you may
remember to have seen at Mr. Walley's shop. He intends to stay
here some years, is in the Chinese dress, makes portraits (small busts
ia clay, which he colours), and produces very striking Kkenesses,
¦with great expedition. I have paid him three visits, and had a
good deal of conversation with him, for he speaks some EngUsh,
and is a good-natured, sensible man, very mild in his temper
and gentle in his motions. His dresses are chiefly of satin. I have
seen him in crimson and in black. The India figures upon the fans
are very just resemblances of the originals. His complexion is very
swarthy, but the eyelashes almost always in motion. His arms are
very slender, hke those of a delicate woman, and his fingers very
long; aU his Hmbs extremely supple ; his hair is cut off before, and
he has a long plaited tail hanging do^wn to the bottom of his back.
He has been with the King and Queen, who are much pleased ¦with
him, and he is to take the portraits of the royal infantry. I have
not time to be more particular now, but he is far the greatest
curiosity I have seen. He has ten guineas a-piece for his portraits
which are very small."
The patronage of the King and Queen continued to be
i accorded to Wedgwood in all his new inventions ; and this
fostering care of his arts was of endless and incalctdable
benefit to him. On the 15th of December, 177Ci. dating
from Chelsea, where their branch works then were, as I have
shown, Bentley wrote : —
"Last Monday Mr. Wedgwood and I had the honour of a long
audience of their Majesties at the Queen's palace, to present
some bas-reliefs her Majesty had ordered, and to show some new
improvements, ¦with which they were well pleased. They expressed
in the most obliging and condescending manner their attention to
our manufacture, and entered vei-y freely into conversation on the
further improvement of it, and on many other subjects. The King
is well acquainted with business, and with the characters of the
principal manufacturers, merchants, and artist* ; and seems to have
the success of all our manufactiu^«s much at heart, and to under
stand tho importance of them. The Queen has more sensibihty,
true politeness, engaging affability, and sweetness of temper, than
any great lady I ever had the honour of speaking to."

SERVICE FOR THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA. 211
Wedgwood was about this time hohoured by receiving from\/
the Empress Catherine of Russia a commission of extra
ordinary magnitude. He was directed to make a very large
service of Queen's ware for her Majesty's use, and to " paint
in black enamel upon each piece a different view of the palaces,
seats of the nobUity, and other remarkable places in this
kingdom. Upon every piece there was also to be painted v/
the image of a green toad or frog, as is elsewhere stated.
He was very un^wUling to disfigure the service with this
reptUe, but was told it was not to be dispensed with, because
the ware was intended for the use of a palace that bore its
name. The idea of such a service was well worthy the mind
of a sovereign, but the undertaking seemed a great one for
the powers of an individual manufacturer. The number of
views necessary, to avoid a repetition of the same subjects,
was about twelve hundred, and a great proportion of them
were original sketches. He spent three years in making
the collection and painting the views upon the pieces of this
service, with all the correctness of design and drawing that
is necessary to a good picture. The Empress, we have been
told, was entirely satisfied with the execution of this work ;
and no doubt it conveyed to her mind a pretty just sentiment
of our national splendour, ingenuity, and character."
A number of very ingenious artists having been got
together for completing this service, Mr. Wedgwood was
very unwUling to part with them, and " determined to try
whether works of such expense would succeed upon his
wares, and •with this view he continued to employ them
some time afterwards. It is believed, however, that their
productions of this kind, though unexceptionable in point of
merit, have never found a purchaser, even when offered
at the exact price that the artists were paid for the painting.
The matter was stUl earthenware, and was neglected when /
its modest simple garb was changed for the plumes which
seemed more properly to belong to its su-perioT— porcelain.
This was not the only occasion that brought so mortifying
a reflection to the mind of our potter, and induced him
p2

212 the WEDGWOODS.
to defer many designs till, by improving the quality of
his Queen's ware, he should make it less inferior to its
rival" When the Russian service was completed, in 1774, it was
exhibited in London, and caused quite a "sensation" among
people of taste. Thus Mrs. Delaney, in a letter to Mrs.
Port, 1774, says : —
" I am just returned from viewing the Wedgwood ware that is
to be sent to the Empress of Russia. It consists, I beUeve, of as
many pieces as there are days in the year, if not hours. They are
displayed at a house in Greek Street, Soho, caUed Portland House.
There are three rooms below, and two above, filled with it, laid out
on tables ; everything that can be wanted to serve a dinner. The
ground, the common ware, pale brimstone, the drawings in purple,
the borders a wreath of leaves, the middle of each piece a particular
view of all the remarkable places in the King's dominioiis, neatly
executed. I suppose it •will come to a princely price : it is well
for the manufacturer, which I am glad of, as his ingenuity and
industry deserve encouragement."
This magnificent service the Empress showed with pride
to Lord Malmesbury when he visited the GrenouiUiere
Palace, in 1795.*
In 1772 Thomas Bentley married for his second wife
Mary Stamford, of Derby, a lady in every way suited to his
taste, and with whom he lived a most happy, thongh short
life. The marriage of Mr. Bentley took place at AU Saints'
Church, Derby, on the 22nd of June, as wUl be seen from
the foUowing extract from the register of that parisL It
wUl be noticed that in this register he is again described as
" of Chelsea," the place where the branch works had been
established : —
" Thomas Bentley, of Chelsea, in Middlesex, gentleman and
•widower, and Maiy Stamford, of this parish, spinstor, were married
in this church by Licence, the Twenty-second day of June, in the

* A cup and saucer of this " Empress's pattern " is preserved in the
splendid museum of Mr. Joseph Mayer, of Liverpool.

STAMFORD AND CROMPTON FAMILIES. 213
year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-two,
by me, "Josh. Winteb. Min".
" This marriage was solenmised hetween us, " Thomas Bentlet.
" Mart SiAitFOET.
" In the presence of
" Thomas Stamfobd,
"Martha Stamfoed."
The Stamfords were a famUy of considerable standing
in Derby, and the half-brother, of Mrs. Bentley, Thomas
Stamford the younger, was mayor of that borough in 1769.
Thomas Stamford, the father of Mrs. Bentley, was twice
married, she being the issue of the second marriage. His
son Thomas was also twice married ; by his first ¦wife he had
no chUdren, but by his second — who was Sarah, the eldest
daughter of John Crompton, of Chorley HaU, of the ¦wide
spread and prosperous famUy of Crompton, to which Samuel
Crompton, " the inventor," Sir Charles Crompton, the
present respected judge, and the families stUl resident in
Derby, in Lancashire, and in Yorkshire, belong — ^he had two
daughters, one of whom was married to James CaldweU,
Esq., of Linley Wood, Staff'ordshire, and was the mother of
the gifted and popular authoress of " EmUia Wyndham,"
and many other works — Mrs. Marsh CaldweU.
In 1773 Messrs. Wedgwood and Bentley, whose London
warehouse was in Great Ne"wport Street, issued their first
catalogue of goods ; and as this edition is of excessive rarity,
I transcribe its title-page in fiiU for the purpose of com
paring it later on ¦with succeeding editions. It is called
" A Catalogue of Cameos, IntagUos, Medals, and Bas-reUefs, ¦with
a general account of Yases and other ornaments after the antique ;
made by Wedgwood and Bentley, and sold at their rooms in Great
JN"ewport Street, London.
" ' Quoniam et sic gentes nobUitantur.'
" Plin., Ub. xxxv., De vasts flctilibus.
" London: printed in the year MDCcLxxni., and sold by Cadel, in
the Strand; Eobson, New Bond. Street; and Parker, printseller,
ComhiU."

214 THE -WEDGWOODS.
This catalogue, which is of much smaller size than the
later editions, contains sixty pages, inclusive of introduction,
Ac, and is so curious as to be weU worth reprinting entire.
From the introductory portion I make the foUowing impor
tant quotation, for the purpose of enabling coUectors to
arrive at a correct idea of the dates of the production of the
various wares for which Wedgwood became so celebrated : —
" The proprietors of this manufactory have been encouraged by
the generous attention of the nobUity and connoiBseurs to their first
essays to give it aU the extent and improvement they were able,
and with constant apphcation and great expense they have now
produced a considerable variety of ornaments in different kinds, the
merit of which they humbly submit to the judgment of those who
are best skiUed in these subjects.
" The variety of new articles which many of their respectable
friends have not seen, and multitudes of persons of curiosity and
taste in the works of art have never heard of, render some account
or catalogue of them desirable, and even necessary : but many of
the articles, and especially the vases, being of such a nature as not
to admit of satisfactory and clear descriptions, several parts of this
catalogue can only give a sUght and general enumeration of the
classes, without descending to particulars.
" We shall, however, hope to make the general enumeration
sufficiently intelUgible, and descend to particulars where the nature
of the subjects admits of it.
" To give an idea of the nature and variety of the productions of
OUT ornamental works, it wiU be necessary to point out and describe
the various compositioTis of which the forms, &c., are made, and to
distinguish and arrange the several productions in suitable eltuses.
' The compositions, or bodies, of which the ornamental pieces are
made, may be divided into the foUowing branches : —
" I. A composition of terra-cotta, resembling porphyry, lapis
lazuU, jasper, and other beautiful stones, of the ¦vitrescent or ciys-
talUne class.
"II. A fine black porcelain, having nearly the some properties
as the basaltes, resisting the attacks of acids, being a touchstone
to copper, silver, and gold, and equal in hardness to agate or
porphyiy. "III. A fine white biscuit w;ire, or terra-cotta, polished and
unpoUshod."

JASPER MEDALLIONS.

215

By this it -will be seen that the only three varieties of
ware introduced up to 1773 were the " terra-cotta resembling-
porphyry, lapis lazuli, jasper, and other beautiful stones, of
the vitrescent or crystalline class," such as the imitation
porphyry, marble, and other vases, were composed of; the
" fine black porcelain, or basaltes," so largely used for vases,
figures, medallions, and other ornamental purposes, as well
as for teapots, &c. ; and the " white biscuit ware, or terra
cotta," used both in combination with other materials in the
production of vases, medallions, and other decorative pieces,
and separately for the manufacture of stands and other
ornamental goods. The combination of these two latter
bodies will be called to mind by collectors, perhaps, more

-

^^^f

easUy ¦with regard to medaUions than otherwise. In these
the oval of the plaque was frequently made of the black
" basaltes," and the bust of the white jasper, or terra-cotta.
The eff'ect of this, which is most striking and pleasing, is
shown in the accompanying illustration.
Another pleasing combination is seen on a small but
beautifully engine-turned cup, also in my own collection,
where the cup itself is of black and the stand of white.
This piece is marked on its under side —
¦WEDGWOOD & BENTLEY.

216 THE WEDGWOODS.
In 1773-4 the fourth description of ware which I have
enumerated in my last chapter was invented and introduced
by Wedgwood, and for the first time makes its appearance
in the "Catalogue," in the second edition, published in
1774, where it is thus described: —
"IV. A fine white terra-cotta, of great beauty and deUcacy,
proper for cameos, portraits, and bas-reUefs.
This was the first appearance of what afterwards, as I
shall show, became, by constant attention and improvement,
the most beautiful of aU Wedgwood's productions — the
" Jasper ware." It wUl be perceived that at this date (1774)
it was simply spoken of as a " fine white terra-cotta," and
that it remained for later years to produce it with its splendid
blue and other coloured grounds, with raised white figoies
and ornaments.
The entry in this catalogue, it ¦wiU thus be seen, fises the
introduction of this splendid body to 1773-4. In the latest
catalogue (1787) this variety, which then had attained its
highest perfection, is described at greater length as —
" IV. Jaspee — a white porcelain bisqui of exquisite beauty and
deUcaoy, possessing the general properties of the basaltes, together
with that of receiving colours through its whole substance, in a
manner which no other body, ancient or modem, has been known
to do. This renders it peeuUarly fit for cameo.s, portaits, and ah
subjects in bas-reUef, as the ground may be made of any colour
throughout, without paint or enamel, and the raised figures of a
pure white."
Of the productions in this ware Wedgwood thus -wrote : —
" As these are my latest, I hope they wUl be found to be my
most approved, works. Yerbal descriptions could give but
an imperfect idea of the delicacy of the materials, the execu
tion of the artist, or the general effect, and I must therefore
beg leave to refer those who wish for information in these
respects to a view of the articles themselves."
Acting upon Wedgwood's exceUent advice, although not
in strict chronological order, I " refer those " of my readers

Wedgwood's jAsper ware.

217

" who wish for information in these respects, to a view of the
articles themselves," in the accompanying engraving of a
group of jasper ware, selected from the magnificent collec
tion of Mr. S. C. Hall, to which I have ^before referred.
The group exhibits a few of the many highly characteristic

and exquisite examples which have been got together at
great cost, and with much judgment and skill, by Mr. Hall.
A further notice of this jasper ware will follow in its
proper place, later on in this memoir, when I shaU enumerate
some of the principal varieties of goods which were produced
in it.
In 1774, 1 have stated, a second edition of their catalogue /
was issued by Wedgwood and Bentley ; and in the same jesf"^
a third edition of the catalogue translated into the French
language, was also issued. In the succeeding year (1775) a
re-issue (still called the second edition) of the English cata
logue made its appearance, consequent on the change of the

218 THE WEDGWOODS.
London warehouse from Great Newport Street* to Greek
Street, Soho. The re-issue of this second edition is pecu
liarly interesting, as fixing the introduction of one or two
objects for which Wedgwood became famous. At the end
of the pamphlet is an addition of six pages, containing an
engraving (W. Darling, sc, Newport Street) and an explana
tion of his newly-invented inkstands and eye-cups; and
with a " conclusion " which, from its manly and noble
principle, deserves to be perpetuated, and wliich, therefore,
I here give : —
" The proprietors of this manufactory hope it ¦wUl appear to aU
those who may have been pleased to attend to its progress, that ever
since its estabhshment it has been continuaUy improving both in the
variety and in the perfection of its productions.
"A competition for cheapness, and not for excellence of workman
ship, is the most frequent and certain cause of the rapid decay and
entire destruction of arts and mannfactures.
" The desire of selling much in a Uttle time, ¦without respect to
the taste or quality of the goods, leads manufacturers and merchants
to ruin the reputation of the articles which they manufacture and
deal in; and whilst those who buy for the sake of a fallacions
sa^ving prefer mediocrity to excellence, it ¦will be impossible for
manufacturers either to improve or keep up the quaUty of their
works. "This observation is equaUy appUeable to manufacturers and to
the productions of the Fine Arts ; but the degradation is more fatal
to the latter than the former, for tho' an ordinary piece of goods,
for common use, is always dearer than the best of the kind, yet
an ordinary and tasteless piece of ornament is not only (/«rr at any
price, but absolutely useless and ridiculous.
r " All works of art must bear a price in proportion to the skill,
the taste, the time, the expence, and the risque attending the inven
tion and execution of them. Those pieces that for these reasons
bear the highest price, and which those who are not accustomed
to consider the real difficulty and expence of making ^/fn* things are
apt to caU dear, are, when justly estimated, the cheapest articles
that can be purchased; and such as are generally attended witli
much less profit to the artist than those that everybody calls cheap.
* The warehouse was at the corner of Great Ne-wport Street, facing
Long Acre.

NOBLE COMMERCLAL PRINCIPLES. 219
" There is another mistake that gentlemen who are not acquainted
with the particular difliculties of an art are apt to fall into. They
frequently observe that a handsome thing may be made as cheap as
an ugly one. A moment's reflection would rectify this opinion.
" The most successful artists know that they can turn out ten
ugly and defective things for one that is beautiful and perfect in
its kind. Even suppose the artist has the true idea of the kind of
beauty at which he aims ; how many lame and unsuccessful efibrts
does he make in his design, and every part of it, before he can
please himself? And suppose one piece is well composed and
tolerably finished, as in vases and encaustic paintings, for instance,
where every succeeding vase, and every picture, is made not in a
Mould or by a Stamp, but separately by the Hand, with the same
attention and diligence as the first, how difficidt must it be to
preserve the beauty of the first model ?
"It is so difficult that without the constant attention of the
master's eye, such variations are frequently made in the form and
taste of the work, even whUe the model is before the workman, as
totally change and degrade the character of the piece.
" Beautiful forms and compositions are not to be made by chance,
and they never were made nor can be made in any kind at a small
expence ; but the proprietors of this manufactory have the satisfac
tion of knowing, by a careful comparison, that the prices of many
of their ornaments are much lower, and of aU of them as low as
those of any other ornamental works in Europe, of equal quaUty
and risque, not^withstanding the high price of labour in England,
and they are determined rather to give up the making of any article
than to degrade it. They do not manufacture for those who estimate
works of ornament by their magnitude, and who would buy pictures
at so much a foot. They have been happy in the encouragement
and support of many Ulustrious persons who judge of the works of
art by better principles ; and so long as they have the honour of
being thus patronised, they wiU endeavour to support and improve
the quaUty aad taste of their manufactures."
This admirable and noble principle it was which actuated
Wedgwood throughout his career, and which enabled him
to produce so many, and such exquisite, specimens of art;
and this principle it was which made him so scrupulously
careful that none but the most perfect examples should
leave his manufactory.

220 THE WEDGWOODS.
The inkstand to which I have aUuded — to which Mr.
Gladstone has, for simplicity of construction and efficiency
in use, paid so weU-merited a tribute — was, then, invented
by Wedgwood in 1775, and it is pleasant to know that
besides being cared for in the " cabinets of the curious," it
is stiU to be found in use in many places, and is constantly
used in the very room, and at the same desk, at which the
Great Josiah sat at Etruria.
The " Eye-cups," made of the composition imitating
various pebbles, and " sold at one shilling a-piece," were
also introduced in the same year, as were also closet pans.
The foUo^wing letter, addressed by Josiah Wedgwood to
his cousin and partner, Thomas Wedgwood, at Etruria, and
dated " London, 20th March, 1775," is so ftdl of practical
information, and is so highly characteristic of Wedgwood's
scrupulous care in aU the detaUs of his art, that I cannot
better close this chapter than by giving it to my readers : —
" London, 20th March, 1775.
"Deah CorrsiN,
" I have your good letter of the 17th, and thank yoa
for it.
" The service for Mr. Scott ¦will be sent from hence on Friday or
Monday next ; and hope he •will be pleas'd •with the dispatch we
shaU be able to use in this Commission.
"Messrs. Eabone and Co.'s order •with green flowers is finish'd,
and waits his orders ; but are we to let bim know, or •wUl you
doit? " The small pattern boxes shall be sent -with the next goods.
And with respect to the Cisterns for the Water Closets, I hope they
may be made when properly understood, as the Sale for them ¦wUl,
in all probabUity, be very considerable, and the purchasers ¦wQl be
¦wilUng to pay a very good price for them — from 4 to 6 guineas
apiece. " They now give 8 or 10 guineas for marble cisterns, and do
not order these of our wore for cheapness, but because they ¦wiU be
sweeter than marble ones. You may make them an inch thick, or
more if you please ; for the architects do not care how thick they
are.

LETTER FROM JOSIAH -WEDGWOOD. 221
" The pipes you mention are not to be made. The plugs sent
•with the model are meant only to shew that there are to be holes in
the Cisterns to fit Cocks or Lead Pipes of the size of the plugs sent.
They had not any notion of our Clay ehriiiking, and therefore sent
those wood pegs for us to make the holes •with ; and where there is
any shouldering in lie pegs (as I think there is in some of them),
the holes should have the same sort of shouldering as that peg
would make by thrustiag it into the Cistern when made.
" Another thing is necessary for you to observe respecting the
wood model sent. It was intended as a core, or model, for us to
form -the vessel upon, and they want to have the cisterns, when
finish'd, to be of -the same shape and size on the inside as the model
is on the outside. For, as I mention'd above, they had no idea of
our clay shrinking, and so thought, if they fumish'd us with a
model to work our clay upon of the size they wanted it, that w* be
an unerring rule for us. But they are not nice in respect to the
size ; for half an inch, or even an inch, larger or less than the model
•wUl do.
" I think the best method of making your mould wLU be to chop
and make their model rough on the outside, and then coat it •with
plaister, making the coat as thick as you think •wiU be sufficient to
allow for shrinking — that is, if you think it wiU. shrink 4 inches,
then you coat it 2 inches thick, taking care to preserve tihe form
of the vessel. And you must likewise allow for shrinking in the
size of the holes ; for the pegs sent •with the model are the real size
of the cocks which are made for these cisterns.
" I shall be glad if what I have said above may sufficiently ex
plain this matter to you. I should have wrote this sooner, but
expected to have been with you in time for the execution of this
order. "Messrs. B and F's* hills shall be discounted here another
time. " I should have sent some glass, but have had some difference
•with the man about the price ; however, I intend to send some on
Friday; and in the meantime I •wish Joseph Hn^win would buy
some CuUet -j- for them to go on •with.

* " B and F " would probably be Messrs. Boulton & Fothergill, of the
Soho Works, Birmingham, -with whom Wedgwood was in many ways
connected. t CuUett is broken glass, which was much bought and used by potters.

222 THE WEDGWOODS.
"We have an order from the Duke of Athol for a Dinner and
Dessert, Tea and Coffee service, enamel'd, aU of which are to be
plain, except 12 teacups and san, unhandled, about the size of the
drawing on the other side.* We sh* be glad to have a few doz"' by
the next waggon, as we have only a month from this time aUo^w'd
us to get them done.
" I have had a letter from Mr. Green, hut not satis&ctory, and I
intend to •write to him again.
" The American affairs •wiU not he settled at present. Our Bulers
seem determined to try an experiment upon the Continent ; and a
very ruinous one I am afraid it •wiU prove. All we can do seems to
be to wait, though it must be •with considerable anxiety, the very
important and interesting event.
"Be so good to give my respects to aU friends, and tell Mr.
Cox we have just now rec* a pair of bro^wn pebble (say jasper) vase
candlesticks in No. 31 : the best pebble we ever had, and we •wish
to have more of them — 8 or 10 doz. of Candlesticks, and other vases,
as soon as may be. "I am, Dear Cousin,
" Yrs affectionately, "Jos. Wedgwood."

* The " drawing on the other side " ia a slight pencil sketch, by Joosh
Wedgwood, sho^wing the diameter of the cup to be SJ inches, and its
height 2 inches.

CHAPTER XIL
WILLIAM COOKWORTHY DISCOVERS THE USB OF CORNISH CLAY
AND CORNISH STONE. — MEMOIR OF COOKWORTHY. — HIS
ACCOUNT OF HIS DISCOVERIES. — ESTABLISHES WORKS AT
PLYMOUTH. — PLYMOUTH CHINA. — TAKES OUT A PATENT.
SUCCESS OF THE WORKS. — EMPLOYS ARTISTS FROM SEVRES
AND DRESDEN. — DECLINE OF THE WORKS. — ASSIGNMENT
TO RICHARD CHAMPION, OF BRISTOL. — REMOVAL OF THE
CHINA WORKS FROM PLYMOUTH TO BRISTOL. — ACT OF
PARLLiMENT FOR EXTENDING TERM OF PATENT RIGHT.
In 1755, Richard Champion, of Bristol, having in the
previous year become possessed of the patent of WUliam
Cookworthy, of Plymouth, for the making of china, applied
on the 22nd of February, by petition to parliament, for an
extension of the term of patent right in the use of the raw
materials — the Cornish stone and clay, and the manufacture , /
of porcelain. To this appUcation Wedgwood, on behalf of
himself and the potters of Staffordshire, made an energetic
and determined opposition, ¦with, however, but partial
success. This being the case, and the matter being one
of vital importance not only to himself but to potters
generally, resulting, in fact, in the first introduction of the
manufacture of china into Staff'ordshire, and being the first
discovery of the use of Cornish clay and stone in the potter's
art, renders some account of Cookworthy and his discoveries
necessary in this place.
William Cookworthy was born at Kingsbridge, not many
miles from Plymouth, on the 12th of April, 1705, his
parents being William and Edith Cookworthy, who were
Quakers. His father was a weaver, and died leaving his

224 THE WEDGWOODS.
family but ill provided for, in 1718. Thus young Cook
worthy, at the age of thirteen, and with six younger brothers
and sisters — for he was the eldest of the famUy of seven —
was left fatherless. His mother entered upon her heavy
task of providing for and maintaining her large famUy with
true courage, and appears to have succeeded in working out
a good position for them all. She betook herself to dress
making, and as her little daughters grew old enough to
handle the needle, they were taught to aid her, and thus she
maintained them in comparative comfort. In the following
spring, at the age of fourteen, young Cookworthy was
apprenticed to a chemist in London, named Bevans ; but
his mother's means being too scanty to admit of his being
sent to the metropolis in any other way, he was compelled
to walk there on foot. This task, no light one in those days,
a hundred and fifty years ago, or now, for a boy of fourteen,
he successfully accomplished.
His apprenticeship he appears to have passed with extreme
credit, and on its termination returned into Devonshire, not
only with the good opinion, but with the co-operation ot
his late master, and commenced business in Xntt-street,
Plymouth, as wholesale chemist and druggist, under the
name of Bevans and Cookworthy. Here he gradually
worked his way forward, and became one of the Uttle
knot of inteUigent men who in those days met regularly
together at each other's houses, of whom Cookworthy, Dr.
Huxham, Dr. Mudge, and the elder Northcote were amongst
the most celebrated. Here he brought his mother to
live under his roof, and she became by her exceUent and
charitable character a general favourite among the leading
people of the place, and was looked up to with great respect
by the lower classes whom she benefited. In 1735 Cook
worthy married a young Quaker lady of Somersetshire, named
Berry. This lady, to whom he seems to have been most
deeply attached, lived only ten years after their marriage,
and left him with five little daughters, and Cookworthy
remained a widower for the remaining thirty-five years of
his life.

COOKWORTHY AND THE DIVINING ROD. 325
In 1745 his attention seems first to have been seriously
directed to experimenting in the manufacture of porcelain —
at all events, in this year the first allusion to the matter
which is made in his letters and papers occurs, and this only
casually. At this time the business was still carried on under the style
of " Bevans and Cookworthy." The death of his wife, in
1745, entirely took away his attention from business, and his
researches into china clays were thrown aside. He retired
into seclusion at Looe, in Cornwall, where he remained for
several months, and, on his return to business, took his
brother Philip, who, it appears, had lately returned from
abroad, into partnership, and carried it on, with him, under
the style of " William Cookworthy & Co." This arrange
ment enabled Cookworthy to devote his time to the scientific
part of the business, and to the prosecution of his researches,
whUe his brother took the commercial management of the
concern. Left thus more to the bent of his scientific inclina
tions, he pursued his inquiries relative to the manufacture
of porcelain, and lost no opportunity of searching into and
experimenting upon the properties of the difl'erent natural
productions of Cornwall ; and it is related of him that, in
his journeys into that county, he has passed many nights
sitting up with the managers of mines, obtaining informa
tion on matters connected with mines and their products.
In the course of these visits he first became acquainted with
the supposed wonderful properties of the " Divining Rod,"
or "Dowsing Rod," as it was called by the Cornish miners,
in the discovery of ore of various kinds. In the magic
properties of this rod he was an ardent believer, and he wrote
an elaborate dissertation upon its uses, which has been
published. His journeys into Cornwall, however, were productive of
much more important results than the fabulous properties
of the divining rod, for it was in these journeys that he
succeeded in discovering, after much anxious inquiry and
research, the materials for the manufacture of genuine
Q

226 THE WEDGWOODS.
porcelain. The information given him by the American in
1745 had never been lost sight of, and he prosecuted in
quiries wherever he went. After many searchings and
experiments, he at length discovered the two materials,
first in Tregonnin Hill, in Germo parish ; next in the parish
of St. Stephen's ; and again at Boconnoc, the famUy seat of
Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford. There is a kind of tradi
tionary belief that he first found the stone he was anxious
to discover in the tower of St Columb Church, which is
built of stone from St. Stephen's, and which thus led him
to the spot where it was to be procured. At this time he
lodged at Carlogges, in St. Stephen's parish, with a Mr.
Yelland, and was in the habit of going about the neigh
bourhood with his " dowsing rod," in search of mineral
treasures. This discovery would probably be about 17.51
or 1755.
Having made this important discovery,Cookworthy appears
to have determined at once to carry out his intention of
making porcelain, and to secure the material to himself.
To this end he went to London to see the proprietore of the
land, and to arrange for the royalty of the materials. In
this he succeeded; and ultimately Lord Camelford joined
him in the manufacture of china, and, as appears from a
letter of that nobleman to Polwhele, the historian of Corn
wall, the two expended about three thousand pounds in
prosecuting the work.
Of this discovery, so interesting and important to all
engaged in the potters' art, and which ultimately led to
limmense commercial results, Cookworthy has left thefoUow-
/ing account. The importance of the subject — a subject which
' for a long time engrossed the Wedgwoods — v>-'\]l warrant the
length of the extract : —
" It is now near twenty years since I discovered that the ingre-
<lients used by tho Chinese in the composition of their porcelain,
wore to be got, in immense quantities, in the county of Cornwall ;
and as I have since that time, by abund;inee of experiments, clearly
proved this to the entire satisfaction of many ingenious men, I was

DISCOVERY OF THE CORNISH STONE. 227
wiUing this discovery might be preserved to posterity, if I should
not Uve to carry it into a manufacture ; and with this view, I have
thought proper to put in writing, in a summary way, all I have
discovered about this matter,
" The account of the materials used by the Chinese is very justly
given by the Jesuit missionaries, as well as their manner of pre
paring and mixing them into the china-ware paste. They observe,
the Chinese have two sorts of bodies for porcelain ; one prepared
with Petimse and CauUn, the other with Petunse and Wha She or
Soapy Eock. The Petunse they describe to be prepared from a
quarry stone of a particular kind, by beating it in stamping-mills,
and washing off and settling the parts which are beaten fine. This
ingredient gives the ware transparency and meUowness, and is used
for glazing it. The stone of this Petunse is a species of the granite,
or, as we in the west call it, the moor-stone.
"I first discovered it in the parish of Germo, in a hill called
Tregonnin HiU; the whole country in depth is of this stone. It
reaches, east and west, from Breag to Germo, and, north and south,
from Tregonnin Hill to the sea. From the cliffs some of this stone
hath been brought to Plymouth, where it was used in the casemates
of the garrison ; but I think the best quarries are in Tregonnia
HiU. The stone is compounded of small pellucid gravel, and a
whitish matter, which, indeed, is Caulin petrified ; and as the CauUn
of Tregonnin Hill hath abundance of mica in it, this stone hath
them also. If the stone is taken a fathom or two from the sur
face, where the rook is quite soUd, it is stained •with abundance of
greenish spots, which are very apparent when it is wetted. This
is a circumstance noted by the Jesuits, who observe that the stones
which have the most of this quaUty are the most proper for the
preparation of the glaze ; and I beUeve this remark is just, as I
Imow that they are the most easily •vitrifiable, and that a vein of
this kind in Tregonnin HiU is so much so that it makes an excellent
glaze •without the addition of -vitrescent ingredients. If a small
crucible is fiUed up with this stone, or a piece of it put in it, and
exposed to the most violent fire of a good wind furnace for an hour,
the stone wiU be melted into a beautiful mass ; all its impurities
win be discharged, one part of it wUl be almost of a Umpid trans
parency, and the other appear in spots as white as snow. The
former is the gravel, the other the CauUn, reduced by fire to purity.
If the fire is not continued long enough to effect this, the upper
part and middle of the mass will be of a dirty colour, and th©
bottom and pai'ts of the sides fine. ¦
q2

228 THE WEDGWOODS.
"CAULIN.
"This material, in the Chinese way of speaking, constitutes the
bones, as the Petunse does the flesh, of china-ware. It is a white
talcy earth, found in our granite countries, both in the counties of
Devon and ComwaU. It lies in different depths beneath the sur
face. Sometimes there shall be a fathom or more of earth above it,
and at other times two or three feet. It is found in the sides of
hills, and in vaUeys ; in the sides, where, foUowing the course
of the hUls, the surface sinks, or is concave, and seldom, I beUeve,
or never where it sweUs, or is convex. By what I have observed,
it is by no means a regular stratum, but is rather in bunches or
heaps, the regular continuance of which is frequently interrupted
by gravel and other matters. At times there are veins of it among
the soUd rocks, when it is constantly very pure from gravel. I
have a piece by me of this kind, very fine.
" There are inexhaustible stores of this CauUn in the two western
counties. The use it's commonly put to is in mending the tin
furnaces and the fireplaces of the fire-engines, for which 'tis very
proper. The sort I have chiefly tried is what is got from the side
of Tregonnin HiU, where there are several pits of it. As the stone
hath a pretty large quantity of CauUn in it, so the Caulin hath a
large mixture of the same sort of gravel as enters into the compo
sition of the stone. It contains, besides, mica in abundance.
"In order to prepare the CauUn for porcelain, nothing more is
necessary but pouring a large quantity of water on it so that it
may not, when dissolved, be of so thick a consistence as to suspend
the mica. Let it settle about ten minutes, and pour off the dis
solved clay into another vessel. Lot it settle, pour off the water,
and dry it. I would observe here, that care ought to be taken about
the water used in washing off both the Petimse and Caulin. It
ought to be pure, without any metallic or calcareous mixture. Our
rivers in the west afford exceUent water for this purpose, as they
arise, the most of them, and run through a granite country. The
Caulin of Tregonnin Hill is very unvitrifiable, and exceedingly apt
to take stains from the fire. I know no w.iy to keep it clean but the
following : — Form it into cakes of the thickness of two or three crown
pieces, and beat some of the stone to a very coarse powder ; cover
the bottom of the crucible with this powder ; then put in a cake
of the Caulin; cover this the thickness of one-third of an inch
with the powder of stone ; fill the crucible in this way, ending
with a laytr of the stone ; cover the crucible, and treat it as in the

COOKWORTHY'S PEOCESS. 229
process for melting the stone before described. If the stone is
burned to purity, the CauUn wUl be as white as snow ; if but par
tially calcined, so far as the stone is pure, the Caulin wUl be so ;
and when that is of a dirty colour, the Caulin will be of the same
hue. "I have lately discovered that, in the neighbourhood of the
parish of St. Stephen's, in ComwaU, there are immense quantities
both of the Petunse stone and the CauUn, and which, I beUeve,
may be more commodiously and advantageously wrought than those
of Tregonnin HUl, as, by the experiments I have made on them,
they produce a much whiter body, and do not shrink so much, by
far, in baking, nor take stains so readily from the fire. Tregonnin
HUl is about a mile from Godolphin House, between Helston and
Penzance. St. Stephen's lies between Truro, St. Austel, and St.
Columb; and the parish of Dennis, the next to St. Stephen's, I
believe, hath both the ingredients in plenty in it. I know of two
(juarries of the stone — one is just above St. Stephen's, the other is
caUed Caluggus, somewhat more than a mUe from it, and appears
to be the finer stone.
, " Having given this sketch of the natural history of the materials,
'tis needless to say much about the composition. Pottery being at
present in great perfection in England, our potters' -mills prepare
the Petunse much better than stamping mills, and excuse one from
the trouble of washing it off, it being fit to be used as it comes from
the miU. I would further observe that the miUs should be made of
the Petunse granite, it being ob-vious that, in grinding, some of the
mill-stones nlust wear off and mix -with the Petunse. If those
stones should be of a nature disagreeable to the body, this mixture
must, in som,e degree, be hurtful to it; whereas, whatever wears
off from mill-stones of the same stone, cannot be so in the least
degree. I have generaUy mixed about equal parts of the washed
Caulin and Petunse for the composition of the body, which, when
burnt, is very white, and sufficiently transparent. The CauUn of
St. Stephen's bums to a degree of transparency without the addition
of Petunse. The materials from this place make a body much
whiter than the Asiatic, and, I think, full as white as the ancient
china-ware, or that of Dresden.
" The stones I have hitherto used for glazing are those with the
green spots of Tregonnin HiU. These, barely ground fine, make a
good glaze. If 'tis wanted softer, vitrescent materials must be added.
The best I have tried are those said to be used by the Chinese, viz.,
Ume and fem-ashes, prepared as foUows : — The lime is to be slaked

230 THE WEDGWOODS.
by water, and sifted. One part of this, by measure, is to be mixed
with twice its quantity of fem-ashes, and calcined together in an
iron pot, the firo to be raised till the matter is red hot. It should
not melt, and for that reason should be kept continuaUy stirred.
When it sinks ia the pot, and grows of a Ught ash colour, 'tis done.
It then must be le^vigated in the potter's mill to perfect smoothness.
It may be used in proportion of one part to ten, and so on to fifteen
or twenty of the stone, as shaU be found necessary. We found one
to fifteen of the stone a very suitable proportion. Our manner of
mixing was to dilute both the stones and the ashes to a proper
degree for dipping, and then to mix them us above. On mixing,
the whole grows thicker. If 'tis too thick for dipping, more water
must be added. Our method of dipping was just the same as is
used by the delft-ware people. We first baked our ware to a soft
biscuit, which would suck, then painted it with blue, and dipped
them with the same ease ; and the glazing grows hard and dry, as
soon as it does in the delft- ware. Large vessels may be dipped raw,
as the Chinese are said to do it. But the proper thickness of the
glaze is not so easUy distinguished this way, as when the ware is
biscuited ; for, the raw body being of the same colour and con
sistence with the glaze, when the latter is dry, 'tis hardlv possible
to determine the limits of either; a thing very easy to be done
when the body is hardened by biscuiting. Our china-ware makers
in general deny it to be possible to glaze on a raw body or soft
biscuit. And so it is with their glaze ; which, abounding in lead
and other fiuxing materials, melts soon and runs thin, and, melting
before the body closes, penetrates it, and is lost in the body,
whereas our stone is almost as hard to melt as the body is to close ;
and, not melting thin, neither runs nor penetrates the body. I
insist on the truth of this observation, and 'tis necessary to be
insisted on, as scarcely any of our potters, misled by too sla^rish
dependence on thefr own too partial experience, •wUl aUow it. I
have said above that the Jesuits observe that the Chinese paint and
glaze their ware on the raw body. I know this can be done, for I
have done it ; and so may any one else whp pleases to try it. 1
have now by me the bottom of a Chinese punch-bowl, which was
plainly glazed, when it was raw, or a soft biscuit ; for the ware
wants a gi-eat deal of being burnt, it being of the colour of coarse
whited-brown paper. But the same body, when exposed to a proper
degree of firo, turns to a china-wsu-e of a very good colour — a
demonstration that it had not, as our ware in England hath, the
great fire before tho -glaze was laid on. I don't point out the

COOKWORTHY's process. — PLYMOUTH CHINA WORKS. 231
advantages of painting and glazing on a soft biscuit as they are
very obvious to any one, ever so Uttle used to pottery.
" In regard to burning, I have to remark, that by aU the experi
ments we have made, the north of England kUns, where the fire is
appUed in mouths on the outside of the kilns, and the fuel is coal,
will not do for our body, at least when it is composed of the mate
rials of Tregonnin HUl.
" In those kUns especially, when bags are used, there is no pas
sage of air through the middle of the kiln ; and a vapour, in spite
of aU the care that can be taken, wiU either transpire through the
bags, or be reflected from the crown, which wUl smoke and spoil
our ware, thongh it doth not appear to affect other compositions.
How true this remark may be, •with regard to the St. Stephen's
materials, I cannot determine, as they have not yet been tried in a
lain. The only furnace or kiln which we have tried with aily
degree of success, is the kiln used by the potters who make brown
stone. It is caUed the 36-hole kiln. Wood is the fuel used in it.
They bum biUets before and under it, where there is an oven or
arch pierced by 36 holes, through which the flame ascends into the
chamber which contains the ware, and goes out at as many holes
of the same dimensions in the cro-wn of the furnace. The safe
guards at bottom stand on knobs of clay, which won't melt, about
two inches square, and two inches and a half or three inches
high ; by which means more of the holes are stopped by the
bottoms of the safeguard, but the air and flame freely ascend, and
play round every safeguard ; by which means those tingeing
vapours, which have given us so much trouble, are kept in con
tinual motion upward, and hindered from penetrating and staining
the ware.
"Experience must determine the best form and way of using
this kiln. 'Tis the only desideratum wanting to the bringing of
the manufacture of porcelain, equal to any in the world, to perfec
tion in England.
" Caulin pipe-clay and a coarse unvitrifiable sand make excellent.
safeguards." The experiments on the Cornish materials having been
perfectly successful, Cookworthy established himself as a
china manufacturer at Plymouth, where the buildings still
exist, and are known by the name of the " China House."
In these works Cookworthy prosecuted his new art with

232

THE WEDGWOODS.

great success, and was soon enabled to enter the market
with English-made hard-paste china, composed of native
materials alone. The early examples are, as is natural to
expect, very coarse, rough, and inferior, but they evidence,
nevertheless, considerable skUl in mixing, though not so
much, perhaps, in firing. And they are also remarkable
for their clumsiness, as well as for their bad colour, their
uneven glazing, and their being almost invariably disfigured
by fire cracks, usually at the bottom.
As on the earliest productions of all the old china works,
the decorations on the Plymouth examples are invariably
blue; the blue at first being of a heavy, dull, blackish

shade, but gradually improving, until, on some specimens
which I have seen, it had attained a clear brilliance. Cook
worthy, being an experienced chemist, paid considerable atten
tion to the producing of a good blue, and was the first who
succeeded in this countiy in manufacturing cobalt blue
direct from the ore. Belore this time the colour was pre-

COOKWORTHY TAKES OUT A PATENT.

233

pared by grinding foreign imported zaff'res with slab and
muller; but after a series of experiments he succeeded in
producing a fine and excellent blue from the cobalt ore,
and prepared it by a better process. It is said that Cook
worthy himself painted some of the earlier blue and white
productions of his manufactory, and this is not at all
improbable. The white porcelain of Plymouth is one of
its notable features, for in it some remarkably fine works
exist in different coUections. These mostly consist of salt-
ceUars, pickle-cups, and toilet-pieces, formed of sheUs and
corals, beautifully, indeed exquisitely, modelled from nature.
The sheUs and corals, and other marine objects which com
pose these pieces-, are remarkably true to nature, and their

arrangement in groups is very artistic and good, as wUl be
seen in the accompanying engravings.
In 1768 Cookworthy took out a patent for the manu- ~l
facture of a " kind of porcelain newly invented by me,
composed of moor-stone or growan, and growan clay." The
patent was dated the 17th of March, 1768, and contained the
usual proviso that full specification should be lodged and en
rolled within four months of that date, which was duly done.*
Cookworthy, who determined to make his porcelain equal
to that of Se-vres and Dresden, both in body, which he
himself mixed, and in ornamentation, for which he procured
* For this specification, and a full account of the Plymouth China
Works, see the Art- Journal for September, 1863.

234 THE WEDGWOODS.
the services of such artists as were available, engaged a
Mon. Saqui, or Soqui, from Sevres, who was a man of rare
talent as a painter and enameller, and to whose hands, and
those of Henry Bone, a native of Plymouth, who was
apprenticed to Cookworthy, and afterwards became very
celebrated, the best painted specimens may be ascribed.

The ware made at Plymouth consisted of dinner-services,
tea and coffee services, mugs and jugs, vases, trinket and
toilet stands, busts, single figures and groups, animals,
" Madonnas " and other figures after foreign models, candle
sticks with birds, flowers, &c., &c. The mug here shown,
engraved from a specimen in my o-wn collection, is an
excellent example of the higher, and, of course, later, pro
ductions of Cookworthy's manufactory, and is, I beUeve,
painted by Saqui. The tea-pot, also from my collection, is
beautifully painted with groups of flowers, in pink.
On the next engraving is shown one of a pair of vases and
covers, sixteen inches high, in the possession of Mr. Francis
Fry, F.S.A., which is marked with the usual sign in red.
However beautiful and satisfactory the productions of
the Plymouth works might be as china, they were not, it
would appear, remunerative commercially. Coal, which
was abundant in Staffordshire, and in other localities, was
entirely wanting at Plymouth, and the "firing" of the
kilns had to be done with wood. The clay and the stone
Cookworthy had within easy distance, but coal was wanting ;

COOKWORTHY ASSIGNS HIS PATENT TO CHAMPION. 235
this material was difficult and expensive to make, and there
fore he was unable to keep pace with other manufactories,
and to compete with them. Add to this that he was far

%» i^y'i

from being a young man —being then in his seventieth year
— it is not surprising that he should determine on giving
up the works, especially when Lord Camelford, who was
one of his partners, says between two and three thousand
pounds had been sunk in their prosecution.
On the 6th of May, 1774, therefore, William Cookworthy,
for considerations set forth in the deed of assignment, sold
the business and patent-right to Richard Champion, mer-

236 THE WEDGWOODS.
chant, of Bristol, a connection of Cookworthy's who had
been connected pecuniarily -with the works at Plymouth,
and they were transferred to that city.
The deed of assignment of the patent rights, &c., from
Cookworthy to Champion, is dated May 6th, 1774, and
among other " considerations" it was covenanted that what
ever the amount of value of the raw material (the Cornish
clay and stone which Cookworthy had discovered and brought
into use) Champion used in the course of a year, an equal
amount of money should be paid to Cookworthy. Thus if,
in the course of a year, Champion paid £1000 for material
in CornwaU, he would also have to pay another £1000 to
Cookworthy for the privUege of using it, thus doubling the
price of the material from that at which Cookworthy had
himself worked it. Having thus become proprietor of the
concern which had been carried on jointly by Cookworthy,
Lord Camelford, and himself (and probably others), Cham-
jiion at once established them near to his own residence in
Castle Green, Bristol, and on the 22nd of the foUowing
February (1775), presented a petition to the House of
Commons, praying for the term of patent right to be
enlarged for a further period of fourteen years to himself.
His petition was referred to a committee, which began its
sittings on the 28th of April. By this time he had prepared
and produced some specimens of china made at his works,
for examination by the committee. The result of his apph
cation was the ultimate passing of an Act of Parliament,
by which the patent was accordingly enlarged. This Act
was passed in 1775 (15 Geo. IIL, cap. 52), and is entitled
" An Act for enlarging the term of Letters Patent granted
by his present Majesty to William Cookworthy, of Plj-mouth,
Chymist, for the sole use and exercise of a discovery of
certain materials for making Porcelain, in order to enable
Richard Champion, of Bristol, merchant (to whom the said
Letters Patent have been assigned), to carry the said dis
covery into effectual execution for the benefit of the public." *
* For this Act see the Aii- Journal for November, 1863.

CHAPTER XIIL
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD's OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT TO THE
EXTENSION OF CHAMPION'S PATENT.  "MEMORIAL" OP
WEDGWOOD AND OTHERS.  CHAMPION'S "REPLY." 
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD ISSUES HIS "REMARKS."  WEDG
WOOD'S " REASONS " FOR OPPOSING THB ACT. — " CASE
OF THE POTTERS."  THE BILL PASSES THE HOUSE OF
COMMONS.  AMENDED BY THE LORDS.  PASSING OF THE
ACT. — EXAMPLES OF CHAMPION'S BRISTOL CHINA. 
DECAY OF THE WORKS.  CHAMPION SELLS HIS PATENT
RIGHT TO A COMPANY IN STAFFORDSHIRE.
I HAVE stated in my last chapter that Richard Champion,
having applied to Parliament for an extension of the term
of his patent-right, such petition was referred to a select
committee of the House. Immediately this was done, Josiah /
Wedgwood, ever alive to the interests of the potters, saw,
that the extension would be injurious, and resolved uponL
giving the scheme his determined opposition. He therefore,
ostensibly on behalf of the potters of Staffordshire, but really
at first alone, opposed the petition with his usual zeal and
energy. He therefore presented a " Memorial " to the
House, of which the following is a copy : — ¦
" A Petition being presented to the Honourable House of Com- ®
mons by Mr. Champion,oi Bristol, Merchant, praying for an Exten
sion of a Patent granted by his Majesty, March I7th, 1768, to
William Cookworthy, Chemist, for the Sole Dse of certain Materials
for making Porcelain ; and reciting that, the said William Cook
worthy had assigned all his Eight and Interest in the said Letters
Patents to the Petitioner. — Josiah Wedgwood, in behalf of himself
and the Manufacturers of Earthen- ware in Staffordshire, begs Leave
to represent : —
"That the Manufacture of Earthenware, in that county, has

238 THE WEDGWOODS.
of late received many essential improvements, and is continually
advancing to higher Degrees of perfection.
" That the further Improvement of the Manufactory must
depend upon the Application and free Use of the various Raw
Materials that are the Natural Products of this Country.
" That the Raw Materials now secured for a Umited Time to the
Petitioner, may at the Expiration of the Patent assigned to him,
be of great Use to enable the Potters, throughout Great Britain, to
improve their Manufactures into the finest Porcelain ; and thereby
produce a Branch of Commerce of more national Importance than
any of this End hitherto estabhshed.
" The Case of the ingenious Mr. Watt, and the Extension of his
Patent, having been urged in Favour of Mr. Champion's AppUca
tion for the like Indulgence, it may be proper to observe that the
Cases are far from being simUar, — Mr. Watt being the original
Inventor of the Machine for which his Patent was granted, and
Mr. Champion the purchaser only of the unexpired Term of a
Patent granted to another Man, who does not appear to have any
Interest in this Application.
"The Petitioner, therefore, not being the original Biscorerer, and
having purchased the remaining Term of the Patent at a propor
tionate Price, can have no Right to expect a further Extension of
a Monopoly injuiious to the Community at large, which neither
the Ingenious Discoverer nor Purchaser, for want perhaps, of
SkiU and Experience in this particular Business, have been able
during the Space of Seven Tears, already elapsed, to bring to any
useful Degree of Perfection.
" But supposing the Petitioner, as he aUedges, has now brought
this Discovery to Perfection,* it may surely be presumed that
the remaining Seven Years -wiU give him such an Opportunity of
reimbursing himself, and so great an Ad-vantage over any persons
who may Succeed him at the end of that Term, as must render the
Extension or the Monopoly both unnecessary imd unreasonable."
To this memorial of Josiah Wedgwood's, Champion pre
sented the following honourable reply f : —
" When Mr. Champion presented a petition to the Honourable
House of Commons, praying the aid of Parliiunent for a prolonga-
* See tho Petition presented to the House the L!-2nd of Febninrv.
t "A lleply to .Mr. Wedgwood's -MoiiioriiJ relative to .Mr. Champion's
Application for a Bill to prolong his Patent for making Porcelain."

WEDGWOOD OPPOSES THE PATENT. 239
tion of the term granted by the Patent for making porcelain, ho
buUt his hopes of success on two circumstances : the first, the
apparent utiUty resulting from suoh a manufacture carried to a
perfection equal to that of the Dresden and Asiatic. The second
circumstance on which he grounded his expectation was the sense
which he hoped the House would entertain of the justice of com
pensating, by some reasonable pri-vUege, the great labour, expense,
and risque which had been incurred, not only in the invention of
the material and composition, but in the improvement of this
important manufacture. He was also almost certain that no person
whatsoever in this kingdom could, on a supposition of their being
prejudiced in their rights in a simUar property, have had any cause
of complaint, or pretence to interfere with him, or to oppose the
prayer of his petition.
"Mr. Champion however finds, -with some surprise, that Mr.
Wedgwood, who has never hitherto undertaken any similar manu
facture, conceives himself Ukely to be injured by the indulgence
which Mr. Champion has solicited. He has accordingly printed a
memorial containing his reasons against the granting the prayer of
Mr. Champion's petition, and is now actually gone in person into
Staffordshire in order to solicit others to prefer a petition to Parlia
ment against Mr. Champion's BiU.
"Before Mr. Champion replies to Mr. Wedgwood's observations
or complaints, he begs leave to remark on the time when Mr.
Wedgwood introduces them. Mr. Champion presented his petition
to the Honourable House of Commons on the twenty-second day of
February. The committee to which that petition was referred did
not sit untU the twenty-eighth day of April, during which time
Mr. Wedgwood neither made any public application against Mr.
Champion, or gave him any sort of private information of intended
opposition. Neither did any manufacturers in. Staflbrdshire or
elsewhere express any uneasiness or make any complaint of Mr.
Champion's application, though it is not improbable that Mr.
Wedgwood's journey thither may be productive of both.
"Mr. Champion forbore to bring forward his petition before the
committee untU he had prepared such specimens of his manufacture
as might give the committee the most striking proofs of the truths
of his aUegations, and this could not be done sooner in a manu
facture so very lately, and with such incredible difficulty, brought
to its present perfection. He trusts that the specimens which he
has produced in various kinds wiU show that he has been usefuUy
employed, and merits the public protection.

240 THE WEDGWOODS.
" Mr. Wedg^vood is pleased to represent his memorial on behalf
^of himself and the manufacturers of earthenware in Staffordshire.
Mr. Champion says, as has been already hinted, that Mr. Wedg
wood had not any authority from such manufacturers, or any others,
to make any representations in their behalf.
" Mr. Champion most cheerfuUy joins in the general praise
which is given to Mr. Wedgwood for the many improvements
which he has made in the Staffordshire earthenware, and the great
pains and assiduity with which he has pursued them. He richly
deserves the large fortune he has made from these improvements.
But should he not be content ¦with the rewards he has met -with,
and not have the avidity to grasp at a manufacture which another
has been at as great pains as Mr. Wedgwood has employed in
his o-wn, to establish? — a manufacture entirely original in tlus
kingdom, and which aU nations in Europe have been desirous to
obtain ?
" Mr. Wedgwood says the appUcation and free use of the raw
materials of this country -wiU make a great improvement in the
manufacture of Staffordshire earthenware. Mr. Champion has no
objection to the use which the potters of Stuffordshire may make
of his or any other raw materials, pro\-ided earthenware only, as
distinguished by that title, is made from it. He wants to interfere
with no manufacture whatever, and is content to insert any clause
to confine him to the invention which he possesses, and which he
has improved. He is contented that Mr. Wedgwood, and every
manufacturer, should reap the fruit of their labour ; aU he asks is,
such a protection for his own as the legislature in its •wisdom shaU
think it merits.
" Mr. Wedgwood's remark on the difference of merit betwixt Mr.
Watt and Mr. Champion is ungenerous and unjust : ungenerous, as
Mr. Champion has not, or does not, compare himself to Mr. Watt ;
he has not even mentioned his name in any of his appUcations.
His basiness is not with comparative or sindlor merits ; it is his
duty to prove the merit of his own manufacture, for which he
soUcits the encouragement of the legislature. He hopes that the
specimens which he has produced before the committee are incon
trovertible eviJenoes of it. Tho remark is unjust, because he has
been many years concerned in this undertaking ; nearly from the
timo tho patent was granted to Mr. Cookworthy, in whose name it
continued till assigned over to Mr. Champion. To deny tho advan
tage of any part of Mr. Cookworthy's merits to his assignee is to
deny that advantage to Mr. Cookworthy himself. One part of the

BRISTOL CHINA BILL. — WEDGWOOD 's OPPOSITION. 241
benefit of every work, from whence profit may be derived, is the
power of assignment ; and if, in fact the manufacture could not be
completed, nor the inventor, of course, derive any profit from it,
•without the expense, care, and perseverance of the assignee and
once partner, the merit of that assignee, who both completes the
manufacture and rewards the discoverer, is equal in equity to that
of the discoverer himself — equal in every respect, except the honour
that attends original genius and power of invention.
"Mr. Champion can assert •with trath that his hazard and ex
pense was many times greater than those of the original inventor.
Mr. Champion mentions this without the least disparagement to the
worthy gentleman, who is his paxticiUar friend ; he gives him aU
the merit which was due to so great a discovery ; he deserves it, for
finding out the means of a manufacture which wiU, in aU proba-
bUity, be a very great advantage to this country ; but yet Mr.
Champion claims the merit of supporting the work, and, when the
inventor decUned the undertaking himself, with his time, his labour,
and his fortune, improved it from a very imperfect to an almost
perfect manufacture ; and he hopes soon, with proper encourage
ment, to one altogether perfect.
"What regards the original discoverer is, in some measure,
answered in the foregoing paragraph ; but the original discoverer
is not without a reward. Mr. Champion at this moment aUows
him, and is bound to his heirs, &c., in a profit equal to the first
cost of the raw material, and, as Mr. Champion's manufactory is
encouraged, must increase to a very great degree.
"Nor is Mr. Wedgwood more excusable for his imphcation that
a want of sMU prevented the work being brought earUer to per
fection. Undoubtedly the difficulty arose from a want of skill in
working these new materials. This is a profound as weU as ci^vU
remark of Mr. Wedgwood's ; but that skill was to be acquired only
by care and expense, and that care and expense are Mr. Champion's
merits. Mr. Champion pretends to no other knowledge as a potter
than what he has acquired in the progress of this manufacture, his
profession of a merchant not putting more in his power ; but he had
the experience of Mr. Cooksworthy, the inventor, one of the most
able chenusts in this kingdom, to whom the pubUc is indebted for
many useful discoveries ; he had the experience of the manager of
his works, a person bred in the Potteries, and thoroughly conversant
in manufactures of this kind; the workmen he employed were
brought up to the branch, and he has spared no expense in encou
raging foreign artificers. R

242 THE WEDGWOODS.
"But Mr. Champion, as a further answer to Mr. Wedgwood's
imphcation of want of skUl, begs leave to observe that the Dresden
manufacture (Uke this, a native clay), which has been established so
great a number of years, was long before it attained perfection, and
even now it has not that exact proportion of shape which the
Chinese manufacture possesses. The Austrian manufacture (also a
native clay) was twenty-five years before it attained any degree of
perfection, and then only by accidental aid of the Dresden workmen
who were dispersed during the late war. The work in Brandenburgh
is nothing more than the Dresden materials, •wrought by workmen
removed hither from that city, the Brandenburgh work having no
clay of its own territory. Mr. Champion is surprised that Mr.
Wedgwood can find no cause but one, which he chooses to blame,
why a new manufacture, upon a principle never before tried in
England, should not have attained perfection in a shorter space
than the very short space of seven years.
"As to Mr. Wedgwood's calculation of the profits sufficient to
recompense the ingenuity, and repay the trouble and expense of
others, Mr. Champion submits it to a discerning and encouraging
legislature, whether a seven years' sale is likely to repay a seven
years' unproductive, experimental, and chargeable labour, as weU as
the future improvement to grow from new endeavours ? Until Mr.
Champion was able to make this porcelain in quantities to supply a
market, it was rather an object of curiosity than a manufacture for
national benefit.
"There is one branch of the manufacture, the blue and white,
upon which he has just entered — this branch is Ukely to be the
most generaUy useful of any : but the gi^ving a blue coloiir under
the glaze, on so hard a material as he uses, has been found foU of
difficulty. This object he has pursued at a great expense by means
of a foreign artificer ; and he can now venture to assert that he shaU
bring that to perfection which has been found so difficult in Europe
in native clay.
" If the various difficulties which have attended his work from
its beginning could have been foreseen, this patent ought not to
have been appUed for at so early a period. The time in which
profit was to be expected has necessarily been laid out in ex
periment. It was thought that when the principle •was found the
•work was done ; but the perfecting a chemical discovery into a
merchantable commodity has been found a troublesome and a tedious
work. It is therefore presumed that tho legislature •wiU distinguish
between tho over-sanguine hopes, in point of time, of an invention

WEDGWOOD's REPLY TO CHAMPION. 243
which, however, has at length succeeded, and those visionary pro
jects which deceive for ever. Upon the whole, Mr. Champion
humbly rests his pretensions to the protection of the legislature
upon three grounds — that he has been almost from the beginning'
concerned in the work which has cost so much labour and expense ;
that he now allows the inventor a certain and increasing recom
pense, though the carrying that invention to an actual merchantable
manufacture was entirely his o^wn work ; that the potteries of china-
ware in most other countries in Europe have been at the charge of
sovereign princes. It has been immediately so in France, Austria,
Dresden, and Brandenburgh ; in Italy they have been under the
care of great noblemen. In this original work, Mr. Champion
claims the principal share of supporting, improving, and carrying
into execution a manufacture so much admfred in China and Japan,
and now first attempted in Britain, in capacity of resisting the
greatest heat, equal to the Asiatic and Dresden."
Josiah Wedgwood answered this " Reply" of Champion's
by a paper of Remarks.* In these he said: —
" It would be very unbecoming in Mr. Wedgwood to take up
much of the valuable time of the honourable members of the House
of Commons, who may be pleased to attend to the subject of his
Memorial, in remarking upon several reflections that Mr. Champion
has thrown out, which do not at all affect the merit of the question.
But it is necessary to observe that Mr. Wedgwood has aU his Ufe
been concerned in the manufacture and improvement of various
branches of pottery and porcelain ; that he has long had an ambi
tion to carry these manufactures to the highest pitch of perfection
they •wiU admit of; and that so far from having any personal
interest in opposing Mr. Champion, it would e^vidently have been
his interest to have accepted of some of the obUging proposals that
have been made to him by Mr. Champion and his friends, and to
have said nothing more upon the subject; but Mr. Wedgwood is so
fully convinced of the great injury that would be done to the landed,
manufacturing, and commercial interests of this nation by extending
the teim of Mr. Champion's monopoly of raw materials, of which
there are immense quantities in the kingdom, and, confining the use
of them to one or a few hands, that he thought it a duty of moral
obUgation to take the sense of his neighbours upon the subject, and

¦* " Remarks upon Mr. Champion's Reply to Mr. Wedgwood's
Memorial on behalf of himself and the Potters in Staffordshire."
R 2

244 THE WEDGWOODS.
to give up to the manufactory at large all advantages he might have
scoured to himself. It is upon these principles, and these alone,
that he has acted in this business, and therefore he humbly pre
sumes he does not merit the censure of avidity in grasping at other
men's manufactures, though he thinks that himself and aU manu
facturers should be protected in the free use of aU raw materials
that are not invented by men, but are the natural productions of the
earth. When Mr. Wedgwood discovered the art of making Queen's
Ware, which employs ten times more people than aU the china
works in the kingdom, he did not ask for a patent for this important
discovery. A patent would greatly have limited its pnbUc ntiUty.
Instead of one hundred manufactories of Queen's Ware, there would
have been one ; and instead of an exportation to aU parts of the
world, a few pretty things would have been made for the amuse
ment of the people of fashion in England. It -wiU be the same
¦with the use of the materials in question : if they are not only
confined to the use of one person or manufactory, by patent, for
fourteen years, but that patent be extended for twenty or thirty
years longer, so long may they be the means of supporting one
trifling manufactory ; but if the materials are left free for general
use, and Mr. Champion is in the possession of the result of aU his
experiments and real discoveries •with respect to the art of manu
facturing these raw materials into porcelain, no essential part of
which has been revealed by him to the pabUc, either in his specifi
cations or otherwise, then there is reason to expect a very large
and extensive manufactory of porcelain •wiU be established in
various parts of this kingdom, to the great benefit of the pubUc,
•without any injury to Mr. Champion."
I Wedgwood continued his " remarks " by replying that
Mr. Champion's off'er of inserting a clause to aUow the
potters the free use of the raw material in aU kinds of
earthenware, restricting its use in porcelain only to himself,
was a useless concession, because Champion had faUed to
define the difference between earthenware and porcelain,
and had failed to impart the secret of his manufacture
to the public, either by his specifications or otherwise.
" How then," he asked, " are the Staffordshire potters
to use the growan stone and growan clay for the improve
ment of their finer stone and earthen-wares, without pro
ducing such a manufacture as may in Westminster HaU be

CONTINUED OPPOSITION TO THE BRISTOL CHINA BILL. 245
deemed porcelain ? " He also said that, judging from Mr.
Champion's own words, Cookworthy's patent " ought not to
have been applied for at so early a period ; " it was evident
that the " patent was taken out for a discovery of the art of
making true porcelain before it was made ; and if the dis
covery has been since made, there can have been no speci
fication of it; it has not been revealed to the public ; it is in
Mr. Champion's own possession, and being unknonm, it is
presumed the right to practise it cannot be confirmed or
extended by Act of Parliament, which ought to have some
clear ground to go upon." The patent, he says, has evidently
been considered as a privUege to the patentee, " for the sole
right of making experiments upon materials which many
persons have thought would make good porcelain, and on
which experiments have been prosecuted by several succes
sive sets of operators many years before the date of the
patent." He contended that it would be an " egregious
injury to the public " to continue the patent to one person
who was no original discoverer, who was only just com
mencing the commonest and most useful part of his busi
ness with the aid of a foreign artificer, in the hope that a
discovery might at some future time be made. He con
sidered that if the raw materials were thrown open to all,
" a variety of experienced hands would probably produce more
advantage to the nation in a few years than they would ever
do when confined to one manufactory, however skUful the
director might be," and that the extension of the patent
securing the monopoly "would be a precedent of the most
dangerous nature, contrary to policy, and of general incon
venience," and therefore he " humbly hopes the legislature
wiU not grant the prayer of Mr. Champion's petition."
In addition to the " Memorial" and the " Remarks" already
spoken of as a part of the zealous opposition which Wedg
wood made to the proposed extension, he issued a sheet
of " Reasons why the extension of the term of Mr.
Cookworthy's patent, by authority of Parliament, would
be injurious to many landowners, to the manufacturers

246 THE WEDGWOODS.
of earthenware, and to the public." In addition to this, he
made out and presented a " Case of the manufacturers of
earthenware in Staffordshire," setting forth the advantages
that would be derived from thro-wing open the use of the
raw materials, and the disadvantages which an extension
of the monopoly would entaU, not only on the manufaeturers,
but on the public at large.
These " reasons " are so ingenious, and the " case " so
carefully made out, that I give them to my readers entire,
as I am, I believe, the first to bring them into notice in
connection with any account of the porcelain works of this
kingdom. The foUowing are the " reasons " why the exten
sion of the term of Mr. Cookworthy's patent, by authority
of Parliament, would be injurious to landowners, to the
manufacturers of earthenware, and to the pubUc : —
"It would be injurious to the landowners, because by means of
this monopoly materials of great value would be locked up -within
the bowels of the earth, and the o-wners be deprived of the power of
disposing of them ; for the present patentee and his assigns have
contracted •with one gentleman that he shall seU these materials only
to them, and that they shall purchase such materials only from him,
during the term of ninety-nine years.
" It would be injurious to the manufacturers of earthenware ; be
cause, notwithstanding the mechaiucal part of their manufactory,
their execution, their forms, their painting, &c., are equal, if not
superior, to those of any other country, yet the body of their ware
stands in great need of improvement, both in colour and texture ;
because the pubUc begin to require and expect such improvement ;
because without such improvement the sale of their manufactures
will probably decline in favour of foreign manufacturers, who may
not be deprived of the use of the materials that their coimtries pro
duce — ^for the consideration in this case is not whether one manu
facturer or manufactory shaU be supported against another, but
whether the earthenware manufactories of Great Britain shaU be
supported in their improvements against those of every other
country in the world ; because the materials in question are the
most proper of any that have been found in this island for the
improvement of the manufactures of curthenware ; and because wo
line has been drawn, or can bo drawn, with sufficient distinctness,

CASE OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERS. 247
between earthenware and porcelain, and especially between earthen
ware and the various kinds of this patent porcelain, to render it safe
for any potter to make use of these materials in his works.
' ' The extension of this monopoly would be injurious to the public,
by preventing the employment of a great number of vessels hi the
coastmg trade ia bringmg the raw materials from the places where
they would be dug out of the earth, to the different parts of this
island where they would be manufactured.
" This extension would also be injurious to the pubUc because it
would prevent our manufactures of earthenware from being improved
in their quality and increased in their quantity and value to the
amount of many hundred thousand pounds per annum.
"And lastly, it would be injurious to the pubUc by preventing a
very great increase of our exports, which must infallibly take place
when the body of our earthenwares shall come to be improved so as
to bear a proportion to the beauty of their forms and the exceUence
of their workmanship.
"Upon the whole, would it not be unreasonable to extend the
term of a monopoly in favour of an indi^vidual to the prejudice of
ten thousand industrious manufacturers, when the indi^vidual can
have no merit with the public, as he has made no discovery to
them?" " The Case of the Manufacturers of Earthenware in Staf
fordshire," as drawn up by Wedgwood, to which I have
referred, is as follows : —
"The potters, and other persons depending upon the pottery in
Staffordshire, beg leave humbly to represent that Nature has pro
vided this island with immense quantities of materials proper for
the improvement of their manufactures ; that such materials have
been known and used twenty or thirty years ago ; and that many
experiments were made upon them by various operators, -with
various degrees of success.
"That porcelain was made of these materials, and pubUcly sold
before the year 1768.
"That in March, 1768, Mr. Cookworthy, oi Plymouth, took out a
patent for the sole use of the materials in question, called hi the
patent moor-stone or growan, and growan clay, for the making of
porcelain, which is defined to have a fine colour and a lucid grain,
and like^wise to be as infusible as the Asiatic.
" That Mr. Cookworthy contracted, as the condition upon which

248 THE WEDGWOODS.
he held the privilege of his monopoly, that he would make a fuU
and trae specification of the art by which he converted these mate
rials into porcelain ; and that he entirely faUed in fiilfiUing this
obUgation. "For in the pretended specification which he made, he omitted
to describe the principal operations in which his art or discovery
consisted, having neither exhibited the proportions in which the
materials were to be mixed to produce the body or the glaze, nor the
art of burning the ware, which he knew to be the most difficult and
important part of the discovery.
"That the company concerned in the porcelain manufactory at
Plymouth, estabhshed under the authority of this patent contracted
•with one gentleman, in whose lands these materials are found, that
he should seU the materials only to them, and that they should
purchase materials from no other person, during the term of ninety-
nine years.
" That nevertheless there are great quantities of such materials
in other estates in Cornwall and Devonshire, and probably in many
other parts of this island.
" That in the year 1774 Mr. Cookworthy assigned over his patent
right to Mr. Champion, of Bristol, who now appUes to ParUament
for an extension of this monopoly, seven years before the expiration
of the patent, which assignment was made upon condition that Mr.
Cookworthy should receive for ninety-nine years fiom Mr. Champion
as large a sum every year as should be paid to the proprietor for the
raw material, hereby levying a tax of 100 per cent, upon them.
" That Mr Champion in his petition sets forth that he has brought
this discovery to perfection ; and that in a paper he has published,
entitled A Reply, Sfc, he says that if the various difficulties which
have attended this work from the beginning could have been fore
seen, this patent ought not to hare been applied for at so early a period ;
that is, in plain EngUsh, the patent was taken out for the discovery
of an art before the discovery was made by the patentee. And if
the discovery has been made since, there has been no specification
of it ; it has not been recorded for the pubUc benefit ; it is in Mr.
Champion's owti possession ; it is kept from the pubhc for his own
private emolument: and the nature of it being unknown, it is
humbly presumed such a pretended discovery can neither entitle
the patentee nor the petitioner to the extension of a monopoly
injurious to many thousands of industrious manufacturers in various
parts of the kingdom.
" And in the same paper in which we find the above curious con-

CASE OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERS. 249
fession, Mr. Champion acknowledges that even at this time he has
just entered upon the commonest and most useful branch of this
manufactory, which he has pursued at a great expense by means of
^foreign artificer, and can now venture to assert that he shall bring
it to perfection. And in the space of seven years yet to come of his
patent, and fourteen years' further indulgence which he expects
from ParUament, one would hope some discovery might be made ;
but would it not be an egregious injury to the pubUc, an unheard
of and unprecedented discouragement to many manufacturers who
have great and acknowledged merit with the pubUe, to continue
to one person who, in this instance, has no public merit, the mo
nopoly of earth and stones that Nature has furnished this country
with in immense quantities, which are necessary to the support
and improvement of one of the most valuable manufactures in the
kingdom ?
"Mr. Champion says, in the Reply referred to above, he 'has no
objection to the use which the potters of Staffordshire may make
of his or any other raw materials, provided earthenware only, as
distinguished by that title, is made from them. He wants to inter
fere with no manufactory whatsoever, and is content to insert any
clause to confine him to the invention which he possesses, and
which he has improved,' &c.
"If Mr. Champion had accurately defined the nature of his o'wn
invention ; if he had described the proportions of his material
necessary to meike the body of his ware ; if he had also specified the
proportions of his materials necessary to produce his glaze, as every
mechanical inventor who takes out a patent is obliged to specify the
nature of the machine by which he produces his effect; i£ Mr.
Champion could have drawn a distinct line between the various kinds
of earthenware and porcelain that have been made, and are now
made in this kingdom, and his porcelain, a clause might have been
formed to have confined him to the iavention which he says he pos
sesses, and to have prevented him from interrupting the progress of
other men's improvements, which he may think proper to call imita
tions of his porcelain ; but, as he has not chosen to do the former,
nor been able to do the latter, no manufacturer of stoneware.
Queen's ware, or porcelain, can •with safety improve the present
state of his manufacture.
" It is weU known that manufactures of this kiad can only sup
port their credit by continual improvements. It is also weU kno^wn
that there is a competition in these improvements through aU parts
of Europe. In the last century But stem, and some other •villages in

250 THE WEDGWOODS.
Staffordshire, were famous for making milk pans and butter pots,
and, by a succession of improvements, the manufactory in that
neighbourhood has graduaUy increased in the variety, the quaUty,
and the quantity of its productions, so as to furnish, beside the
home consumption, an annual export of useful and ornamental
wares, nearly to the amount of two hundred thousand potmds ; but
during aU this progress, it has had the free range of the country for
materials to work upon, to the great advantage of many landowners
and of na^vigation.
" Queen's ware has afready several of the properties of porcelain,
but is yet capable of recei^ving many essential improvements. The
public have for some time required and expected them. Innume
rable experiments have been made for this purpose. There are
immense quantities of materials in the kingdom that would amswer
this end ; but they are locked up by a monopoly in the bowels
of the earth, useless to the landowners, useless to the manufacturers,
useless to the public ; and one person is petitioning the legislature,
in effect, to stop aU the improvements in earthenware and porcelain
in this kingdom but his own.
"For the next step, and the only step the manufacturers can
take to improve their wares, wUl be deemed an invasion of this
vague and incomprehensible patent.
" The manufacturers of earthenware are justly alarmed at the
prospect of extending the term of the patent because, •without
improvements, the sale of their manufactures must certainly decline
in favour oi foreign manufacturers, who may not be deprived of the
free use of the materials their cotcntr ies produce ; for the consideration
in this case is not whether one manufacturer or manufactory shaU
be supported against another, but whether the earthenware and
porcelain manufactories of Great Britain shad be supported, in their
improvements, against those of every other country in the world.
Upon the whole, the petitioners against the BUI humbly presume
this monopoly •wiU appear to be contrary to good policy, highly
injurious to the pubUc, and generally inconvenient ; that the extension
of the monopoly, supposing any patent to be voUd, would be greater
increasing the injury; that the bfll now depending is not only calcu
lated to extend, but to confirm it, and therefore they humbly hope
it •will not be suffered to pass into a law."
Despite all this opposition to his petition by Wedgwood,
as the representative of tho potters, and by the members of
parliament for the county of Stafford, and others who had

PASSING OP THE BRISTOL CHINA BILL. 251
been moved by the exertions of Wedgwood ai^d his friends,
the Bill passed the House of Commons, and was sent up
to the Lords without amendment . The " case " just given,
along with extracts from the BiU, with comments, showing,
among other things, that the passing of the Act, as originally
framed, conferred the full benefits of Cookworthy's patent
on Champion, without compelling him to enroU anew any
specification of his process of manufacture, was printed for
circulation among the members of the Upper House. With
reference to this important point, it was shown that Cook
worthy, having enroUed his specification, and ha-ving after
wards assigned the patent right to Champion, the Bill
enacted that all and every tbe powers, liberties, privileges,
authorities, and advantages which in and by the said letters
patent were originaUy granted to the said William Cook
worthy, shall be held, exercised, and enjoyed by the said
Richard Champion for the present term of fourteen years,
granted by the said letters patent, and after the expiration
thereof, for the further term of fourteen years, in as full,
ample, and beneficial a manner as the said Richard Champion
could have held the same in case the said letters patent had
originally been granted to him. The view of the Bill is
manifestly to confirm to Mr. Champion the letters patent
for the present term of fourteen years, as well as to grant
him fourteen years more. Had it been intended only to
enlarge the term, and that the letters patent should have
stood upon their own ground, such words of confiLrmation
would not have been necessary ; or if they had been thought
so, they should have been succeeded by words to the effect
foUo^wing : — " Subject, nevertheless, to the same provisos,
conditions, limitations, and agreements, as tke said William
Cookworthy held and enjoyed the same before the date of the
said assignment." But these being omitted, and the Bill
having stated that the , " said William Cookworthy had
described the nature of his said invention and the manner
in which the same is to be performed," it is evident that
the design of the Bill is not only to confirm absolutely the

252 THE WEDGWOODS.
letters patent, and consequently the monopoly of these
materials for the present term of fourteen years, but also
to grant it to him for fourteen years more ; and the Act is
to have this operation, even though the letters patent may
be void by the discovery not being a new invention, accord
ing to the statute of James L, or by Mr. Cookworthy's not
having conformed to the terms and conditions of the letters
patent, by having described and ascertained the nature of
the said invention, and the manner in which the same is
to be performed. That the making of porcelain is not a new
invention is too evident to need any proof ; that the letters
patent are not within the intent of the statute is manifest
by a cursory perusal of it. That Mr. Cookworthy has not
described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
the manner in which the same is to be performed (unless the
discovery of the materials can alone be deemed so), wUl
appear by what he has been pleased to caU his specification.
But it wUl appear in evidence that even the discovery of thie
materials was not, at the time of granting the letters patent
to Mr. Cookworthy, " new and his own," but that they were
at that time, and had been long before, appUed to the uses
of pottery.
" Is it therefore reasonable that ParUament should confirm to Mr.
Champion the present term of fourteen years, and also grant him
fourteen years more in a monopoly of an immense quantity of mate
rials, the natural products of the earth, for the making of porcelain,
which no person is to imitate or resemble ; but also virtuaUy the sole
privUege of vending and disposing of these materials at what price
and in what maimer he thinks proper ? For no person can use them
in any respect but they •wiU produce (if not the some effect) an
effect that •wiU resemble what he may caU his patent porcelain ; and
it is not to conceive how he can be deprived of the exclusive right
of selling as weU of using these materials if the BUI now depending
should pass into a law."
The presenting these papers to the Lords produced more
effect, it would seem, than the efforts in a similar direction
had apparently done in the Commons. The consequence

SUCCESS OF THE BRISTOL CHINA WORKS. 253
was, that " Lord Gower and some other noble lords, having
fully informed themselves of the facts upon which the merits
of the case depended, and having considered the subject
with a degree of attention proportioned to its importance,
saw clearly the injurious nature of the BUI, and were deter
mined to oppose it." This determination brought on a
conference between the two noble lords who took the most
active part for and against the BiU, and the result was the
introduction of two clauses, the first making it imperative
on Champion to enrol anew his specification of both body
and glaze •within the usual period of four months. The
second, throwing open the use of the raw materials to
potters for any purpose except the manufacture of porcelain,
was as follows : —
" Provided, also, that nothing in this Act contained shaU be con
strued to hinder or prevent any potter or potters, or any other
person or persons, from making use of any such raw materials, or
any mixture or mixtures thereof (except such mixture of raw
materials, and in such proportions, as are described in the specifi
cation hereinbefore directed to be enroUed), anything in this Act to
the contrary not^withstanding."
The Act being obtained, the specification dated the 12th
of September, 1755, was duly enroUed on the 15th of the
same month.
Armed with his new Act of Parliament, by which he was
empowered to enjoy nearly twenty-two years' patent right,
Champion spared no pains and no expense to make the
productions of his works as good as possible ; and that he
succeeded in producing a magnificent body and a remark
ably fine glaze, and in turning out some truly exquisite
specimens of fictUe art, both in design, in potting, in model-
Ung, and in painting, is folly evident by examples stUl
remaining in the hands of some fortunate possessors. As I
have already given examples of some of the productions of
the Plymouth works, my readers, I doubt not, will be glad
to have them supplemented by one or two of Champion's
make.

254 THE WEDGWOODS.
The commoner description of goods, the blue and white
ware, seem to have been, very naturaUy, considered by
Champion to be the branch most likely to pay him, com
mercially, and this he at one time cultivated to a greater
extent than any other. The patterns in many cases being
almost identical with those of Worcester and other places
— which, of course, arose from the fact of the different
works copying from the same original Oriental models— the
ware made by Champion is sometimes apt to be appropriated
by collectors to that manufactory. It. may, however, easUy
be distinguished by those who are conversant with the pecu
liarities of its make.
In blue and white, Champion produced dinner, tea, and
coffee services, toUet pieces, jugs, mugs, and all the varieties
of goods usually made at that period. The blue is generally
of good colour, and the painting quite equal to that of other
manufactories. Some of these pieces are embossed, and of
really excellent workmanship. A good deal of the blue and
white ware was marked with the usual cross, but it appears
more than probable that the greatest part of this kind of
goods passed out of the works unmarked.
Another characteristic class of goods made by Champion

was the imitation of the most common Chinese patterns,
examples of which, from my own collection, are shown in
the accompanying engraving of a saucer and a teapot.
One of the choicest examples of tlie highest class of Bristol

SERVICE MADE FOE BUEIiE.

245

ai"t existing at the present day, is the tea-sorvicc of which
the cup aud saucer engraved below forms a part, the cup
and saucer now being in my own collection. This example is
also highly important ns showing tho perfection to which the
manufacture of porcelain had been brought at the time of
the transfer of the works from Cookworthy to Champion —
the service having been made in 1774-5, within a very few
months after the establishment of tlie works in BristoL It

was made to the order of Edmund Burke, -while the contested
election for Bristol was going ou, as a present to Mr. and
Mrs. Smith, who were his warm friends and zealous sup
porters, and whose guest he was. The decorations are of
the most chaste and elaborate design, and of the most deli
cate workmanship, and the pieces profusely and massively
gilt in botli dead and bm^nislied gold.
Another notable aud beautiful feature of the Bristol works
was the production of plaques, bouquets of flowers, wreaths,
and armorial bearings, in biscuit Of these, two examples,
belonging to Mr. Lucas and Mr. Bailer, ai-e shown on the
following page, as is also a large vase.
Despite tho energy of himself, the skUl of his workmen.
and the beauty of the wai-e produced at his manufactory,
Richard Champion's hopes of permanently establishing an
art in Bristol, which should not only be an honourable and

256 THE WEDGWOODS.
useful, but a remunerative one, proved faUacious, and in

little more than two years from his obtaining the Act of

Parliament, he sold his patent right to a company of Staf-

RICHARD CHAMPION IN STAFFORDSHIRE. 267
fordshire potters, who continued the manufacture at New
HaU for some time, when the ordinary soft-paste china,
which had previously been tried by Champion, was allowed
to supersede it. Thus the works at Bristol were brought to
a close, and the manufacture of porcelain was lost to the
locality. Champion himself is said to have removed for a
time into Staffordshire, and to have remained there until the
year 1782.

CHAPTER XIV.
INTRODUCTION OF THE MiVNlTACTURE OF CHINA IXTO STAFFORD
SHIRE.  WILLLVM LITTLER AND AARON WEDGWOOD. —
champion's PATENT BOLGHT BY A COMPANY. — WORKS
ESTABLISHED AT TUNSTALL. — REMOVED TO SHELTON. — NEW
HALL AVORKS.  SAMUEL HOLLINS : ANTHONY KEELING ;
JOHN TURNER; JACOB •R^ARBURTOX, AND OTHERS. — EX
AMPLES OF NEW HALL CHINA.  JOSIAH WEDGWOOD EXTEES
INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH MR. CARTHEW FOR WORKING
CORNISH STONE. — THOMAS BENTLEY VISITS PARIS. — WEDG
WOOD AND bentley's DUTCH AND FRENCH CATALOGUES.
 JOHN FLAXMAN. — DEATH OF THOMAS BENTLEY. — HIS
MONUMENT AT CHISWICK.  PROPOSED LSSCRIPTIONS TO UlS
MEMORY.
At the time when experiments were being made in various
parts of the kingdom, and when works were successfully
carried on at Chelsea, at Worcester, at Derby, and at many
other places, Staffordshire, long the great seat of the potter's
art, as I have shown, had made no progress in the manu
facture of china, and its production remained a sealed book
to manufacturers in that county. It is true that one of its
sons had made experiments about the middle of last century,
and had produced some tolerably good pieces of ware, but no
other attempt had been made to introduce this important
manufacture into the locality which is now its principal
seat. The potter to whom I allude was William Littler, the
brother-in-law aud partner of -\aroii Weilgwood, of whom I
have before spoken, who, it seems, like many other pioneers
of scienco and mauufaoturo, siu'rificed his patrimony in tbe
cause, and found himself later in life rich iu experience, but

INTRODUCTION OF CHINA MANUFACTURE. 259
poor in worldly goods. To this gentleman, too, is ascribed
the honour of first using the fluid glaze by immersion, which
was afterwards so much improved upon by Enoch Booth.
Despite Littler's attempts, however, Staffordshire produced
no china until 1777 or 1778, when the Bristol patent right
was, as I have shown, transferred to the company which
afterwards commenced the New Hall works at Shelton.
The company consisted of six persons, viz., Samuel Hollins,
of Shelton, Anthony Keeling, of TunstaU, John Turner, of
Lane End, Peter (or Jacob) Warburton, of Hot Lane, WU
liam Clowes, of Port Hill, and Charles Bagnall, of Shelton.
Of these six persons — all men of good standing and of large
experience — a few words will no doubt be interesting and
useful to my readers.
Samuel Hollins, a maker of the fine red- ware teapots, &c.,
from the clay at BradweU, previously worked by the brothers
Elers, was of Shelton, and was the son of Mr. Hollins, of
the Upper Green, Hanley. He was an excellent practical
potter, and made many improvements in his art.
Anthony Keeling, of TunstaU, was son-in-law of the
celebrated potter, Enoch Booth, having married his daughter
Ann. Keeling succeeded Enoch Booth in his business,
which he carried on successfully for many years, and retired
ou a small independence to Liverpool, where he died.
John Turner, first of Stoke, and then of Lane End, father
of Messrs. John and William Turner, was one of the most
clever and successful potters Staffordshire ever produced,
but one about whom little has been written. Many of his
productions in black and in jasper, &c., are quite equal to
those of Wedgwood, and, indeed, are often mistaken for the
work of that great man. Mr. Turner's cream ware, too, as
well as his stone ware, of which his jugs are best known to
collectors, rank high in excellence both of design and mani
pulation. In 1762 Mt. Turner commenced manufacturing
at Lane End, and made many improvements in the art, and
by the discovery of a vein of fine clay at Green Dock, was
enabled successfully to compete not only with other potters,
s 2

2G0 THE WEDGWOODS.
but with Wedgwood himselL Mr. Turner is stated to have
been deputed, with Wedgwood, by the Staff'ordshire potters,
to oppose the extension of the patent to Champion.
Jacob A\'arburton, of Hot Lane, a man highly respected
by every class, and who lived until the year 1 S'J6, was born
in 1740, and passed his long and useful life as a potter, in
which art he rose to considerable eminence in his early years
in connection with his father and brothers, and later on his
own account, and, in partnership with others, in the New
Hall Works. He was the " last member of the old school
of potters, the early friend and contemporary of the ' father
of the Potteries,' Josiah Wedgwood, -with whom he was for
many years in the habit of confidential intercourse and
friendship. Numerous are the benefits which the pubUc
derived from the united exertions of the talents and abiUties
of these two venerated characters, on every point connected
with the local interest and prosperity of the Staffordshire
Potteries." WUUam Clowes, of Port HUl, was a gentleman of property,
and was, I have reason to believe, only a sleeping partner in
the concern.
Charles Bagnall, of Shelton, was a potter of considerable
experience, who had previously been with Joshua Heath.
The family has been connected -with Staffordshire for many
generations. The company thus formed commenced operations at the
works of one of the partners, Anthony Keeling, at TunstaU,
the pottery formerly belonging, as just stated, to his father-
in-law, the well-kno-wn potter, Enoch Booth. TimstaU at
this period was a mere small street, or rather roadway, with
only a few houses — probably not many more than a score —
scattered about it and the lanos leading to Chatterley and
Red Street. To this spot, tbe forerunner of the present
large and important town, Cookworthy's patent was brought,
and here, with the experienced potters who had become its
purchasers, and under the management of Champion, who
had produced such exquisite specimens of Art at Bristol, and

NEW HALL CHINA WORKS. 261
who had been induced, as a part of the arrangement, to
superintend the ma.nufacture, the first pieces of china made
in Staffordshire, with the exception of the trial pieces of
Littler, before spoken of, were produced. Some disagree
ments having arisen, Turner and Keeling withdrew from
the concern, and the remaining partners removed their works,
to a house in Shelton, known as " Shelton Hall," afterwards
the " New Hall," in contradistinction to the "Old HaU,"
celebrated as being the birthplace of Elijah Fenton, the poet.
About the time of the withdrawal of Keeling and Turner
from the partnership, and the removal of the works from
TunstaU to Shelton, Richard Champion received, through
Burke, then in office, whom he had materially assisted in
his election for Bristol, as spoken of in the preceding
chapter, and who had patronised his manufacture in that
city, the appointment of Deputy Paymaster of the Forces.
On receiving this appointment, in 1782, Champion, it ap
pears, immediately left Staffordshire. The ministry soon
afterwards being dissolved, however. Champion was of neces
sity thrown out of office, and soon afterwards sailed for
America. He settled, it seems, at Camden, South Carolina,
and died there in 1787.
The company next took for manager Mr. John Daniel,
who afterwards became a partner in the concern. A con
siderable quantity of china was produced, but the most
extensive and profitable branch of the New Hall business
was the making and vending of the glaze called " com
position," made by the company of the materials to whose
use they had the exclusive right. This " composition,"
made from the ingredients given in the specification, was
supplied by the New Hall firm to the potters of the neigh
bourhood, and even sent to other localities, to a large
extent, and at a highly remunerative price.
The ware made at these works was precisely simUar in
body and glaze to that of Bristol, to which, from the fact
of some of the same artists being employed, it bears also a
marked resemblance in ornamentation. In 1796 the patentj

262

THE WEDGWOODS.

which had been enjoyed successively by Cookworthy, Cham
pion, and the Staffordshire company, for a period of twenty-
eight years, expired ; but the company continued to make
the hard paste china, and to supply "composition" (many
potters finding it more convenient still to purchase instead
of make that essential) to other manufacturers.
Hard paste porcelain, on the system of the patent, con
tinued to be made at ]S'ew HaU until about the year 1810 or

1812, when the bone paste, which had been gradually making .
its way in the distritc, finaUy superseded it, and the company

continued their works on the newer system. In 1825, the
entire stock of the concern, which had for a short time been

WEDGWOOD's CORNISH CLAY AND, STONE MINES. 263
carried on for the firm by a person named Tittensor, was
sold off, and the manufacture of china, of any description,
entirely ceased at New Hall.. The engravings on the pre
ceding page show some of the " hard paste" china made at
these works, from examples principally in my own collec
tion. Thus, the introduction of the manufacture of " china
ware" — a manufacture which has grown and increased to an
enormous extent in the district — into Staffordshire, was
made mainly through the exertions of Josiah Wedgwood,
in throwing open the use of the raw materials from Devon
shire and Cornwall. As soon as the use of these materials,
the Cornish clay and Cornish stone, was, by Act of Parlia
ment, on the concession of Champion, thrown open to the
manufacturers of earthenware, Wedgwood avaUed himself of
the fruit of his opposition by immediately entering into
partnership with Mr. Carthew, of St Austell, in Cornwall,
for the working of the mines of Cornish stone, and for the
supply of the materials to other manufactories besides
his own.
These mines were worked by Wedgwood to the time ot
his death, and after his decease were continued, for at all
events some years, by his successors. I have in my own
possession a letter, dated " Etruria, May 27, 1795" — a few
months after the death of the great Josiah — and signed
" Josiah Wedgwood and Byerley," which, as it gives the
price of Cornish clay and stone at that period, is particularly
interesting. The following is an extract : —
" We beg leave to acquaint you that we now possess and are
working the Cornish clay and stone mines that for twenty years
have been known under the name of Wedgwood and Carthew's.
" We can speak very decidedly from our o-wn experience of the
quaUty of these materials, which are certainly equal to any of the
kind. If you should be in want of any, we shaU be very glad to
serve you.
"The clay wUl be four guineas per ton in London, Bristol, or
Liverpool, the casks included. Wt. 112 lbs. to the cwt. in 4 casks
of 5 cwt. each.

y

264 ' THE WEDGWOODS.
"The stone 30«. per ton at the same places — 120 lbs. to the
cwt." Having thus obtained the use of the Cornish stone and
clay for himself and brother potters, Wedgwood infroduced
them into his manufactory with marked success, as is
particularly evident in his glazes, and in the body of his
earthenware. In 1776 Thomas Bentley visited Paris, being away from
his London duties for seven weeks. His journey was
"professedly a journey of expense and amusement, without
much attention to business," but he nevertheless confrived
to mix up business conveniently with it, and to return richer
in decorative ideas, and in impressions of gems, Ac, from
different cabinets. And here it may not be out of place to
say that in this same year, — the year in which he writes,
" We have Mr., Mrs., and Miss Wedgwood, with their ser
vants, with Miss Oates [I presume sister to his first •wife,
Hannah Oates] and Miss Stamford [sister to the then !SIrs.
Bentley], in the house, besides five clerks and our own ser
vants ; so that I have constant fears lest my good governess
should be laid up, though I take the best care I can of her,"
¦ — Mr. Bentley, jointly with his friend the Rev. David
Williams, one of the founders of a congregation on prin
ciples consonant with Mr. Bentley's feelings, at Chelsea.pub-
lished a " Liturgy on the Universal Principles of Morality
and Religion." This establishment at Chelsea would appear,
probably, to have been formed on somewhat simUar prin
ciples to that of the " Octagonians " at Liverpool.
In 1777 Wedgwood and Bentley issued a fourth edition
of their catalogue ; and in the succeeding year they again
published it translated into the Dutch language. A copy
of this remarkably scarce publication, issued at Amsterdam
in this year, 177S, is in my own possession, and is particu
larly interesting in many respects. By its title-page it
aj>])Ciii-s that the agent was Lambert Van Ycldhuysen. The
goods being to ho sold by " Wedgwood en Bentley, en
verkogt in bun IMagazyu, in de Groote Nieu^wpoort-Straat

JOHN FLAXMAN. 265
te Londen, en by Lambertus Van Veldhuysen, AUeen in de
Zeven Provintien, in's Konigs Waapen, le Amsterdam."
In the following year, 1779, a sixth edition of the French
catalogue, and a fifth of the English one, were published.
This latter is interesting as being the last edition issued by
Wedgwood and Bentley. In it only the four varieties of
bodies are named, showing clearly that the " Bamboo" and
the " Mortar" bodies were of later invention. The " Jasper "
was then, too, apparently still in its infancy, and is not
described as in the later catalogue, to which I shall have
occasion yet to refer.
Somewhat before this period — but I cannot speak with
certainty to the year — Wedgwood and Bentley engaged the
services of John Flaxman, then a young and unknown man,
and to his fostering care, to no inconsiderable extent, did
the great sculptor owe his name and his imperishable fame.
It was the employment he received from Wedgwood which
for years " kept the wolf from his door," and enabled him
to live while he worked his way up in art. It was this
employment which en£|,bled him to earn money to take a
home for himself, and to plant in it that blessing and joy
of his life, his wife, Ann Denman, and which also helped
him on to lay by money to visit Rome, and study the works
of the great masters. It would be highly interesting
to compile a list of all the groups, and medaUions, and
bas-reliefs of one kind or other which Flaxman produced
for Wedgwood. A complete list of this kind, however,
there is little hope of getting together. So far as may be
done I purpose doing at a future time. For the present I
shall content myself with the pleasure of giving my readers,
a little later on in the present chapter, copies of some of
Flaxman's original bills for models and drawings, which will
be of no inconsiderable service to collectors of Wedgwood
ware. In 1780, on the 26th of November, Thomas Bentley, the
friend and partner of Josiah Wedgwood, died at his resi
dence at Turnham Green, near London, and his burial is

266 THE WEDGWOODS.
thus recorded in the parish register of Chis-wick, where he
was interred on the 2nd of December —
"Burials, 1780.
" Thomas Bentley. December 2nd, in the Church."
In the St. James's Chronicle the following brief but telling
notice of his death appeared : — " Died, on Sunday, at his
house on Turnham Green, 'Mr. Bentley, in partnership
with Mr. Wedgwood. For his uncommon ingenuity, for
his fine taste in the Arts, his amiable character in private
life, and his ardent zeal for the prosperity of his country,
he was justly admired, and will long be most seriously
regretted by all who had the pleasure of knowing so excel
lent a character."
Mr. Bentley was buried, as I have already stated, at
Chiswick, where a tablet was erected to his memory. This
monument, the joint production of Stuart, who published
the well-known splendid work on Athens, and Scheemakers,
the artist who executed the monument to Shakspeare, in
Westminster Abbey, exhibiting a sarcophagus, •with medal
lion of Bentley, and boys holding inverted torches, bears the
following touching and admirable inscription : —
THOMAS BEXTLET,
Bom at Scrapton, in Derbyshire, JaiL 1st, 1730.
He married Hannah Oates, of Sheffield, in the Tear 1754 :
Mary Stamford, of Derby, in the Year 1772,
who survived to mourn her loss.
J He Died Xov. 2Gth, 17?0.
Blessed with an elevated and comprehensive understanding,
Informed in variety of science ;
He possessed
A wanu and brilliant imagination,
A pure and elegant taste ;
His extensive abilities,
Giuded by the most expansive philanthropy,
were employed
In forming and executing plans for the public good :
He thought
^Vith the freedom of n philosopher.
He acted
With the integrity of a virtuous citizen .

EPITAPH ON THOMAS BENTLEY. 267
The monument bears the names " Stuart Inv'. Scheemaker
Sculpt." It is pleasant to add to this inscription two other epitaphs
on Mr. Bentley — the one written by Mr. Rasbotham and
tbe other by Dr. Percival, which were communicated to me,
not long before his lamented death, by the late Dr. James
Markland, F.S.A., of Bath, whose literary and antiquarian
labours are so well known. The epitaphs, which have
never till now appeared in print, speak volumes as to the
character of the man whom Wedgwood chose as his friend
and partner. They are as follows : —
AN EPITAPH ON MR. BENTLEY, BY MR. RASBOTHAM.'

Sacred to the Memorv
of
THOMAS BENTLEY,
late of
Turnham Green,
in
this Parish.
Reader,
If thou hast a taste formed to relish the Elegancies
of the Politer Arts ;
If a mind un^warped by prejudice, and steady in
the pursuit of Truth ;
If a soul capable of the most extensive benevolence,
warm in its friendships, and susceptible of the endear
ments of conjugal affection ;
here pause a moment !
The real Critic,
The Philosopher,
The Man— The Friend— The Husband,
Beneath this lies buried.
He died in the year of his age.

* Doming Rasbotham, Esq., a magistrate, " distinguished for his pro
bity, sound judgment, and juridicial skiU."— TFbrfe of Thomas Percival,
Esq., M.B., vol ii. 290.

268 THE WEDGWOODS.
AN EPITAPH BY THOMAS PERCIVAL, M.D.

To
Commemorate distinguished merit
and
Prolong the influence of bright Example,
This Tablet
is inscribed to
THOMAS BENTLEY, ESQ.,
-Whose inventive genius,
Elegant Taste,
and capacious understanding
were directed,
in their various exertions, by
Genuine Patriotism,
and
Universal Philanthropy. Art
owes to him the re-vival of
Antique Beauty ;
Commerce
the extension of
Iidand Navigation ;
and
Science
Its true application to
Human Life and Manners :
In the meridian of his
reputation, usefulness, and prosperitv,
lamented by the public,
Praised, wept, and honoured by the friends
His Attic converse
gladdened and improved.
He died, aged 50,
Nov. -26, A.D. 1780.
Mr. Bentley died childless. By his first wife 1 believe
he had one infant, which died in its first year ; by his
second marriage he had none. And thus his name, as well
as his pure and refined taste, his brilliant intellect, and his
blameless and philanthropic life, died with him. Mrs.
Bentle)', who survived her husband many years, after a time
it apjiears removed to Gower Street, where she died.
In 1781, consequent on the death of Thomas Bentley, the

LETTERS OF THOMAS BENTLEY. . 269
London stock, so far as related to the partnership of Messrs.
Wedgwood and Bentley, was sold at Christie's, the sale
occupying twelve days.
And here, at the close of Bentley's life, let me introduce
one or two of his letters, to show the care he bestowed on
the detaUs of the business in which he had become a partner,
and the easy style of his correspondence. The first letter I
shall give is a most interesting one, from its allusions to
medallions, • to the Empress of Russia's service, and other
matters, and I therefore give it entire. It is addressed
" To Mr. Josiah Wedgwood, at Etruria, near Newcastle,
Staffordshire." "London, July 80, 1774.
Mx De. Petend,
" I have rec*^ from Mi. Hodgson 20 India Bonds, which
with Interest & Premium due upon them, amount to
£2070 16«. lid., and have given him a Receipt for them on your
Account He says they are very safe security for 3 pr. Ct.
"We have now almost no Company, & are busy arranging
Things in our New House, & winding up the Bottoms of the
Russian Service, which I hope wiU be all finish'd about the latter
end of next Week.
"I have very great Satisfaction in seeing all our Medallions,
Bas-reliefs, &c., before me at once, a Sight I never could gratify
myself with before. They can now be seen by others ; & I shall
now be able to tell what we have, & what we Want, in a few
Minutes. " This, I should think, must considerably promote the Sale of
them. " I shaU give you a List of what we want to compleat the Sets,
&c., & I can now correct some Errors, and flU up-Vacancies in the
Catalogue against another Edition. "Class 1.
" Mr. Wood •writes for these Things ; but we want a great many
good Bracelets, when you have setled your Composition.
" Class 2.
"No. l.T-Continence of Scipio. — I know you wait for the
Book, which I •wiU send do^wn with y^ other Books at Chelsea.

270 THE WEDGWOODS.
" I shaU give you no more wants out of this Class at present, as
we have not quite finish'd the Arrangement.
" Class 3.
" No. 1. — Hesiod, Black in a Gem Frame.
2.— Homer, do.
3. — Aristodemus, Eing of Messina. — Wanting in two Sets.
1 1 . — Pithagoras.
18. — Socrates.
20. — Aristippus. The Names or Numbers on the Backs.
"When you make these, I think you may make two or three
Compleat SetS; — in Gem Frames, Black, at 18d., and 2 or 3 sets un-
framed, at 1«. If your Moulds do not agree with our Catalogue, I
shou'd be glad to know in what respect, & which are deficient, that
we may correct the Catalogue. I only doubt y having any Mould
for the Head call'd Aristodemus ; tho' you once had such a One.
"Class 4.
"We have never a compleat Set of the Roman History. We
shou'd have half a dozen Sets made at once. The last is sold that
was compleat. Please to take Care to send compleat Setts.
" Class the 5th
" I propose calling Meads of illustrious Greeks S^ Romans. Cvrus
& Lysimaohus, from Class XL, •will be transfer'd to this.
" Tou may make aU the Heads in this Class, •with or •without
Frames, in Black. 2 or 3 Sets. " CL.ISS y'^ 6.
"There are several Deficiencies in most of the Sizes of y« 12
Caesars ; but we have not got them all together yet.
" We want several Sets framed at Is. 6d. & 3s., in Gem Frames,
in Black. Please to Number them carefully at the Back, according
to the Catalogue. Many of the Heads have been number'd &
mark'd wrong. " Class 7.
" We have few of these ; but this Class is so incompleat it may
bo as weU to defer a while making tliem.
"Class the 8th.
" Wo only want the foUowmg : — No. 27, Cuius; 108, Adrian 2d;
133, Leo 8th ; 138, Boniface 7lh ; loH, Beuediut 10th ; ICO, Hilde-

LETTERS OF THOMAS BENTLEY. 271
brand; 249, Innocent 13th; 250, Benedict 13th ; 251, Clement 12 ;
252, Benedict 14; 84, In" 6th. Perhaps you have Moulds for
some of these. Please to let us know which you really want ; for
wo have had a great many from you since we were informed you
had no more. " Class y" 9th.
"We may have two or three Setts of these as soon as you please.
"Class 10th & 11th, with the Acc"^ of Stores I defer, as we ai'e
going to take an Account of Stock.
" Severall of the Things mention'd above we want to compleat
our Sets for the Rooms. With respect to the rest, we shall be
more particular when we have got all our Affairs in a narrower
Compass. " Mr. Hodgson informs TJs, Cutler, Ferryman, & Co., at Naples,
are very safe.
"Dr. Jebb has been with Us twice. For several Days Mrs.
Bentley had no Pulse in One Arm, & very little in the other. She
cou'd get no sleep ia the Night, & was extremely low, so as often
only to be relieved with a Flood of Tears. She is considerably
better, & has some Pulse this Morning ; and I hope the Doctor's
Cordials, & kitchen Physick — for he orders her to live well — will
soon restore her to Health & Spuits. Our Love to Mrs. W.
" I am always yrs. most affy.,
"Thos. Bentley."

"  to send im mediately, or as soon as possible, . . . Sets
of the 8 Small Statues in fine -white jasper and . . in Black, without
Frames, and some Sets of the Medallions, Cupid shaving his Bow,
Diamede, &c., about 8, or as many as there are in a Set of the full
reUef ; but not the Poor slender flat Lady coming out of a Bath.
These wiU be wanted immediately ; & we shou'd be glad to have
some of them by the Coach, with some of those that were modeU'd
here, that Hackwood has been finishing. Pray make us a Pafr of
Herculaneum Nymphs, without Frames, out of the Moulds you
have, as weU & as soon as you can, and then Massey, or any of
the Men that want Work, may be repau-ing them. Dr. Franklin, a
Dozen or two very good, with Frames, both black & white. Fine
Cleopafra's Heads, white, a dozen or two, 3s. 6(/. each.
" We want a match for Dr. Franklin, but do not stay for that.
Send some as soon as possible. Tour Cai-riers disappoint Us sadly.

272 THE WEDGWOODS.
Socrates & Pittarus, in Pairs. Be good now, & let us have these
Things as soon as possible.
" Mr. Wedgwood desires his Duty to his good Lady. He is well,
but extremely busy. A delightful Sale of Fossils is come to our
relief, & will keep him here a while longer.
" AU our respects to Mrs. Wedgwood & the good FamUy.
"Yrs. &e.,
"T. B."

" On the other side my Dr. Friend •wiU receive the Copy of an
order from ]Mr. Westmacot, Architect, for a Chimney Piece, for
Sr. Geo. Warren, which he desires may be executed with all
possible dispatch. The Tablets & Blocks, the small Statues &
Heads, are all to be in white, to be grounded •with pale blue or
laylock colour. In the Dimensions you ¦will be as exact as possible;
& I suppose it wou'd be better they shou'd be a little larger than
a httle less, as they are to go into Rabits."
" Wanted for Me. Westmacot, with all possible dispatch.
Ft. Ins. Ins.
1 White square Tablet . . . 1 6^ by 8i
2 White oval Blocks  4i by 3
2 White square Do. .
Messalina & another Empress to match her
Faustina & Do. Do.
Basso Releivos, the Set of eight white Statues
2 Do. Hercules & Lion & Diomede with
ye Pal 
2 Do. Cupid shaving his Bow and sacri
ficing Fig. . ....
ApoUo, Sappho, Poppea, & Apulius .

•^s^ by 4i
1- bv Ij oval in white.
i\VVh Do.
H by 21

3i by 2^ "White.

3 bv2i Da Althea.
li by If Do. 1
4 heads all of a size." i

CHAPTER XV.
JOHN FLA5MAN  HIS CONNECTION WITH JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.
 ORIGINAL BILLS AND LETTERS OF FLAXMAN's.  MODE
OF REDUCING MEDALLIONS, ETC., BY FIRING. — FLAXMAN'S
MEDALLION PORTRAITS— DIS BAS-RELIEFS — HIS DESIGNS
FOR SET OF CHESSMEN. — MR. MARJORIBANK's COLLECTION.
— FRIEZES AND PLAQUES. — FLAXMAN'S MODELS IN WAX.
 JOSIAH WEDGWOOD ELECTED F.R.S.  SIR JOSHUA REY
NOLDS PAINTS PORTRAITS OF JOSLiH AND MRS. WEDGWOOD.
— WRIGHT OF DERBY. — WEDGWOOD INVENTS A THERMO
METER FOR MEASURING HEAT. — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
— INVENTION OF " JASPER .DIP."
I HA.VE spoken in the last chapter of Flaxman's connection
with Wedgwood. I am fortunately enabled, in connection
with this interesting part of the memoir of the great Josiah,
to introduce here, in their chronological place, some original
hUls of Flaxman's, which are extremely important and
valuable as sho^wing the prices then paid to that afterwards
great artist, and as enabling, so far as they go, collectors to
know which pieces were really the productions of his master
mind. And here let me say that it is a fixed belief — a
behef in which I fully share — that Flaxman for a time
modelled at Etruria, in one of the rooms shown in the view
just given of the Black Works. The prices paid to him as
a young man, it will be seen, were really handsome and
hberal, when the time and other matters are considered.
I have thought it weU to Ulustrate, to some extent, these
important and highly interesting bills, which I have the
gratification of being the first to make public, so as to
enable my readers to authenticate such examples as may be
T

274 THE WEDGWOODS.
in their coUections. The first biU, now before me, is as
foUows : —

'(.^e/yVt^^^'^C ^^^,,,;^;,^^^

1782.

£ t. d.
April 28. Moulding a Turin  0 18 0
83. Moulding a Bust of Mr. & Mrs. Siddons . 1 11 6
Sept. 6. A Cast of a Fragment by Phidias . . 0 10 6

3 0 0

^^^^^^^^iO^f^/^

ccfjyyui/yx.^

Succeeding this in point of date, the foUo-wing interesting
letter, written in October, 1782, from Wardour Street, where
Flaxman had only a short time before removed from his
father's house, and to which he had only then taken home
his young and loving bride — written, too, it •wUI be remem
bered, soon after the time when the bachelor president of
the Academy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, had said to him, " So,
Flaxman, I am told you are married ; if so, sir, I teU you,
you are ruined for an artist!" — wUl be read •with much
interest : — « Oct. 2Sth, 17S2, Wardour Street,
"SlE, " According to tho desire you expressed in the last letter
you favoured me with, I have designed some groups of children
proper for bas-reUefs to decorate the sides of tea-pots. No. 1 & 2
are intended to go intirely round a tea-pot of a flat shape, except
where the handle and spout interrupt them. I have therefore made
separate stories for each side ; the first is ' Bhnd Man's Buff,' the
second is tbe ' Game of ilarbles,' 3 & 4 are the ' Triumph of Cupid,'
to bo disposed in a similar manner on the sides of round & upright
tea-pots. When you return the sketches to bo modeUed from, be

ACTION OP FIRE ON CLAYS. 275
pleased to give insfructions concerning the size and other necessary
particulars. Mrs. Flaxman presents her respects to Mrs. & Miss
Wedgwood and yourself. "And I have the honour to remain, Sir,
"Tour obliged Servant, "John Flaxman."
The designs for groups for the teapots here spoken of by
Flaxman were modelled, and no doubt •wiU be familiar to
some coUectors. The same groups were also introduced into
other pieces, of various sizes. And here let me say a word
or two on a matter of great interest to collectors, but on
which, unfortunately, not having the practical knowledge of
the potter's art, they possess but very scanty information.
I have often heard it remarked what an enormous cost it
must have been to produce models of the same group in so
many different sizes, from seven or eight, or even more,
inches in height, down to the most minute and exquisite
little gem of three quarters or half an inch in height ; and
I have heard the remark, from those who had carefully
examined them, repeatedly made, of how marvellous it was
that in producing so many separate models of the same
subject, such strict and unerring fidelity should have been
preserved in all their detaUs. This reduction, my readers
will be glad to learn, is produced by the action of fire,
and this — one of the wonderful properties of heat, with all
of which in their effect on the form, size, colour, &c., the
successful potter must be thoroughly acquainted — is one of
the nicest and most careful operations which the master eye
of the producer has to accomplish.
The properties of different clays in their shrinking, no
less than in their combinations for the production of differ
ent bodies and varieties of colours, have to be understood
thoroughly by the manufacturer, who has to proportion the
degrees of heat to which his wares must be subjected to
produce the desired result. For instance, if a piece — no
matter what — is required to be of a certain size when
finished, the model for it has to be made of a larger size,
T 2

276 THE WEDGWOODS.
to allow for shrinking, proportionate to the body and to the
degree of heat to which it bas to be subjected. When tbe
model, I will suppose of a bas-relief, has been made, a
mould is taken from it, and into this matrix, when dried,
the prepared clay is pressed. If the original model was,
say eight inches in height, its countei"part in soft clay, thus
produced, would be precisely the same. This, in passing
through the oven, would in some instances, according to
the composition of the body, and the beat to which -it was
subjected, shrink as much as one-eighth ; so that what
went into the kiln in a soft state of eight inches would
come out hardened only seven inches in height, and being
shrunk bodUy, its entire proportions and its minutest
details would be reduced alike. Another mould being taken
from this, and a clay squeeze from the mafrix of seven
inches being again subjected to the same heat, the second
perfect piece would come out of the kiln measuring only six
inches and an eighth — and so on ; each time a reduction is
made, the proportion of loss of one-eighth of its then size
being preserved. It wUl thus be seen that •with care and
experience reductions to almost any size may be procured.
The next bUl of Flaxman's, which I have the good fortune
to produce through the courtesy of Messrs. Wedgwood, is
one of great importance, being a statement of accounts from
July 11th, 1783, the year after his marriage, down to August
10th, 1787, the time when he and his true helpmate set ofi"
to Rome to study tlie great masters, and to prove to
Reynolds and the world " that wedlock is for a man's good
rather than for his harm."

Mk. Wedgwood, To J. Flaxman, Ji-n.
its:!. i' s. d.
July 11. Two DrawiiiLTS of Crests, on Owl \ a
(Iriflin's Head . ..030
A portrait of Mr Ilerschel . 2 2 0
A  Dr Buchan . .220
Oct. 12. .\  nu officer from n print, for
" ring . . . L' 12 C

2 2

0

2 2

0

0 2

6

11 0

6

2 2

0

0 15

0

0 5

0

JOHN flaxman's bills. :27.7
1783. £ s. d.
Oct. 12. A drawing of a Crest, Cap of Liberty
& a flame ... .010
„ 30. A figure of a Fool for Chess . .15 0
Dec. 13. A drawing of the Shield, Crest, and
Arms of Sir N. Nugent . . .026
„ 18. Grinding the edges of six snuff boxes
for the Spanish Ambassador . . 0 15 0
1784.
Jany. 24. A model in wax of Captain Cook
Feby. 3. A — ¦  of Dr Johnson .
A print of the Dr for assistance in the
model 
Mar. 21. A bas-relief of boys in wax
A portrait of 0. Jenkinson, Esq.
Two .drawings for the Manufacturer's
Arms 
A third for the Manufacturer's Arms ,
Dec. 31. Three days employed in drawing bas-
relief vases. Chess Men, &c. . .330
„ 12. A bas relief in Wax of Veturia &
Volumnia entreating Coriolanus
Jan. 14. A portrait of Govt. Hastings
Mar. 8. A dra'wing of Chess Men . .
An Outline for a Lamp & Stand
Cutting the cvuTred sides of two orna
mental friezes parallel 3 days & half
April 29. A drawing of a Chimney piece .
July 23. A ditto from that in Mr. Wedgwood's
show-room, & several mouldings
drawn at large . . . .110
Aug. 8th. A mason's time taking do^wn a
Chimney piece
A labourer at do. do. .
A drawing of an Arm & Olive branch
No^vr. 23. A model of the King of Sweden
Deer. Mr & Mrs Meermans portraits .
Deer. 18. Four patterns for Steel frogs
1787.
Jan. 16. A' model of Peace preventing Mars
from bursting the door of Janus's
Temple 
A packing case 
Drawing of an Oak branch for the
border of a plate . . . .030
March 26. A model of Mercury uniting the hands
of England & France . . . 13 13 0

9 9

0

3 3

0

6 6

0

0 10

6

0 9

7J

0 10

6

0 2

0

.0 1

3

0 2

0

2 2

0

•5 5

0

0 10

0

15 15

0

0 1

0

278 THE WEDGWOODS.
1787. £ s. d.
March 26. A packing case  0 16
A drawing of a Cypher R. H. and
Bloody Hand . . . .020
June 1. A model of the Queen of Portugal .330
11. / A marble Chimney piece containing
6 ft. 11 m. at £1 18 0 per foot . 11 4 0
Masonry & polishing . . . 18 0 0
Carving  6 0 0
fA marble Chimney piece containing
5ft. 3 in  9 19 6
Masonry and polishing . . . 21 4 0
Twenty-four Tinned Cramps . . 0 12 0
Seven packing cases, 7s. Qd.. 7s. \ld.,
Is. Id., 6s. 9d., 5s. Qd., 7s. 6d., 8s. Irf. 2 8 5
NaUs  0 2 10
Packing three days . . . . 0 10 6
Cart to the Inn . . . .060
Toll, porter, & booking . . .019

£163 11 4i
Taking down a Chimney piece. .053
Cutting Tiles  0 5 0
Cases for the chimney piece . . 0 19 6|
Angst. 10. A bas-relief of Hercules in the Hes
perian Garden . . . . 23 0 0

£188 4 2
Cr 116 11 9

£71 14 5

Received on account of this Bill
1785. £ s. d.
March 22  25 0 0
Augt. 10  25 0 0
1787.
July 10  50 0 0
Aug. 10  10 0 0
By amount of G^oda . . 6 11 9

£116 11 9

It would appear from this accoimt that the famous group
of " Hercules in the Hesperian Garden " was the last pro-

flaxman's MEDALLION PORTRAITS.

279

/
ft

t- /.p^ \

..'^'
/ .#¦

^^"

MBS. MJ-.r.n.MAN.

MES. SIDDONS.

ME. ItEEEMAN.

HBESCHELL.

C. JENKINSON.

THB QUEEN OE POETUGAL. KING Off SWEDEN.

DE. BUCHAN.

280

THE WEDGWOODS.

duction of Flaxman for Wedgwood, it having been delivered
on the 10th of August, 1 787 — I presume immediately previous
to his departure for Rome, down to which period this bUl was
a general statement of accounts, and more than probably the
last which passed between them. It appears that in July
and August in that year, Flaxman had received two sums
of £50 and £10 on account, and that there was stUl due to
him a balance of £71 14s. bd., making altogether a sum of
£113 14s. hd. received by him in that autumn — a nice Uttle
amount to help the frugal couple in the arrangements for,
and the expenses of, their journey to Italy.

In iUustration of this biU I give engravings of some of
Flaxman's productions contained in its items. Of the
medallions therein charged, 1 give those of Herschell,

FLAXMAN S BAS-RELIEFS.

281

Buchan, Jenkinson, the King of Sweden, the Queen of
Portugal, Mr. and .Mrs. Meerman, and Mrs. Siddons. These
form a remarkably characteristic and interesting series of the
works of this great artist. Of bas-reliefs, for use in various
ways, I also give engravings of the exquisite compositions
of " Peace preventing Mars from bursting the Door of Janus's
Temple," for which Flaxman was paid fifteen guineas, and

" Mercury uniting the Hands of England and France," for
which he received thirteen guineas.
The " dra^wings for the manufacturer's arms " I take to
have been drawings of the arms of Wedgwood for a seal,
and I am gratified in being able here to introduce an en
graving of those arms as they appear on a seal of the

282 THE WEDG'W^OODS.
celebrated " basaltes," now in possession of Mr. W. R.
Wedgwood. The arms of W^ edgwood are: — gules, four
mullets of five points and a canton, argent.
The shield on this pretty little seal is highly
interesting, as showing these arms •with the
same borne on an escutcheon of pretence ;
showing that the bearing was that of Josiah
Wedgwood, with that of his wife, Sarah,
daughter and heiress of Richard Wedgwood, on the
escutcheon. I give a copy, ¦n-^ith the dark sepia background removed,
also of his exquisite drawing of the chessmen, preserved at
Etruria, for which drawing he charged six guineas in the
bill just given. The drawing is of marveUous beauty and
finish, and bears the name of I. Fkucman, intf et delink. Of
these chessmen I shall have more to say later on. The
" Figure of a Fool for Chess," charged in Flaxman's biU
at £1 5s., •wiU be seen in the lower row, the second figure
from the castle in the centre, to the spectator's lefL
Supplementary to Flaxman's statement of account just
given, I print the following " Uttle bUl " for work done by a
mason, I presume, in setting up two of the fine marble
chimney pieces with Wedgwood's medalUons inlaid, which
were then so fashionable : —
Jos. Wedgwood to Me. Flaxman.
1787.
Time, 27 days, at 4s. ...
Board and Lodging 
J. W.'s share of washing and expenses £8 11 6
Sep. 25, 1787. By Cash, fS lis. 6<7.
Robert "Wilson.
This bill is endorsed " Mr. Flaxman's bill for setting up
2 chimney pieces, Sept., 1787."
In the possession of Mr. Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks,
M.r., who is the fortunate owner of a splendid and valuable

£ s.

d.

5 0

0

1 15

6

1 S

6

FLAXMAN S DESIGNS FOR CHESSMEN.

283

Hi

284 THE WEDGWOODS.
collection of Wedgwood ware, are thirty-two of the original
models in wax, on slate, of bas-reliefs by Flaxman and other
artists, Italian and French, made for Wedgwood. This
series of models passed into the hands of Mr. Marjoribanks
a few years ago by purchase, from one branch of the Wedg
wood family. Amongst these are the " Death of Adonis,"
the "Departure of Achilles," and a number of other similar

classical subjects, besides bacchanalian and other groups.
Portions of one of these models for a plaque (19 inches long
by 10 inches in height) of cupids, with masks and i-vy above,
are shown on the engravings on this and two following pages.
They are exquisitely, but at the same time powerfully,
modelled in red wax on a slab of slate. In Mr. Marjori
banks' possession are also a pair of beautifnlly-designed
crocus jardinieres, of a delicate and lovely pink and white,
on which these very figures are introduced.
At Etruria some of Flaxman's original models in wax,

MODELS BY FLAXMAN, LADY TEMPLE, AND OTHERS. 285
oh slabs of slate, are also still preserved. One of these is
the " Mercury uniting the Ha.nds of England and France,"
of which I have just spoken. The original wax models of
some of Flaxman's chessmen are also still in being, though,
unfortunately, in a very fragmentary and dUapidated con
dition.* At Etruria also are original wax models by Lady
Temple and others, and innumerable models, moulds, and

impressions of gems, intaglios, seals, medals, and every
conceivable variety of ornament that could assist the great
mind of the master in the arrangement of his designs, and
in extending the advantages of his manufacture.
While speaking of Mr. Marjoribanks and his collection of
* These exquisitely beautiful figures are modelled in white wax, the
"cor^s," or " strengtheners," being of twisted •wire. They are, as a
matter of course, of a somewhat larger size than the jasper figures, so as
to allow for shrinking by fire.

286 THE WEDGWOODS.
the original models, it may be well to take the opportunity
of saying a word or two on his collection of Wedgwood ware
in general. At his seat at Guisachan, Inverness-shire, that
gentleman has devoted two rooms to the works of the great
potter, in which the walls, bookcases, and other pieces of
furniture are decorated with plaques, medaUions, &c., inlaid
with great taste. His collection contains many choice
examples of the different wares produced by Wedgwood,

b

including among the jaspers, the celebrated " Dancing
Nymphs," the "Head of Medusa," from Sir WUliam
Hamilton's original, the " Muses with Apollo," the " FaU
of Phaeton," tlie " Infant Academy," after Sir Joshua
Reynolds, " The Graces erecting the Statue of Cupid,"
" Diana visiting Endymion," from the Capitol at Rome,
and many fine vases, including a rare pegasus vase in peach-

SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS AND WEIGHT, OF DERBY. 287
green, 18^ inches high, and a pair of magnificent black and
white vases, with signs of the zodiac, and triumphal pagan
procession, 21 inches high, including pedestals, &c.
In 1782 (May 9th and 16th) Josiah Wedgwood commu
nicated to the Royal Society an account of "an attempt to
make a Thermometer for measuring the higher degrees of
Heat, from a red-heat up to the strongest that vessels made
of clay can support," and this learned paper was afterwards
translated, not only into the French, but into the Dutch
language. In the same month (May 30, 1782) he was pro
posed as a Fellow of the Royal Society. His election took
place on the 16th of January, 1783, and he was admitted on
the 13th of February.
In this year Sir Joshua Reynolds painted the well-known
portrait of Wedgwood, and also one of Mrs. Wedgwood.
The sittings, as appears by Sir Joshua's own pocket memo
randum book, were in May of that year. This portrait of
Josiah Wedgwood has been engraved, first by W. Holman
in 1787, and secondly by John Taylor Wedgwood in 184L
It has also been repeatedly copied in wood for illustration of
fugitive notices. The portrait of Mrs. Wedgwood has not,
I believe, been engraved. The engraving by John Taylor
Wedgwood wiU be found as the frontispiece to my present
work. Wedgwood, besides being a good judge of painting, was
a cordial and liberal friend of art. Wright, of Derby,
received commissions from iim for several paintings, among
which were the following : — " A Moonlight Scene with the
Lady in Comus," the " Maid of Corinth," " Penelope un
ravelling the web — Moonlight,"* and a fine portrait of Sir
Richard Arkwright, f with, I believe, others. It is sad to
* The subject of this picture, as a companion to the "Maid of
Corinth," was evidently, from the following extract from a letter from
Wright to his friend Hayley, the poet, chosen by the latter. Wright
says: — "Mr. Wedgwood approves of your subject of Penelope as a com
panion to the Maid of Corinth."
t This portrait now hangs in the Royal Exchange at Manchester,
where I saw it during the present summer. It bears the following

288 THE WEDGWOODS.
know that, after the death of the " great Josiah," these
pictures, being consigned to the care of some one, were lost
to the family.
In 1783 Mr. Wedgwood communicated to the Royal
Society " Some Experiments on the Ochra FriabUis Nigro
Fusca of Da Costa (Hist. Fos., p. 102), and caUed by the
miners in Derbyshire Black Wadd," which, like the former,
was printed in the " Philosophical Transactions." At the
same time Wedgwood exhibited to the Society several
specimens of the products of these experiments.
Continuing, in midst of all his manufacturing operations,
and his experiments in other branches of philosophy, his
researches into beat, Wedgwood, in 1784, communicated to
the Royal Society (printed in the PhUosophical Transac
tions), "An attempt to compare and connect the Ther
mometer for strong fire with common mercurial ones;"
and this he supplemented two years later by "additional
observations on a Thermometer for measuring the higher
degrees of heat." His observations on thermometers were
also published respectively as pamphlets, in the French and
in the Dutch languages.
In 1785 a " Chamber of Manufacturers " (or Chamber of
Commerce) was established in London " to watch over their
interests at large, as one aggregate." The meeting at which
this " Chamber of Manufacturers " was established was
presided over by Sir Herbert Jlackworth. Tlie first point
of importance which this chamber had to consider — and
which it considered immediately on its formation — was the
then all-engrossing subject of the commercial negotiations
with Ireland as to the admittance of Irish linens into Great
Britain duty free, without a corresponding admittance of
inscription : — "This porti-ait, painted for the late Josiah Wedgwood,
Esquire, by ' Wright, of Derby,' wn.s presented to the Committee of the
Manchester Royal Exchange by Edmimd Buckley. Esquire, to be placed
in the Publick Room, as a memorial to his fellow-citizens of one who, by
his important discoveries and persevering energy, mainly contributed to
tho great extension nnd success of Cotton Spinning. Jime, ISoo."

INTRODUCTION OF " JASPER DIP." 289
British goods on the same terms into that country. A
Committee of the Chamber was formed, of which it would
appear Josiah Wedgwood was chairman. At aU events, the
minutes, now lying before me, of the special committee, are
signed by him on its behalf. >
In this year, 1785, Wedgwood, ever inventing and ever
impro^ving, introduced a "jasper dip," in which the clay
vessels were " dipped," and so received a coating of jasper
instead of being formed of that body throughout. This
improvement, being made, was adopted for the whole, with
but occasional exceptions, of the jasper goods, and has
continued to be used to the present time. Its adoption
rendered an increase in the price of the finished goods
necessary, and the amount of that increase is seen by the
foUowing extract from correspondence of 1785 : — " The
new jasper, white within, will be the only sort made in
future ; but as the workmanship is nearly double, the price
must be raised. I think it must be about 20 per- cent.
Nov. 21, 1785."
CoUectors wUl, from this fact, be able to know that, as a
general rule, vases made of jasper body throughout were
made before 1785, while those white inside were of sub
sequent production, down to the year 1858, when "solid
jasper " body again began to be used, and is stiU made.
Having now brought down my history to an important
period — the introduction of the "jasper dip " — I close my
chapter, to resume the narrative in my next with the
circumstances attending the food riots at Etruria.

u

i

CHAPTER XVL
FOOD RIOTS AT ETRURIA. — B0AT-L0.\.D OF PRCVISIONS SEIZED.
— MILITARY CALLED OUT. — RINGLEADERS SEIZED ASl)
CONDEJINED. — EXECUTION OF BARLOW AT STAFFORlL —
CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE KIOTS. — JOSLiH WEDG-
WOOD'S "address TO THE YOUNG INHABIT.\NTS Ob" THE
POTTERIES."  SALE OF THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND'S
COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES. — THE BARBERINI OR PORT
LAND VASE. — WEDGWOOD's DETERiUNATION TO POSSESS
AND COPY THE VASE.  ARRANGEMENT WITH THE DUKE
OF PORTLAND.  FIFTY COPIES PRODUCED. — JOSLVH WEDG
WOOD ELECTED F.S.A.  PUBLICATION OF THE SIXTH
EDITION OF HIS CATALOGUE.  " BAMBOO OR C.4.NE-
COLOURED BISQUE PORCELAIN," ^VND " MORTAR WARE "'
INTRODUCED.  DEATH OF THOMAS •WEDGWOOD. — CLAY
FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.  COMMEMORATI'YE MEDALLIOX.
— DARWIN's BOTANIC GARDEN. — WEDGWOOD TAKES HIS
SONS INTO PARTNERSHIP.— THOMAS BYERLEY BECOMES A
PARTNER.  MEMOIR OF BYERLEY ANT) HIS F.UIILY. —
TREATY WITH SAXONY.  ESTABLISHMEST OF A NATIONAL
GALLERY OF SCULPTURE.
In the year 1783, an unfortunate occurrence took place at
Etruria, which caused intense anxiety to Josiah Wedgwood.
It will be remembered that, conse(juent on the disasfrous
American war, trade became stagnant, there •was a' dearth of
provisions, and " food riots " of a fearful character took
place in various districts, l^truria, the newly formed, weU
conducted, and usuaUy iieaceable colony of potters, unfortu
nately became the scene of one of the wildest and most
daring of these risings of a starving people. The pro
ceedings are thus well described by Ward: — "A boat laden
with flour and cheese had stopped at the wharf near the

FOOD RIOTS AT ETRURIA. 291
manufactory,* and the cargo was intended to have been
there delivered for consumption in the Potteries ; but by a
sudden determination of the owners, the boat was directed
to proceed forward to Manchester. Information was given
by some parties to the provision dealers in Hanley and
Shelton, and by them to their anxious customers ; the
people were led to believe that a design was formed further
to enhance the scarcity and price. A large number of them
coUected together, and hastened down to Etruria, deter
mined to arrest the progress of the boat ; but before they
got there she had proceeded onward towards her destination.
They followed and overtook her at Longport, where they
seized her, and brought her back to Etruria. They then
took out the flour and cheese, and sold it at a reduced price,
paying over the proceeds, however, to the master of the-
boat. A second boat laden with provisions, which had
come up to the locks, was also seized by them, and the
cargo disposed of in like manner. There was then stationed
at Newcastle a company of the Welsh Fusileers, which,
with a detachment of Staffordshire militia, under the
command of Major Sneyd, who happened to be at Keel at
the time, were marched to Etruria during these riotous
proceedings in order to quell them. The Major, with much
humanity, harangued the mob on the wickedness and
danger of their conduct ; but they had become daring and
insolent. Two magistrates were on the spot ; the riot act
was read; and, at the end of an hour's grace, the Major
was under the necessity of proceeding to disperse them by
force. On the order being given to the military to charge,
the rioters fled in all directions; two of them, who had
been noticed as their leaders or most daring abettors, were
immediately afterwards arrested, and committed to Stafford
gaol for trial. Their names were Stephen Barlow and
Joseph Boulton, and they were charged with the capital
* Wedgwood's works at Etruria, the wharf being on the canal already
at some length spoken of, and which had not long previously been
opened.
u2

292 THE •WEDGWOODS.
offence at the assizes, which were held within a few days
afterwards. Barlow was convicted and left for execution;
and notwithstanding great exertions were made to save his
Ufe, he suffered the extreme penalty of the law. The Govern
ment were alarmed at the popular disposition to tumult:
and poor Barlow became a victim rather to the pubUc safety
than to the heinousness of his crime."
From a contemporary account — a letter from Newcastle-
under-Lyme, published in the Derby Mercury of March 20,
1783, which I for the first time here reprint — the foUowing
interesting particulars are gleaned : —
" The people in the pottery and neighbourhood of this town are
in a state of absolute anarchy. On Friday last a boat-load of flour
and cheese, going up the na^vigation to Manchester, was seized by a
*mob of about 400 persons. They opened the hatches, kept posses
sion of it aU night, and on Saturday proceeded to seU the flour, &c.,
at their o^wn prices. An express had been sent to Lichfield to
obtain some of the Militia who were stationed there to come to our
rehef. Two companies were accordingly dispatched ; and Mr. Inge,
Dr. Faulkner, and Major Sneyd, •with the utmost pohteness and
alacrity, came here. On Saturday afternoon, there happening to
be a company of the Carnarvonshire Mihria in town, on their route
homewards, the commanding-officer, in the most obUging manner,
complied •with the request of the magistrates to assist them in case
of need. The magistrates, military, and many of the most respect
able inhabitants of this to^wn, immediately went down to Etruria,
near Mr. Wedgwood's manufactory (where the mob still kept the
boat), determined to quell and disperse them. The mUitary were
kept at some distance from the spot, in order that an opportunity
might be given to reason •with the persons assembled ; and the
magisfrates and others had the satisfaction of seeing that in a short
time they yielded to reason ; and, being promised all the assistance
that the law could give against the forestallers and others that kept
up the markets, and that a subscription would be entered into to
ob^viate the present scarcity as far as they could, they agreed to
disperse, provided the boat was not removed.
" But on Monday they assembled again in greater numbers, and
sent deputies to tho magistrates •with a •wiitten requisition of what
they would have done ; in fine, tliey grew so ill-behaved, that,
though there was a very Uberd subscription entered into, they had

EXECUTION OP ONE OF THE RIOTERS. 293
aU the assurances of redress and other assistance that the magis
trates, the gentlemen present, and their masters could give, them,
they would not disperse without the btjat was fully delivered to
them on the instant, that the flour might be sold there. The
magistrates not choosing, out of humanity, to go to extremities, by
which there would have been much bloodshed, thought it best to
comply ; and so the mob are now selling the flour at their own
prices ; but, at the same time, the gentlemen are determined to
prosecute the ringleaders to the utmost rigour of the law. Two of
the ringleaders are taken and committed to Staff'ord Gaol."
The following paragraphs relating to the fate of one of the
ringleaders^ Barlow, are from the same paper : —
" On Saturday the assizes ended at Staflbrd, when the follo-wing
persons received sentence of death — viz., Mary Baker, for stealing
from the shop of Thos. Heveningham eight yards of printed linen
cloth ; John Crutchley, for stealing two cows, the property of Sarah
Biddulph ; James Bagley, for stealing thirteen sheep, the property
of E. Cartwright ; Wm. Faulkner, for stealing two sheep, the pro
perty of C. Adams ; John Shepherd, for assaulting and wounding
John Holmes, and robbing him of a watch and six shillings ; also
Stephen Barlow, for assembhng with a number of other persons
in a riotous manner at Etruria (Barlow was hanged on Monday) ;
Thomas Smith and William Smith, for stealing a fork and a
quantity of oats ; and James Poole, for assaulting Um. Watson,
to be transported to Africa for seven years ; likewise Ralph Udale,
for breaking into the shop of Henry Kniveton and stealing fustians,
&c., was sent to the Thames for four years.
"On Monday last, agreeable to the above sentence, Stephen
Barlow was executed at Stafford for rioting, &c. He was attended
to the tree by a body of mUitia. The fate of this unhappy man
(who is cut off almost instantly), it is hoped, wUl be a warning to
those deluded people who thus daringly assemble in defiance of the
law against rioting, which is a capital offence."
To the peaceable, kindly, gentle, and liberal dispositionV
of Wedgwood, nothing could be more painful than this
disorder, happening in his o-wn locality, and by people of
his own calling, among whom he had lived throughout his
whole life. He immediately wrote and published, in form
of a pamphlet, which he distributed through the district.

294 THE ¦WEDGWOODS.
" An Address to the Young Inhabitants of the Potteries, by
Josiah Wedgwood, F.R.S.," in which he calmly considered
the grievance of the people, and reasoned with them on
their lawless and mischievous course of proceedings. Of
this pamphlet, which is now of excessive rarity, I possess a
copy. It was "printed at Newcastle, by J. Smith," and
is dated "Etruria, 27th March, 1783." This admirable
address, which, for kindliness, manly and fatherly feeling,
and strict integrity of principle, has seldom been equaUed,
is here for the first time reproduced. "Etruria, 27th March, 1783.
' ' Mt young Feeends,
" The very serious events which have just now taken place
amongst us must alarm every one who has any regard for the welfare
of his country, or good wishes towards the deluded people themselves
who were concerned in the late riots ; but young minds like yours
receive sfronger impressions, and are more affected with such un
common appearances than older people. At the same time, for
want of that experience which should accompany riper years, you
are more hkely to be misled in judging of the part you ought to
take when such violent measures are in agitation. This difficulty
of knowing what to decide upon, and the danger of judging and
acting -wrong, are greatly increased, not only by the unsetded state
of the mind in the midst of riot and tumult, but more particularly
by seeing your friends, your relations, perhaps even your parents —
to whom you have always looked up for ad-vice and direction — taking
the most active part in these disturbances.
' ' I therefore address myself pai-ticularly to you, because when you
arc placed in these unhappy cueumstances, seeing those who have
fed aud protected you from your infancy very forward in promoting
such disorders, it is not to be wondered at that you should approve
thefr actions and be prepared yourselves to follow their example
upon any future occasion. But though this may be the frame and
temper of your minds .it the present moment, whilst you beheve
that the conduct of your friends has been right, yet, if I am happy
enough to convince you that, notwithstanding such appearances,
they have been mistaken, I have Uttle doubt, from the general good
disposition of youth, but that you wiU change your sentiments and
aeknowlcdgo that the late tumultuous proceedings were contrary to
their own and your real intcivsts. It is of tho last importance to

WEDG'WQOd'S address to the young INHABITANTS. 295
you, who are just entering into life, to think upon this subject
¦with gTeat seriousness.
" The e-nls complained of, and which it is pretended the tumults
were to remedy, are, if I am rightly informed —
"1. The dearness of provisions.
" 2. The great number of dealers in those provisions.
" 3. That no relief is given to the. poor by their rich neighbours
unless the former rise in a body to demand it.
"With respect to the first e-vil {the dearness of provisions^, it is
admitted that provisions are dear ; but before any censure or abuse
is on this account offered to people who may be as innocent as our
selves, we ought first to inquire if the hand of Pro-vidence is not
visible — to aU who will see it — in this dispensation ; and surely
that consideration may be sufficient to stop the most daring man,
and induce him to bear with becoming patience his share of the
public calamity, and submit quietly to the wiU. of Heaven, lest he be
found fighting against his Maker. Let us then coolly examine into
the causes of this scarcity of pro-visions, and how we can best alle-viate
a distress which no human power may be able entirely to remove.
"It is well kno-wn the weather was so unfavourable the last
season, that the farmer with diflculty got his seed into the
ground ; and the following cold and the almost continual rains
rendered the crops so smaU as scarcely to pay him for that seed and
his o^wn labour. We all know, likewise, that the harvest was so
late and so wet that nearly half of tbat small crop was spoUed before
it could be got into the barn. What can we expect from the
farmer in these circumstances ? He must raise the price of the
produce of his lands, or he can neither maintain his family nor pay
his rents — that is, he must be ruined. Is it reasonable, then, to
expect, when the seasons have been so unfavourable, and the earth
has not yielded her wonted supply of corn and other provisions,
that the farmer only should suffer, and the manufacturer shield
himself by violence from bearing his share of the pubhc calamity ?
" It is an unhappy cfrcumstance that there should, in times of
scarcity especiaUy, be such an unreasonable antipathy between the
growers and consumers of provisions, that one party wiU scarcely
hear a word in favour of the other -without accusing him who offers
it of too much partiaUty. But as there is suoh a natural connection
between them that one cannot subsist -without the other, it would
be very desirable to have these prejudices removed ; and it must
argue a want of fairness in us if we do not consider the farmers'
situation in this case as though it were our o-wn. For these reasons

296 THE WEDGWOODS.
I shall make no apology for saying a word or two more in their
behalf " The farmer must be supposed to enter upon his useful employ
ment with the same -views as tho tradesman does upon his business.
He means to provide a comfortable subsistence for himself and his
famUy, and surely every labourer is worthy of his hire ; but if he
is compelled to sell the produce of his farm at the same price when
the badness of the season prevents him from getting more than half
the usual crop from his land, though he pays for getting it the same
or a greater expense than he does when the seasons are more
plentiful, his case would be hard indeed! Xo person would be
found to till the land upon those unreasonable conditions ; and
would not the consequences of the ground lying untdled be felt by
us as soon and as severely as by the farmer ?
" Let me now intreat you to look back for a moment, and reflect
cooUy upon the late -violent proceedings. Can you think that they
were the likeUest means of reUeving you under your present di^
fress ? WUl riot and tumult, accompanied with acts of injustice,
incline Pro-vidence to be more bountiful to us in the next season?
Or wUl the forcibly seizing upon pro^visions brought to our markets
induce the farmers to supply them better in the future ? Tou
cannot think it -will. These certainly are not the proper means to
redress the grievances complained of. And as the com gro-wn in
our neighbourhood is not at all sufficient for our wants, we should
at least permit those who supply us -with this and other necessaries
of Hfe from distant parts to do it -with safety to thefr persons and
properties. It is, indeed, happy for them and ns that we hve
under the same equal laws, which must and wiU protect both from
the violence offered by either. I say the laws 'ax st protect us both;
for if it was not so, there would be an end of all government — an
end of the State. No man could be secure in the enjoyment of the
fruits of his labour for a single day. Xo man, therefore, would
labour ; but the stronger would rob and murder the weaker, till the
kingdom was fiUed -with rapine and -violence, and every man afraid
to meet his neighbour. The land would be untUled ; for who
would plough and sow -without the hopes of reaping for himself,
and being protected in his property ? Famine imd its companion,
pcstUencc, must follow, and sweep the misenible remains of the
people who had not murdered one another into an untimely grave,
the kingdom itself falling a prey to some foreign invader.
" These, my friends and neighbours, would bo the ine^vitable
consequences of suoh proceedings as have lately happened amongst

Wedgwood's address to the young inhabitants. 297
us, if our forefathers had not wisely provided means of putting a
stop to them. If you do not know what those means are, I wiU
inform you in so few words as I am able. When the justices of
the peace, or other civU magistrates, are informed of a riot, it is
their indispensable duty to use all lawful means for putting the
speediest end to it. For which purpose they are authorised to press
into this service every man or body of men they find necessary —
soldiers as weU as others ; and when the soldiers are so engaged in
the assistance of the ci^vO. magistrate, it is not the War Office, as
some have eiToneously supposed, that has a power to give the
soldiers orders respecting their firing — not even the officers them
selves belonging to the regiments called in ; but the power is by
our excellent Constitution given to the civil magistrates : 'tis they,
and they alone, who have the whole authority in these cases ; they
must give the word of command to the military officers, and then
the officers that word of command to the men.
" Such were the wise and necessary regulations established by
our forefathers, and I wish you seriously to think of them, that
you may be convinced of the foUy, as weU with respect to your
selves as the public, of resisting that power in the flrst instance
which must in the end prevail. If any one doubts of this, I call
upon him to name a time or place, in this or any other ci-vilised
nation, where a tumultuous rising of the people, obstinately refusing
to disperse, has not been quelled either by the civil or military
powers of the State. It is, indeed, impossible, from the nature of
things, that it should be otherwise ; for if order and obedience of
the laws could not be restored, there must be an end of that com
munity. "And here I cannot help observing that if you consider the
beha^viour of the magistrates and the military officers upon the late
unhappy occasion — how they bore every insult and abuse, and could
not be provoked to order the mUitary to fire, by which great
numbers must have fallen, and many of you now be mourning the
loss of your parents, brothers, and friends, but left the guilty per
sons to the quiet decision of that law against which they had
offended — I am sure you must think their moderation and humanity
deserving of the highest praise.
" I would now open to your view the means which we are taking
to aUe-viate the distresses arising from this scarcity of provisions.
"The most ob-vious and effectual is the opening of our seaports
for the importation of foreign grain, which -will give effect to the
subscriptions now raising for your relief; for unless a real plenty

298 the WEDGWOODS.
can be infroduced into the market, it is vain to expect that the
prices can become low. The benefit of this measure has afready
been felt in several parts of the kingdom, and -wiU unavoidably
reach us in a Uttle time ; but ours being one of the most inland
counties, we cannot so soon receive all the advantages of it as
those who are situated near the ports. An impatience natural to
people under any immediate distress, induces them to think that
the rchef which does not come in the moment -wiU never reach
them. Accordingly, I do not wonder to hear it asked, ' What shall
we be benefited hy the importation of corn ? The dealers will still
contrite to keep up the price, and starve the poor.' I should be sorry
indeed if this was Ukely to be the case ; but you may depend
upon the contrary. Xor is it in thefr power to do it. Pro-visions
will rise and faU in thefr price according to thefr qnahty (either
from our o-wn crop, or imported from foreign parts) as naturally as
water finds its level. And though this price or market value may
be disturbed for awhUe by combination where the dealers are too few,
yet experience — our surest guide — ^has shown that this cannot be
lasting : the risk and expense are too great. For if com is kept in
large quantities together, it requfres to be frequently turned and
aired, or it -will soon be spoU'd ; now, the expense of doing this, the
interest of money lying dead, and the risk of fresh importatioiiB
rendering the market stiU lower, whilst the dealer is hoarding up
to make it higher, must always prevent the com from being thus
kept up to any considerable degree. Some, indeed, have formerly
attempted this iniquitous measure ; but they suffered severely by
it, and -will take care how they bum thefr fingers again.
" The system of canal navigation which runs through the mid
land part of the country, and completes a commnnication by water
between the four capital seaports of this kingdom, must be of great
service in keeping provisions at a less price than they otherwise
would bo in a situation like ours, where corn is not gro-wn sufficient
for tho consumption ; this it docs by conveying corn from the ports
or other places, where it is plentiful, to those p.Tits where there
is a scarcity, at one-fourth of the price of l;md carriage, besides
lessening the number of horses so groatly, for upon the canal one
horse will draw as many tons as forty can do by land, and each
horso consumes as much pro-visions as would maintain six men, I
believe more, but I cannot just now find the cidculation made upon
another occasion ; so that each boat upon the ctmal, reckoned at
one-half its bm-deu only, saves to tho public daUy tho provisions
(if twenty horses, or one hundred nnd twenty men, and this must

THREATENED DESTRUCTION OF THE CANAL. 299
have its good effects, though they are not of a nature to strike
the common observer so forcibly as many others do of much less
importance. "That these were some of the principal objects in the first
planning of the canals I can from my own knowledge assure you,
and ParUament was so sensible of the great benefits which the
public would receive from these works, that by the same Act in
which they gave leave to make them, it w.as declared felony for any
one -wilfuUy to injure or destroy the canals or the works belonging
to them.*" I can therefore no otherwise account for what I have heard was
threa.tened on the late occasion, to destroy our canal and let out the
water, than from the common fraUty of human nature, that when
the passions are uppermost, a man shaU take revenge upon objects
which have no relation to the subject in dispute, and even abuse his
best friends if they happen to be nearest to him. I may perhaps be
told that in the instance alluded to provisions were carrying out of
the country by the canal, and not into it. The simple fact is, that
they were passing through it, being the produce of distant counties
(Norfolk and Suffolk), and were passing along the canal to Man
chester, to be sold there for the support of a numerous body of
manufacturers like ourselves, and they were passing by us only
because com was dearer there than here, for otherwise we cannot
suppose that the dealer would have carried it forty mUes farther, to
seU it at the same price he might have had -with us ; and upon a
change of circumstances, the next boat of flour or com would, for
the same reason, have been sold amongst us ; but neither the one
nor the other could have come into this country from such distant
parts by any other than water carriage. Some, I am told, have
been weak enough to beUeve themselves, and to persuade others,
that the corn was to be exported to foreign parts while it was so
* The words of the Act are : — " If any person or persons shall wiKully,
maliciously, and to the prejudice of the said navigation, break, throw
do-wn, damage, or destroy, any banks or other works, to be erected or
made, by virtue of this Act, or do any other wiKid hurt or mischief, to
obstruct, hinder, or prevent the carrying on, compleating, supporting, and
maintaining the said intended na-vigation, such person or persons shall be
adjudged guilty of Felony ; and every such felon shall be subject and
liable to the like pains and penalties as in cases of felony. And the
Court before whom such person and persons shall be tried and convicted,
shall have power to teanspoet, &c., every such felon, in like manner as
other felons."

300 THE ¦WEDGWOODS.
much wanted amongst our o-wn poor at home. Now you have
afready been made acquainted that our ports are opened for the
importation of foreign com, and that considerable quantities are
actually brought to us by that means. The merchants who buy
this com at foreign markets, bring it to England by a long sea-
voyage, and many other expenses attend its importation, besides
which they must have an allowance for thefr profits in trade. They
must therefore buy it much lower there than they can afford to sell
it in London or any other port ; add to this the expenses of carriage
from such port to the inland parts of the kingdom, to our own
county in particular, and we may fafrly conclude that a bushel of
foreign com, if sold for nine shillings here, did not originally cost
more than five or six when first purchased abroad. How, then, can
it for a moment be supposed that any dealer would send com from
hence, where he could sell it for nine shillings a bushel, to the
foreign markets, where, after the additional expense of sending it
thither, it would not be sold for more than five or six ? The idea
is too ridiculous to need any other refutation than this plain state
ment of facts ; but nothing is too absurd to be beheved when men's
passions overpower thefr reason.
" Add to the foregoing considerations that, peace being now
restored, we may expect that trade and commerce -will flourish
anew. We have already experienced a very considerable increase
of the demand for our manufacture, which -will enable masters to
give out over-work to thefr servants, and thereby increase thefr
wages, to the better support of them and thefr famihes.
"After thus mentioning what is doing for you by others, if I
ask you whether there is not something which you can do for
yourselves, it must occur to you that youth is a time in which
something should be saved for future contingencies ; and if a married
man can maintain a wife and four or five chUdren, -with no more
than you do or may earn, who have only yourselves to provide for,
surely some smaU weekly saving may be made, wliich, I can promise
you, you wUl afterwards find the comfort of when you marry and
have a house to furnish, and other things to pro-vide for a -wife and
growing family. I know some who have tried this experiment, and
do not repent it now ; and others I know (would to God the numbers
were fewer!) who by too frequentiy -visiting pubhc houses, wakes,
and other places -nherc timo and money is wasted, have acquu-ed
habits in their youth which cntiul poverty and distress on those
who have tho misfortune to depend upon thefr support in future life.
"What I ha\o to say upon the second complaint, 'the great

t

ADVICE TO POTTERS. 301
number of dealers in provisions,' will take up but little of your time,
the case appearing to me too plain to be easily mistaken. The
universal opinion of merchants and commercial men, formed upon
long experience, is, that the more dealers there are in any par
ticular article, the cheaper that article will be sold, because every
dealer considers all others in the same profession as rivals, and -will
naturally endeavour to gain as much custom to himself as possible,
which cannot otherwise be done than either by underselling the rest,
by giving longer credit, or by procuring a better commodity — aU
which are in favour of the buyer. This is certainly the case in
general ; and I think, if you examine any one particular instance,
it -wiU confirm you in tliis opinion. In this examination we cannot
perhaps begin more properly than with the publicans, who retail
out drink, as the hucksters do meat, to thefr respective customers.
Let us consider what would be the case if there was only one
pubUcan instead of twenty or more, which there are in some of our
villages. He wotdd soon be sensible of his importance, that he
was the only vendor of Uquors in your district, and that you must
come to his house when you mean to indulge in that way ; and can
you think he would be Ukely to give you stronger ale or larger
measure, or permit you to be longer in his debt, because you were
obliged to make use of his house, having no other to go to ? Surely
the contrary would be more hkely to happen.
" And if your butcher and baker were placed in the same situa
tion, -without a rival in business, would not the Uke happen with
them? I must confess that I think all three, nay, that every
retailer of meat, drink, or clothes would be more Ukely to raise
than lower the price of the articles they deal in, upon diminishing
thefr numbers, and thereby destroying that competition and rivalry
which is the buyer's best security for a plentiful and reaisonable
market ; and why the hucksters should be excepted — why they
would not, like other dealers, raise the price of thefr goods upon
thefr numbers being lessened, I own I cannot conceive. There may
be some circumstances in this case with which I am unacquainted ;
and if so, I would gladly leam them.
" Perhaps it may be thought best that there should be no huck
sters or retaUers of pro-visions at all, but the consumers should buy
aU they want, and at aU times, from the hands of the farmer only.
This may seem desfrable, and to a certain degree it may, and actu-
aUy does take place ; but, to extend this connection between the
farmer and consumer to such a length as to render the retaUer
useless to the poor housekeeper — in supplying his immediate wants.

302 THE WEDGWOODS.
or giving him a Uttle credit when necessary — ^is absolutely imprac
ticable, as every one must perceive, upon considering the subject
with sufficient attention.
"It is, I know, made a matter of complaint that these dealers
meet the farmers on the road, with thefr butter, thefr eggs, fowls,
&c., and buy them up before they reach market. It is very pro
bable that they do so. But if this is a real grievance, do not make
it worse by an ill-judged attempt to remedy it. Do not tbinV that
diminishing the number of these dealers would cure it : for consider,
if yon had only one dealer instead of ten, he would probably become
ten times as rich, and ten times as able to forestaU the markets, as
those you now have ; and might not content himself -with meeting
the farmers' baskets in the lanes near here, where you may do the
like if you please : he might go himself or send his agents, to the
farm-houses at any distance, and thereby injure you much more
than the petty dealers now complained of have it in thefr power
to do.
"If the huckster's profits are thought too large, let us examine
the particiUar cfrcnmstances of a number of other trades with which
we are acquainted ; and if from thence we can form a reasonable
conjecture of what thefr respective profits ought to be — and if we
find they are in fact what we have from such circumstances sup
posed them — it -wiU throw some Ught upon this matter.
" In general, the professions or trades which require an expensive
education or a large capital, or where the articles they deal in are
Uable to spoil or grow out of fashion, and in which, after all, the
return is small, — in these professions the profits upon the sale must
necessarily be high; and so we find them to be in apothecaries,
toymen, &c. On the other hand, where very Httie education is
requfred, -^-here even an apprenticeship is not necessary, where a
small capital is sufficient, where the articles are in constant imd
most general use, and in no danger of going out of fashion, where
tho return is quick, and the article bought in -with Httie trouble, and
as readily disposed of again, — it will appear at tirst sight that upon
a business so cfrcumstanced the profits cannot be large ; and that if
they were so at any particidar time, the interference of thefr neigh
bours, who could almost any of them begin such a business as this,
woidd soon regulate and bring them to their proper level. Do I
need to tell you that this is the ease -with the hucksters ? or do I
need to say another word of the improbabiUty of thefr injuring you
by (heir numbers, when those very numbers are your best security
against such injury?

SUPPOSED GRIEVANCES OF THE POOR. 303
" The business of the pubHcan may at first sight seem to be an
exception to the above general rule ; because, though his capital is
not requfred to be great, and the commodities he deals in have a
qiuck sale, and do not grow out of fashion, his profits, nevertheless,
must appear high, if we judge from the price he seUs them at com
pared -with the quantity of food sold for the same money. , Compare
a glass of brandy, for instance, -with a twopenny loaf; or a gaUon of
his xmwholesome Hquors, retaUed out at the enormous price of
twelve or fourteen shillings, with a gaUon of milk, which is real and
nourishing food, sold by the farmer for fourpence. Bnt this busi
ness wiU be found to have very great drawbacks, not commonly
attended to, particularly his losses by unpaid debts, from the
poverty, sickness, and death of his most constant customers — to all
which e-vils they are more Uable than other men. The supposed
high profit, therefore, of this business is fallacious, as many have
found, to thefr mortification and ruin.
" To return to the dealers in provisions : if they are found to abuse
the trust reposed in them, and to cheat the poor people by false
weights and measures, they ought to be punished severely. Tou
hstve it in your power easUy to detect the imposition by weighing
after them; and I offer, for one, to take any trouble or expense
upon myself in bringing such base offenders to the most pubUc
justice, and examplary punishment ; and protecting the poor from
any injury they may apprehend from the hucksters, to whom they
may perhaps be indebted.
" The other complaint which has come to my knowledge is, that
no relief is given to the poor by thefr rich neighbours, unless the former
rise in a body to demand it.
" If this complaint is weU founded — ^if the grievances on account
of the high prices of pro-visions have been too great to be supported,
and the sufferers have taken proper methods to make thefr case
known, and to soHcit reUef in a qiuet and peaceable manner from
the magistrates, or those of thefr neighbours who were able to give
it, and have been refused a proper attention to thefr complaints, I
shaU readily join with them in blaming the conduct of such magis
frates or neighbours very much, and am willing to take my o-wn
share, whatever it may be, of such blame and censure ; as I do not
mean in this address to be an advocate either for them or myself in
whatever we may have done -wrong ; nor is anything further from
my intention than to bear hard upon the poor workman, in this
or any other instance. But the fact is that I have not heard of
such appUcations to my neighbours ; and having had none made to

304 THE WEDGWOODS.
myself, I must conclude till bettor informed that recourse was
had to -violent measures at first, before any legal and proper appU
cations were made for redress of the grievances complained of.
But, however this may have been (for it -will avaU nothing to
enter into a dispute upon the subject at this time), let me now
beg of you who are approaching to manhood, and who, by your
future behaviour, must stamp the character of the potters of the
rising generation ; let mc entreat you, as you value your own
reputation and happiness, and the welfare of your country,
never to harbour a thought of foUowing the fatal example which
has been set you by men who have so greatly mistaken thefr own
and your real interests. But when you labour under any real
grievances, make your case kno-wn in a peaceable manner to some
magistrate near you, or to your employers, who are best acquainted
with your situation ; and I have not a doubt of your meeting in
this way with a speedy and effectual redress, which it wonld be
impossible to procure for yourselves by the measures you have
lately seen pursued, or any illegal ones whatever.
"Before I take my leave, I would request yon to ask your
parents for a description of the district we inhabit when they first
knew it ; and they wiU tell you that the inhabitants bore all the
marks of poverty to a much greater degree than they do now.
Their houses were miserable huts ; the lands poorly cultivated, and
yielded little of value for the food of man or beast ; and these disad
vantages, -with roads almost impassable, might be said to have cut
off our part of the country from the rest of the world, besides render
ing it not very comfortable to ourselves. Compare this picture, which
I know to be a true one, -with the present state of the s.Tme country.
The workmen earning near double thefr former wages ; their
houses mostiy new and comfortable ; and the lands, roads, and
every other cfrcumstance bearing evident marks of the most pleasing
and rapid improvements. From whence, and from what cause, has
this happy change taken place ? Tou -wiU be beforehand -with me
in acknowledging a truth too e-vident to be denied by any one.
Industry has been the parent of this happy change. A well-directed
and long-continued series of mdustrious exertions, both in masters
and servants, has so changed for the better the face of our countiy,
its buildings, lands, roads, nnd — notwithstanding the present unfa
vourable appearances — I must say, the manners and deportment of
its inhabitants too, ns to attract notice and admiration of countries
which luid scarcely heard of us before ; and how far these improve
ments may stiU be carried on, by thc^ same laudable moans which

WEDGWOOD's DESIRE TO RESTORE PEACE. 305
have brought us thus fai-, has been one of the most pleasing contem
plations of my life. How mortifying, tiien, is it to have this fair
prospect endangered by one rash act ! How UI a return is it to
those geuUcmeu, who by their protection of, and attention to, the
interests of this mamitactory, have conti-ibuted greatiy to its ad
vancement ; and more especiaUy to the noble person who, as lord
lieutenant of the county, is pai-ticulai-ly interested in its peace and
good order, and who has ou every occasion stood up the powerful
patron of our infant trade !
"If, after the mention of a name which has every claim to your
respectful attention, I may say a word of one who has so little as
myself, I can very truly assure you of my sorrow, who, for more
than twenty yeiu-s past, in public and in private, on every proper
occasion, have represented the Statlbrdshu-e potters as the most
orderly body of manufacturers in the kingdom : that this fair and
weU-earned character should be rendered suspicious, and my mouth
so stopped upon this pleasing subject, by the wickedness of a few,
and the credulity of many, iu too easily believing and follo-wing
thefr bUnd guides into the late mischiefs. But I place my hopes,
with some good degree of confidence, in the rising generation ; being
persuaded that they wQl, by their better conduct, make atonement
for this unhappy, this unwise sUp of thefr fathers.
" Do not, however, mistake me ; for though the anxiety and con
cern of mind I am under may lead me to express myself strongly
upon this occasion, I am far from meaning to say that people who
for an age past have been generally well behaved and orderly, shall,
for a single de-viation from this line of conduct, entirely lose thefr
chai-acter, and be deemed incapable of a retui-ii to that com-se of well
regulated behaviour which had before gained for them so much
reputation. Far from it : I am persuaded that your fathers -will show,
by some proper means, that they are recovered from that unhappy
fit of phi-ensy, under tiie influence of which they were hurried iuto
acts that in their cooler moments they must condemn ; aud if the
magistracy, to whose care the peace and good order of the country
is enti-usted, can be convinced that this is reaUy and ti-uly the case,
it will be the HkeHest means to have the hand of justice stayed and
contented with one unfortunate victim, that those unhappy persons
whose just apprehensions have obliged them to leave thefr homes may
return again to the support and comfort of tiiefr famiHes.
" Permit me one woi-d more, to ossm-c you that the eai-nest •wishes
I feel for your wehare, and the pence and good order of our neigh
bourhood, have been my only inducement to address you upon this
X

306 THE WEDGWOODS.
occasion ; and that if, in pursuit of these objects, I have found it
necessary to blame the conduct of those whom nature bids you to
love and reverence, I have done it with reluctance, as it is far more
pleasing for me to bestow praise than blame upon my neighbours."
The " Address " met with universal approval, and had the
desired effect of restoring peace and order in the disfrict.
In Mr. HaU's possession is a letter from Josiah Wedgwood,
dated "Etruria, 12th May, 1783," in which is an interesting
aUusion to this pamphlet, as foUows : — " Dear Sir, — I am
much obliged to you for your partiality to my pamphlet,
which was •written solely with a view to produce good order
and satisfaction among the young and unthinking part of
my neighbourhood  Your much obliged and affec
tionate friend, and humble servant, Josiah Wedgwood."
In April, 1 786, the magnificent collection of antiquities
and articles of vertu belonging to the late Duchess of Port
land (Margaret Cavendish, daughter and hefress of Edward
Harley, second Earl of Oxford), who died in the July of the
previous year, were sold by Messrs. Skinner and Co. In
> this sale was included that unique and triUy magnificent
•J work of ancient art, the " Barberini Vase," so caUed from
having belonged to the famous Barberini family at Rome,
from whom it came, by purchase, to Sfr WUliam HamUton,
who sold it to her Grace, •nhen it received the name by
which it has since been universally known, ofthe "Portland
Vase." This gem of ancient art, "Wedgwood determined
to possess, that he might carefully examine, study, and, if
possible, reproduce in all its exquisite beauty. He attended
the sale, and contested the purchase w-ith the then Duke of
Portland (son of the late duchess). I have before said
that one of his great characteristics was a determination of
mind and a fixedness of purpose in whatever he undertook,
that was not to be moved, but only strengthened, by oppo
sition. Thus it was over the Barberini Vase. He had
determined to examine and reproduce it, and he was not
to be diverted from his purpose by a few or many pounds,
or by having for his opponent a wealthy duke, the son of its

THE PORTLAND YASE. 307
late o-wner. So he bid on to upwards of a thousand pounds,
until, it is related, the duke, stepping across the room to
him, asked his object in wishing to possess the vase. On
learning his object, the duke offered, if Wedgwood would
give over bidding and permit him to become its purchaser,
to place it in his hands, and allow him to keep it sufficiently
long to reproduce and do what he requfred. This arrange
ment being as frankly accepted as it was offered, the duke
became the purchaser of the vase for £1,029, and Wedg
wood took with him the priceless gem. The price paid for
this vase has been variously stated from £1,000 to £1,800.
Wedgwood himself^ says, in his treatise, " The Duke of
Portland purchased the vase for about 1,000 guineas, and,
thanks to this nobleman's zeal for the Fine Arts, I was
soon enabled to accomplish my anxious deSfre, by his Grace's
readiness to afford me the means of making a copy." In
a priced copy of the catalogue, the sum of jS1,029 is put
against the vase, and this being "about 1,000 guineas," as
Wedgwood says, may probably have been the correct sum.
The duke kept his word liberaUy, and Wedgwood never lost
an opportunity of speaking in high terms of his Grace's
consideration. " I cannot," he writes in 1787, " sufficiently
express my obUgation to. his Grace the Duke of Portland
for entrusting this inestimable jewel to my care, and con
tinuing it so long — mare than twelve months — in my hands,
without which it would have been impossible to do any toler
able justice to this rare work of art. I have now some reason
to flatter myself with the hope of producing, in a short time,
a copy which wUl not be unworthy the public notice."
This copy was in due time produced, and as a chef-d'auvre
of modern ceramic art was perfectly unrivalled. Wedgwood
produced fifty copies, which were subscribed for at fifty
guineas each; but it is said that the sum thus realised
(£2,500) feU far short of his actual outlay in making them.
One of the first fifty is stUl in the possession of Mr. Francis
Wedgwood, at Barlaston ; another is in the possession of
Mr. Marjoribanks, at Guisachan, and others are preserved
x2

308 THE WEDGWOODS.
in different collections, while the public have the oppor
tunity of examining one in Mr. flayer's magnificent museum
at Liverpool. The body used for this vase was black jasper,
a body used on but few other occasions. The figures were
worked up and cut, to the utmost degree of sharpness ahd
finish, by the seal and gem engraver, and thus the beauty
of the original was well preserved.
It may be useful to note, that the original moulds are
still in existence, and that " Portland Vases " from them are
still produced by the Messrs. "Wedgwood, both with a black
and with a deep blue ground, and are much and deservedly
admired. The month following the sale of the Portland Vase,
Josiah Wedgwood was elected a Fellow of the Society of
Antiquaries, — his election taking place on the 4th of May,
1786. He never, however, made any communication to the
Society, although he published an elaborate dissertation on
the Portland Vase,
The following letter, addressed to Mr. Eden, who became
Lord Auckland, contains some very interesting' particulars
concerning Wedgwood's progress in copying the Portland
Vase, and of the difficulty he experienced in getting his
cameos modelled : — "Etruria,5th July, 1789.
"Dear Sir, — I had once flattered myseU with the expectation
of Tour Excellency's arriving in England so soon, as to prevent a
letter's finding you upon the Continent, but am now told from too
good authority, from the palace, that there is no probabiHty of your
leavmg Spain for some time. I was very sorry to hear this news,
and should have been much more so, if I had not been told at the
same time that Mrs. Eden's health was much mended. This cir
cumstance wUl, I weU know, make Tour Excellency's stay less
irksome, and reconcUe you to almost any hai-dships which the ser-
•vice of your country may impose upon you. I hope and trust the
good news of Mrs. Edeu's amendment -wiU be confirmed, that we
shall soon have the pleasure to hear of her perfect recovery, and
that your fric nds in Englnnd avUI have the additional satisfaction of
welcoming you and your good family to your native country, much
sooner than you may now perhaps expect. I need not say what

LETTER TO MR. EDEN. 309
true pleasure this wUl give to them, and few I am sure can enjoy it
more than myself. Immediately on the receipt of your Excellency's
good letter, of the 25th of March, I despatched a small parcel of
Eestoration medallions to meet you at Paris, just to show you what
we are doing here, despairing of thefr being in time to find you at
Madrid ; — and there they will now rest till the occasion is grown
old, though it will never be forgotten in this country. I have the
pleasure to tell you that the ladies are still so good as to continue
my cameos in fashion ; and in order to merit this favour as far as I
am able, I endeavour to introduce all the novelty, and as much good
work as I can procure for thefr subjects. I employ several modellers
constantly in Eome, and get what I can from Paris, and am very
happy when I can have anything done by our own artists in Eng
land ; but my works are too smaU and delicate for them, so that
little assistance can be obtained in England, except what is done
under my own eye at Etruria. Tou will perhaps wonder at your
not havmg heard something of the Barberini "Vase. I was always
very sensible of the difficulty of attempting to copy so exquisite a
piece of workmanship ; but in the progress of the undertaking diffi
culties have occurred which nothing but practice could have dis
covered to me. The prospect, however, brightens before me, and,
after having made several defective copies, I think I begin to see
my way to the final completion of it. I shall take the liberty of
troubling your Excellency with a further account of my progress
in this great work — for such you must permit me to call it — as I
advance nearer to the end. My son has been at home near six
months. He is now on a tour of discovery in his own country —
Wales, the West of England, as far as the Land's End — along with
a Mr, Hawkins, an excellent mineralogist, of Cornwall, with whom
he became acquainted abroad^ — otherwise, he would gladly have
embraced this opportunity of thanking you for your friendly notice
of him. What an interesting situation the affairs of France have
lately been in! One day we are told that an express is arrived
from the Duke of Dorset, with an account that the King was de
posed. The next post (the last) teUs us that the nobles, the clergy,
and the commons, are happily united; that the King and Queen
have shown themselves to their subjects, who were happy and con
tented ; that the English constitution will, in all appearance, soon
be estabUshed there ; and that France may, from the 29th of June,
say, what she never could say before, that Hberty is estabhshed,
property assured, and the constitution fixed. Politicians here say,
that we shall have no cause to rejoice at this revolution ; for that if

310 THE WEDGWOODS.
the French become a free people like ourselves, they wiU. imme
diately apply themselves to the extension of manufactures, and soon
become more formidable rivals to us than it was possible for them
to do under a despotic government. For my o^wn part, I should be
very glad to see so near neighbours partake of the same blessing
with ourselves, and indeed should rejoice to see Enghsh liberty and
security spread over the face of the earth, •without being over
anxious about the effects they might have upon our manufactures
or commerce ; for I should be veiy loth to beheve that an event so
happy for mankind in general could be injurious to us in particular.
I beg your pardon for this launch into politics, and have done. —
I have the honour to be, most respectfuUy, your Excellency's most
obliged and faithful humble servant, "Jos. Wedgwood"
In 1787, the sixth edition ofthe Catalogue was published,
with the following title : —
" Catalogue of Cameos, IntagUos, Medals, Bas-reHefs, Busts, and
smaU Statues : with a general account of Tablets, Tases, Ecritoires,
and other ornamental and useful articles. The whole formed in
different kinds of Porcelain and Terra Cotta, chiefly after the
antique, and the finest models of modem artists. By Josiah Wedg
wood, F.R.S. and A.S., Potter to Her Majesty, and to his Royal
Highness the Duke of Tork and Albany. Sold at his rooms in
Greek Street, Soho, London, and at his manufactory in Stafford-
shfre. The Sixth EcHtion with additions. Etruria, 17S7.''
This Catalogue occupies seventy-four closely printed octavo
pages, the lists of subjects being mostly printed in double
columns. In it, besides the four bodies described in the for
mer editions, and which I have already spoken of. the other
two of his famed inventions are introduced, thus shovring
that they date subsequently to the otliers. These are the
"Bamboo" and the "Mortar" bodies, which are thus
described by their inventor : —
" Y. — Bamboo, or cane-coloured bisque porcelain, of the same
nature with the porcelain Xo. 3.
" YI. — A porcelain bisque of extreme hardness, Httie inferior to
that, of Agate. This property, together with its resistance to the
strongest acids nnd corrosives, aud its impenetrabUity by every

DEATH OF THOMAS "WEDGWOOD.

311

kno'wn species of liquids, adapts it happUy for mortars and different
kinds of chemical vessels."
Of the " bamboo, or cane-coloured " ware, specimens
exist in most collections, and " Wedgwood Mortars " are,
of course, known universally to chemists, and are to be
found in every good household.
In 1788, on the 20th of October, Thomas Wedgwood, the
relative and partner (so far as the " useful ware " was con
cerned) of Josiah, died, and thus he was left, as he had
begun, sole proprietor of the great establishment he had
founded. In this same year another edition of the French
catalogue was issued.
In 1789 a beautifnl emblematical medallion, sho^wn on the
accompanying engraving, from an example in Mr. HaU's col

lection, was produced by Josiah Wedgwood. It is said to
have been executed in clay brought from New South Wales,
commemorative of that then important event. Of this clay
Wedgwood, in 1790, communicated an account to the Royal y
Society, which appears in the " PhUosophical Transactions "
as an " Analysis of a Mineral Substance from New South
Wales." This medal possesses an additional interest from

312 THE WEDGWOODS.
the fact of its having been copied, with alterations to adapt
it to that country, by the French potters of Sevres. In Mr.
HaU's possession is one of these curious and interesting
pieces. On it the charming figure of Commerce has had
her anchor and ship taken away, and has been converted
into a figure with a very different meaning, holding in her
hand the cap of Liberty ; and a pedestal has been infroduced,
on which hangs the French shield of three fleurs-de-Us —
" marking the time of its execution before the royal arms
were abolished, but after Louis XVL had adopted the cap
of liberty."
Of the Etruria medallion Dr. Darwin, in his " Botanic
Garden," thus speaks : —
•' Gnomes ! as you now dissect with hammers fine
The granite rock, the nodul'd flint calcine ;
Grind -svith strong arm the circling chertz betwixt,
Tour pure ka-o-lins and pe-tun-tses mixt ;
O'er each red sagger's burning cave preside,
The keen-eyed Fine-nymphs blazing by your side ;
And pleased on Wedgwood ray your partial smile,
A new Etruria decks Britannia's isle.
Charm'd by your touch, the flint liquescent pom^s
Through finer sieves, and falls in whiter showers ;
Charm'd by your touch, the kneady clay refines.
The biscuit hardens, the enamel shines ;
Each nicer mould a softer feature drinks,
The bold cameo speaks, the soft intaglio thinks.
" To call the pearly drops from Pity's eye,
Or stay Despair's disanimating sig-h,
Whether, 0 friend of Art ! the gem you mould,
Rich with new taste, with ancient -virtue bold.
Form the poor fetter'd S^..^^^; on bended knee,
From Britain's sons imploring to be free ;
Or with fair Hope the brightening scenes improve,
And cheer the dreary wastes at Sydney-cove ;
Or bid mortality rejoice and mourn
J O'er the fine forms on Portland's mystic um."
To this Darwin ajqiended a note, to say he '• alluded to
two cameos of Mr. Wedgwood's manufacture: one of a Slave
in chains, of which he distributed many hundreds to excite
the humane to attend to and assist iu the abolition of the

COPIES or THE PORTLAND YASE. 313
detestable traffic in human creatures ; and the other a cameo
of Hope, attended by Peace and Art and Labour, which
was made of clay brought fi-om Botany Bay, to which place
he sent many of them, to show the inhabitants what thefr
materials would do, and to encourage thefr industry." The
first of the cameos thus alluded to wUl be famUiar to col
lectors. It represents a chained slave kneeling, and -with
hands clasped, and bears the touching appeal, " Am I not
a man and a brother?" The second one, which is repre
sented on the engraving on page 311, is more scarce. A
representation of it appears in Stockdale's edition of PhUips'
" Expedition to Botany Bay," and also in the quarto edition
of Darwin's " Botanic Garden."
In 1790 the first fifty copies of the Portland Vase were
issued, and in the same year Josiah Wedgwood pubUshed his
" Dissertation on the Portland Vase," in which he detaUed
the results of his observations on the processes employed in
its manufacture, and explained his -views as to the design of
the groups of figures which surround it.
To the faithfulness and beauty of the copies of the Port
land Vase, Sfr Joseph Banks, fhe President of the Royal
Society, Sfr Joshua Reynolds, the President of the Royal
Academy, and other savans, gave unqualified testimony.
The latter, dating " Leicester Fields, 15th June, 1790," said,
" I have compared the copy of the Portland Vase by Mr.
Wedgwood with the original, and I can venture to declare
it to be a correct and faithful imitation, both in regard to the
general effect and the most minute detaU of the parts. —
J. Revnolds."
On the 18th January, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood took into
partnership his three sons, John, Josiah, and Thomas, and
his nephew, Thomas Byerley, the style of the firm being
that of " Josiah Wedgwood, Sons, and Byerley." The latter
had, I believe, by the terms of agreement, one eighth part
as his share in the partnership, which be continued to hold
until his death in 1810. The foUowing are the official letters
issued by the firm on this occasion : —

314 THE WEDGWOODS. " Etrurie, ce 18 Janvier, 1790.

¦M.

" La Lettre h la queUe nous avons I'honneur de joindre la presente,
vous fait part du changement qui aeu Hen aujourdhui dans laraison
de cette Manufacture, et dont nous vous prions de prendre notte.
"Appuyes de 1' experience et des conseils de notre S' Josiah
Wedgwood, nous pouvons avec confixince vous assurer que cette
manufacture sera conduite avec la meme integrite & le meme esprit
de perfection qui I'ont jusqu'a ce jour caracterise : — C'est sur ces
principes que se fondent nos esperances dans la continuation de vos
bontes, que nous tacherons de meriter par nofre zele et nos soins
dans 1' administration de vos interets, toutes les fois que vous daig-
nerez nous honorer de vofre confiance.
'• Nous avons I'honneur d'etie tres parfaitement.
"M  ,
"Yos fres humble & tres
pbeissants Serviteurs,
La signature de votre tres humb. Serv' '
Josiah Wedgwood.
La signature de vofre fres humb. Serv' ) Josiah Wedgwood, Fils &
JoH3q- Wedgwood. ) Bykbist.
La signature de votre tres humb. Serv' ^
Josiah Wedgwood Fils. )
La signature de votre tres humb. Serv'' 1 Josiah Wedgwood, Fils &
Thomas Wedgwood. j Btbkuet.
La signature de vofre fres humb. Serv' ^
Thomas B-teelet. j
" P.S. — La marque Wedgwood qu'on a toujours mise sur les
productions de cette Manufacture, y sera continuee sans auctme
addition." " Etrurie, ce IS Jan-vier, 1790.
"M 
" Apr^s avofr pendant pres de quarante Ans donn6 I'attention la
plus suivie a une mauufacture que j'ai eu le bonheur d'etablfr et de
voir fleurir meme au de la de mon attente ; le desfr de joufr un peu
de cette aisanco & de cette tranquUite si necessaire dans un age
avance, meriteroit peutetre votre indulgence, mais des considerations
plus puissantes m'ont engago de former le nouvel arrangement dont
actuellement j'ai I'honneur de vous faire port.
"J'ai do flls parvenus a cet age, & proprement disposes pour
s'occupor des affaires, et un neveu qui a depuis longtems gere les

THOMAS BYERLEY. 315
affafres de mon magnzin a Londres, a mon cntiere satisfaction. lis
se sent proposes de reunir tous leurs efforts pour sui-vre les diverses
branches de cette manufacture, & se promettent de perseverer avec
diligence dans le chemin que je leur ai trace, your les porter a une
plus grande perfection.
" C'est pourquoi que je les ai associe dans mon commerce sous la
raison de Josiah Wedgwood, Fils & Byerley.
" Permettez moi de saisfr cette occasion pour vous temoigner ma
gratitude pour toutes les bontes dont vous avez Men voulu me
combler : Je vous en demande la continuation pour ce nouvel
etabhssement, vous assurant d'avance de tous leurs efforts pour
meriter votre amitie & votre confiance.
" J'ai I'honneur d'etre avec la plus grande consideration.
" M  , votre tres humb. & tr^s ob*- Serv."
Thomas Byerley, the relative and now partner of Josiah
Wedgwood, was born in 1745, in, I believe, the neighbour
hood of Welchpool, where bis father, who was a commis
sioner of excise, resided. Mr. Byerley, senior, who was a
descendant of the Byerleys of Byerley Hall, Yorkshfre, and
of the county of Durham, and married Margaret Wedgwood,
sister to the great Josiah, died when his son was only about
ten or eleven years of age ; and Mrs. Byerley also died early.
The young man spent some years in America, where he was
successful, but at the commencement of the war he returned
to England, and was for some time with his relatives, the
Wedgwoods, at Burslem, with whom he gained a knowledge
of the potter's art. He was much noticed by his uncle,
Josiah Wedgwood, who took him, during the time of " Wedg
wood and Bentley," into his establishment, and eventuaUy,
as I have shown, admitted him into partnership.
Of Thomas Byerley I introduce, in the engraving on the
following page, a portrait, from a medallion produced as a
companion, I presume, to those of Josiah and Mrs. Wedg
wood, and of Thomas Bentley, of whom I have already
given engravings.
It is somewhat curious that both of Josiah Wedgwood's
partners — Thomas Bentley and Thomas Byerley — should
have married their wives from Derby, but so it was. Mr.

316

THE WEDGWOODS.

Bentley married, as I have shown. Miss Stamford, of that
town, and Mr. Byerley married Frances, third daughter of
Mr. John Bruckfield, of Kfrk Ireton and Derby, a lady pos
sessed of every domestic virtue, and of the purest and most
refined tastes. By her, who survived him many years, he
bad a family of five sons and eight daughters, more than
one of whom have been distinguished in the literary world.
They were as follows : — Josiah (so named after the great

potter), who was a magistrate and merchant at St. Clary's,
on the Gambia, where he died ; Thomas, who, while in the
East India Company's service, was commtmder of a fort, and
died of fever in India, at the age of twenty-three ; John,
who died at Malta ; Francis Brncktield, who, at the eai-ly
age of eighteen, died on board ship while returning home
from Jamaica ; Samuel, now living iu Indiana, -where he is

TREATY OF COMMERCE WITH SAXONY. 317
settled and has a family ; Frances, married to Mr. William
Parkes, of the Marble Yard, Warwick, and afterwards of
London (Mrs. Parkes was the authoress of " Domestic
Duties," and other works), and was the mother of the pre
sent Dr. Parkes, of London, whose writings are so well
known among the profession, and related also to the present
gifted writer, " Bessie Parkes," whose name is so well
known to readers ; Maria, who died unmarried ; Sarah, who
also died unmarried ; Anne, married to Mr. Samuel Coltman,
late of Leicester and of Thornbridge, Derbyshire, and is the
only surviving daughter of Mr. Byerley; Jane Margaret,
who died unmarried ; Elizabeth, married to Mr. Lowndes,
of Liverpool ; Catherine, married (as second wife) to Dr.
Anthony Todd Thomson, President of the Royal Physical
Society of Edinburgh, and authoress of many highly popular
stories ; and Charlotte Octavia, who died young and un
married. Mr. Byerley was a man of great business capa
bilities, of scrupulous exactness, and of unwearied industry ;
and both during his residence in London, where he managed
the London business, and at Etruria, he took a very active
and useful part in the management of the commercial part
of the concern.
In the beginning of the year 1 792 a treaty with Saxony,
somewhat on the same principle as the existing one with
France, for the importation of their china into this country,
and of our earthenware into Saxony, was proposed, and
the earthenware and china manufacturers of this country
were invited to meet the Privy Council to give information
as to thefr respective trades, and the effect the treaty would
have upon them. This treaty was said by the china makers
to have been promoted by Mr. Wedgwood. A letter, -written
at the time, of the 12th of March, 1792, the day before the
china manufacturers met the Privy CouncU, in my posses
sion, says —
" I find the business may be a very serious one as it is respecting
a treaty of commerce for the importation of Saxon and other china.

318 THE WEDGWOODS.
much upon the same principle as the treaty -with France, which, if
it takes place, -wiU be very injurious to the china manufacturers of
this country. I beheve this is a business brought forward by
Mr. Wedgwood for the importation of his pottery; it -wUl be
greatly in his favour."
And another, written on the 14th of March, immediately
after the Privy Council meeting, gives the foUowing interest
ing account of the business : —
"When we waited on the lords yesterday at the Pri-vy Council
the purport of the business was as foUows. My Lord Hawksbnry
begaii in saying that an offer had been made from .'-^axony to admitt
our pottery into thefr country, providing we woud allow the impor
tation of thefr porcelain here at a certain duty of about 12 per cent.
The first question his lordship asked was, wether such a treaty
woud affect the manufactorys here '? Our answer was, it woud be
very mjurious, and that we had afready felt the very bad effect of
the French treaty. Second question was, wether we exported any
goods to France since the treaty, or any before ? The answer was,
no. Thfrd question was, wether our trade had diminish or increased
since the treaty ? The answer was, the returns at present was
nearly the same, but had not the treaty took place -with France,
the returns woud a been very much enlarged. The last question
was, how many people did we think there was employed in the
different manufactorys. Mr. FHght gave in, I tbinVj about 110.
and Turner's partner 107, besides pafrters & gUders, which might
together make near 200, besides the gUders in to-wn employ^ on
thefr wares ; I gave in about 130. After aU this my Lord Hawks-
bury said he had nothing more to say on the business at present.
I am very much afraid that this treaty wUl take place, and I shoud
suppose Mr. Wedgwood has been the principal promoter of it, for
most undoubtedly it -wiU be a very advimtageous thing to the whole
of the Staflbrdshire ware manufacturers ; .and when the lords come
to see the many thousands of people that are employed in thefr
works, I am afraid tiie few huncfreds tiiat are in the china works
wUl have but little weight. I think it a great hardship on the
china makers that the potters shoud eome under the s;ime descrip
tion. I shoud suppose something more -wiU be sjiid on the business
vciy soon. Wether it is ment to be brought through the House or
no I cannot tell."
Tlie freaty having been concluded, pfoduced, despite the

PROPOSED NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCULPTURE. 319
croakings of the china manufacturers, good instead of evil
commercial resiUts, and in its promotion the far-seeing and
deeply-thinking Josiah Wedgwood acted as he always did,
for the good of all.
In this same year, 1792, it is related that Wedgwood
made a liberal offer towards estabUshing a national gallery
of sculpture, &c. Professor Cockerell, when examined before
a committee of the House of Commons, on the establishing
of Schools of Art, in 1836, thus spoke of this offer of Wedg
wood's : — " I beg leave to mention an anecdote of the late
Mr. Wedgwood, related to me by Mr. Cumberland, of Bristol,
who -wrote a pamphlet in 1792, recommending a national
gallery of sculpture, casts, &c., viz., that Mr. Wedgwood
made a tender of £1,000 in aid of such an institution. I
beg further to state, that I have found Wedgwood's works
esteemed in all parts of Europe, and placed in the more
precious coUections of this description of works."
In June, 1793, a change took place in the Etruria firm,
caused by the retfrement of Mr. John Wedgwood. The firm
thereafter consisted of Josiah Wedgwood, Josiah Wedgwood, '
jun., and Thomas Byerley, and was carried on under the
style of " Josiah Wedgwood, Son, and Byerley," until the
death of the great and good man in eighteen months
afterwards.

CHAPTER XVII.
JASPER WARE. — TURNER'S PRODUCTIONS. — ¦WEDGWOOd's IN
VENTIONS AND DISCO"VERIES. — EXAMl'LES OF JASPER. —
MR. hall's COLLECTION. — MR. GLADSTONE'S COLLECTION.
 DEJEUNE SERVICE. — JASPER BEADS. — CLASSES OF
WEDGWOOD's PRODUCTIONS.  INTAGLIOS AND MEDAL
LIONS. — SEALS, BRACELETS, ETC. — PORTRAIT MEDALLIONS.
— BAS-RELIEFS AND PLAQUES.  BLACK WARE, OR
" BASALTES."  BUSTS AND STATUES. — LA3IPS AND CANDE
LABRA. — TEA ANT) COFFEE EQUIPAGES. — FLOWER AND
EOOT POTS.  VASES. — SEPULCHRAL URNS. ^ ETRUSCAN-
VASES.  INK-STANDS, MORTARS, ETC.  STUBBS, THE
"animal painter." — THERMOMETERS FOB MEASURING
HEAT.
And now, before the eventful and useful life of Wedg
wood, which I have so far traced through its various phases,
fairly draws to its close, let me pause to give some few
notices of his beautiful productions, as promised in my last
chapter, and to add a few words to what I have already said
on some of the more noted examples which have come under
my notice. And here, too, let me make my final quotation
— final, because it is the last which was •written — from the
original manuscript memoir, to which I have so often had
occasion to refer in this my biogi-aphy of the " great Josiah."
I quote it because it refers to tbe jasper ware, about which,
especially, I am about to speak. " These events," says the
narrative, " were succeeded by a discovery of very consider
able importance to the plastic art, and which occurred to
Mr. W. in the course of bis experiments. This was the
making of white porcelain bisque, suscejitible of receiving
colours throughout its whole substance, but more especiaUy

JASPER WARE. 321
of being stained with the fine mazarine blue, which was one
of the early characteristics of the Saxon porcelain. The
mineral from whence this colour is obtained is said to be
guarded with so much jealousy in Saxony, that conveying it
out of the country is made a capital offence. This porcelain
is called jasper, from its resemblances in properties to that
stone; and this property of recei^ving colours, which no other
body, either ancient or modern, has been known to do,
renders it pecuUarly fit for cameos, portraits, and aU subjects
in bas-reUef, as the ground may be made of any colour
throughout, and the raised figures of a pure white.
" He possessed this valuable secret about twelve years
before anything of the same kind was done by another,
notwithstanding that he Uved in the_ midst of a great
number of ingenious men engaged in the same pursuits
with himself. The first nearly simUar effect was produced
by an intelligent neighbour,* •with a material different from
that employed by Mr. Wedgwood ; and afterwards, through
an incident partly accidental, and partly proceeding from
freachery, the whole discovery was laid open to several
others ; but the dfrectors of the principal manufactories of
porcelain on the Continent have not yet, as we believe,
succeeded in producing this species, although it has been an
object of extreme solicitude among them. The bas-reUefs
which he finished at this time, partly after the subjects upon
the Etruscan vases, and partly from the engra^vings which
he found in different authors, were frequently inlaid into
marble for chimney-pieces, and used to ornament gfrandoles,
and in some instances abroad they were set in panels of
coaches. Commissions for these and his other productions
were often received from foreign princes, and artists have
even been sent to make coUections of them, to be conveyed
to Rome, and there fitted up.
" The bamboo, or cane-coloured porcelain, is another of
the inventions of Mr. Wedgwood, which was soon and very
weU imitated by other makers, and, wbUe it adds variety to
* Turner. Y

322 THE WEDGWOODS.
the productions of these useful manufactories, has tended
considerably to extend their general commerce.
" He had the good fortune, too, to be of some service to
science and experimental phUosophy, by making a porcelain
bisque of a hardness nearly equal to that of agate, which,
together with its property of resisting the strongest acids
and corrosives, and its impenetrabUity io every known
species of liquid, adapts it admfrably for mortars and differ
ent kinds of chemical vessels. In the foregoing projects,
which we have only described generaUy, but which, in the
detailed operations, must have occupied a very great portion
of his time and of his thoughts, Mr. Wedgwood never lost
sight of the Queen's ware, the first-fruit of his genius, and
certainly the best, in point of pecuniary benefits to himseU',
and of general prosperity. If he had been impeUed to the
ardent pursuit in which we have seen him engaged by mere
sordid motives, he would have found here a resting-place —
everything in this one discovery to gratify his wishes ; for
a matter so suited and so essential to the conveniences of
life must necessarily have an immense consumption, and from
these results all its advantages. This can never happen, in
any comparative degree, to works of mere art and fancy,
always accompanied •with great expense, employing a much
smaller number of persons, and not uniformly retuming
even the original cost.
" He was continually enlarging the number of useful
vessels made of that ware, and several times completely
changed his models, in order to keep up the vigour of this
branch of bis business. He fancied, from the general pre
dilection for porcelain, that if, by an alteration in its colour,
be could bring it nearer to that appearance, it would be an
improvement acceptable to his patrons. He invented for
this purpose a whiter glaze with a tint of blue, now gene
rally known in the manufactory by the name of China
glaze ; and to introduce this ware, he modelled an entirely
new pattern with raised borders, in imitation of sheU-work.
These borders, or rather edges, ho stained with a rich blue

IMPROVED QUEEN S WARE.

323

colour, laid on under the glaze, in the manner that the
oriental porcelain is done ; and this was the first time the
same art was practised upon earthenware. He was dis
appointed, however, in its success, for those who were in
the habit of buying his wares considered it as an imitation
of something better, and they preferred the Queen's ware,
which had no pretensions of that kind, but stood on its own
merits. It became, however, a very considerable branch of
pottery, and in general use. His enterprising and ingenious

neighbours did not abandon the idea, as he was obliged to
do, but improved upon it, covering almost the whole of the
surface of their ware with oriental designs in blue ; and it
now is seen to rival in external appearance the wares of
China itself, for which it is substituted among the great
body of the^ people.
" This improvement of the common ware was in some
measure_ owing to the introduction of materials which an

324

THE WEDGWOODS.

attempt had at first been made to preclude the very useful
body of manufacturers of earthenware from making any use
of." I have already given, in a former chapter, an engraving,
re-introduced on the preceding page, of a fine group of jasper
vases belonging to Mr. Hall, and have spoken of the peculiar
properties and beauties of that material. It wUl only be
necessary to add to those examples of vases one whose date
is well authenticated. The vase shown on the accompanying
engraving belongs to Mr. Benson Rath-
bone, of Liverpool, who is the fortunate
possessor of many beautiful examples of
fictile art, among which is an interesting
Queen's ware jelly mould, •with cenfre or
core painted with groups of flowers, so as
to be seen through the transparent jeUy.
This remarkably interesting piece is
marked WEDGWOOD in large capitals
on the centre or core, and on the mould
the same name in smaller capitals, with
the figures 10. A similar one may be
seen in Mr. Mayer's museum. The vase
here engraved, which is twelve inches in
height, was purchased at Efruria by Mr.
Reynolds, of Bristol, in 1 78.5-6, as a wedding present to
the grandmother of its present owner. In Mr. Rathbone's
possession, among other highly interesting examples, is also
a charming fiower-vase, of a later period, formed of blue
and white perpendicular bands, interlaced with plaits of
straw. The next engraving is a representation of an elegant
example of Wedgwood ware, but of a larger and more
costly kind. It is a simple but very chaste d^eunS service,
belonging to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., Her
Majesty's Chancellor of the Exchequer, to whom I have
pleasure in expressing my obligations for the use of his
collection, and for other acts of kindly courtesy. Of this

MR. Gladstone's collection. 325
dejeune service Mr. Gladstone says, in his "Wedgwood : an
Address :" — I have a dejeuner, nearly slate-coloured, of the
ware which, I believe, is called jasper ware. This seems
to me a perfect model of workmanship and taste. The tray
is a short oval, extremely light, with a surface as soft as
an infant's flesh to the touch, and having for ornament a
scroll of white ribbon, very graceful in its folds, and shaded
with partial transparency. The detached pieces have a

ribbed surface, and a similar scroll reappears ; whUe for
thefr principal ornament they are dotted •with white quatre-
foUs. These quatrefoils are delicately adjusted in size to
the varying cfrcumferences, and are executed both with a
true feeling of nature and •with a precision that would
scarcely be discredit to a jeweUer."
Mr. Gladstone possesses a fine coUection of EngUsh and
foreign fictUe art, including besides this service a portion of
a Queen's ware dessert service, of the plain escallop shell
pattern, •with leaves effectively drawn, and specimens of red

326 THE WEDGWOODS.
ware, as well as imitiition of agate, porphyry, and other
specimens of Wedgwood's manufacture of different periods.
The accompanying illustration shows two patterns of one
of the most minute and most exquisitely beautiful of the
productions to which the jasper ware was applied — viz.,
beads for the neck and for bracelets. Those here exhibited

are engraved from examples in the possession of my friend
Dr. Davis, F.S.A., and others are to be seen in various
collections. The body is the blue, or other coloured jasper,
and the foliage and ornaments are raised in white.
One notable feature of the jasper ware, besides those ot
its extreme beauty and its many remarkable properties, is
its applicabUity to such a variety of, and such widely
different, articles. From the lofty pedestaled vase do^wn to
the minutest bead, scarcely larger than a pea; from the
bold and massive frieze do^wn to the most delicate ear-drop ;
and from the large inlaid plaque of the chimney-piece down
to the most exquisitely and almost microscopicaUy decorated
settings for jewellery, — the jasper possessed, and possesses
(for it is stiil made), greater capability and adaptabUity than
any other ware which has ever been, or apparently can be,
invented. It is well, perhaps, to say a lew words on these
different varieties of goods produced by "Wedgwood, that the
uninitiated as well as collectors may know something of
tho extent to which tbis branch of ornamental art was
carried by its great master.
I AVedgwood divided his ornamental productions into twenty

WEDGWOOD's ORNAMENTAL PRODUCTIONS. 327
classes. The First Class comprised intaglios and medal
lions " accurately taken from antique gems, and from the
finest models that can be procured from modern artists."
In 1787, in this class alone, no less than 1,032 separate
designs had been issued. This class was subdivided into
two sections ; the first embracing " cameos, which are made
either in jasper with different coloured grounds, for orna
mental purposes, or in white porcelain bisqud, at a very
moderate price, for those who wish to form mythological or
historical cabinets;" the section being again subdivided
under the heads of " Egyptian mythology," " Grecian and
Roman mythology," " sacrifices," " heads of ancient phUo-
sophers, poets, and orators," " Sovereigns of Macedonia,"
" fabulous age of the Greeks," " War of Troy," " Roman
History," "Masks, Chimeras," &c., "Illustrious Moderns,"
and " Miscellaneous ; " and the second " Intaglios," also
subdivided under different heads. " The intaglios," Wedg
wood says, " talie a good polish, and, w^hen polished, have
exactly the effect of fine black basaltes or jasper. Another
method has been discovered of adding very considerably to
thefr beauty, by making the intaglio part black, and the
flat surface blue and highly polished, by which means they
are made to imitate the black and blue onyx (or niccolo)
with great exactness, and become equaUy ornamental for
rings as for seals. They are likewise made and polished in
imitation of various coloured agates and other stones, and
in cyphers, with the letters of one colour and the ground of
another. The correct sharpness and superior hardness of
these intaglios have now been sufficiently ascertained by
experience." Most of the subjects in these sections were produced as
seals, as well as of various sizes and forms for rings,
bracelets, brooches, &c. The seals were principally made
with shanks, to hang to tJie watch chain, or double-sided
for setting as " s'wivel seals." Those made with shanks
were highly polished, so as to requfre no mounting ; and
examples are to be found in most collections. In seals.

328 THE WEDGWOODS.
besides classical and other groups, heads of celebrated
personages, armorial bearings, &c., Wedgwood produced a
complete double set of cyphers, " one consisting of all the
combinations of two letters, and the other of all the single
letters, whicb last," he says, " are now much used, especiaUy
for notes."
Portraits of individuals were also cleverly produced in
seals, as well as in medaUions, &c. ; and it is interesting to
be enabled to give my readers the cost at which such objects
were made. A portrait of tbe individual would be modeUed
in wax, by Flaxman, or Hackwood, or some other artist
employed by AVedgwood, in the same manner as those I
have already spoken of and engraved in connection •with
Flaxman's bUls. The cost of this model in wax, made
from the life, would be, to the party himself, from three to
five guineas, according to the size. From this a mould
would be taken, as I have already described, and finished
cameos produced, of proper size for brooches, at ~is. 6d.
each ; for rings or seals, at 5s. each ; and as medaUions, at
lOs. 6d. each. As the same wax model would, of course,
as I have explained, serve for aU these various sizes (the
reductions being produced by successive firings), and as not
less than ten copies were made in any one way, it will be
seen that the total cost to the customer of ten sis-inch
medalUons of his or her portrait, including the original wax
model, would be ten guineas, and for rings, &e., five-and-a-
half guineas. The following is Josiah Wedgwood's notice
respecting these cameo portraits : —
" It may bo proper in this place to observe, that if gentlemen or
ladies choose to have models of themselves, fnmiHes, or friends,
mndc in wax, or cut in stones of proper sizes for seals, rings, lockets,
or bracelets, they may have as many durable copies of those models
as they please, cither in cnmeo or intngho, for any of the above
purposes, at a moderate expense ; nnd this nation is at present
happy in the possession of several artists of distinguished merit, ns
engi-avors and modcUi is, who are capable of executing these fine
works •with great delicacy and precision. If tho nobUity and gentry

MEDALLION PORTRAITS. 329
should please to encourage this design, they wiU not only procure
for themselves everlasting portraits, but have the pleasure of giving
life and vigour to tho ai-ts of niodeUing and engraving. The art of
making durable copies at a smnU expense wUl thus promote the art
of making originals, nnd future ages may view the productions of
Uio ngo of Geoege the Third -ndth tho samo veneration that we
now behold those of Alexander and Augustus.
" Nothing can contribute moro effectually to diffuse a good tnsto
through the ni-ts than tho power of multiplying copies of fine things
in materials tit to be applied for ornaments, by which means the
public eye is insti-ucted, good and bnd works nre nicely discriminated,
and nil arts receive improvement. Nor can there be a surer way of
ronderiug any exquisite piece possessed by an individual fnmous,
•without diminishing tho value of the original ; for the more copies
there are of any works, as of the Venus de Medicis, for instance, the
more celebrated the original •will be, and the more honour derived
to the possessor. Everybody wishes to see the originnl of a beautiful
copy. " A model of a porfrait in wax, when it is of a proper size for a
seal, ring, or bracelet, wiU cost about throe guineas, and of a porfrait
from three to six inches in diameter, three, four, or five guineas.
Any number of copies of cameos for rings, in jasper, •with coloured
grounds, not fewer than ten, are made at 5*. each. Any number
of cameos for brncelets in tho jasper, with coloured grounds, at
7s. Gd. each. Any number of portraits in the samo material, from
three to six inches diameter, not fewer than ten, at 10s. 6d. each."
Examples of these medallion portraits have already been
given. The Second Class into whicb Josiah Wedgwoood divided
his productions was "bas-reliefs, medallions, tablets," Ac. ;
and of these he produced about three hundred distinct
designs of groups, &c., many of them of the most exqiusite
character, and of faultless workmanship.
"The articles of this class," says Wedgwood, "have employed
some of the best artists in Europe, and it hns been a work of much
time and attention, as well as expense, to bring it to its present
state. It is stiU receiving continual additions, not only from artists
in our own and other cotmfries, but Hkewase from the amateurs and
patrom of the arts. I have lately been enabled to enrich it •with

330 THE WEDGWOODS.
some charming groups, which Lady Diana Beauclerk and Lady
Templctoun, whose exquisite taste is univcrsaUy acknowledged,
have honoured me with the Hberty of copying from their designs.
The Portland "S'ase, late Barberini, for the acquisition of which to
this country the artists are so much obUged to thefr weU-known
benefactor, Sfr WUliam HamUton, wiU furnish a noble addition,
and I cannot sufficiently express my obUgation to his Grace the
Duke of Portland, for entrusting this ine.'-timable jewel to my care,
and continuing it so long — more than twelve months — in my hands,
without which it would have been impossible to do any tolerable
justice to this rare work of art. I have now some reason to flatter
myself -with the hope of producing, in a short time, a copy which
will not be unworthy the pubHc notice. I -wish Ukewise to pay
my grateful acknowledgments to the ilarquis of Lansdowne, for
the Hberty of taking moulds from a suite of dancing nymphs, and
other beautiful figures, modeUed in Italy from the paintings found
in Herculaneum, and to the Duke of Harlborough, for a cast from
the exquisite gem in His Grace's coUection, the Marriage of Cupid
and Psyche. The Herculaneum figures are aU executed in the
basaltes, and only three or four of them have as yet been adapted
to the jasper of two colours ; the Marlborough gem has been made
in the jasper composition for some time, but not tUl very lately in
the degree of perfection I -wished for. I am like-wise under par
ticular obUgations to Lady Margaret Fordyce, Lady Anne Lindsey,
Mrs. Montague, Mrs. Crew, and Miss Emma Crew, to his Grace the
Duke of Montague, Lord Besborough, Sfr Watkin WdUams Wynne,
Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sfr WiUiam Chambers, Mr. West, Mr. AsUe,
and many others of the nobUity, connoisseurs, and principal artists
of this kingdom, for thefr kind and valuable assistance in bringing
these works to that degree of perfection, and that notice -with the
pubhc, which they at present possess. With such ample arid Hberal
assistance, I may, perhaps, be aUowed to hope that the articles of
this class may with propriety have a place among the finest orna
ments which the arts of the present age have produced, and that no
cameos, medalUons, or bas-reliefs, of equal beauty, magnitude, and
durabiHty, or so highly finished, have ever before been offered to
the public. These bas-reliefs, chiefly in the jasper of two colours,
are applied as cabinet pictures, or for ornamenting cabinets, book
cases, writing tables, in the composition of a great -variety of
chimney-pieces, nnd other ornamental works. With what effect
they are thus appUed, may bo seen in tho houses of many of the
first nobUity nnd genfry in tho kingdom."

HISTORICAL MEDALLIONS. 331
It is pleasant to be able to state that in some of "the
houses of the first nobUity and gentry " — as at Kedleston
Hall, the seat of Lord Scarsdale, for instance — chimney-
pieces, decorated with these beautiful plaques in Wedg
wood's own time, are still to be seen in all their original
beauty. The Third Class consisted of medallions, &c., of kings,
queens, and Ulustrious persons, " of Asia, Egypt^ and
Greece," a series which, in 1787, consisted of more than
one hundred heads. Class Four, " tbe ancient Roman
history, from the foundation of the city to the end of the
Consular government, including the age of Augustus, in a
regular series of sixty medals, from Dassier, at one guinea
the set, or singly at sixpence each." Class Five, heads of
illustrious Romans, of which about forty were produced.
Class Six, the twelve Csesars, which were produced in four
different sizes, and their empresses, which were produced in
one size only. Class Seven, " sequel of emperors, from
Nerva to Constantine the Great, inclusive," a series of fifty-
two medallions. Class Eight, the heads of the popes, a
series of two hundred and fifty-three medallions, " at six
pence a-piece singly, or at threepence a-piece to those who
take the set." Class Nine, a series of a hundred heads
of kings and queens of England and France, which were sold
in sets only, either in or out of cabinets ; and Class Ten,
"heads of Ulustrious moderns;" this series had at that time
'extended to about two hundred and thirty heads, whicb
were made both in black basaltes and in blue and white
jasper, and of various sizes, their prices varying " from one
shilling a-piece to a guinea, with and without frames of the
same composition; but most of them, in one colour and
without frames, are sold at one shilling each."
Of the medaUions in these highly interesting and im
portant classes, Josiah Wedgwood wrote in 1787 : —
" The pecuhar fitness of these fine porcelains for rendering exact
and durable copies of medaUions, heads, &c, at a moderate price,

332 THE WEDGWOODS.
has induced tho proprietor to aim at regular biographical suites of
distinguished characters, in different ages and nations, for the Ulus
tration of that pleasing nnd instructive branch of history; and with
this view he has been at a con-^iderable expanse in coUecting,
repairing, modeUini;, and arranging poi-traits of illustrious men,
both of ancient and modem times. The ]'r^sent class contains
those of Greece, Egypt, and the neighbouring states, in chrono
logical order. The four foUowing classes exhibit a complete series
of the Eoman history, from the foundation of Rome to the rcmovsd
of the scat of empire to Constantinople. The thread of history is
continued in the next two clnssi s by a set of the popes, and of aU
the kings imd queens of England and France ; and the more recent
periods of history are illustrated in the succeeding one by a con-
sidenible number of princes, stntesmen, phUosophers. poets, artists,
and other eminent men, down to tho present time. Tin se portraits
are mnde both in the basaltes nnd in the jasper -with coloured
grounds ; they are sold either with or -without thefr cabinets. Their
general size is two inches by one and three quarters, unless where
otherwise expressed."
Wedgwood's next class (Elevf.n), which beheaded "busts,
small statues, boys, animals," &c., -n-as a verv' important
one, and included many of his most extraordinary works.
These are the large busts of distinguished persons, which
now are so rare and so much sought after. Of his pro
ductions in this class the great master WTOte as foUows, and
his opinions on the production of popular copies of fine
works of Art were so correct, that they wiU be read with
pleasure and profit at the present time.
" The black basnltcs having the appearance of .intique bronze,
nnd so nenrly agreeing in properties with the basaltes of the Eg}-p-
tians, is excellentiy adapted for busts, sphynxes, small statues, &c. ;
and it is certainly an object of uuportanee to preserve in such
durable mnteriids ns many ns possible of the fine works, both of
antiquity and the picseiit age, for after time has destroyed even
mai-bles and bronzes, as weU as pictures, tiiese copies -wiU remain,
nnd wUl transmit the productions of genius imd the portraits of
illustrious men to tho most distant times.
"Those who duly consider the influence of tho^»» arts on the
human mind, wiU not think it a smidl benefit to the world to diffuse
thefr productions ns wide, nnd to preserve them as long, as possible.

BLACK BASALTES. 333
The multiplying of copies of fine works in beautiful and durable
materials, must ob-viously have the same effect in respect to the arts,
as the invention of printing has upon literature and the sciences ;
by thefr means the principal productions of both kinds wiU be for
ever preserved, and wUl effectuaUy prevent the return of ignorant
and barbarous ages.
"Nor have the artists themselves anything to fear from this
multipHcation of copies. Whatever awakens and keeps aUve the
attention of the pubUc to the production of the arts — and nothing
can be more effectual for that purpose than the diffusion of copies of
fine works — must ultimately be advantageous to the artist who is
capable of producing fine originals ; for this general attention, in
whatever countiy it is sufficiently excited, wiU always produce
amateurs who, not contented "with copies which every one may pro
cure, -will be ambitious of possessing fine originals, that copies from
them may be multiplied and diffused to the credit of the possessor,
and the emolument as weU as credit of the original artist. On
these considerations the proprietor has, at a very 'considerable
expense, extended the subjects of this class, and endeavoured to
give them all the perfection in his power, and he hopes the articles
in the following list will be found not unworthy the notice of those
who have been pleased to honour this difficult and expensive under
taking with thefr generous patronage. A small assortment of the
flgures is now made in the jasper of two colours, the effect of which
is new and pleasing.
" The proprietor is ambitious of preserving in these materials the
distinguished characters of the present times, either by making their
busts in basaltes, or their port/raits iu bas-relief, in the jasper with
coloured grounds, and he begs leave to observe to those who may
honour him -with models or moulds for this purpose, that if the
models be made in clay, they either should be burnt to enable them
to bear carriage, or plaster moulds taken from them in their soft
state, which wiU answer eqnaUy well ; but that neither clay models
nor plasters are to be oUed ; they should be a fifth part larger than
the figure requfred. These models, casts, or moulds may be safely
sent from any distance, and they may be returned if desfred." '
In this durable material, tbe "black basaltes," busts
of M. Aurelius Antoninus, Lord Chatham, Zeno, Plato,
Epicurus, Junius Brutus, Marcus Brutus, Pindar, Homer,
Cornelius de Witt, and John de Witt were produced, of the

334

THE -WEDGWOODS.

extraordinary size of twenty-five inches in height, while
about eighty other busts were produced, of various sizes,
from twenty-two down to four inches in height. In the
same material was also luiide a fine series of more than forty
statues, animals, sphynxes, &c. Of the latter an example

will be seen on the accompanying engraving of a group
of black ware belonging to Mr. HaU.
The next class (Ci^V-Ss Twelve) embraced various kmds of
lamps and candelabra, wliich were made both in the varie
gated pebble and black basaltes, in tripods with three lights,
and other antique forms. Some were also mnde in jasper of
two colours, "adapted to Argand's patent lamp, the brU-
linnt light of which being thrown upon the bas-reliefs, has a
singular and beautifnl effect. They all bear the flame
perfectly well." Tbe prices of the lamps were from " two
sbiUiiigs a-piece to five guineas," and the candelabra from
one guinea lo four or li\e guineas a pair. These were never

TEA AND COFFEE EQUIPAGES. 335
made to a great extent, and are now scarce, and much
sought after by collectors.
Class Thirteen was a very important division in the
productions of Wedgwood's establishment. It comprised
tea and coffee equipages of every variety of shape and style
of decoration. In this class the teapots, coffee-pots,
chocolates, sugar dishes, cream ewers, with cabinet cups and
saucers, and all the articles of the tea-table and dejeune, were
made in the " bamboo" and " basaltes," both plain and en
riched with Grecian and Etruscan ornaments. They were
likewise made in jasper of two colours, " polished within
(not glazed) like tbe natural stone, ornamented with bas-
reliefs, and very highly finished," and of truly exquisite
beauty. In the catalogue issued by Josiah Wedgwood in
1787, is an aquatint plate printed in colours, of one of these
beautiful cups, in which the artist (I have reason to believe
Francis Eginton)* has sought to show the transparency of

the thin jasper. This cup, with the addition of the gilding
from a fragment of one of these very choice pieces in
my own collection, I show on the accompanying engraving.
The material is the finest and most delicate jasper, the
body of intense hardness, the surface truly, as Mr. Glad-
' Some particulars regarding Eginton and his works will be given
later on.

336 THE WEDGWOODS.
stone has so well expressed it, " soft as an infant's flesh
to the touch," and the decoration and workmanship of
marveUous beauty and finish. In Mr. HaU's coUection are,
among other rare examples of tea and coffee-cups, &c.,
a choice coffee-cup of black jasper, white inside, with white
rims, white wreaths, and a blue and white cameo in front ; a
bamboo or cane-coloured embossed teapot and stand, with
raised red border and classical groups, and many other
notable specimens ; and in my own possession, as well as in
the hands of most collectors, are examples of bamboo and
various coloured jasper services.
The next class — Class Fourteen — consisted of " flower
pots and root-pots," which Wedgwood thus described: —
" Of root-pots, as well for bulbous as other roots, and of flower
pots and bouqiMtiers, there is a great variety, both in respect to
pattern and colour, and the prices vary accordingly. The flower
and root-pots are from sixpence a-piece to seven shillings and six
pence. Some of the bulbous root-pots are finished higher, •with
bas-reUefs, enamelling, &c., and the prices are in proportion. The
ornamental, or vase flower-pots, are from one shilHng to eighteen
shUlings, or more."
Class Fifteen comprised the " ornamental vases of
antique form, in the ' terra-cotta,' resembling agate, jasper,
porphyry, and other variegated stones of the crystalline
kind," of which I have afready at some length spoken.
These vases he describes as being —
" Adapted for ornamenting chimney-pieces, cabinets, book-cases,
&o. They are from 6 to 18 or 20 inches high. The prices from
7s. Gd. to two or three guineas, according to thefr size and the
manner in which they are finished, •with or •without handles,
bas-reliefs, gilding, draperies, festoons, medaUions, &e. They are
generally sold in pairs, or in sets of three, five, or seven pieces. The
sets of five pieces are from about two guineas to five or six guineas
the set."
Class Sixteen included the " antique vases of black
porcelain, or artificial basaltes, highly finished, ¦with bas-

VASES, tablets, ETC. 337
relief ornaments," &c., which I have afready described. Of
this species of vase a large number of forms, chiefly Grecian
or Etruscan, were produced, and at prices at which it would
make a collector's heart glad to meet with them now. The
sizes were " from three or four inches high to more than two
feet, the prices from 7s. 6d. a piece to three or four guineas,
exclusive of the very large ones, and those which consist of
several parts. The sets of five, for chimney-pieces, are from
two guineas to six or eight guineas a set." While speaking
of the productions in this class, it may be well to note
one use to which these black basaltes vases were put, which
wiU probably be unknown to my readers. It is that they
were used for monumental purposes. At Ashley Church,
for instance, in 1770, a monument to WUliam Viscount
Chetwynd was erected, " the top part of which is a niche
with a cfrcular head, and within it is placed a large Egyp
tian black urn, which was made at Efruria in the time of the
late Josiah Wedgwood."
Class Seventeen was composed of vases, pateras, tablets,
&c., with encaustic paintings, Etruscan and Grecian. Of
these vases I have already spoken, and it- is therefore only
necessary here to say that they were produced of various
sizes, from six inches up to twenty inches in height, at
prices varying from one to ten or twelve guineas each.
Tablets for chimney-pieces, for cabinets, and for inlaying,
were also enriched in the same manner as the vases, with
encaustic painting, and produced an admfrable and striking
effect. They were made of every size, from that suitable for
a bracelet to eighteen or twenty inches in diameter, " Some
have been made," writes Wedgwood, " for that excellent
ai-tist, Mr. Stublis,* so large as thfrty-six inches-; and his
* Stubbs, the famous painter of horses, &c., was employed to a con
siderable extent by Mr. Wedgwood in designing and decorating ; and a
large painting by him — a family group, representing Josiah Wedg-wood and
Mrs. "Wedgwood seated imder a tree in the grounds of Etruria, -with their
family, some on horseback, and others grouped with a cMld's carriage,
with "Woolstanton Church, &c., in the distance— hangs in the dining-
room at Barlaston.

338 THE WEDGWOODS.
exquisite enamels upon them after nature, which have been
repeatedly exhibited in the Royal Academy, are evidences of
the species and value of the enamel paintings that may
be produced upon these tablets."
To Class Eighteen belonged the magnificent vases,
tripods, and other ornaments, in jasper, with coloured grounds
and white bas-reliefs, of which I have so often spoken, and
of which a selection of examples has been engraved from
Mr. HaU's collection, and from that of Mr. Rathbone, &c.
Thefr prices Wedgwood stated to be " nearly the same as
those of the high-finished vases with encaustic painting."
Of these vases an immense variety was produced, and
examples of different degrees of exceUence and rarity are
to be found in every collection.
The next class (Nineteen) was devoted to "inkstands,
paint-chests, eye-cups, mortars, and chemical vessels," of
some of which I have already spoken. The most notable
ink-stand, described by Josiah Wedgwood as his own inven
tion, is the plain one I have before aUuded to, and of which
I give the foUowing account from the Catalogue, and also
a copy of one of the descriptive papers drawn np in Uie
French language, by Wedgwood himself, and its accompany
ing diagram, from the original paper in my own coUection.
"Different kinds of ink-vessels and inkstands" says the Cata
logue, " have been made at this manufactory ; but the follo-wing is
presumed to be the best and most convenient that has ever yet
been brought into use.
A A, the ink cistern, fiUed -with ink up to F.
B, pen tubes, close at bottom.
C, a smaU opening into the cistern, stopped -with an afr-tight
plug.
D, a conical tube, communicating at bottom -with the cistern,
and in which the ink rises only to E, being kept do-wn whUe
the aperture C is stopped by the pressure of the atmosphere.
" "When the cistern is to be filled, take out the plug C, and pour
in ink tiU it rises nearly to the top, D and' F. The plug being
then returned into its place, the ink in the ca-vity D E may be

WEDGWOOD's mKSTANDS. 339
taken out ; or on standing for a few hours, it wUl subside of itself
to E, especiaUy if warmed a Httle before the plug is put in.
" The advantages of this inkstand ai-e, that the foi-m of the tube
D E, through which the pen is dipped, prevents the soiHng of the
pen and fingers ; that the narrow end of this tube, below E, pre

vents the pen from striking the bottom ; that the ink comes in
contact with the air only in the smaU space E, by which means it
is prevented from evaporating, growing thick, and spoiUng, as it
does in aU the common inkstands, where a large surface is unavoid
ably exposed to the air ; that the sediment which the ink may
deposit on standing, wUl settle chiefly on the broad part of the
bottom, under the main body of ink, not where the pen is dipped,
as the ink is there in small quantity, and continuaUy supplied with
the fine part from above ; that the vessel being made of the fine
compost black basaltes, is neither corroded by the ink nor absorbs
it, nor injures its colour, as the metals used for these purposes do ;
and that it admits of being finished, in point of workmanship, -with
the highest degree of accuracy.
"These inkstands are sold separately, as represented in the above
plate, or with sand boxes, wafer boxes, &c., forming various kinds
of useful and ornamental ecritofres, as weU in the jasper of two
colours, as in the basaltes. The prices are from Sixpence, rising
according to the sizes, forms, and workmanship, to Two Guineas."
The French advertisement to which I have alluded is as
z2

;!40 THE WEDGWOODS.
follows, and it has the same diagram as the one just in
troduced : —
"Des EcHiTOiitKs en Poeckl.une Noihe, FAnnninfiES pab
Messes. Wedgwood et Bextley.
"De pnrmi tout le grnnd Nombro des Ecritofres et d'Encriers
qu'on a invento jusqu'ici, ceUe, qui est reprosente dans la Figure
ci-dessus, est la mcUleurc et la plus commode : et commc eUe est
d'une Invention tout ncuve, U en faut une Description.
" ExrLIC.VTION DE LA FlGl'EE.
" A A. La Citemc, rempUe d'Encre jusqu'4 F.
"B. Des Tuyaux pour les Plumes, qui sent fermees en has, ce
qui empeche qu'U n'y entre point d'Afr.
" Une petite Ouvcrture, qui va a la Citeme, avec un Bouchon
tres serre.
" D. Un Cone, par ou I'on rempHt la Citornc, en tirant premiere-
mcnt le Bouchon a C.
" On verse I'Encre dans le Cone, jusqu'a ce qu'U soit plein, apres
quoi on rcmet le Bouchon dans sa Place ; puis, en -vuide I'Encre
hors du Cone, soit en versant ou par un Eponge, aussi bas que E,
alors I'Encre restera dans la Citci-ue, a la Hauteur dc F, et agira
en Fontaine ; la Plume puisant rEncre par le Cone D, au Point E.
" Les Avantages et Propridis de ces Ecritoires.
" L'Ouverturo gradueUc du Cone fait, qu'on n'est pas sujet de se
saUr les Doigts, ou la Plume, comme on fait avec les autres tris
communes. " Le Bout du Cone etant etroit, provicnt que la Plume ne grate
centre le Fond.
" La Surface de I'Eucro n'est pas exposeo a I'Afr, nutrement
qu'au petit Point E, ee qui en prcvient I'Evaporation, et I'empeche
do se gater on s'epaissant, commc il ai-rive dans tous les Encricrs
communs, ou U y a uno grande Surface uceoss;urement cxposeo a
I'Afr. "Co qui recqmmondo ces Ecritoires encore dn vantage, est, qu'Us
sont composes d"un Jaspe ou Porcelaine Xoire, tres fine et bien lie,
qui n'est jnmais corrode pnr I'Kncro, et no Tabsorbe point : aussi Us
se Inissont fiuir et ncbe\-or avec la dernier delicatesse ; comme on en
finit conNtarament un grand Xoiiibrc, qui meritont bien d'cti-e placGs
armi les plus be;iu.\ Productions do I'Avt.
" Les Encrieis so vemleut separanient, comme ila sont representees

WEDGWOOD's INKSTANDS AND TAINT CHESTS. 341
dons I'Estampe ci-dcasus ; ou bien avec des Sabliers, Oubliors, &c.
forment plusioivrs Especes des Ecritoires, tant utiles qu'embellies
des Ornemens : les Prix sont de Six Sols, en montant gradueUe-
ment selon la Beaut6 de I'Ouvingc, leur Grandeur, et les Formes,
jusqu'fi environ Huit Chelins la Piece.
" Messrs. Wedgwood ct Bentiet prennent la Liberie de rocom-
mander & Messrs. les Morchands etrangers qui vondroient bien
acheter de leurs Ouvrnges, d'adresser les Ordres ti leurs Correspon-
dens ordinnires en Angleterre ; cor la grande Attention que leur
Manufacture demande constamment, et leur Situation, rendent les
Soins des Commissions, ct d'une Correspondence eti'angere et
extensive, exfrememont difficile."
Truly elegant inkstands were made in jasper and other
materials. One of the most beautiful is shown in the accom

panying engra^ving, dra^wn from an inkstand in Mr. HaU's
possession. The other articles in this class are thus spoken
of by Mr. Wedgwood : —
"The 'Paint-chests' contain sets of large and smaU vessels, and
neat paUets, for the use of those who paint in water-colours ; they
are sold from five shUlings to half a guinea. The Ete-cups, for
bathing the eyes, are made of the compositions imitating variegated
pebbles, &c. The Moktaes, of various forms nnd sizes, from two to
thirteen inches in diameter, outside measure, nnd from one and a half
to <«» in the clear, nre made in the hnrd porcelain, No. 6 ; a material
far superior to aU those in common use for these purposes, and
nearly equal to agate. The exceUence of these mortars for chemical
and other curious uses is afready well kno^wn, and thefr valuable
properties render them eqnnUy desfrable for the purposes of the
apothecary nnd the housekeeper. M.vebie mortars are soft in com
parison •with these, and a very considerable quantity of the substance
of the marble is abraded and mised with aU powders of the hard

342 THE -WEDGWOODS.
kind that are ground in them ; they are corroded and dissolved by
aU acids, and hence, besides altering the nature of any acid Hqnor
put into them, by imparting to it as much of thefr substance as the
quantity of acid requfres for its saturation, the surface of the marble
itself is rendered rough and cavemulons, and on that account staU
more Hable to be abraded, and very difficult to be made clean. OUs
of aU kinds are imbibed by them, so that whatever foUows an oUy
substance in such a mortar must partake of the smeU and taste of
the oU. Meiaxlinb mortars are dissolved or corroded not only by
acids, but by aU saHne substances, by simple moisture, and by the
afr ; and some experiments lately pubUshed by Mr. BHzard have
given grounds to apprehend that even dry substances of the mere
earthy kind, void of saline matter, and of no great hardness, •wUl
receive, by being powdered in brass or heU-metal mortars, thongh
perfectly clean, a coppery impregnation, sufficient to manifest itself
in the common chemical trials, and perhaps not altogether innocent
in medicines or in aUments. From all these imperfections the
PoECELAnf mortars are free ; and thefr price is sufficientiy moderate
to admit of their general use. This compact, hard porcelain is
exceUently adapted also for evaporating pans, digesting vessels,
basons, filtering funnels, syphons, tubes — such as Dr. Priestly uses
in some of his experiments instead of gun barrels — ^retorts, and
many other vessels for chemical uses, which I have made for my
friends, of different forms and magnitudes, and •with some •variations
in the composition itself, according to the views for which they
were wanted. If in this department I should be happy enough to
contribute anything towards faciUtating chemical experiments, by
supplying vessels more serviceable or more commodious for par
ticular uses than are commonly to be met with, my utmost wishes
with respect to these articles wiU be gratified."
The last class (Class Twenty) into which Josiah Wedg
wood divided his productions was " thermometers for
measuring strong fire, or tbe degree of heat above ignition."
The principle on which these thermometers (accounts of
which had been, as I have stated, read before the Royal
Society) were constructed, was that of the shrinking of
earthly bodies of the argillaceous order by heat — the diminu
tion of thefr bulk being in proportion to the degrees of heat
to which they are subjected. The following is AVedgwood's
own account of this important invention ; —

theemometees for measueing degeees of heat. 343
" Thermometers for Measuring Strong Fire, or the Degrees of Heat
above Ignition.
"To those who are conversant in experimental inquiries, or in
the operations of manufactures and arts that are carried on by fire,
it is unnecessary to mention the importance of a thermometer by
which the force of fitre in furnaces of every kind may be accurately
measured and appreciated, in the same denominations as the lower
degrees of heat are by the coinmon thermometers.
" Such an instrument I have now the satisfaction of offering to the
pubHc. As the thermometer itself is accompanied -with a pamphlet
explaining its construction and use, and as the results of my experi
ments, both respecting its construction and the comparison of its
scale with that of Fahrenheit's continued, have been honoured with
a place in the Transactions of the Eoyal Society,* it •will here be
sufficient just to mention the general principles on which it is
founded, viz. : — ^that earthy bodies of the argillaceous order have
thefr bulk diminished by fre in proportion to the degree of heat
they are made to undergo ; and that, consequently, the contraction
of this species of matter affords as true a measure for strong fire as
the expansion of mercury or spirit of wine does for the lower degrees
of heat ; but with this difference, that the contraction of the argU-
laceous mass is a permanent effect ; so that the degree of heat is not
here determined by a single transient observation made in the fire
itself, but its measure is preserved, and is to be examined when
gro-wn cold, or at any future time.
" The argUlaceous matter is formed into equal smaU pieces, caUed
thermometer pieces ; and one of these, which may be conceived as
the detached bulb of a thermometer, is put into the fire that is to
be measured, either in a Httle case made for that purpose, or in the
same vessel with the subject matter of the operation.
"A gauge, consisting of two rules fixed on a flat plate, a Httle
nearer together at one end than the other, so as to include between
them a long converging canal, di-vided on the side, serves for dis
covering minute variations in the bulk of the pieces. A raw piece
•wiU just enter to 0 at the wider end of the canal : after it has been
in the fire, if it be gently sUd along tiU it is stopped by the con-
vergency of the sides, the degree at which it stops •wUI be the
measure of its diminution, and, consequently, of the heat which it
has undergone.
"As the accuracy of the scale of the common thermometer
* PhU. Transact., vols. Isxii., Lsxiv., kxvii.

344 THE WEDGWOODS,
depends upon the perfect equality of the bore of the tube from one
end to the other, so the accuracy of this gauge depends upon the
perfect straightness of its sides ; and the difficulty of obtaining this
essential condition necessarily occasions a considerable enhancement
of the price. I have now hapjiily succeeded in making gauges of
the hard species of porcelain more perfect than those I can generaUy
procure in brass : the porcelain ones have the advantage of not
being susceptible of any bruise or derangement ; they may be
broken, but they cannot, in this respect, deceive."
The account of this invention, which had been read before
the Royal Society, was issued In pamphlet form, in different
languages ; a copy translated into the Dutch language* is in
my possession.
Besides these twenty classes of goods manufectured by
Wedgwood, and which were, it wiU have been seen, principaUy
ornamented varieties, he announced at the end of his cata
logue that " the Queen's Wake of Mr. Wedgwood's manu
facture, with various improvements in the table and dessert
services, tea equipages, &c., continues to be sold as usual at
bis warehouse in Greek Street, Soho, and at no other place
in London." This was in 1787, and the same ware has
continued to be regularly made do^wn to our own day.
About this time (1785), along with others, Wedgwood's
name found its way into some of the poUtical lampoons and
squibs which the wits of the day threw off unmerciftiUy at
the leading men of the government. One of these, aUuding
to spittoons and other vessels bearing the head of WUliam
Pitt, is to be found in the " Asylum for Fugitive Pieces " — a
strange collection of these lampoons, which had been got
together by John Almon — ^where it forms part of " an irre
gular ode," said to be " by Edward Lord Thurlow, Lord
High ChanceUor of Great Britain " —

* Beschreibimg und Gebrauch eines Thermometers die Hohem grade
der Ilitz zu Messen, von der rothen Hitze an bis zu der allerstiircksten
welche irdene Gefiisse ertragen konnen. Von Jo^as Wedgwood," &c.
&c. &c. "London: Bey J. Young, mpcclxxxvi."

lampoon on WILLIAM PITT. 345
" Lo 1 Wedgwood, too, waves his ViTT-pots on high !
Lo 1 he points where the bottoms, yet dry,
The "Visage Immaculate bear !
Be Wedgwood d  d, and double d  d his ware."
" I am told that a scoundrel of a potter, one Mr. Wedgwood, is
making 10,000 spitting-pots, and other vUe ntensUs, •with a figure
of Mr. Pitt in the bottom ; round the head is to be a motto —
' We -win spit
On Mr. Pitt;'
and- other such d  d rhymes suited to the uses of the different

Of the universal repute in which this ware — the
"Queen's,"or usual earthenware of Wedgwood's manufacture
— was held, numberless instances could be given, but it is
unnecessary to do so. I may, however, just quote, two little
passages to show the opinion which was held of the excel
lence of its quality, and the way in which it made its way
to remote quarters of the globe. The first is from tbe
Travels of M. St. Fond, Professor of Geology in the Museum
of Natural History, in Paris, in 1799, who -wrote —
" Its exceUent workmanship ; its soUdity ; the advantage which
it possesses of -withstanding the action of the fire ; its fine glaze,
impenefrable to acids ; the beauty, convenience, and variety of its
forms, and its moderate price, have created a commerce so active,
and so universal, that in traveUing from Paris to St. Petersburg,
from Amsterdam to the farthest point of Sweden, one is served at
every inn from English earthenware. The same fine article adorns
the tables of Spain, Portugal, and Italy ; it pro-vides the cargoes of
ships to the East Indies, the West Indies, and America."
In Hamilton's "Voyage Round the World," 1793, the
author says —
"It was a pleasing and flattering sight to an EngHshman at this
remotest comer of the globe, to see that Wedgwood's stone ware,
and Birmingham goods, had found thefr way into the shops of
Coupang " (East Indies).

CHAPTER XVIIL
CHINA MANHFACTUEE. — JONATHAN 'WEDGWOOD. — AGEEEJIENT
WITH WILLIAM DUESBUEY, OF THE DEEBY CHTSA WOEKS. —
ABNEE WEDGWOOD.— CHINA MADE FBOM GUANO. — ENOCH
WEDGWOOD. — FRANCIS EGINTON, INVENTOB OF POLYGEA-
PHIC PICTUEES. — MUG GIVEN HIM BY JOSIAH -WEDGWOOD.
 MA^CTHEW BOULTON, OF THE SOHO WOEKS.  LETTERS
OF EGINTON. — THE " EARLY PHOTOGEAPHS." — LEITEB OF
BOULTON, OBJECTING TO A PENSION FOE EGINTON. — EGDf-
TON's WOEKS IN STAINED GLASS.  -WILLIAJI BAPHAEL
EGINTON. — LETTEE OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. — ETEUSCAN
YASE AND FEENCH PIE.
It is an interesting feature in the annals of the Wedgwoods,
that although its head and chief, the " Great Josiah," was
not at any time a maker of china ware, other members of
that family were, during his lifetime, connected practicaUy
with it, and that his sons, as I shall shortly show, after
wards embarked in the trade.
I have shown that Aaron Wedgwood, in conjunction with
bis brother-in-law. Littler, was one of the, indeed the
earliest maker of china in the pottery district. Another
member of the famUy, a Jonathan Wedgwood, also was a
" China or Porcelain Repairer or Thrower " in the latter
half of last century, and was connected with William
Duesbury in the Derby China Works, as wUl be seen by
the following copy of the draft of agreement from the
original document in my possession. The agreement, it wUl
be seen, was for an engagement for the term of three years,
at the weekly wages of fourteen shUlings, out of which

JONATHAN WEDGWOOD AND WILLIAM DUESBUEY. 347
Wedgwood was to " find and provide for himself, meat
drink, washing, lodging, and apparrel : " —
" Aeticees of Agreement indented, made, concluded, and agreed
upon the second Day of December, in the year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and Seventy-two : Between Jok-athajt
Wedgwood, of the Borough of Derby, China or Porcelain Eepafrer
or Thrower, of the one part fj-ni Wsi. Dtjesbtjet, of the same place,
China or Porcelain Manufacturer, of the other part, as foUows:
First, the said Jonathan Wedgwood, for the Consideration hereafter
mentioned, doth hereby for himself Covenant, promise, and agree to
and -with the said Wm. Duesbury, his Executors and Administrators,
as his and thefr Covenant Servant, and diligently and faithfully
shaU serve them with his whole abUities and services, according to
the best and utmost of his skiU and knowledge -wUl exercise and
employ himself in the arts of Repairing or Throwing China or Porce
lain Ware, for the said Wm. Duesbury, his Executors and Admin-
isfrators, for the most profit, benifit, and Advantage that he, the said
Jonathan Wedgwood, can ; and shaU and wiU keep the secrets of the
said Wm. Duesbury, his Executors and Administrators, Eelateing to
the said business, and be just and true to the said Wm. Duesbury,
his Executors and Administrators, in aU Matters and things; and
also that the said Jonathan Wedgwood wUl find and provide for
himself Meat, Drink, Washing, Lodging, and Apparrel, and aU
other necessary's, during the said term of three years, to com
mence from the day of the date hereof; and in consideration of the
premiseses, and of the Several Matters and things by the said
Jonathan Wedgwood to be done and performed, as aforesaid, he,
the said Wm. Duesbury, doth for himself, his [executors and
administrators. Covenant, promise, and agree to and -with the
said Jonathan Wedgwood, that he, the said Wm. Duesbury, his
executors and administrators, shaU and -will well and truely pay
or cause to be paid unto the said Jonathan Wedgwood weekley, and
every week during the said term of Three years, for every whole
week thereof which the said Jonathan Wedgwood shaU work,
according to the usual hours of Eepafring at the said Wm. Dues-
bury's Manufactory, in Derby aforesaid, the Sum of fourteen shUlings
of LawfuU Money of Great Britain; but if the said Jonathan
Wedgwood shall at any time during the said term, by Sickness or
any other Inevitable accident, be rendered unable to repafr China or
Porcelain ware for the said Wm. Duesbury, his Executors or Ad
ministrators, at the said Manufactory, or shaU -wilfully decline or

348 THE WEDGWOODS.
neglect so to do, then, and in either of the said cases, the said Wm.
Duesbury, his executors and administrators, shaU and wUl only pay
to the said Jonathan Wedgwood, in proportion and after the rate
aforesaid, for such part and so much of every week as he shaU
actuaUy Eepafr for the said Wm. Duesbury, his Executors and Ad
ministrators, as aforesaid : and forthe true performance of aU and every
the Articles, Covenants, and agreements aforesaid, Each of the said
Parties bindeth himself to the other in the Penal sum of Fifty
pounds firmly by these presents. In Witness whereof the said
Parties have hereunto set thefr hands and seals the day and Tear
first before written.
Sealed and deliver'd 1 ^^^^ ^^ -,
m the presence of J ^ -o /
How long this Jonathan Wedgwood was connected with
the Derby China Works I have not, as yet, been able to
ascertain, but it is probable that he continued in Derby for
some years. At aU events I find by the registers of St.
Alkmund's church, in that town, that a Jonathan Wedgwood,
on the 12th of November, 1785 — thirteen years after the
date of the above draft of agreement — was married to Mary
Stenson ; and three years before this time, September 22nd,
1782, Abijah TyrreU bad married Amy Wedgwood, both of
that parish. I have reason to beUeve that the Jonathan
Wedgwood whose agreement I have given, -was bom at
EUenborough in 1735 ; that he migrated to Burslem, where,
by his wife Sarah Wedgwood, one of his chUdren was born
in 1757, and that the Jonathan and Amy, whose marriages
I have just noted at Derby, were his son and daughter.
Of late years it is well to note that a member of the
Wedgwood famUy — a famUy of inventors and of practical
and philosophical minds — discovered a mode of making
china ware from guano. Of this highly interesting ware
an example, a fine bowl, is preserved in Mr. Mayer's
museum. It bears the following inscription : — " Manu
factured by Saml- Alcock it Co., from Guano prepared by
Abner Wedgwood, from whom the idea emanated. Staf-
fordshfre Potteries, 1854."

ENOCH WEDGWOOD.-^FEANCIS EGINTON. 349
So far as my knowledge goes, these instances, and that of
Etruria, to which I shaU yet have occasion to refer, are
aU which have occurred in which the Wedgwoods have been
practical makers of china ware. With earthenware as I
have shown, nearly every member of the family, until late
years, has apparently been connected, and at the present
day, besides the establishment at Etruria, the representa
tive of another branch of the family, Mr. Enoch Wedg
wood, has a large manufactory at TunstaU, where he employs
sis or seven hundred hands, and does a large home, as weU
as to some extent a foreign, trade.
In my last chapter I spoke of Francis Eginton, and it
wUl be well here to give my readers some little information
concerning him, as his, like that of many other deser-ving
men, has hitherto been a "neglected biography." Francis
Eginton was a man of great abiUty as an artist, and his
productions were much esteemed in his own day, as, indeed,
they are now. His acquaintance witb Josiah Wedgwood
was productive, it is believed, of some improvements in the
colours and in the body of wares, which his intimate know

ledge of chemistry, of colours, and ot fire, made him capable
of experimenting upon.
On the accompanying engraving is represented a remark-

350 THE WEDGWOODS.
ably fine black-ware mug of Wedgwood's make, which
possesses considerable interest. It was given by Josiah
Wedgwood to Francis Eginton, and has remained in the
family from that day untU within the last few months,
when it passed through my own hands into those of my
friend Mr. Lucas, in whose collection I am pleased to have
placed so interesting an example. The mug, which holds
two quarts, and is 7J inches in height, and 5^ inches in
diameter, is said to have been subjected to several experi
ments to test its firmness by Wedgwood and Eginton. One
of these experiments was that of boiling the vessel in milk,
and I can quite understand why this should have been done,
for it is well known to all old housekeepers that nothing is
so good for preserving the colour and beauty of Egyptiai
black-ware as skimmed mUk.
Eginton was, it appears, the inventor (about the year
1773 it is said) of that curious process by which pictures
were mechanically reproduced at the close of last century,
and which has of late made so much noise in the scientific
world. The process is said to be closely alUed to photo
graphy, and examples ha-ving been discovered among the old
papers at Soho, Birmingham, and placed in the Museum of
Patents, at South Kensington, have been brought imder the
notice of the Photographic Society, and produced much dis
cussion at its meeting. What the process adopted by Egin
ton, who was in the employ of Matthew Boulton, of the Soho
Works, was, is at present a mystery ; tbe books which he left,
and whicb contained his recipes, &c., having been absfracted
from the family, and lost. The process was caUed " Poly
graphic," and the pictures were said to be produced " by
Chymical and Mechanical process," and consisted of copies
of paintings by difl'erent artists — West, KauflFman, Rey
nolds, Rubens, &c. The following copy of an invoice from
Eginton to Boulton, will show the kinds of subjects pro
duced by this process, whose peculiarities it is not necessary
to inqufre into here : —

eginton's POLYGRAPHIC PICTUEES. 351
Handsworth, April 15th, 1791.
Mr. BOITLTON, Bt of Fb. Eginton, for Order, S. W. L. £ s. d.
One Square Mechanical Painting from West —
Venus and Adonis  15 0
One ditto from ditto — Cephalus and Procris .15 0
One ditto, from Angelica Kauffman — Penelope .110
One ditto ditto ditto — Calipso . . . .110
16 oval pictures inform of Medalions, viz. : —
One old man from Sir Joshua Reynolds . . 0 15 0
One Eastern Lady, fromBertalotzi . . . 0 15 0
One Vestal, from ditto  0 10 6
One Patience, from Angelica Kauffman . . 0 10 6
One Eeligion, from ditto  0 12 0
One Hope, from Rubens  0 12 0
One Shakspear's Tomb, from Angelica . . 0 12 0
One Flora  0 7 6
One Diana  0 7 6
One Dancing Nymph  0 7 6
One Ditto  0 7 6
One Bacante  0 7 6
One ditto  .076
One Apollo  0 7 6
One Una, from Angelica  0 7 6
One Oliver and Orlanda  0 7 6

£12 6 6

Finish from the dead Colour and retouching
Tragedy and Comedy Heads and Melpomony,
15s. ; and Thalia, 15s. Figures 4 in all, 7s. 6rf. 1 1 0

£13 7 6

" SiE, — In the above I have conform'd to the Order as near as the
very low prices to which I was Hmeted would permit. Some altera
tions I have been obliged to make on that ao', particularly in
the four historical square ones, which should have been, according
to order, from 15«. to 20«. ; instead of -which you wUl find one pafr
from West at 25«. each, and one pair from Angelica at 21s. each,
which were the lowest Historical Pictures I could send. The 16
Oval or MedaHon formed Pictures are of difierent sizes ; and altho'
some of them are something higher priced than what was fixed,

352 THE WEDGWOODS.
others are lower, so that upon the average they -wiU be nearly the
price at which they were ordered.
" I hope they -wiU meet y"
"approbation, and
"am, Sfr,
"Yourob' Ser', "Fe. Eeiirroir."
Josiah Wedgwood, the friend of Boulton and of Eginton,
the warm patron of art, and the encourager ot every useful
invention, purchased some of these pictures, as -wiU be seen
by the foUowing interesting letter : —
" W'hampton, Sept^ 22nd, 1781.
"Mr. Hodges.
" SiE, — After considering the great risk you run, in sending
the picture by the Coach, -with the uncertainty even of its being dry
against the time fixed, I conclude it of much less consequence that
I should bestow a few days more in rendering the Picture I am now
at work on equal to the original, than to have one totaUy spoUed in
the carriage, and the intention of the whole order frustrated thereby.
I have therefore sent you the Original, as a companion to the other ;
and you may depend on having the remaining picture returned to
you equal to either of the former, and I shaU have the satisfaction
of compleating my part of the order in due time. If these pictures
are not sent away tUl Monday, there should be some white of egg
given to the Time and Cupid, as it is scarcely dry enough to bear
the carriage.
" Please, if you can, to return by the bearer the Time and Cnpid
which is to be painted for Mr. Boulton, -with tiie Circle of the
Graces breaking Cupid's bow, for Mr. Wedgwood.
"lam, Sfr, Tourobt. St.,
"Josh. Babnbt."
" Mr. Jon Hodqes, Soho."
Eginton's process was so successful, and was so highly
approved by people of taste, that interest was made to get
him an annual pension from Government in acknowledg
ment of his services. Boulton, however, not much to his
credit, put a veto on the movement, and thus prevented a
fitting and gratifying recognition of his talents from being
made. Thus says Mr. Boulton —

MA.TTHEW BOULTON OPPOSES THE PENSION TO EGINTON. 353
Copy of a Letter to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth.
"Mx LoED, — A few days ago I received a letter from Sfr John
Dafrymple, dated Dublin, May 27, in which he surprises me by
saying, ' I have written to Sfr Gray Cooper to have a pension of
£20 per aimum for Mr. Eginton ; so, if there is any stop, write me of
it to Scotland, and I wUl get it set to rights, as I know nothing but
inattention can stop it.'
" As I think I cannot with propriety write to Sfr Gray Cooper upon
that matter, not having the honour of being known to him, and as I
have never mentioned the subject to him, or any person besides your
Lordship, I hope therefore to be pardoned for thus troubling you
¦with my sentiments and wishes.
"In the first place, I wish to have an entfre stop put to the
pension ; because Mr. Eginton hath no claim nor expectations. I
pay him by the year ; and, consequently, he is already paid by me
for aU the three or four months spent in that business ; and as to
an overplus reward for his secrecy, I know how to do that more
effectuaUy, and -with more prudence, than giving him annuaUy £20,
which wUl only serve to keep up the remembrance of that business,
and therefore it is impoHtical.
"Besides, it might perhaps be injurious to me, as such a pension
would tend to m'ake him more independent of me and my manu
facture. "His attachment to me, his kno-wing that no use hath been made
of the thiugs, the obUgation he is under to me, and his o-wn natural
caution and prudence, renders me firmly persuaded that the scheme
-wUl die away in his memory, or at least wiU never be mentioned.
" If any body is entitled to any pecuniary reward in this business,
it is myself; because I have not only bestowed some time upon it, but
have actually expended in money between one and two hundred
pounds, as I can readily convince your Lordship when I have the
honour of seeing you at Soho ; and although I was induced by
[ J to believe that I was working at the request and under
the authority of a noble Lord (whose wisdom and virtue I revere),
yet I never intended making any charge to Government of my
expenses or for my trouble.
" All that I have now to request of your Lordship is that a nega
tive be put upon the pension.
"My Lord, your Lordship's most dutiful, most obUged, and most
faithful humble Servant,
"M. B."
AA

354 THE WEDGWOODS.
Francis Eginton was, too, a clever artist in stained glass,
and brought that art to great perfection. Amongst his
principal works — "the first of any consequence" being
executed in 1784 — were arms of the knights of the Garter
on the windows on tbe stalls in St. George's Chapel, Wind
sor; some fine windows in Wanstead Church, Essex; a
large representation of the " Good Samaritan " in the private
chapel of the Archbishop of Armagh, and another in the
chapel of tbe Bishop of Derry ; a remarkably fine window
in St. Paul's Church, Birmingham; memorial and other
windows in Babworth Church, Nottinghamshfre ; Aston
Church, near Bfrmingham ; Hatton, Warwickshfre ; Shuck-
burgh Church, in the same county ; Pepplewick, Xotting-
bamsbfre ; Barr and Bromley Regis, Staffordshfre ;'Stannor,
Berksbfre ; Earthing and LlangoUen, Denbighshfre ; Shri-
venham and Frome, Somersetshfre ; St. Martin's Outwich,
London ; Tewkesbury Abbey Church, and many other places.
Besides these, some of Francis Eginton's principal works
were the large window over the altar of Salisbury Cathedral,
representing the Resurrection, after a design by Sfr Joshua
Reynolds, but which has since been removed to make
room for memorial windows to Dean Lear ; the west and
several other -windows in the same cathedral ; the east and
other windows of Lichfield Cathedral (1795); the windows
of Merton CoUege Chapel, Oxford (in 1794); windows in
the Mausoleum at Brocklesby, in the chapel at Wardour
Castle, in the chapel at Pain's HiU, in the banqueting-room
and other rooms at Arundel Castle, at Sundorn Castle, and
at Fonthill, the charming art-seat of WUliam Beckford.
Francis Eginton had a son Francis, who was also, like
his father, a clever engraver. He had also another son,
William Raphael Eginton, •who inherited his lather's talents
as a glass stainer, and produced many exquisite, indeed
matchless, •works. His son was my late friend, Harvey
Eginton, the architect, who did so much and so weU towards
restoring and preserving the magnificent Guesten HaU, at
Worcester, which has of late years been ruthlessly destroyed.
Two daughters of William Raphael Eginton survive, the

FRENCH PIES AND OPEN-WORK BASKETS. 355
youngest of whom inherits to the fullest extent the exquisite
taste, the abUity, and the artistic exceUence of her famUy.
If proof of tbe love which Josiah Wedgwood felt for his
art, and of the pride and satisfaction •with which he stored
some of his successfol works, were wanting, it would abun
dantly be found in the foUo-wing interesting and characteristic
letter •written by him in 1789 : — "Etruria, 16th October, 1789.
"I do not know what to say about parting •with the fine
Etruscan vase. It is •fhe most perfect and complete piece I ever
made — quite a chef-d'oeuvre ; but then you •wiU say, how can it be
placed more honourably than in the cabinet of a king ? No one can
be more sensible of the honour done to me and to my manufacture
in the present instance ; hut notwithstanding the advantageous
change this favourite piece would experience, I cannot help feeling
a pang at the thoughts of parting •with it, as I am certain I shaU
never make, or perhaps see, the Hke again. I •wiU considt my son
Jos., who is from home this evening, and wUl let you know the
result in my next.
" I •wUl try to get a French pye made, and take a mould from it ;
but ten to one it -wiU be so old-fashioned made here, that it wUl
not be Hked.
" The original order for St. Andrew's Cross did not mention any
hole to be made, for I looked at it myself. " Adieu."
The body of which the imitation " French pies " were
made was the " Bamboo " ware. Of this same body were
made those wonderful and elegant achievements ot fictUe
art, open-work baskets, which were considered to be among
fhe most choice of Wedg
wood's productions. The body
was weU calculated, both by
its Ughtness, its colour, and
other characteristics, to carry
out deception, and to make the
plainer patterns pass for real -wicker-work of the finest
quality. The example here engraved is in the museum at
Hanley. It is an open-work basket and cover, of pecuUar
but remarkably graceful form— a form difi&cult to produce,
and is ornamented -with festoons and -wreaths of flowers.
aa2

CHAPTER XIX.
JOSIAH -WEDGWOOD. — HIS LAST ILLNESS AND DEATH. — ETEUBIA
HALL.  BUELiL AT STOKE. — MONODY BY EEV. W. FEENY-
HODGH. — -WEDGWOOD's MONHMENT AT STOKE-UPON-TBENT.
— OBITUARY NOTICES.
I HA'VE already, before this digression, brought my narrative
down to the middle of the year 1793. In the foUowing year
Josiah Wedgwood was seized with his last Ulness, and on
the 3rd of January, 1795, breathed his last.
From the time when he first — at that early age already
spoken of — turned the lumbering potter's wheel in that old,
old room at the churchyard at Burslem, to tbe time when
he lay on his death-bed in that fine mansion, Etruria HaU —
Juilt on his o-wn estate, and reared at his own cost — ^tKe
roprietor of the largest pottery manufactory in the world,
and looked up to by people of every class— his mind had
ever been active, ever rising above his bodUy ailments, ever
seeking out fresh scientific truths, and ever busying itself to
benefit his fellow-men ; and in the midst of his most suc
cessful labours — after reaping to the full the reward of his
industry, his toU, and bis research — that mind which had
by its working been the support of thousands of his feUow-
creatures, and from which there are few -n'ho do not at the
present day derive benefit in some way or other, died out
but with bis life, and left him resting from his worldly
toU. On the 3rd of January, 1795, Josiah Wedgwood died, and
on the 6th his remains were interred in the parish church

MONODY ON JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.

357

of St. Peter, Stoke-upon-Trent, jas shown by the foUowing
,extract from the parish register : —
"Burials in 1795.
Jany. 6th, Josiah Wedgwood, of Etruria ;"
the entry being in the bandvsTiting of "William Ferny-
hough, minister of Stoke-upon-Trent," by whom it is

bthueia hall.

attested. This clergyman, a man of rare talent, impressed
with the solemnity of the death of so great and good a man,
wrote the following
"MONODT ON THE LATE JOSIAH WbDGWOOD, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A.
" The plaintive Muse o'er WEDawoon's mournful bier
Heaves the sad sigh and drops the pearly tear ;
'Tis Nature's voice, and hearts that swell with grief,
In these rude numbers seeks some kind relief ;

358 THE WEDGWOODS.

He needd no verse in artful language drest,
Where weU-eam'd fame will live in ev'ry breast.
Dear friend of men, thy philanthropic mind
Felt daily for the miseries of thy kind ;
Thy liberal hand ten thousand blessings spread,
And oft supplied the hungry poor with bread.
When wintry winds with hollow murmurs blew.
And fleecy snow in circling eddies flew,
In this rough season of the rolling year
The sigh of sorrow met thy tender ear ;
The shivering limbs were cover'd from the cold.
The orphan succour'd and reUeved the old ; —
These bending o'er the grave shaU weeping show
The striking marks of unaffected woe.
No common loss afflicts our throbbing hearts,
A nation feels when such a man departs.
Say ye, who near his favoured mansion dwell,
How truly good he was, for ye can tell ;
Say how his active mind with genius tired,
Display those arts which all the world admired :
Those flne tum'd models, where at once we spy
That just proportion which attracts the eye ;
Nor Greece nor Rome stands matchless now in fame,
WhUe Wedgwood's genius bears an equal claim.
Ye sons of xVrt 1 -with me his death deplore !
Your Father — friend, and Patron is no more :
Whose fostering hand made modest merit live,
And busy commerce aU around him thrive.
Such the true Patriot who improves the hours.
And for his country's weal employs his powers.
While pension'd peers inactive dream'd away
In duU stupidity life's fleeting day,
His soul superior ranged the fictile field,
Where heavenly science sweet instruction yield.
Traced classic ground, and from Italian shores,
With skiU unrivaU'd drew the choicest stores.
Such the true patriot, from whose gates each day
A crowd of healthy workmen make their way,
Whose rare productions foreign courts demnud,
Aud while they praise, enrich his native land.
View his Exnum.v, late a barren waste,
Now high in culture and adorn'd -with taste ;
The pine, the beech, their ample branches spread.
And the tall poplar renr.< his pointed head ;
The broad canal here winds his watery way
Through the loug vole with uative beauties gti.v."

LAST ILLNESS OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD.

359

The Ulness which ended in the death of Josiah Wedgwood
was a very painfnl one. Of this iUness Mrs. Byerley, the

widow of his nephew and partner, Thomas Byerley, who was
at the time living near Etruria, wrote : —
"He was seized -with a dreadful pain in his face and teeth. A
medical man was sent for, and as he had long been a friend of the

360 THE WEDGWOODS.
family, he could not restrain his feelings. He perceived a slough
or mortification had began in the mouth ; he told the wife, and
ordered immediately an eminent physician to be sent for from a
distant county. He applyed what he thought best tUl the medical
friend arrived, and then everything was resorted to, which kept
this great good man in existence three weeks, but he then died — a
poor man would not have Uved more than three duys."
In the chancel of St. Peter's Church, Stoke-upon-Trent,
close by the pulpit, is a large and imposing-looking tablet
to the memory of this great man, of which I give an
engraving on the preceding page.
The monument consists of a plain slab of black marble,
bearing an inscription tablet of white marble, on which
rest a Portland vase and an Etruscan vase. These are
surmounted by a finely-sculptured three-quarter head of
Wedgwood, in white marble, in a circular medallion. The
monument bears the foUowing exceUent and appropriate
inscription : — Sacred to the Memory of
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD, F.R.S. & S.A.,
Of Etruria, in this County,
Bom in August, 1730, died January 3rd, 1705,
Who converted a rude and inconsiderable mauufacture into an elegant
art and an important part of national Commerce.
By these services to his country he acquired an ample fortune,
Wliich he blamelessly and reasonably enjoved.
And generously dispensed for the reward of merit and the rehef of
misfortune.
His mind was inventive and original, yet perfectiy sober
and weU regulated ;
His character was decisive and commanding, -without rashness or
niTogance ;
His probity was inflexible, his kindness unwearied ;
His manners simple and dignified, and the cheerfulness of
his temper was the natural reward of the acti-vity
ot his pure and usefid life.
He was most loved by those whe knew him best,
And he has left indelible impressions of affection and veneration
on the minds of his famUy, who have erected this
monument to his memorv.

OBrrUARY NOTICE. 361
Having brought do-wn my narrative to the close of fhe
usefnl and busy Ufe of the great potter, it is weU that I
should, at the same time, close this chapter. In doing so,
I feel that I cannot do better than quote the words of the
obituary notice which appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine
at the time of his death, and also tbe words of one well able
to judge of his excellencies as a man. The -writer of the
first says —

y

"Died, at Efruria, in Staffordshfre, aged sixty-four, Josiah
Wedgwood, Esq., F.E. and A. SS. ; to whose indefatigable labours
is o-wing the establishment of a manufacture that has opened a new
scene of extensive commerce, before unkno-wn to this or any other
country. It is unnecessary to say that this aUndes to the Pottery
of Staffordshfre, which, by the united efforts of Mr. Wedgwood,
and his late partner, Mr. Eentley, has been carried to a degree of
perfection, both in the line of ntUity and ornament, that leaves aU
works, ancient or modem, fax behind.
" Mr. Wedgwood was the younger son of a potter, but derived
Httie or no property from his father, whose possessions consisted
chiefly of a smaU entaUed estate, which descended to the eldest son.
He was the maker of his o-wn fortune, and his country has been
benefited in a proportion not to be calcidated. His many discoveries /
of new species of earthen wares and porcelains, his studied forms
and chaste style of decoration, and the correctness and judgment
-with which aU his works were executed under his o-wn eye, and by
artists, for the most part, of his o-wn forming, have -turned the cur
rent in this branch of commerce ; for, before his time, England
imported the finer earthen wares : but, for more than twenty years
past, she has exported them to a very great annual amount, the
whole of which is dra-wn from the earth, and from the industi-y of
the inhabitants ; whUe the national taste has been improved, and /
its reputation raised in foreign countries. His inventions have pro-^
digiously increased the number of persons employed in the potteries,
and in the traffic and transport of thefr materials from distant
parts of the kingdom : and this class of manufacturers is also in
debted to him for much mechanical contrivance and arrangement in
thefr operations; his private manufactory having had, for thfrty
year^'and upwards, aU the efScacy of a pubUc work of experiment.
jS'either was he unkno-wn in the walks of phUosophy. His commu
nications to the Eoyal Society show a mind enhghtened by science,

362 THE WEDGWOODS.
and contributed to procure him the esteem of scientific men at home
and throughout Europe. His invention of a thermometer for mea
suring the higher degrees of heat employed in the various arts, is of
the highest importance to their promotion, and wiU add celebrity to
his name. At an early period of his Hfe, seeing the impossibihty
of extending considerably the manufactory he was engaged in on
the spot which gave him birth, without the advantages of inland
navigation, he was the proposer of the Grand Trunk Canal, and
the chief agent in obtaining the Act of ParUament for maMag it,
against the prejudices of the landed interest, which at that time
stood very high, and but just before had been -with great difficulty
overcome in another quarter by aU the powerful influence of a noble
duke, whose canal was at that time but lately finished. Having
acqufred a large fortune, his purse was always oi)en to the calls of
charity, and to the support of every institution for the pubUc good.
To his relations, friends, and neighbours, he was endeared by his
many private vfrtues ; and his loss -wiU be deeply and long deplored
by aU who had the pleasure of kno-wing them intimately, and by
the numerous objects to whom his benevolence was extended : and
he wUl be regretted by his country as the able and zealous supporter
of her commerce, and the steady patron of every valuable interest
of society." The opinion of one who knew him weU is as foUows : —
" Mr. Wedgwood, for many years prior to his death, in the
-virtuous exercise of benevolence enjoyed the highest luxury, the
most deUghtful pleasure in which the human mind can participate.
Each Martinmas he sent to certain persons in Shelton, Cobridge, and
Burslem, for a Hst of the names, and a full statement of the peculiar
cfrcumstances, of poor persons in each Hberty Hkely to requfre assist
ance during the winter ; and for supplying them with comfortable
bedding, clothing, coals, and some food, he always furnished adequate
funds. His purse was ever open to the caUs of charity, to the ame
lioration of misery, and the pationage of every phUanthropic insti
tution ; and his name wiU go down to postt^rity with the highest
claims on thefr gratitude for being a true friend to mankind. He
had intrinsic merit on a true basis, and needs no fralatitious ascrip
tion of exceUence. He was a truly industrious potter ; he foUowed
the openings of business suggested by tiic difl'erent experiments of
himself and other potters ; ho pushed every successful trial to a
considerable extent; and his success in business enabled liim to

HIS CHAEACTEE FOE BENEVOLENCE. 363
employ and remunerate the best workmen, whose utmost ability
was constantly excited and dfrected by his enlarging knowledge.
Thus he raised himself to the acme of his art, and the pubHc were
amazed that a person with so contracted an education, and so Httle
of any advantage over his fellows, had thus been eminently success
ful as the founder of his own fortune and fame (immortal as the art
of pottery), and in raising himself among the benefactors of man
and the princes of the people."

CHAPTER XX.
JOSUH WEDGWOOD. — MEDALLION POETEAITS OF HEM BT FLAX
MAN AND OTHEES. — MEDALLION OF MES. 'WEDGWOOD. —
MAOCAEONI HEAD-DRESSES. — COSTUME OF THE PEEIOD. —
SATIRES ON THE PREVAILING MODE.  ^NETWOEK BAGS FOE
THE HEAD. — HEADS NOT DEESSED FOE NDsE WEEKS. —
SIE JOSHUA EEYNOLDS' POBTEAIT OF WEDGWOOD.  STUBBS'
FAMILY PICTURE OF THE -WEDGWOODS.  FASHION OF
WEARING HUGE CAPS. — STATUE OF WEDGWOOD. — FONTANa's
BUST.  BUST ON THE MONUMEN'T AT STOKE.
And here, at tbe close of his useful and eventful life, a few
words may be well introduced concerning the different por
traits of Josiah Wedgwood which have been executed. And,
first, with regard to the medaUions which have been produced
in Wedgwood's own matchless jasper ware. Of these medal
lions I have the good fortune to be enabled to bring under
my readers' notice, for tbe first time, four difterent varieties.
Of these two have not, I believe, before been either engraved
or described, and wUl, therefore, be welcome additions to the
data I am giving to collectors.
The first of these medaUions of which I shaU speak, is
one of Flaxman's happiest relief-porfraits, and is shown
on the accompanying engraving. In it Wedgwood is repre
sented, ns will be seen, in the fashionable dress of the
period, with bag wig, lace frill, and coUarless coat. This
I take to have been one of the earliest of the medaUion
portraits of A\'edgwood, and it is one which is but Uttle
known to collectors. The " bag" of the wig on this medallion

MEDALLION POETEAITS OP WEDGWOOD.

365

is smaU, when compared witb what was worn by those who
were in the "height of fashion" in those days, and which
caused one of the writers of the time to say, " At present.

such unmerciful ones are worn, that a little man's shoulders
are perfectly covered with black satin."
When fashion had changed, when the bag wig was dis
carded, and the coat assumed its deep collar, the next
medallion was evidently prepared, and bore the admirable
profile which I engrave on the next page. The few years
that had intervened, too, had, besides changing the fashion
of the garments and of the hair, deepened the features of
the great man, and given to them even a more solid

366

THE WEDGWOODS.

thoughtfnlness and
nevolence than they
proportionately, and
points were caught
the new medallion
fino^ers of Flaxman,

an air of greater kindliness and be-
had before. The figure, too, had grown
had become more portly ; and all these
by the quick eye, and presented in
by the almost magicaUy manipulative
This medaUion, which is the one best

known to coUectors, is still produced by Messrs. Wedgwood
in their finest jasper ware. The two profiles which I have
just given have been engraved to illustrate Mr. Gladstone's
" Wedgwood : An Address."** And I have to express my
obligations to Mr. Murray for his courtesy in giving me the
free use of these two admirable engravings.
* London : John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1863.

MEDALLION PORTRAITS OF WEDGWOOD. 367
The next medallion of which I give an illustration is
undoubtedly of an earlier date than the last ; it is of great
rarity, and has never before been engraved. The accom
panying illustration is drawn from an example in the pos
session of my friend, Dr. Barnard Davis ; and a similar one
may be seen in Mr. Mayer's museum, Liverpool. On tbis,
Wedgwood is represented in a bag wig, frUled shfrt, and
coUared coat, and an ermine mantle is thrown over the lower

part of the bust. This medallion I feel disposed, and not
without reason, to believe to have been tbe work of Hack-
wood, a clever modeller, who was employed by Wedgwood,
and produced a large number of portraits and bas-reliefs.
Another medaUion of a different size, and of totally dif
ferent character, is the one sho-wn on the engraving on the fol
lowing page. Like the last one, this striking and admfrable
profile portrait of Wedgwood has never before been engraved

368 THE WEDGWOODS.
or noticed by any writer, and I am much gratified at being
the means of bringing it and the previous one into notice.
The portrait in this instance consists simply of the head,
without any drapery or ornament of any kind. It is remark
ably well and boldly modeUed, and is of very great rarity.
While speaking of the medallions, it would be unpardon
able not to say a word or two about the exquisite model of
Mrs. Wedgwood which was executed as a fitting companion

to that of her husband. This medallion represents Mrs.
Wedgwood in one of the fashionable head-dresses of her day.
Her hafr is dressed in the " maccuroni" style, but of much
less dimensions, and more simply elegant, than was worn
by most ladies of fashion. The head-dress consisted of a pile
of tow and pads, supported frecpiently with a frame-work of
wire, over which false hair was arranged and hung with
gauze, in folds, ribbons of every gay colour, feathers,

MONSTROUS HEAD-DEESSES OF THE LADIES. 369
flowers, and strmgs of pearis. The extraordinary size of
the head-dresses of the period when Mrs. Wedgwood's medal
lion was modelled, and for a few years previous to that
time, was a constant and fruitful source of amusement to
the satfrical -writers of the day, and many droll stories were
told concerning them. One writer says, speaking of the
enormous size of the beads of the ladies, "It is not very
long since that part of thefr sweet bodies used to be bound
so tight, and trimmed so amazingly snug, that they appeared
like a pin's head on the top of a knitting-needle ; but they
have now so far exceeded the golden mean in the contrary
extreme, that our fine ladies remind me of an apple stuck
on the point of a small skewer." Another writer jocosely

" Give Ohloe a bushel of horse-hair and wool,
Of paste and pomatum a pound ;
Ten yards of gay ribbon to deck her sweet skull.
And gauze to encompass it round.
" Of aU the bright colours the" rainbow displays.
Be those ribbons vrhich hang on her head ;
Be her flounces adapted to make the folks gaze.
And about the whole work be they spread.
" Let her go-wn be tucked up to the hip on each side,
Shoes too high for to walk or to jump," &c.
And then, after describing other artificial means of adding
to the figure, concludes —
" Thus finished in taste, whUe on Ohloe you gaze,
You may take the dear charmer for life ;
But never undress her, for, out of her stays,
You'U find you have lost 'half your vrife ! "
Ladies' beads, when dressed in the height of fashion, were
not to be disturbed for some time. The process of buUding
up the immense structure was a tedious and expensive one,
and the head had to be preserved with great care. So much
care, indeed, was sometimes taken, that ladies provided
themselves with a net-bag, which enveloped the whole head,
B B

370 THE WEDGWOODS.
including the face, and fastened round the neck. These
they put on when they went to what was supposed to be
rest, but which, in reality, must have been torture, and
were propped and bolstered up -with the utmost care to
prevent the structure being damaged. "False locks to
supply deficiency of native hafr, pomatum in profusion,
greasy wool to bolster up the adopted locks, and grey
powder to conceal dust," were said to be the characteristics
of the prevailing fashion, and these being unopened for a
long time together, could not have been very healthful addi
tions to a lady's head. One of the -writers makes a hafr-
dresser ask a lady " how long it was since her head had
been opened and repafred ? " She answered, " Xot above
nine weeks ! " To which he repUed, " that that was as long
as a head could well go in summer ; and that, therefore, it
was proper to deliver it now, as it began to be a Uttle
hasarde." Mrs. Wedgwood's hafr and bead-dress, it •wiU be seen by
the accompanying engraving, were, in comparison •with the
monstrosities then in vogue, particularly simple, graceful,
and elegant. The toupee is formed of the hafr brushed up
from the forehead : close curls fit to the side of the head,
and a loose one beneath the ear. On the top of the head
the back-hair is brought up and plaited, and graceful folds
of gauze are lightly and negligently arranged.
Of original paintings of Josiah Wedgwood I am only
aware of three. The first is the fine and weU-known portrait
by Sfr Joshua Reynolds, from which the engraving by John
Taylor Wedgwood, prefixed to this volume, is taken. This
fine portrait was also engraved, of a large size, in 17S7. by
W. Halman. It has also been engraved by 8. W. Reynolds,
and has been copied ui reduced form in a variety of •ways.
The next is a fine, large, family picture, which hangs in
the dining-room of ]\lr. Francis Wedgwood's mansion at
Barlaston. This painting is by Stubbs, the celebrated
animal painter, and represents a part of the grounds at
Etruria, with the great potter and his family introduced

BUSTS OF MR. AND MES. WEDGWOOD. 371

ow

<
¦<
o
.Pi

372 THE WEDGWOODS.
in a group. Josiah Wedgwood and bis amiable wife are
represented in the characteristic costume of the period,
seated in a garden, beneath a large tree. Wedgwood is
habited in a coat with deep collar, same as in the medal
lion ; one of the old-fashioned waistcoats reaching over the
hips ; knee-breeches, stockings, and shoes, with large buckles.
By the side of Wedgwood is a small stand, on which lies a
paper. Mrs. Wedgwood, who is holding out her hand to one
of the little chUdren, who is drawing a child's carriage, con
taining two young chUdren, wears one of the immense caps,
about two feet in height, which were necessary to cover the
monstrous piles of tow and pomatum which I have afready
spoken of as forming the ladies' fashionable head-dresses of
that time. Of these caps it was said —
" The pride of our females aU bound'ry exceeds ;
'Tis now quite the fashion to wear double heads.
Approaching this town to disburse heaveidy treasure,
I passed by a head that would fiU a strike measure :
If I'd had that measure but close to my side,
I then should have had the experiment tried.
By sins a man's said to be cover'd aU o'er
With bruises and many a putrefied sore,
From the sole of his foot to his cro^wn they aspire —
But the sins of a woman rise half a yard higher .' "
The eldest child, Susannah, afterwards wife of Dr. Darwin,
of Shrewsbury, is represented on horseback, as are her three
brothers, John, Josiah, and Thomas.* The Uttle gfrl I have
spoken of as drawing a child's carriage, is Catherine, and
the two little ones who are seated in the carriage are Sarah
and Mary Anne, the two youngest members of the famUy.
The third of these is " an enamel as large as life," painted
by George Stubbs. It is a fine three-quarter head, in bag-
wig and grey coUarless coat, and is, I apprehend, of about
the same period as the earUer medaUions. From this
painting a tinted stipple-print was engraved by George
Townley Stubbs, and published by him ou February 10th,
* Ivichard, the second son, having died in 178i!. is of course not in
cluded in this family picture.

BUSTS, ETC., OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. 373
1795, tbe month following the death of Wedgwood. This
print is now rare.
Turning from painting to sculpture, the admirable bust
of Josiah Wedgwood, on bis monument at Stoke-upon-Trent,
remains to be noticed. This bust, which is a three-quarter
faced portrait, will be seen represented on the accompanying

engraving. It is sculptured in white marble, and is evidently
an admirable and truthful likeness.
Of later sculptured representations of the "father of
potters," the .most notable are, undoubtedly, -the memorial
statue, by Gibson, which has been erected at Stoke, and
the splendid bust, by Fontana, which has been liberaUy
presented, by Mr. Mayer, to the new Wedgwood Memorial
Institute at Burslem.

CHAPTER XXL
CHILDREN OF J0SLA.H WEDGWOOD AND THEIR ALLIANCES —
THEIE DESCENDANTS. — DAEWIN's " OEIGDJ OF SPECIES."
 JOHN WEDGWOOD.  LETTER OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. —
THOMAS -W:EDGW00D. — SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERffiGE —
GENEROUS HELP ACCORDED TO HIM BY THE BROTHERS
WEDGWOOD.  THOMAS WEDGWOOD's RESEARCHES INTO THE
PROPERTIES OF LIGHT. — DISCOVERS PHOTOGRAPHY. — SIB
HUMPHREY DAVY.— JOSLA.H WEDGWOOD THE SECONTJ.^WAR
WITH FRANCE : MARBLES USED AS BULLETS. — THOMAS
BYERLEY. — DEATH OF THOMAS BYERLEY — CHANGE K THE
FIRM. — MANUFACTURE OF CHINA AT ETRUKIA.  STONE
CHINA.  DEATH OF MRS. WEDGWOOD. — JOHN B01XE BE
COMES A PARTNER. — ROBERT BKOWN TAKEN IN PARTNER
SHIP.  MARKS USED ON -WEDGWOOD WARE.  "WEDG
WOOD AND CO." — INJUNCTION AGAINST MESSES. W. SMITH

On the 3rd of January, 1795, as I have stated, Josiah
Wedgwood died. By this wife, of whom I have before
spoken, he had a family of eight children. The eldest chUd,
Susannah, baptised at Burslem, on the 2nd of January,
1765, married Dr. Robert Darwin, of Shrewsbury, son of the
celebrated Dr. Erasmus Darwin, of Derby (and half-brother
to Sfr Francis Darwin, M.D., of Breadsall Priory, and
Sydnope, Darley Dale, both in Derbyshfre). by his first wife,
Mary Howard, of Lichfield, and was the mother, along ¦with
other sons and daughters, of Charles Darwin, author of
the " Origin of Species," \o. The second child of Josiah
Wedgwood was John, baptised at Burslem, AprU 2nd, 1766.
Ho was of Soabridge, nnd married Louisa Jane, daughter

DESCENDANTS OF J0SLA.H WEDGWOOD. 375
of Mr. John Bartlett Allen, of CriseUy, Pembrokeshire,
and by her had four sons and three daughters, viz., the
Rev. John Allen Wedgwood ; Lieut. -Colonel Thomas Josiah
Wedgwood, who married Anne Maria, daughter of Admiral
Sfr C. Tyler ; Charles, who died •without issue ; the Rev.
Robert Wedgwood, who married Frances, daughter of the
Rev. Offley Crewe ; Sarah EUzabeth ; Caroline Louisa Jane ;
and Jessie, who married her cousin, Henry Allen Wedg
wood. The thfrd of Josiah Wedgwood's chUdren was
Richard Wedgwood, who was born in 1767, and died in
1782. The fourth was Josiah Wedgwood, one of the first
two members of parliament for the borough of Stoke-upon
Trent. Mr. Wedgwood, who was of Maer HaU , married Eliza
beth Allen, sister to Louisa Jane, •wife to bis brother John,
and daughter of Mr. John Bartlett Allen, of CriseUy, Pem
brokeshire, and by her bad four sons and five daughters,
viz., first, Josiah Wedgwood (the thfrd of that name), who
married his cousin Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of Dr.
Darwin, of Shrewsbury, and had issue; second, Henry Allen
Wedgwood, barrister-at-law, who married his cousin Jessie,
daughter of John Wedgwood, of Seabridge ; third, Francis
Wedgwood, of Etruria and Barlaston, the present highly
respected head of the Etruria firm, who married Frances,
daughter of the Rev. J. P. Mosley, of RoUeston Rectory, and
has issue three sons, two of whom, Godfrey and Clement,
are in partnership with thefr father — and four daughters;
fourth, Hensleigh Wedgwood, barrister-at-Iaw, of London,
who married Elizabeth, daughter of the Right Hon. Sfr
James Mackintosh, tbe historian, and has issue ; fifth, Sarah
EUzabeth ; sixth, Mary, who died unmarried ; seventh,
Charlotte, married to the Rev. C. Langton, of Hartfield;
eighth, Frances, who died unmarried; and, ninth, Emma,
who married her cousin, Charles Darwin, F.R.S., author of
the " Origin of Species," &c.
The next child of Josiah Wedgwood was Thomas, who
died •without issue, of whom I shall have more to say pre
sently; and the remaining children were three daughters.

370 THE WEDGWOODS.
Catherine, Sarah, and Mary Anne, who aU,. I believe, died
unmarried. At the time of Josiah Wedgwood's death, the sole partners
in the firm were himself, his son Josiah, and Thomas Byer
ley — Mr. John Wedgwood, the eldest son, hawing previously
withdrawn from business, and become a banker in London.
The active business management at this time devolved
mainly on Mr. Byerley, whose experience and skUl were
of great value. In 1800 the partners were, however, the
brothers Josiah and John Wedgwood, and Thomas Byerley,
whicb arrangement continued, as I shaU relate, until the
death of the latter in 1810.
That Mr. John Wedgwood, famUiarly caUed "Jackey"
by his father, took at one time an active and confidential
part in the manufacture at Etruria, is proved by the fol
lowing fragment of a letter from his father, the Great
Josiah, by which it will be seen that the mixing — the most
" ticklish " part of the potter's art — was entrusted to him
during his father's absence. The letter rrms thus, and is
extremely interesting as showing the care which Wedgwood
bestowed on the detaUs of the business, even when away
from home : —
" Mr. Wood •wrote to you last night to get some of the Cameos of
fine white Clay made as soon as possible, of proper subjects, for
inlaying from the size of the Statues to the smaU Gems ; but if vou
have not a sufficient quantity of fine Clay, proved to be good, then
to begin with the Bracelet sizes & less.
" I have now rec'^ the tryals, 1332, which you apprehend to be
over-fired. They are just the reverse, & only want more fire to
make them excellent. The Gems made of this body sho"* be fired
in the very topmost sagar of the Bisket oven, -with only a thin Disk
or Bat over them to prevent their being discolour'd bv the flame.
I suppose it works pretty well ; & as I think it -wiU agree pretty
well with the common Bisket, you may wash a few Batts for the
Medusa heads, Diomcds, &e., to tiy if it wiU answer, & by that
means you may get up an assortment sooner tiian you can if you
wait to have Clay enough aU of the same kind. But this wUl not
do for those Statues where Arms, &c., are to be added ; for those it

GENEROUS AID TO SA31UEL TA-YLOE COLERIDGE. 377
-wiU be necessary to grind some 1332 in a Dish, and face this -with
some  .... Joseph may set some more grinders to
work  a number of fhe Cameos, such as fhe Statues.
Diomeds . . . . The new Boys as soon as may be. Fine heads.
not . . . reUef, and so down to the smaU Gems, as soon
as -thev can be made. I have -wrote to Jackey to weigh some more
1332 for Joseph ; but you may use any of your Xos. up that you
find good, and some that are not good in the Bisket -wUl be better
in the white oven, such as 1207, 1194, 1225; bnt 1194 -wUl be
good very high m the biskett oven 1308, 1309. •
"Jackey -wiU Tni-^ some 1194 & 1205, both of which wiU be
very good at the top of the Bisket oven."
Mr. Thomas Wedgwood, who suffered from constant HI
health, took no part in the management of the business.
He was a man of refined tastes, devoted, so far as health
permitted, to scientific pursuits, and was widely and deeply
respected. To him and to his brother Josiah, conjointly,
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was indebted for that substantial
assistance which proved fhe turning-point of bis life, and
enabled him to devote tis talents to Uterature. The aid
thus Uberally and disinterestedly given by the Wedgwoods
is so nicely spoken of by Mr. Coleridge's biographer, Cottle,
that I cannot forbear quoting the foUowing passages fi«m
his interesting narrative. Mr. Cottle says : —
"Mr. Coleridge, np to this day, February 18th, 1798, held.,
thongh laxly, the doctrines of Socinns. On the Eev. Mr. Eowe, of
Shre-wsbuiy, the Socinian minister, coming to settie in Bristol,
Mr. Coleridge was strongly recommended by his friends of that
persuasion to offer himself as Mr. E's successor ; and he accordingly
went on probation to Shrewsbury.
" It L=: proper here to mention, in order that this subject may be
the better understood, that Mr. Poole, a Httie before the above
period, had introduced Mr. C-oleridge to Mr. Thomas and Mr. Josiah
Wedgwood. These gentiemen formed a high estimation of Mr. C's
talents, and felt a deep interest in his welfare. At the time Mr.
Coleridge was considering whether or not he should persist in offer
ing himself to the Shrewsbury congregation, and so finally to settie
down (provided Ms sentiments remained unaltered) into a Socinian
minister, the Messrs. Wedgwoods, having heard of the circumstance.

378 THE WEDGWOODS.
and fearing that a pastoral charge might operate unfavourably on
his literary pursuits, interfered, as wUl appear by the foUo-wing
letter of Mr. Coleridge to Mr. Wade : —
" ' Stowey. — My very dear friend, — This last fortnight has been
eventful. I received one hundred pounds from Josiah Wedgwood, in
order to prevent the necessity of my going into the ministry. I have
received an invitation from Shrewsbury to be the minister there ;
and after fluctuations of mind, which have for nights together
robbed me of sleep, and I am afraid of health, I have at length
returned the order to Mr. Wedgwood, -with a long letter, explana
tory of my conduct, and accepted the Shrewsbury invitation.' . . .
" The two Messrs. Wedgwoods, stiU adhering to thefr first
opinion, that Mr. Coleridge, by accepting the proposed engagement,
would seriously obstruct his Uterary efforts, and having duly weighed
the 'explanatory letter' sent them by Mr. C, addressed bim a con
joint letter, announcing that it was thefr determination to aUow
him for his life one hundred and fifty pounds per year. This decided
Mr. Coleridge to reject the Shrewsbury invitation. Mr. C. was
oppressed -with grateful emotions to these his Hberal benefactors.
He always spoke in particular of the late Mr. Thomas Wedgwood
as being one of the best talkers, and possessing one of the acutest
minds, of any man he had known. WhUe the affafr was in sus
pense, a report was current in Bristol that Mr. Coleridge had
rejected the Messrs. Wedgwood's offer, which the Socinians in both
towns ardently desfred. Entertaining a contrary -wish, I addressed
a letter to Mr. Coleridge, stating the report, and expressing a hope
that it had no foundation. The foUowing satisfactory answer was
immediately returned : —
" ' My very dear Cottle, — The moment I received Mr. Wedg
wood's letter I accepted his offer. How a contrary report could
arise I cannot guess  I hope to see you at the close of next
week. I have been respectfully and kindly treated at Shrewsbury.
— I am weU, and now and ever your grateful and affectionate
friend, S. T. Coleridge.' "
Other allusions to this fruly generous action on the part
of the brothers Josiah and Thomas Wedgwood occur in
the same work, and Coleridge himself, in bis " Biographia
Literaria," says : — " While my mind was thus perplexed,
by a gracious Providence, for which I can never be suffi
ciently grateful, the generous and munificent patronage of

DISCOVERY OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY THOMAS WEDGWOOD. 379
Mr. Josiah and Mr. Thomas Wedgwood enabled me to finish
my education in Germany. Instead of troubling others with
my own crude notions and juvenile compositions, I was
thenceforward better employed in attempting to store my
own head with the wisdom of others." *
De Quincey, speaking of tbe friendship whicb existed
between Coleridge and the Wedgwoods, says : — " Coleridge
attended Mr. Thomas Wedgwood, as a friend, throughout
the anomalous and affecting illness that brought him to the
grave. The external symptoms were torpor and morbid
irritability, together witb everlasting restlessness. By way
of some relief, Mr. Wedgwood purchased a travelling car
riage, and wandered up and do-wn England, taking Coleridge
with him as a friend. By the death of Mr. Wedgwood,
Coleridge succeeded to a regular annuity of £75, which that
gentleman had bequeathed to bim. Tbe other Mr. Wedgwood
granted him an equal allowance."
Mr. Thomas Wedgwood, who was never married, died in
the year 1805, at Gunville, Dorsetshfre. He was a man of
considerable scientific attainments. During his father's
lifetime he prosecuted his studies with his aid and that
of Alexander Chisholm, and made such progress in his
researches into the properties of light, &c., that in 1792,
three years before the death of Josiah, he communicated to
the Royal Society an account of his " Experiments and
Observations on the Production of Light from different bodies
by Heat and by Attraction." His continued experiments
and researches resulted in the discovery of the process of
photography, and in 1802, in conjunction with Sir Humphrey
Davy, who assisted him in his experiments, he made those
discoveries known by a paper printed in the " Journal of the
* The most graceful, elegant, and truly worthy memoir of Samuel
Taylor Coleridge which has ever been -written— and, indeed, the only one
which can be read with real pleasure— is the one recently given in the
AH- Journal for February, 1865, from the pen of his friend and associate,
Mr. S. C. Hall F.S.A. To this memoir — a -written portrait, word-painted
by a most worthy and able artist— I cordially direct the attention of my
readers.

380 THE WEDGWOODS.
Royal Institution of Great Britain," under the title of "An
Account of a Method of Copying Paintings upon Glass, and
(jf making Profiles by the Agency of Light upon Kitrate ot
Silver ; with observations by H. Davy." This is the first
recorded attempt at fixing the images of tbe camera-obscura
(which Wedgwood appears to have used from a youth)
by the chemical influence of light. But for the death of this
deep-thinking and wonderful man (Thomas Wedgwood),
which took place about two years after this time, doubtless
the world would have largely benefited by his labours in this
particular field. As it was, he died before he had succeeded
in permanently fixing the pictures he had obtained, and
it was left to later experimentalists to perfect that wonderfiU
art which he bad discovered, and of whose success he had
laid the foundation.
Mr. Josiah Wedgwood, the elder brother of ilr. Thomas
Wedgwood, just named, was also a man of considerable
taste, and of high attainments. He was one of the founders
of the Royal Horticultural Society, and took an active part
in public affairs. In 1832, he was elected one of the mem
bers of parliament for the then newly-constituted borough
of Stoke-upon-Trent, but retfred from its representation
in 1835. He died at Maer.
In 1810, Thomas Byerley, upon whom tbe bulk of the
direct management of the concern had devolved from the
time of the death of the Great Josiah, died, and was buried
at St. Anne's, Westminster — the church where he -was mar
ried, and -*vbere Mrs. Byerley's mother (Mrs. Bruckfield) and
his infant son were previously buried.
During the period of the war then going on with France*
— a weary and a troublous time for the commerce of this
* I have heard it related that during this war large onlers were
received from France by the Messrs. Wedgwood, and other potters of the
district, for marbles. These were made in great quantities, shipped off to
the Continent, and there used as bullets. Duiing the same war, I believe,
>!:oods to the value of several thousand pounds, which were in thefr ware
house in Franco, were dcsti-ovod.

CHINA WARE MADE AT ETRURIA. 381
country— Mr. Byerley had worked incessantly and earnestly
at the business, and had succeeded in maintaining for it its
high position ; but the exertions and anxieties overpowered
him at length, and he sank. He " was a grave, reserved,
but kind being, and those who knew bim learnt to appreciate
his goodness, and to love as well as reverence the dignified
urbanity that characterised his deportment." He was
devotedly attached to his uncle, the Great Josiah ; and many
circumstances which have come to my knowledge show that
attachment to have been mutual.
On the death of Mr. Byerley, the business was carried on
by Josiah Wedgwood alone, until Martinmas, 1823, when he
took his eldest son Josiah (the third of that name) into
partnership, the firm being carried on under the style of
" Josiah Wedgwood and Son." Four years afterwards,
at Martinmas, 1827, the other sons having been taken into
partnership, the style was altered to that of " Josiah Wedg
wood and Sons."
In November, 1841, Josiah Wedgwood, senior, of Maer
HaU, retired from tbe business, and it was carried on by his
sons untU the following April, when Josiah Wedgwood,
junior, also retired. The style of the firm, however, con
tinued to be, as it is to the present day, " Josiah Wedgwood
and Sons."
The manufacture of china, which bad, for reasons afready
given, never been attempted by the Great Josiah, was com
menced at Etruria about the year 1808 or 1809, in the time
of Mr. Byerley, who considered that it would be an advan
tageous addition to the works ; but was only carried on for a
very few yeai-s, probably only nine or ten, and then finally
discontinued. The china ware thus made was of extremely
good quality, both in texture of body, in colour, in glaze, and
in decoration. It was not made to any great extent, and is
now very scarce. In Mr. Gladstone's possession is an
excellent specimen— a coffee mug, the ground of a small
pattern, in blue, with Chinese figures in tablets, in red and
other colours. Examples also occur in other private col-

382 THE -WEDGWOODS.
lections, and coUectors will find in the Jermyn Street
Museum, London, and in Mr. Mayer's museum, Liverpool,
excellent and characteristic specimens.
The mark on the china is the simple name
WEDGWOOD
in small capital letters, printed on the bottom in red or blue
colour. Some of the china is painted, and other examples which I
have seen are printed in blue. The example in the Jermyn
Street Museum is decorated with flowers and humming-
bfrds in bright oriental colouring, and is weU gUt.
" Stone china" was also at one time, to some Uttle extent,
made at Etruria, examples of which are now rare. It ceased
to be made about the year 1825. It was remarkably fine in
body, and its decoration exceedingly good.
In 1815, on the I5th of January, Mrs. Wedgwood, widow
of the great Josiah, died at Parkfield, in the eighty-first
year of her age, and was, a few days later, buried in the
parish church of Stoke-upon-Trent, near ber husband. On
the north wall of the chancel of that church, close by the
monument of her husband, engraved on page 359, is a
Gothic memorial tablet of plain and very poor design, re
cording her death. It bears the foUowing inscription : —
Sacred to the memory of
SARAH,
Widow of Josiah Wedgwood,
of Etruria,
Born August the 18th, 1734.
Died January the 15th, 1815.
The productions of the firm at this time — and, indeed,
through each successive change in the proprietary down
to the present time — were, as they bad been in the time
of tbe first Josiah, divided between the "usefiU" and the
"ornamented." The "useful" consisting of services of
every kind in fine earthenware, and in aU the varieties
of bodies hitherto introduced, to -which additional patterns

MAEKS USED BY THE FIEM. 383
were constantly added ; and the "ornamented" comprising
aU the immense variety of exquisite articles which had been
made by the great founder of the works, with additional
vases, medallions, and other pieces.
In 1843, on the 23rd of August, Mr. John Boyle became
a partner in the firm ; but his connection was only of short
duration, and sixteen months afterwards, on the 4th of
January, 1845, he died.
On the 2nd of March, 1846, Mr. Robert Brown,* of CM
VUle, became a partner with the Messrs. Wedgwood ; but,
dying on the 26th of May, 1859, Mr. Francis Wedgwood
was again left sole proprietor of the works. In November
of the same year he was joined in partnership by his son,
Mr. Godfrey Wedgwood, and in 1863 by his second son,
Mr. Clement Wedgwood, and the works are still carried on
by them — Messrs. Francis Wedgwood, Godfrey Wedgwood,
and Clement Wedgwood — imder the old style of "Josiah
Wedgwood and Sons."
The Maeks used by the Wedgwoods have been but few,
and wUl' therefore in a few words be disposed of in this
memofr. The mark has in all cases, except during the
partnership of Thomas Bentley, on that particular branch of
the manufacture in which he bad an interest, been the
simple name of Wedgwood. In some instances the name is
impressed in large capitals—
WEDGWOOD
in others, it appears in small capital letters —
WTEDGWOOD
and in others, though not so commonly, in the ordinary
type- Wedgwood

* Mr. Brown was a man of erdarged understanding, of great experience,
and of wonderful business talents. He realised a handsome fortune
entirely by his o-wn industry and exertions, and was possessed of a refined
taste, which aided him materially in his progress.

384 THE WEDGWOODS.
On a few pieces the name occurs thus —
WEDGWOOD ETRURIA
On those ornamental goods (vases, medallions, &c.), in
the production of which Thomas Bentley had an interest — for
it wUl be remembered I have afready
stated that the partnership between
himself and Josiah Wedgwood extended
to the "ornamented " branch only, and
bad nothing whatever to do with the
'"useful" — the general mark used was
the cfrcular one here shown. In. this
the letters are raised, not sunk, as in
the other marks. Another used at this time was as fol
lows —

and another —

WEDGWOOD & BENTLEY
Wedgwood & Bentiey

both of -vNiiich are, of course, impressed marks.
With regard to these marks of " Wedgwood and Bentley,"
it may be well to remind collectors that whatever pieces may
come into their bands bearing these names must have been
made in the twelve years between 176S and 17S0.
Besides these marks, a variety of smaller ones — letters,
flowers, figures, and numbers, both impressed and in colours,
are to be seen on the different varieties of wares. These, it
wUl be easUy understood, are simply workmen's marks,
or marks denoting period, ka., and which, being private
marks, concern only, and are of interest only, to the pro
prietors themselves.
And now, while speaking of marks, a few words may
opportunely be introduced on a matter which is somewhat
]mzzling to collectors, and about which they will doubtless
be glad to receive enlightenment. It is this: in many

INJUNCTION AGAINST MESSES. SMITH AND CO. 385
collections pieces of one kind or other will be found bearing
the mark WEDGWOOD & Co.,
and others with the mark of
WEDGEWOOD,
sometimes impressed, and sometimes in colour. The latter,
it will be observed, has a central E, which the real name of
Wedgwood does not possess. These I have heard variously
appropriated by collectors to Wedgwood and Bentley, to
Wedgwood and Byerley, and to a dozen other supposed
periods and people. I am enabled to state that these pieces,
many of them highly creditable and excellent productions,
were not made by the Etruria Wedgwoods at all, but that
the latter (the " Wedgewood," and sometimes the " Wedg
wood") were tbe manufacture of Messrs. WilUam Smith,
and others, of Stockton, against whom Messrs. Wedgwood
applied for and obtained an injunction restraining them from
using the name of " Wedgwood, or " Wedgewood."
The following official notification will well explain this
matter, and prove of considerable interest to collectors : —
" Vice- Chancellor of England's Court,
" Lincoln's Inn, 8th August, 1848.
"Isr CnANCEEf.
" Wedgwood and others against Smith and others.
" Mr. Bethell on behalf of the Plaintiffs, Francis Wedgwood and
Eobert Brown (who carry on the business of Potters, at Etruria, in
the Staffordshfre Potteries, under the Firm of ' Josiah Wedgwood
and Sons'), moved for an Injunction against the defendants, WiUiam
Smith, John WaUey, George Skinner, and Henry Cowap (who also
carry on the business of Potters, at Stockton, in the County of
Durham, under the Firm of 'WUliam Smith and Company'), to
resfrain them and every of them, thefr Agents, Workmen, or Ser
vants, from stamping, or engraving, or marking, or in any way
putting or placing on the ware manufactured by them, the De
fendants, the name ' Wedgwood ' or ' Wedgewood,' and from in any
manner imitating or counterfeiting such name on the Ware manu
factured by the Defendants since the month of December, 1846, or
CC

386 THE -WEDGWOODS.
hereafter to be manufactured by the Defendants, with the name
' Wedgwood ' or ' Wedgewood ' stamped, engraved, or otherwise
marked or placed thereon.
"Mr. Bethell stated that the trade mark 'Wedgwood' had been
used by the family of the Wedgwoods for centuries ; he would not,
however, go further into the matter at present, because Mr. Parker
appeared for the Defendants ; and it might become necessary — with
whom, and himself, it had been arranged by consent on Mr. Parker's
application on behalf of the Defendants, for time to answer the
Plaintiffs' Affidavits — that the Motion should stand over untU the
Second Seal in Michaelmas Tenn next ; and that in the meantime
the Defendants should be restrained as above stated ; except that for
the words, 'since the month of December, 1846,' the words, 'since
the month of July, 1847,' should be substituted.
"Mr. J. Parker said he appeared for the Defendants, and con
sented without prejudice ; and on his apphcation for time to answer
the Plaintiffs' Affidavits, the Court made an order accordingly.
• " On the 9th day of November, being the Second Seal in Michael
mas term, 1848, Mr. E. Tounge, as counsel for the above-named
Plaintiffs, moved for, and obtciined, a perpetual Injunction against
the Defendants in the terms of Mr. BetheU's Motion, substituting
for the words, 'since the month of December, 1846,' the words,
' since the month of July, 1847 ;' the Defendants consenting to pay
to the Plaintiffs thefr costs.
" SoUcitor for the Plaintiffs, " SAiinx KxsG,
" Furnival's Inn, Middlesex."

CHAPTER XXIL
ETEUEIA WOEKS. — PEODUCTIONS OF THE PRESENT DAY. — SOLID
JASPEE AND JASPER DIP. — MAJOLICA. — ME. MINTON. —
M. EMILE LESSOEE. — PAEIAN. — INLAID WARE. — QUEEN'S
WARE. — PEARL BODY. — EOCKINGHAM WAEE. — POROUS
WARE. — EED WAEE. — BLUE PRINTING. — VIEWS OF THE
WORKS. — " SUN AND PLANET " MOTION STEAM ENGINE
MADE BY WATT. — THE VILLAGE OF ETRURIA. — THE VILLAGE
INN. — ETEUEIA JUBILEE GEOUP.
Having now spoken pretty fully of the productions of the
Etruria Works, and of thefr great founder, and remarked
upon their characteristics in the earlier periods of their
career, as well as in those of a later date, it remains only to
bring my narrative down to the present time, by saying a
few words on the different classes of goods manufactured by
the Messrs. Wedgwood at the time 1 wi'ite, and of some of
the specialities of thefr various productions. As in the
" olden times" of the great Josiah, so it is now at Etruria.
The self-same moulds are used; the self-same principles
are acted upon and carried out ; the same mixture of bodies
and glazes, with but (in some instances) trifling modifica
tions, are in daily use ; the same system is employed, and
the same varieties of goods are manufactured, as was the case
in his days ; and, consequently, the vases, the medallions,
the services, and aU the other goods which he made, seventy,
eighty, or ninety years ago, may be, and are, daily repro
duced for customers of the present time. It is true that the
ornamental goods of the present day have not quite that
cc2

388 THE WEDGWOODS.
charm of super-excellence about them which those made in
the days of the first Josiah possess ; but it must be conceded
by collectors that a greaf deal of that charm consists solely
in the knowledge that they are the productions of his own
time, and in the established fact that nothing produced since
then can equal them in finish, or in softness and beauty of
surface. Taken as productions of the present time alone,
it is pleasant to feel that Messrs. Wedgwood's jasper and
other ornamental goods stand as far in advance of thefr
competitors as those of the great Josiah did in advance of
those of his own time.
I have already stated that Messrs. Wedgwood stiU produce
their "jasper," thefr " basaltes," thefr " red," their " cream-
coloured," and, indeed, aU the other wares for which the
works in the olden times were so famous. The jasper goods
are still — as they have ever been since the first production
of that marvellous body — thefr principal feature — the great
speciality of their works. In this, since the days of Turner,
they have never even been approached, and thefr goods
still maintain thefr old and high reputation. AU the
famous works of the olden time — from the Portland Tase
down through all the chaste and beautifiil varieties of
vases, plaques, medallions, services, &c. — are stUl made in
all their beauty, with the addition of many new and ever-
varying designs and combinations.
The jasper is produced in dark and in light blue of various
shades (with, of course, the raised figures and ornaments
in white), in sage-green, in pink, and other tints. It is
also produced both in "solid jasper" — that is, the solid
coloured body throughout — and in "jasper dip,'' which is the
white jasper body with the colour laid on the surface. The
" solid jasper" was reintroduced in ISoG.
Another speciality of the ornamental productions of the
Etruria Works of the present day — for it is but of recent
introduction — is that of " mnjoliea," -nhich is produced of ex
treme beauty and of high artistic excellence, as well in dessert
and oUier services as in pieces of a more sfrictly and solely

majolica. — M. EMILE LESSORE. 389
ornamental character. The manufacture of majolica was, it
is of course well kno-wn, revived by Mr. Minton, whose firm
in that, as in many other varieties of pottery, takes the lead
in point of excellence of decoration. The manufacture of
majolica was commenced at Etruria in 1860, and in this
style, I believe, Messrs. Wedgwood now produce as much
in quantity as is done in any other establishment, while
their quality and style of decoration is of commensurate
exceUence. In the purely artistic portion of the majolica —
the paintings on plates, dishes, slabs, and other pieces —
those produced at Etruria are fully equal, both in force of
drawing, in purity of style', and in depth as well as delicacy
of colouring, to any produced at Sevres ; while in choice of
subjects they are far superior to those of the Royal factory.
In quantity, too, I believe that the productions in this par
ticular and wonderfully artistic and beautiful style are mul
tiplied by six at Etruria, while they are divided by ten in
cost. The principal painter of these majolicas is M. EmUe
Lessore, an artist of considerable repute, whose works are
much sought after.* His majolicas have the advantage of
bearing his name, written on the painting itself, either in
full, " Emile Lessore," or " E. Lessore." Whether in pas
toral, emblematical or other groups, or in the nude figure,
this artist's productions bear the stamp of originality, and
are characterised by great freedom and power of touch, and
by harmonious and rich colouring. The future collector will
be pleased to know that the pieces bearing the name of
M. Lessore, and the Wedgwood mark, have been produced
since 1859.
* M. E. Lessore possesses first-rate abUites, and his works are far
superior to those of any other artist in this striking and beautiful style.
His name is well kno-wn as a painter in oU ; but of late years, having
turned his attention to producing paintings on pottery, M. Lessore has
succeeded, by the liberal and enlightened aid of the Messrs. Wedgwood,
in founding a school of decorative art on pottery which bids fair to be of
lasting duration, and in which the works of Rubens, Raphael, Titian,
and other great masters are interpreted in such a way as to render them
applicable to fictile purposes. M. Lessore was, I believe, for a time, at
the Royal Works of Sevres.

390 THE WEDGWOODS.
In majolica a dinner service of unique pattern, with
figures and foliage on the rim, receatly designed, wUl no
doubt prove very successfuL In majolica, too, as in the
"malachite," the "mottled," the "agate," and other wares,
dessert and toilet services, and a variety of both useful and
ornamental articles, are made — ranging from the large-sized
garden seat (a fine one, formed of bamboos, is speciaUy
deserving notice), and the gigantic vase, down to the smaU
and delicately-formed ladies' ring stand. In the " mottled"
ware a marvellously rich and sfriking effect is produced by
the combination of the most briUiant colours ; whUe in the
" malachite" the beautiful green and darker wavings of the
stone are well imitated.
" Parian" was made by the Messrs. Wedgwood at Etruria
about 1848 or 9, and was of good quality.
Another variety of ornamental work is the " inlaid" ware,
in which a variety of articles, including services, are made.
The effect of this style of ornamentation is much the same
as the " Tunbridge ware," which, of course, is weU known
to my readers. It is striking from its novelty, and pleasing
from its very simplicity.
Turning now to the "useful" and more strictly commer
cial part of the works, I must first of aU note that the
"cream-coloured" ware, the veritable "Queen's ware"
of the olden time, is stUI made to an enormous extent, and
is stiU sought for and purchased throughout the world. Of
a delicate creamy whiteness in colour, light and pleasant to
the touch, true and close-fitting in the " potting,"' and
covered with one of the most faultless of glazes, this ware
still " holds its own," and maintains its wonted supremacy.
In it, services and every variety of useful articles are made ;
and it is pleasant to add, that the pieces are stUl made in
the old moulds used in the great Josiah's time, with only
such modifications as fit them for more modern notions.
For instance, the " turin " modelled by Flaxman, and
charged for in bis bUl, which I have printed, is still made,
with only the addition of newly-designed handles; and bun-

PRESENT PEODUCTIONS OF THE ETRURIA WORKS. 391
dreds of others of the " ancient forms" are still, in the same
way, preserved and produced.
The next principal variety of useful ware is the "' pearl "
body — a body of great hardness and durability, of a pure
pearly white, and glazed to the utmost perfection. In this,
as in the cream-coloured, services and useful goods of every
description are manufactured, both in plain white and
printed. The same body is used also for many of the
decorated varieties, and is highly glazed. The "pearl"
ware is not. a " pearl of great price," but one for ordinary
use and of moderate cost.
" Rockingham ware," of a very superior quality and of a
good colour, is made largely at Etruria in teapots, coffee
pots, services (the cups white inside), and other articles.
The " porous ware " used for water bottles, butter coolers,
&c., is also made at the present time; and the "mortar
ware" is stUl made, and keeps foremost rank in the
market. In the " red ware" — a rich colour and fine body — services
and a large number of other articles are produced, and are
frequently ornamented witb raised figures, &c., in black,
with good and striking effect.
Blue Printing was introduced at Etruria at an early date,
and has, of course, with black, &c., been continued to the
present day.
These are the principal varieties of wares in the " useful
classes," and it will be sufficient, in closing, to make the
one general remark, tbat the services now made at Etruria,
whether dinner, tea, dessert, or toUet— whether of the more
ordinary descriptions "for tbe miUion," or of the more
elegant and costly " for the few "—are all thoroughly good,
and aU produced with that care and nicety which have ever
characterised the place and its proprietors.
The markets to which the goods are sent are more widely
spread than perhaps wiU be conceived by the uninitiated,
and it is not too much to say, that, besides the home trade^
which is very extensive, the "Wedgwood ware" of tbe

392

THE WEDGWOODS.

present day is sent, as it used to be, to every quarter of the
globe. In a former chapter I have given a view of one portion of
the Etruria works— the " Black Works," as that portion
was called — and I here re-introduce it, and at the same time
add two others, for the purpose of giving my readers some
idea of their extent and their general character.
The first view which I give of these tamed works shows

the front of the manufactory. In the foreground is the
canal — the canal caiTied out by the enterprising spfrit of
Wedgwood, and formed by the indomitable skill of Brindley
— which passes close to the works : where there is, as will
be seen, excellent wharfixge ; it bas branches opening dfrectly
into the manufactory itself, so that boats may be laden and
discharged with the gft-eatest ease. To the left of tbe view
will be seen the " hovels" and kilns ; and in the cenfre —
the large pedimented building with the bell-turret — are the
" show-rooms," the offices, the " museum," &c. ; and at the

THE WOEKS AT ETEURIA. 393
extreme end of the view, to the right, will be seen the lodge,
&c. These works, it may be remembered, were planned and
built by the great Josiah, and possess, therefore, an unusual
degree of interest.
The next illusfration shows a part of the interior of one of

the yards, which I have selected as much from its historical
interest as from its picturesque character. It is one of the
"useful" works where so much ofthe " Queen's ware" and
other of the staple manufactures of the place has been made ;

394

THE WEDGWOODS.

but it is most especially " interesting" as showing the stone
steps — those to the left band — by which Josiah Wedgwood
constantly ascended to his counting-house, and the bridge
by which he crossed the yard from his office to the ware-
rooms and works.
The whole of this part of the works has an afr of vene
rable age about it, and the very atmosphere seems to breathe
of the presence, as it were, of the master mind of its first
and greatest owner. But not only in this part of the works.
The same remark wiU apply to nearly every portion of the
place, and perhaps more especiaUy so to the engine and

THl? " BL.VCK WORKS," ETHUM.^.
engine-house, which have an appearance of antiquity about
them possessed by no others in tbe kingdom. The steam-
engine to which I refer was one of tbe first made by James
Watt, and has worked uninterruptedly since his day to the
present hour, and stUl does its work as well and " sweetly,"
as the engineers say, as ever. It is a condensing engine
of forty-horse power, aud its great curiosity consists in its

THB village of ETRURIA. 395
being worked with the " sun and planet " motion, instead
of the " crank." It is the only engine of this construction
in existence, and therefore possesses an unusual amount of
interest. The third Ulustration is the " Black Works," the first
portion of the manufactory which was erected. In this part
it will be remembered that the Portland Vase was produced,
in it Flaxman worked, and in it most of the exquisitely
beautiful ornamental wares have been, from tbe first day
of its erection down to the present, produced.
Of the village of Etruria I have before said a few words.
It consists of one long straight street, running down from
the canal bridge, at the works, to the railway station, -with
some shorter side streets, and contains, I believe, about
two hundred bouses, almost entirely inhabited by Messrs.
Wedgwood's workpeople and their families. The houses
are far better than is generally the case ; and it is pleasant
to add that the people, as a rule, have a more comfortable,
happy, and " cared for " look than is usual in the Potteries.
Etruria has its churcb, its dissenting places of worship, and
its schools, which are principally supported by the Messrs.
Wedgwood. It has also its wharf, its " Etruscan Bone
Mills," its foundry, its immense iron-works, its newly-
erected forge, and many other important features ; and it
has, too, its viUage inns, its post-office, and its hucksters'
shops. I have said that there are village inns at Etruria :
two of these, tbe " Bridge Inn " and "Etruria Inn," are close
to the works. The first, the " Bridge Inn," kept by Mrs.
Jones, a worthy matronly old lady, who all her life-time
has been connected witb the Wedgwoods, as nurse and
otherwise, closely adjoins the works, to the left of the view
of the front in the engraving just given, and here the
visitor wiU find the old spirit of Wedgwood pervading the
whole place. In one room Sfr Joshua Reynolds' beautiful
portrait of Josiah Wedgwood — the fine mezzotint by 8. W.
Reynolds— is faced by photographs of the present genera
tions of the family ; and in another, the same portrait of

396 THE WEDGWOODS.
Josiah Wedgwood has for its companion an interesting
group of portraits of Mr. Francis Wedgwood and nine of
his workmen, whose average term of servitude with the firm
was at tbat time more than fifty-four years. This truly
interesting group bears an inscription worthy of being pre
served. Here it is : —
"Etruria Jubilee Group of Francis Wedgwood, Esq., and nine
workmen, whose average time of servitude is 54J years, November,
1859. From a photograph by John Emery. Front row, sitting,
from left, hand of group, Moses Brownsword, Enoch Keeling, Francis
Wedgwood, Esq., WiUiam Stanway, Thomas Mason. Bear row,
standing, from left hand of group, James Boulton, WiUiam Adams,
John Adams, John Finny, Benjamin Lovatt."
Of these workmen all but Thomas Mason are stUl living,
and stUl work in their old rooms, at thefr old, old occupa
tion, where now they have been engaged for more than sixty
years. Born in the vUlage, commencing work when mere
children, they have continued through the " seven ages"' on
the spot which gave them bfrth, and there, when thefr sands
are run, they will rest — not where the " rude forefathers
of the hamlet sleep," for the hamlet is, as I have shown,
of comparatively modern formation, but -with thefr feUow-
labourers in Wedgwood's field of industry.
No stronger testimony, surely, could be given to the
kindly exceUence of the Wedgwoods as employers than that
which this group affords — showing, as it does, the master
surrounded by a number of his workmen who have been
faithful servants for so many years. It is interesting to
note that in the person of one of these men, WUUam Stan-
way, an absolute link with the great Josiah is kept up.
This man began to work at Etruria the very ye;ir of Josiah
Wedgwood's death (1795), and has remained there ever
since — a period of sixty-nine years.

CHAPTER XXIII.
WEDGWOOD MEMORIALS. — THB WEDGWOOD STATUE AT STOKE.
— ADDRESS OP THB PROMOTERS. — WEDGWOOD MEMORIAL
INSTITUTE AT BURSLEM.  ME. GLADSTONE LAYS THE FIRST
- STONE. — HIS VIEWS ON THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PRO
POSED INSTITUTION.  CASKET MADE BY MESSRS. DAVEN
PORT. — TROWEL BY ME. MACDSTTYRE. — MR. W. WOODALL. —
CAPTAIN FOWKES' ARRANGEMENT OP THE ROOMS. — MR.
BERESFOED HOPe'S PROJECT FOE EXTEENAL FICTILE DECO
RATIONS. — DECOEATIONS DESCEIBED.  WEDGWOOD MEMO-
EIAL JUG. — MESSES. C. MEIGH AND CO.'S EAETHENWARE
WORKS. — HAPPY ARRANGEMENT BY WHICH EACH OP THE
THREE TOWNS POSSJESSES ITS MEMORIALS OF WEDGWOOD.
And now a word or two on what has been done of late
years, and what is now doing, to do honour to, and to per
petuate the memory of, the great and good Josiah Wedg
wood, the founder of the Etruria Works, whose full biography
I have the proud satisfaction of having been the first to
¦write, and the history of which I have here, for the first
time, prepared and given to the world.
It is true that the works of Josiah Wedgwood form, and
will remain, his greatest, proudest, and most lasting monu
ment, but it is equally true that to bim, above most men,
it was fit that not only a national and public monument
should be erected, but that an institution, such as be would
have gloried in supporting, should be founded in connection
with his name, and in tbe district which he had so much
benefited, and, indeed, raised to its high state of prosperity.
It was fit that a public monument should be erected, and it
was equally fit that an educational and art institution should

398 THE WEDGWOODS.
be established to his memory ; and these, happily, have been
accomplished. In 1859, the project of a public statue to Josiah Wedg
wood was broached. This laudable project originated with
Mr. Joseph Mayer, of Hanley, and was carried out to a
successful issue by Mr. Edwin AUbut, the secretary. The
circulars and papers issued by its promoters thus weU ex
pressed the feeling of the district : —
"It is a time-honoured custom that an inteUectual and grateful
people should seek to perpetuate the memory of its distinguished
men by erecting statues to thefr honour. The bronze and the
marble do not simply recognise the genius that once emanated from
a single soul ; they also declare that its scattered rays now Hght np
many inteUects, and are -widely diffused among the race.
"From aU England's worthies it wonld be difficult to select one
to -whom this remark would be more appHcable than the late Josiah
Wedgwood. Though dead, his memory stiU Hves amongst us, in a
thousand beautiful and classic forms which he introduced, and by
the improvements and inventions by which he converted a rude
manufacture into one of the highest developments of art. In him
were blended classical taste, scientific skill, and practical abiUty;
and this rare union of quaUties, warmed and vivified by a tempera
ment singularly poetic and artistic in its manifestations, was entirely
devoted to one great practical object, involving the elevation and
employment of his feUow-men.
"Throughout the length and breadth of England, the name of
Josiah Wedgwood is a 'household word.' In this particular dis
trict, honoured by his bfrth and residence, and enriched by his
genius, there is not an employer — hardly, indeed, an operative —
who cannot more or less fuUy repeat the story of his active and
useful- life.
"It is perhaps o-wing to this remarkable famUiarity -with his
name, that no monument has been hitherto erected to his memory.
But nearly two-thfrds of a century have now elapsed since his
decease. Longer delay might be mistaken for ingratitude; and
although time can never obUterate the benefits he has conferred, the
few contemporai'ies who can stiU personally identify them as the
direct result of his perseverance and genius are fast passing away,
and with each succeeding generation tradition becomes fainter.
" Impressed with these views, a number of gentlemen assembled

PROJECT FOR A MEMORIAL STATUE. 399
at Stoke-upon-Trent, on Monday, January 24th, 1859, John
Eidgway, Esq.,* in the chafr, when it was resolved —
" I. — That the lapse of more than sixty years since the death of
Josiah Wedgwood, F.E.S., has applied the test of time to
his works, and shown that they possess the lasting power of
pleasing, not dependent on having been suited to the fashion
of his day ; which, combined with the permanent and general
usefulness of his labours, seems to point him out as a fit
subject 'for a public monument.
" II. — That a statue be erected to his honour by public subscrip
tion, the character and, locality to be left to the decision of
the subscribers.
"Among the distinguished men who have too long waited for
a befitting recognition of thefr worth and ser-vices stands pre
eminently Josiah Wedgwood. France has long honoured her
PaHssy ; Germany her Boettoher ; Italy her Lucca del Robbia ;
and aU those countries assign equal honour to our Wedgwood.
Only his o-wn country has, however, hitherto seemed reluctant to pro
vide that memorial which his genius, his moral worth, his personal
example, and his signal services to his countrymen justly deserve.
Wedgwood, however, has never been forgotten ; and recently a tide
of reaction in favour of permanently honouring his memory by a
national monument has steadUy set in ; and the lovers of genius,
art, practical sagacity, and moral earnestness, will be inexcusably
to blame if, before that tide ebbs, they have not secured a lasting
pubhc tribute to his memory. At first sight, it may seem that
to put the monument into the shape of a handsome building devoted
to some useful pubHc purpose would answer the double end of
honouring the dead, and furthering the welfare of the li-ving ; bnt,
to do anything weU, we must be content to kUl one bfrd with one
stone ; and this scheme is no exception to the rule. The ntUity
must be suited to the present time, and therefore Hable to grow out
of use. It must needs be connected -with a considerable yearly
outlay, which must be met either by annual or occasional subscrip
tion, or an endo-wment. If in the first way, perpetual trouble,
anxiety, and faUure are entailed on the trustees, and certain
eventual ruin, or at best its separation from all monumental pur
poses. If in the second way, -wUl the general pubHc be wiUing to
raise so large a sum as wiU be needed for purposes which, to be
* Mr. Ridgway was the first mayor of Hanley.

400 THE -WEDGWOODS.
useful, must be local ? Or suppose such a sum raised and vested in
trustees, how many of the contributors,, if they could awake two
hundred years hence, would be satisfied with the then apphcation
of their bounty ? A statue, on the other hand, is for aU time, and
is local only so far as it can only stand on one spot. It entaUs no
expense after the first outlay, requires no trustees, and, -with proper
care, artistic merit may be ensured — in short, the universal consent
of mankind has settled the matter long ago that a monument ought
to be a statue ; and we shaU do weU not to run counter to such an
authority. "The spread of knowledge, the increased inteUigence among aU
ranks of the people, the immense progress of the physical sciences,
and the enlarged interest in the fine arts, which have signalised the
last twenty years, have unavoidably brought the exquisite art of the
potter into fresh notice and interest, and as unavoidably brought
Josiah Wedgwood into additional prominence as England's great and
most famous potter. None more -willingly accord this pre-eminence
to him than those among his contemporaries and successors, whose
achievements best entitle them to dispute it with him.
" All feel that he deserves this in -virtue of the twofold genius
which enabled him aUke to satisfy the poorest and the least artistic
of the land -with a strong, cheap, cleanly household ware, and to
delight the richest and the most fastidious in taste with vessels so
pleasing in form and colour that it was an education to the senses to
look at and handle them ; and thefr surpassing exceUence as pieces
of useful pottery was forgotten in admiration of thefr beauty as
works of Art. His name, moreover, has gone round the world ;
and Wedgwood ware is as famous as that of Sevres and Dresden,
and competes even with that of China and Japan. Xor was Josiah
Wedgwood more estimable as a potter than as a man. Laden with
poverty in his early years, he found only an impetus to labour in
the load. Sorely tried with sickness, he spent the enforced leisure
of one long Ulness in studying the chemical and other scientific
principles, the foundation of the potter's art, and rose from his sick
bed to apply them -with unheard-of success to the improvement of it.
The protracted convalescence from another malady, invol-ving a
severe surgical operation which maimed him for Hfe, was beguUed
by the study of those testhetical laws the mastery of which soon
made him, if possible, more famous as an artist than even as a
manufacturer. AMicu his genius, patience, and p«rseverance, aided
by restored health, made him a successful and wealthy man, he
showed himself a generous aud eonsiderute masfrr to those in his

PROJECT FOE A WEDGWOOD MEMOEIAL INSTITUTE. 401
employment, and was an object of love and honour to the wide
circle who enjoyed his friendship. His liberal support of some of
the most distinguished Uterary and scientific men of the country,
and the important assistance which he rendered several of them
in their memorable undertakings, are matters of history. His
enhghtened patriotism and public spirit are equally famiUar to aU
students of his lifetime, and wiU doubtless, before long, receive
justice at the hands of some competent biographer. Such men are
exactly 'those who should be remembered alike as benefactors of
their feUows, whom, though they ask it not, one of the noblest
instincts of our nature commands us never to forget ; and as
examples of honest, noble workers in the Great Taskmaster's eye,
whose Hves are precious daily lessons to all the children of our
common empfre. Great Britain cannot afford any longer to want a
monument to Josiah Wedgwood."
The idea of a statue was carried out to a successful issue
by its promoters, who ha-ving collected a sufficient amount
of subscriptions, commissioned Mr. E. Davis, of London, to
prepare the figure. The bronze statue of Josiah Wedgwood
now stands on a kind of neutral ground, on the confines of
the towns of Stoke and Hanley, in tbe open square in front
of the railway statiQn at Stoke-upon-Trent, -within a few
minutes' walk of the church where he is buried. He is
represented standing, bare headed, and holding in his left
hand the Portland Vase, whose emblematic figures he appears
to be in the act of descanting upon. The pedestal bears in
front the words "JOSIAH WEDGWOOD;" on one of
its sides, "Born 1730;" on the other, "Died 1795;" and
at the back — facing the hotel— " Erected by Public Sub
scription. Inaugurated by the Earl of Harrowby, 24th
February, 1863."
The other project— that of founding a Memorial Institute
— has, happily, also been carried out. The proposal was
first made in 1858, and inaugurated on the 27th of January,
1859, by tbe Right Hon. the Earl of Carlisle ; and though
for a time it waned, has never been lost sight of, and the
institution is now, at the time I write, gradually rising from
the ground — the almost hallowed groimd — within ¦ little
D D

402 THE WEDGWOODS.
more than a stone's throw of the birthplace of the great
potter. This proposition for the founding of an institution
was the first movement which had been made to do him
public honour, and it was shortly afterwards met by the
counter proposition to erect a statue. Thanks to this oppo
sition, both tbe statue and the institution are provided for
the Potteries. The first stone of the " Wedgwood Insti
tute " at Burslem was laid on the ~:fJth of October, 1863, by
the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., ber Majesty's
Chancellor of the Exchequer, who took occasion in the
course of one of the ablest and most eloquent addresses
which even he has ever delivered, to i>ay a just and warm
tribute to the excellencies, the character, the ability, and the
high attainments of AVedgwood,
From tbis address of Mr. Gladstone's, I have afready made
some quotations in former chapters. His idea of the estab
lishment of the institution being national rather than local in
its interest and purpose, remains to be given. " When,'" said
Mr. Gladstone, " I received, through one of your respected
representatives, an invitation to co-operate with you in the
foundation of the Wedgwood Institute, at the place which
gave him birth, and on the site of bis first factory, I could
not hesitate to admit that a design of tbis kind was, at
least in my view, not a local, but, when properly regarded,
rather a national design. Partly it may be called national,
because the manufacture of earthenware, in its varied and
innumerable branches, is fast beroming, or has indeed
become, one of our great and distinguishing British manu
factures. But it is for another and a broader reason that I
decide to treat the purpose you have now in hand as a
l)urpose of national rather than merely local or partial
interest. It is because there are certain principles applicable
to manufacture by the observiinee or neglect of which its
products are rendered good or bad. These principles were
ajiplicd by Wedgwood, with a consistency and tenacity that
cannot be too closely (d)served through the whole of our
industrial production. These principles being his, and being

MR. GLADSTONE'S ADDRESS. 403
true, were also in no small degree peculiar to his practice.
and deserve to be in the permanent annals of art especially
associated with his name."
Later on in the day the Chancellor of the Exchequer
said : —
" If this is a day dedicated and devoted to the commemoration of
Wedgwood, let me observe that there is one mode of commemo
rating him beyond aU others, and that is by foUowing in his foot
steps ; and you have now undertaken — you have now given a pledge
— ^by your energies, to erect a buUding which you mean to call the
Wedgwood Institute. Let me presume to tell you that you have
thereby entered upon no mean or trivial enterprise ; you have thereby
undertaken no slight responsibility. If under the name of Wedg
wood — of the Wedgwood Institute — there should be erected in this
to-wn — which, I must say, appears to me to have shown singulai-
pubHc spfrit in the nature of the buildings afready raised for public
purposes — if there should be raised under the name of the Wedg
wood Institute anything mean, anything inadequate, anything at
variance with the principles to which he was devoted, that institute,
instead of being an honour, -will be a discredit to the town of
Burslem. I cannot help hoping that in that institute we shaU set
forth, and set forth in the fuUest efficiency, the means for prose
cuting Wedgwood's art — that you are determined that that institution
shall be a powerful instrument of pubUc improvement, a means of
improving the taste of the community, and of raising the faculties
and minds of the working classes to that ' level which they 'are
capable of attaining. To do this two things wUl be necessary. One
is to instruct them through the medium it may be of books or
lectures, or both, and the other is to present the best models to
their eye. And here I must confess it is a matter of deep regret
that in this neighbourhood — this great, wealthy, and populous neigh
bourhood! — there should at this moment, with the exception of
certain limited private possessions of individual manufacturers, be
no great collection available for public purposes, and sho-wing forth
the wonderful achievements of the art of the potter. That art is,
perhaps, nearly the oldest in the world — the oldest, I beUeve, in
which the aid of fire was called in as an auxiliary to the industry of
man. But, old as it is, it is no less new than old ; it is as fuU of vigour,
it is as fuU of capabiUty, it is as fuU of promise for the future, it is as
fuU of forms of excellence, as yet undeveloped, as if it were an inven
tion of yesterday. For one, I do not hesitate to say, that those who
D D 2

404 THE WEDGWOODS.
are connected with this manufacture ought never to rest contented
with loss than this — that they shall claim for it the honour of being
one of the fine arts, as practically one of the fine arts as is the art of
architecture, which, like the art of pottery, aims at once at the
attainments of objects of practical usefulness and the exhibition of
the beautiful. I was greatly grieved, in seeking enUghtenment on
your local affafrs, to find there was a difficulty which interfered
with the creation of a museum worthy of this district, in which
coUections of the specimens of the beautiful creations of Germany,
of Italy, of France, of China, of Japan, and of almost every other
civiUsed country in ceramic art, should be exhibited to your popula
tion. It appears, forsooth, that Burslem is one place, and Hanley
another, and Stoke a thfrd, and there may be some more, and that
on that account there is no museum in existence. I must confess I
cannot conceive a more unsatisfactory mode of explaining a fact in
itself so much to be regretted. If it be true that there are these
different places — if it be true that in each of these places there are
men capable of leading the community — if it be true that there are
so many intelligent assemblages of EngHshmen qualified for and
accustomed to self-government, and engaged in pursuits of the
highest interest and utiUty, and greatly conducive to wealth — do
you teU me, because there are four or five such places, therefore
they cannot muster even one museum ? This appears to me to be
a solecism which verges on the ridiculous. But then it seems that
if the manufacturers of Burslem propose a museum, they are met
by the manufacturers of Stoke, who justly observe that the same
article cannot be in two places at the same time. That is undeni
able, and the employer of labour in Hanley and elsewhere may say
the same thing ; but then, the just conclusion is, not that there
ought not to be any museum, but that there ought to be three, or
four, or five. !Now let me point out that the economical view of
the case is, as it appears to me, entirely in favour of those who
found the fii'st museum. What I mean by founding a museum is,
that you should do here what has been done elsewhere  If
you have a museum, it wiU teach the best methois of production,
it wUl offer new inducements to the best class of masters and work
men to settle in Burslem, and your rates wUl become lighter than
they are now. I most sincerely hope you arc disposed to concur in
the feeling that this undertaking, to which you have pledged yom-
selvcs, is an undertaking thut concerns the chanuter and honour of
the town, as weU as ono that promises grout things for its future
prosperity. If only it ciui be brought home to the minds of

FOUNDATION OF THE WEDGWOOD MEMOEIAL INSTITUTE. 405
Englishmen, that the memory of Wedgwood is a precious deposit
— that ithe pursuit of his methods and the application of his prin
ciples are a means of wealth — a means of social improvement — a
guarantee for advancement in ci-vilisation — if only these can be
brought home to the minds and perceptions of Englishmen, so that
they shaU resolve upon' a definite course — ^then there is nothing to
fear. What an Englishman resolves upon is usually accomplished,
and what an English community resolves upon still more rarely
fails. If you resolve upon this pursuit with all your energies, it
-wiU redound to your honour, and not less will it redound to your
profit. Great -wUl be the credit that you wUl gain ; but let no man
suppose this is a light matter. Let no man think that we have
to-day taken part in an idle ceremonial. Those who intend to be
foUowers of Wedgwood, must address themselves to the task as one
of a serious and responsible description."
It will be interesting, in connection with tbe Wedgwood
Memorial Institute, to note that in the cavity in the founda
tion stone which was laid by Mr. Gladstone, was placed
a chaste and beautiful china casket, the manufacture of
Messrs. Davenport & Co., containing the foUowing record: —
"Wedgwood Memorial Institute, Burslem. — The Foundation-
stone of this buUding, erected by public subscription, and dedicated
to the uses of a Free Library, a School of Art, and a Museum, in
honour of the eminent potter, Josiah Wedgwood, F.R.S., F.S.A.,
who was bom in Burslem on the 7th of July, 1730, was laid by the
Eight Honourable WiUiam Ewart Gladstone, M.P., D.C.L., Chan
ceUor of the Exchequer, on the 26th of October, 1863, in the
Twenty-seventh year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty
Queen Victoria. Chief BaiUff, WiUiam Edward Twigg. Trustees,
Joseph Edge, WiUiam Ford, Isaac Hitchin, James Macintyre.
Chairman, John Sheriff Hill. Honorary Secretary, WiUiam Woodall.
Architect, George Benjamin Mchols. Builders, Thomas BUssett
Harley, Alfred Dean."
This document was of vellum, tbe writing being executed
by Mr. Nichols, the architect, in richly Uluminated Old
English characters. The aperture containing the casket
was covered m with a china slab, bearing a simUar inscrip
tion. The trowel presented to Mr. Gladstone is an excellent

406 THE WEDGWOODS.
specimen of the potter's art. It was manufactured by
its donor, Mr. James Macintyre, of Burslem, from designs
furnished by Mr. W. Maddock. The body is of the finest
china, but so splendidly decorated tbat the trowel has very
much the appearance of being made of enamelled gold. The
ground colour is delicate amethyst, over which is traced
light green scroll work. Mr. Gladstone's arms, the arms of
the Local Board of Health, and a suitable inscription,
are enclosed in medallions upon the blade, and these medal
lions, together with the blade itself, are surroimded by a
deep rich border of figured gold. The inscription is as foUows :
— " Presented to the Right Honourable WiUiam Ewart
Gladstone, M.P., Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the
occasion of his laying the foundation-stone of the Wedgwood
Memorial Institute, Burslem, on the 26th day of October,
1863." The blade is connected with the handle by an
elegant device in sUver, by Mr. Mayer, of Liverpool. The
back of the blade is ornamented in the same style as the face,
and has in tbe centre a medallion enclosing tbe Portland Vase.
The institute is now, happily, a great fact, and ere long
the to-wn of Burslem wUl have in fuU operation one of
the most valuable and important educational institutions
which has yet been established in the provinces. The scheme
has been energeticaUy carried out so far by the committee
and its hard-working and enlightened secretary. Mr. W.
Woodall : subscriptions have fiowed in ; the " Public
Libraries and Museums Act" has been taken advantage
of; and everything done to render the scheme, what it pro
mises to be, a great success.
The " Wedgwood Institute" is, almost primarily, intended
to be a museum. Its principal room has been specially
designed for the purpose by Captain Fowke, and for future
requirements the whole of the upper floor can be thrown en
suite into apartments, wholly top-lighted, for this use. It
has been so designed through the conviction continually
forced upon its promoters that the absence of such a museum
is a reflection, not only on tbe public spirit of the district,

EXTEENAL FICTILE DECOEATIONS. 407
but of the nation at large. It is much to be hoped tbat the
new museum will be one which shall be a credit to the
nation, an honour to the district whose manufactures and
arts it is intended to illustrate, and worthy of the name
of Wedgwood which it bears. The project of the museum is
one which commends itself to people of every class, and it is
to be hoped that donations of specimens of fictile art of every
kind may so abundantly be received as to enable the
executive to arrange the contents chronologically and edu
cationally. The Institute is intended, it appears, not- only
to be a memorial to a potter, but a monument in pottery.
The competition suggested by Mr. Beresford-Hope for
external fictUe decorations, resulted in the selection of
Messrs. Robert Edgar and John Kipling as the best artists,
and they have since elaborated an architectural composition
of effective appearance, in which terra-cottas, majolicas,
jaspers, and mosaics, are exquisitely introduced. Of this
peculiar feature of the building, the following extract from
the description by tbe artists themselves, gives a pleasing
idea : —
" The designers propose to infroduoe into the blank space of the
first-floor waU a series of terra-cotta panels, representing the twelve
months of the year, by half-length female figures, aU variously
designed and modeUed in reUef. These wiU be contained in a
moulded framework of architectural character, and surmounted by a
triangular pediment, the space enclosed by which wiU contain the
- sign of the zodiac corresponding to each month, and will be sur
rounded by briUiant- coloured mosaic. The whole of this part of
the design will be executed in red terra-cotta, of a colour and
texture which wiU show out against the red-coloured brickwork
-with which the exterior of the building is to be faced.
"A cornice in buff-coloured terra-cotta will surmount the story
in which these panels are placed, and -will be crowned by a rich
ornamental cresting in the same coloured material, the roof above
being covered with a deep rusty green coloured tile, such as we
have ascertained can be secured in the immediate neighbourhood of
the buUding.
" Between the two stories a coloured frieze is to be introduced,
two feet six inches in depth, divided into eight compartments.

408 THE WEDGWOODS.
which wiU represent so many of the industrial processes of the
modem manufacture of pottery. It was originally intended by us
that those subjects should be modeUed and coloured in the maimer
of Della Robbia. But as the expense of producing in this case
would form a very serious item, and make a large inroad on the
whole sum aUotted to us for our design, we were very reluctantly
compeUed to abandon the idea of carrying out this feature in rehef,
and resort to painting the same subjects on the flat. It would be
a matter of congratulation to us if we could hope that the intio-
duction of the DeUa Robbia ware would ever be practicable at
some subsequent time before the work is actuaUy undertaken.
When we consider, however, the secondary object for which the
ceramic design is conceived, there is one argument which should
probably reconcile us to these subjects being painted on the flat as
compared with the modeUed treatment. If the Wedgwood building
is to serve as a pattern card, so to speak, of the uses to which
modem pottery can be put in architecture, and of the market
prices at which it can be produced, it is no doubt desirable that aU
the ceramic work should be of a kind and be introduced in such a
manner as wiU best answer to the modem notions of economy in
buUding. In regard to this particular feature of our design such
a result wiU no doubt be best obtained by having this frieze of
subjects manufactured in numbers of flat pieces, as tiles, rather
than in liu-ge modeUed and moulded slabs, which would necessarily
be much more costly in the process of making and in the risk
of firing." The windows of the ground floor are proposed to be decorated
with buff coloured terra-cotta, in vai-ious modeUed designs, some
what after the type of the -windows in the great court of the
Hospital at Milan. The space contained within the arched
¦window head -wUl be fiUed with red Mansfield stone, to serve as a
framework, or background, for richly coloured portraits of the most
celebrated potters of ancient and modei-n times, and also on the side,
elevations of Flaxman, Brindley, Bentley, and other distinguished
contemporaries of Wedgwood. These portraits -wUl be painted in
majolica colours on large circular plaques, and the remainder of the
space, or spandrU, outside of them, wUl be in enamel mosaic.
" The porch, or front entraueo to the buUding, is designed to
form a central object on the ground lloor. Vtirieties of ceramic
material are employed in its priueipid parts. The shafts on each
side of tho door, wliich ciury the archway over the entrance, -vrill
bo fluted in buff terra-cotta, and the flutes fiUed in -nith rich

MINOR WEDGWOOD MEMORIALS. 409
mosaics. In the face of the porch, and over the archway, three
smaU panels, in Wedgwood Jasper-ware, are introduced, and are
surrounded by an enamel mosaic ground. The small panels will
probably contain some heraldic subjects connected with the Wedg
wood family and the town of Burslem.
"In the more architectural features moulded and ornamental
brickwork wUl be used, and the entire faQade of the buUding, both
in its constructive and decorative parts, will thus be almost entfrely
composed of ceramic material."
Altogether there seems to be every probability that the
memorial will be one of which not only tbe Potteries, but the
nation, may well be proud.
Among the minor memorials to Wedgwood, which the
love and veneration felt by the inhabitants of the pottery
district he so much benefited, for the character and genius
of that great and good man, have originated, one of the
most pleasing, because one which can find its way into the
homes of the workman, is " a memorial jug," which has
been produced in parian by Mr, C. Meigh, of the Old Hall
Earthenware Works, at Hanley. The jug is the design of
Mr. Henry Baggalley, modeller, of Cobridge. It is ten and
a half inches in height, and of good form. On one side is a
medallion portrait of Josiah Wedgwood, six inches in
height, in bold relief. This portrait is moulded from Sir
Joshua Reynolds' portrait, and is very successful. On either
side of the medallion are figures of Art and Commerce ; the
latter figure also supporting, with Science, a pedestal bearing
the Portland Vase, which forms the lower part of the neck of
the jug. On the other side, on a medallion of similar size, is
the crest of the Wedgwood family; and the ribbon bears the
dates of the birth and death of Wedgwood. The handle
is appropriately formed of a figure of Fame, holding out
a wreath of laurel over the bead of the " Prince of Potters."
The " Old Hall Works," at Hanley, at which this pleasing
memorial has been produced, were established about a
hundred years ago, by the grandfather of the present
Mr. Charles Meigh, and have been worked without inter-

410 THE WEDGWOODS.
mission by the family until the last four years. The works
are now carried on by the " Old Hall Earthenware Com
pany," the principal shareholders in which are Mr. Charles
Meigh, jun., and other members of that family. All the usual
varieties of earthenware are there jiroduced, and of every
quality, from the very plainest for common household use, to
the most highly decorated for the mansions of the wealthy.
Parian statuary is also produced of excellent qualit}-, and
stone ware is likewise made in a variety of ways. The Old
Hall Works employ, I believe, on an average, no less than
five hundred hands.
The three great pottery to-wns of Stoke, Burslem, and
Hanley, have in many instances shown a jealousy or a
rivalry of each other. There has frequently been a want
of hand-in-hand feeling among them which has had to
be deplored. In tbe case of tbe Wedgwood memorials that
feeling has, I am happy to say, though unintentionally,
resulted in good to all. Stoke and Hanley niiimsed Burslem
in her scheme of a Wedgwood Institute and School of Art,
and Burslem opposed them in their proposed Wedgwood
statue. As it is. Stoke and Hanley have succeeded in
erecting tbe statue; Burslem is buUding its institution; and
Hanley of itself has reason to feel proud of its museum,
which possesses the indentures of Wedgwood's apprentice
ship, a good selection of his productions, and the cabinet
containing the results of his researches,* Thus all three are
* In the museum at Hanley are many interesting specimens of the
different varieties of " Wedgwood ware," which the coUector vrill be in
terested in examining. Among these are remai-knbly irood examples of
flowered vases of Japanese style, and of large size, both -vrith a light
ground, with birds and flowers in bright colours, and with a black groimd
with similar decorations, and an open work basket of bamboo. In the
same museum is preserved as truly interesting a relic of the latter days of
the great Josiah as that of his early time — the indenture of his nppren-
ticeship^to which I have before referred. I allude to the cabinet — a
large one containing a multiplicity of ilrawers — in which he arranged his
specimens of clays and other earthy substances, his fossils, and the results
of his trials into their properties. In this cabinet oU these objects,
although, of coiu-.so, many tiiiios disturbed, and in most cases injured, still

J0SL4.H WEDGWOOD's CABINET, 411
benefited ; and it is pleasant to feel that these three towns
have vied with each other in doing honour to the memory of
the man to whom they were each and all so lastingly
indebted. remain as they were placed by him,and there they are now — thanks to that
commendable spirit which induced the executive of the institution to
secure them by pm-chase — likely to remain, as lasting mementoes of his
skiU and industry. The cabinet contains, among a mass of other matters,
some hundreds of Wedgwood's and Chisholm's trials of glazes, &c., aU
carefully numbered ; of trials of bodies, with, in some instances, the degrees
of heat to which they have been subjected ; of smaU earthenware vessels
in which his samples of clays, &c., were kept, and of other things of equal
interest. These smaU earthenware vessels (mostly of fine Queen's ware)
are generaUy oblong square in form, of various sizes, from an inch to
three or four inches in length, and they have each a small projection,
inwardly, at the top, on which the number could be affixed. Nothing
could show the care which Wedgwood bestowed on the details of his
business better than these little vessels, which are almost aU marked with
his name, and are remarkably weU formed ; and it is truly pleasant, on
withdra-wing the bars and opening the drawers of this cabinet, to feel
that one is as it were in the presence of the great man, surrounded by
his secrets, and admitted into all the intricacies of his private laboratory.
It is very much to the credit of the committee of the Hanley Mechanics'
Institution that they have secured to the Potteries this memorial of the
great head of its native art.

CHAPTER XXIV.
JOSIAH -WEDGWOOD. — CHARACTERLSTICS. — HIS GREAT SrCCESS
AND WEALTH.  COPY OF HIS WILL.  ALEXASDEE CHIS
HOLM.  WEDGWOOD's ACQUAINTANCE WITH MEN OF IN
TELLECT AND SCIENCE.  DR. PRIESTLEY.  SUMMARY OF
WEDGWOOD's CHARACTER.  POEM ON A STAFFOEDSHIEE
TEAPOT.  WEDGWOOD's LABOUES INCREASE THE COM-
MEECE OF THE KINGDOM.  STAFFORDSHIRE HAS SEASON
TO BE PROUD OF HER SON.
Josiah Wedgwood, whose life I have thus attempted to
trace", was, without exception, one of the most wonderful of
all the "self-made men" which our nation of great and
V noble geniuses has ever produced. Not only did he stand
out as a clear statue from the men of his o-wn time, but in
high and bold relief from those of every time and every age.
¦^ Original in thought, far-seeing and clear in his perceptions ;
witb a mind capable of grasping the most difficult problems
and w^orking them out to a successful issue ; with a firmness
of purpose, and a determination which carried him safely
through all his schemes; a power of wrestling with and
overthrowing every obstacle which came in his way : a genius
which soared high above his fellow-labourers in art, and led
them on to success in paths unknown to them before ; with
an energy, a perseverance, and an industry which never
flagged ; an unswerving fi.xedness of purpose which yielded
not to circumstances, however adverse they might seem;
with a heart warmed by kindliness, goodness, and charity to
all men, and a mind imbued with tbat true religion — a con
scientious discharge of his duty to God and man; with a
strict probity and a scrupulous adherence to all that was

CHAEACTEEISTICS OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD, 413
honourable and right, Josiah Wedgwood hewed out for him
self a path through the world-jungle which surrounded him,
that led him to the highest point of worldly prosperity,
and earned for him a name which has been, and always
will be, received with honour.
When he started life he had, as I have shown, tbe poor
and miserably small sum of twenty pounds, left bim by his
father, to establish himself in business, and battle with the
world upon. When he died he was able to leave very large
landed estates, manufactories, and houses, to his widow and
sons, and sums of £30,000 to each of his sons, and fortunes
of J25,000 to each of his daughters, and aU this, with the
exception of the help whicb his wife's fortune gave him, the
result of his own skill and his own industry.
In the early chapters of this memoir I gave the indenture
of apprenticeship of Josiah Wedgwood, and a copy of the
wUl of his father, in which the " score pounds" is left to
him ; and I cannot do better in this my concluding chapter
than give my readers a copy of bis own will, in which the
extent of his property is shown, and the legacies to his
chUdren and others are defined. This will, which is pre
served in Doctors' Commons, I now for the first time
make public. It is as follows : —
" The- last WUl and Testament of me, Josiah WEnewoon, of Etruria,
in the County of Stafford, made the second day of Ifovember, in tho
year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety- three, in
manner and form foUowing (that is to say) : I give and bequeath
unto my dear and affectionate Wife, Sarah Wedgwood, aU that
messuage or dweUing-house situate at or near Etruria aforesaid,
with the buildings, gardens, and appurtenances thereto belonging,
late in the holding of Mr. Thomas Wedgwood ; and also all that
field or piece of land in which the same stands, containing eight
acres or thereabouts ; and also all that close, piece, or parcel of land
lying contiguous to the said dweUing-house, caUed the Horse Pas
ture, containing by estimation twelve acres or thereabouts ; and also
all that piece or parcel of land situate at Etruria aforesaid, hereto
fore purchased by me from Mr. Hugh Booth ; To have and to hold
the said messuage or dwelUng-house, pieces or parcels of land, here-

414 THE WEDGWOODS.
ditaments and premises, with thefr and every of their appurtenances,
unto my said Wife, Sarah Wedgwood and her assigns, for and during
the term of her natural Hfe. And from and after her decease, I give
and de-vise aU and singular the said messuage or dwelling-house,
pieces or parcels of land, hereditaments, and premises, -with their
and every of their appurtenances, unto my Son, Josiah Wedgwood,
his hefrs and assigns for ever. Also I give and bequeath the sum of
Three thousand pounds unto my said Wife, to be paid to her -within
twelve months next after my decease. Also I give and bequeath
unto my said Wife so much and such part of my household goods
and furniture as is mentioned and specified in the Schedule or Paper
Writing hereunto annexed, marked -with the Letter A. Also I give
and bequeath the sum of Ten thousand pounds unto my Executors
hereinafter named, upon trust that they, my said Executors, do and
shaU place the said sum of Ten thousand pounds out upon some
good and sufficient pubHc or private security or securitys, at interest,
to be approved of nevertheless by my said Wife, and do and shaU
pay to, or permit and suffer my said Wife to receive and take the
interest, dividends, and produce of the said sum of Ten thousand
pounds, as the same shaU from time to time become due to and for
her o-wn use and benefit for and during the term of her natural Hfe.
And from and after the decease of my said Wife, I direct that the
said sum of Ten thousand pounds shaU be appHed for and towards
payment and satisfaction of the several legacys or sums of money
hereinafter given by me. And I do hereby direct that the pro-vision
hereinbefore made or intended for my said Wife shaU be in Ueu, bar,
and satisfaction of dower and thirds at Common Law. Also I give
and devise unto my said Executors, for the use of my said son,
Josiah Wedgwood, his heirs and assigns for ever, that part of Etruria
Estate which I now occupy, upon the north side of the Turnpike
Road leading from Newcastie to Leek, -with the house I now Hve in,
the outbuUiUngs belonging to the same, with the pleasure grounds
and aU appurtenances thereto belonging, being about sixty-five
acres ; and also another part of the Etruria Estate, now in the occu
pation of Richai-d HaU, being about sixty-eight acres ; And also
another part of the Etruria Estate, now in the occupation of Thomas
Ford, being about forty-five acri-s ; and also the Estate late a part
of the White House Estate, on the south side the Turnpike Eoad
leading from Newcastle to Leek ; and likewise the land purchased
from Thomas Heath, with a smaU meadow on the nortii side the said
Road, and lying in the Parisli of Woolst;mton ; and like-wise a
meadow lately purchased from Jelm Mare, of Handlcy, — aU in the

WILL OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD. 415
holding of Richard Billington, being altogether about Eighty-one
acres ; and also a piece of land on the south side of the same Road,
now in the holding of Daniel Haywood, being about two acres ; and
also an Estate bought from George Taylor, and now in the holding
of Jonathan Adams, being about nine acres ; and also a smaU piece
of land adjoining the land bought from Hugh Booth, together with
a part of the Hough Meadow, and now in the holding of John
Ryder, being about four acres ; and also an estate called the Spittels,
situate in PenkhuU, in the Parish of Stoke upon Trent, and lately
purchased from James Godwin, containing sixty-three acres or
thereabouts; and also an Estate adjoining to' the Spittels on' one
side, and to Stoke Lane on the other, situate in Penkhull aforesaid,
in the Parish of Stoke upon Trent, late in the holding of Humphrey
Ratcliff, containing fifteen acres or thereabouts ; and also a piece of
land caUed the Woodhills, situate in the Parish of Stoke upon Trent,
lately purchased from Ralph Baddeley, and now in my own occupa
tion, being about eleven acres ; and also aU buildings, tenements,
houses, farm-houses, out-houses, pot works, warehouses, workshops,
and other buUdings, of what kind soever they may be, situate,
standing, and being upon any of the land or premises above named,
and not hereinbefore devised ; and also all my share of the models
and molds of the Manufactory in Etruria aforesaid. Also I give and
bequeath the sum of Thfrty thousand pounds unto my son John
Wedgwood. Also I give and bequeath the sum of Twenty-nine
thousand one hundred and ten pounds, and likewise twenty shares
in the Monmouthshfre Canal, unto my Son Thomas Wedgwood.
Also I give and bequeath the sum of Twenty-five thousand pounds
unto my daughter Susannah Wedgwood ; and which said several
legacys or sums of Thirty thousand pounds, and Twenty-nine thou
sand one hundred and ten pounds, and Twenty shares in the Mon
mouthshire Canal, and Twenty-five thousand pounds, so given to my
said Son John Wedgwood, and to my said Son Thomas Wedgwood,
and to my said Daughter Susannah Wedgwood, I do hereby dfrect shaU
be paid to them as soon as conveniently may be after my decease,
together with interest for the same in the mean time, after the rate
of four pounds and ten shiUings per centum per annum. Also I give
and bequeath the sum of Twenty-five thousand pounds unto my
Daughter Catharine Wedgwood, to be paid to her as soon after her age
of twenty-one years, or day of marriage, which shaU first happen,
as conveniently may be, with interest for the same in the mean
time after the rate of four pounds and ten shiUings per centum per
annum. Also I give and bequeath the sum of Twenty-five thousand

416 THE WEDGWOODS.
pounds unto my Daughter Sarah Wedgwood, to be paid to her as soon
after her age of twi nty-one years, or day of marriage, which shall first
happen, as conveniently may be, with interest for the same in the
mean time after the rate of four pounds and ten shUHngs per centum
por annum. Provided always, and I do hereby direct, that in case my
said Daughters Catherine Wedgwood and Sarah Wedgwood, or either
of them, shall happen to die unmarried before the age of Twenty-
one years, then that the legacy or legacys of her or them so dying
shall sink into and become part of the residue of my personal
Estate, and be appHed and disposed of accordingly, as shaU herein-
aftet be mentioned. Also I do hereby declare it to be my -wiU that
all the rest, residue, and remainder of my said stock in trade, goods,
wares, implements, materials, and utensils of trade, and other mat
ters and things used by me, in or belonging to my said Manufactory,
except the models or molds therein used or kept, shaU, at the time
of my decease, sink into and become part of the residue of my
personal estate, and be applied and disposed of accordingly. Also I
give and bequeath aU and singular my household goods and fomi-
ture not hereinbefore given to my said Wife, together -with aU my
books, prints, books of prints, pictui-cs, and cabinets of Experiments,
of Fossils, and of Natural History, unto my said Son Josiah Wedg
wood. And I do hereby commit the Guardianship and Tuition of such
of my said children as shaU not at the time of my decease have attained
the age of twenty-one years unto my said Wife and my said Son
John Wedgwood, untU such chUdren shaU attain the said age. And
I do direct that the fortunes or portions of such of my said chUdren
shaU in tbe mean time be managed by my said Wife and my said
Son John Wedgwood, and a competent part of the interest and pro
duce thereof be applied for thefr maintenance and education, and
the residue of such interest and produce be suffered to accumulate
for their benefit and advantage in such manner as my said Wife and
Son John Wedgwood shaU in thefr discretion think most meet and
proper. Also 1 give and bequeath one annuity or yearly sum of
twenty pounds unto my Brother in Law, I'liUip Clark, for and
during the term of his natural life. Also I gi-ve and bequeath one
annuity or yearly sum of Twenty pounds unto my Niece, Sarah
Taylor, for and during the term of her natiiral Hfe. .Uso I give
and bequeath one annuity or yearly sum of Twenty poimds unto
Mr. Alexander Chisholm, for nnd dming the term of his natural
life ; recommending it to my Son Josiah Wedgwood to give him
any further assistance that he may stand in need of, to make tiie re
mainder of his life easy nnd comfortnble. And I do hereby dfrect

WILL OF JOSIAH WEDGWOOD, 417
that the said several and respective annuitys of Twenty pounds,
Twenty pounds, and Twenty pounds shaU be paid and payable
quarterly, at the four most usual feasts or days of payment in the
year, (that is to say) on every twenty-fifth day of March, twenty-
fourth day of June, twenty-ninth day of September, and twenty-
fifth day of December, by even and equal portions, free and clear of
and from aU taxes, charges, and deductions whatsoever ; the first
payment thereof to begin and be made on such of the said days as
shall first and next happen after my decease. Also I give and
bequeath the sum of Ten Guineas unto the said Alexander Chisholm,
aa a testimony of my regard for him. Also I give and bequeath the
sum of Two hundred pounds apiece unto all and every the chUdren
of my Nephew Thomas Byerley, who shall be living at the time of
my decease, to be paid to them at their respective ages of twenty-
one years : Provided always, and in case any one or more of the
said children shaU happen to die without issue before he, she, or
they shaU attain the said age, then I dfrect that the legacy or
legacys to him, her, or them so dying shaU go and be paid unto and
amongst the survivors or survivor of them equaUy, share and share
alike, in case there shaU be more than one, at such time and in such
manner as is hereinbefore dfrected and expressed of and concerning
the said original legacys or sums of Two hundred pounds : Provided
also, and in case aU the said children shall happen to die without issue
before they shaU attain the said age, then I direct that aU the said
legacies or sums of Two hundred pounds so given to them as afore
said shall sink into and become part of the residue of my personal
estate, and be applied and disposed of accordingly. And I do hereby
expressly dfrect and declare that no interest shaU be aUowed or paid
upon the said respective legacys or sums of Two hundred pounds in
the mean time from my decease to the time that the same shall be
come payable by virtue of this my WiU ; such legacys or sums of
Two hundred pounds being given by me in lieu of legacys or sums
of One hundred pounds, which it was originally my intention
to have directed to be placed out at interest, and to have accumu
lated for such children of the said Thomas Byerley as aforesaid untU
they should attain the age of twenty-one years. Also I give and
bequeath unto each of my Nephews Thomas and John Wedgwood,
Sons of my late Nephew Thomas Wedgwood, of the Upper House in
Burslem, the sum of Two hundred pounds each, to be paid to them
at their respective ages of twenty-one years : Provided always, and
in case they shaU either or both of them die before they arrive at
the age of twenty-one years, I dfrect that the legacy or legacys of
E E

418 THE WEDGWOODS.
the party or parties so dying, of Two hundred pounds so given to
them as aforesaid, shall sink into and become part of the residue of
my personal estate, and be appHed and disposed of accordingly.
Also I give to my Servant George Jones the sum of twenty guineas,
as a token of my remembrance of his faithful services to me. Also
I give and bequeath to the several persons whose names ohaU be
mentioned and comprised in the Schedule or List hereto annexed,
signed with my name, and marked -with the letter "B," the
mourning Rings or other smaU legacys or sums of money which
shaU be therein specified and expressed. Also I give and bequeath
unto James Caldwell, Esq., of Newcastle under Lyme, in the County
of Stafford, the sum of One htmdred pounds, which I desfre he -wUl
accept as a testimony of my friendship and esteem for him. And I
do hereby direct and appoint that my said Nephew Thomas Byerley
shaU, under the dfrection of my Executors, settle my accounts and
manage and conduct the coUection of my debts and other matters
relating to the settlement of my concerns in business ; and that
a Salary of One hundred pounds per annum be aUowed and paid to
him for such particular service, so long as he shaU be employed
therein, over and above aU charges and expenses attending the
same. And it is also my WUl that an estate at Burslem, late in the
occupation of Joseph Wedgwood, consisting of a newly erected
dwelling house, a set of pot works, with other buUdings, and a
field caUed the Cross hUl, containing altogether about two acres;
and Ukewise an estate in the Parish of Astbury, in the County of
Chester, caUed Spengreen, and now in the holding of Thomas John
son, containing about seventy-five acres or thereabouts ; and also a
piece of land on the east side of the Bridge in Congleton, in the said
County of Chester, being about two rods ; and also all the rest, resi
due, and remainder, messuages, lands, tenements, hereditaments,
and real estate, money, securities for money, debts due and owing,
personal Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever or where
soever, not hereinbefore particularly de-vised or disposed of, together
with such or so much of the several sums of money hereinbefore
mentioned and bequeathed as shaU, by means of the contingencies
and directions hereinbefore expressed, shaU all of them sink iuto and
become parts of the said residue of my personal Estate. And I do
hereby give, devise, and bequeath the same unto my said Executors,
for the payment of the legacys and annuities hereinbefore men
tioned ; and provided there should be a residue after the above
mentioned payments, then I direct that such residue shaU go and be
divided unto and amongst my said chUdi-en, John Wedgwood,

DECLAEATION OF JOHN WEDGWOOD. 419
Thomas Wedgwood, Susannah Wedgwood, Catherine Wedgwood,
and Sarah Wedgwood, thefr heirs, executors, administrators, and
assigns, equaUy, share and share alike, as tenants in common, and
not as joint tenants ; and if there should be any deficiency of real or
personal estates for paying the said legacys and annuitys, such defi
ciency shaU in that case be bom equally amongst and made up by
those my said children above named, (that is to say) John Wedg
wood, Thomas Wedgwood, Susannah Wedgwood, Catherine Wedg
wood, and Sarah Wedgwood, share and share aUke, in proportion to
the amount of the legacys to them herein left and bequeathed. And
I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my said Wife, my
said Son John Wedgwood, and the said James Caldwell, Esq.,
Executrix and Executors of this my WiU. And lastly, I do hereby
revoke all former or other WUl or WiUs by me at any time hereto
fore made, and do declare this only to be my last WiU and Testament.
In witness whereof I have to this my last WiU and Testament, con
tained in six sheets of paper, and have to each of the first five sheets
thereof set my hand, and to the sixth and last sheet thereof my hand
and seal the day and year first before written.
" Jos. Wedgwood. (L.S.)
" Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said Josiah
Wedgwood, as and for his last WUl and Testament, in the presence
of us, who in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have
hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto ; the several
foUowing words being first interlined : money — my — happen — said.
"Alexe. Chisholm.
" Thomas Mitcheli,.
"Joseph Rutland.
" John Wedgwood, of Etmria, in the County of Stafford, Esquire,
maketh oath, and saith that he has searched among the papers and
writings of his late Father, Josiah Wedgwood, late of Etmria afore
said, Esqufre, deceased, in order to find certain Schedules or Paper
Writings referred to in the last Will and Testament of the said
Josiah Wedgwood, and therein mentioned to be annexed thereto,
and respectively marked A and B. And this Deponent further
. saith that he has not been able to find such Schedules or Paper
Writings, or either of them ; and this Deponent further saith that he
has never heard or been informed, nor does he beUeve that the said
E E 2

420 THE WEDGWOODS.
Josiah Wedgwood ever wrote or made out, or caused to be written
or made out, such Schedules or Paper Writings, or either of them.
"John Wedgwood.
" Sworn at Newcastle under Lyme, in the County of Stafford, the
29th day of June, 1795, Before me, John Lloyd, a Commissioner.
"Proved at London, 2nd July, 1795, before the Judge, by the
Oath of John Wedgwood, the Son, one of the Executors, to whom
Administration was granted, ha-ving been first sworn by Commission
duly to administer. Power reserved of making the Hke grant to
Sarah Wedgwood, Widow, the ReUct, and James Caldwell, the other
Executors, when they shaU apply for the same."
It will be seen how, in this -will, the kindliness of Wedg
wood's disposition here and there cropped out. To his old
servant and associate, Alexander Chisholm, he left a gift of
ten guineas "as a testimony of my regard for him," and
also an annuity of £20 a year for life, " recommending to
my son, Josiah Wedgwood, to give him any further assistance
that he may stand in need of to make the remainder of his Ufe
easy and comfortable." To others he left remembrances ; but
it is much to be regretted that his intention of leaving "to
the several persons whose names shaU be mentioned and com
prised in the schedule or list hereunto annexed, signed -with
my name, and marked with the letter B, the mourning
rings, or other small legacies, or sums of money, which
shall be therein specified and expressed," was defeated by no
such " list or schedule " having been found to exist. Me
morial rings are, however, in existence, bearing the name of
the illusfrious potter and the date of his death, one of which
is now in the hands of Mr. Hall.
Wedgwood, during his lifetime, drew around him men of
talent and of learning, and they in return were only too glad
to cultivate his friendship, for he was at least their equal
in intellect and in philosophical and scientific acqufrements.
Dr. Priestley, an old friend of Wedgwood's, in the midst
of his troubles, after tbe disgraceful and savage riots at
Birmingham, was invited to make a stny at Etruria, and his

WEDGWOOD's EBLIGIOUS VIEWS AND CHAEACTEE. 421
house was ever open to receive men of every rank and station
who bad tbe passwords of bright intellect and of scientific
or art eminence to recommend them. He was a liberal
contributor to the annuity to Dr. Priestley. In religion he
was an Unitarian, and was on intimate terms of friendship
with Mr. WUlet, the minister of the old Presbyterian Chapel
at Newcastle, whose ministry he attended. His religious
views, however, were never allowed to influence his actions,
whether of friendship or of business. He wisely felt that
there was good in all, and that a man's religion was a ques
tion between his own conscience and bis Maker, and not one
on which commercial relationships or ties of friendship ought
to hinge.
One who knew bim well, wrote of him soon after his
death, " He was most kind, and be did all he could to make
us comfortable. He made a present of one hundred pounds
to my little boy. He made me take him (my boy) out in
his carriage every day, and being a most superior man, his
conversation was very instructive and interesting. Many
gentlemen visited him, particularly at breakfast, and I was
very much amused and improved by the society of this good
man's friends. Oh, money ! what an enchantress art thou !
thou canst raise fairy ground around us, and make men and
everything else smile upon us. The frequent visits of this
wonderful man, whose portrait is now before me, was in the
end a misfortune — we lived when be was with us very luxu
riously — ^which was not very easy to change when he left us ;
he was so kind to me and to his godson, who was called after
him, that I loved him dearly, and felt most desolate when
he left us, and we sank into our usual insignificance— my
husband always having work neglected while our visitor was
with us, and now must be done. This period of his visit
was very consoling."
In the works of Sir Charles Hanbury WiUiams occurs a
poem, caUed " Isabella," describing the morning occupation
and visitors of Lady IsabeUa Montague {circa 1770). Of
one of her admirers, a Mr. Bateman, it is said : —

422 THE WEDGWOODS.
" To please the noble dame the courtly squire
Produced a tea-pot made in Staffordshire !
So Venii.H looked, and with such longing eyes,
When Paris first produced the golden prize.
' Such works as this,' she cries, ' can England do ?
It equals Dresden, and excels St. Cloud ;
AU modem China now shall hide its head,
And e'en ChantiUy must give o'er her trade.
For lace let Flanders bear away the beU ;
In finest linen let the Dutch excel ;
For prettiest stufEs let Ireland flrst be named ;
And for best- fancied silks let France be famed ;
I Do thou, thrice happy England, etiU prepare
/ Thy clay, and buUd thy fame on earthenware.' "
Little did the -writer think that through the skUl, the
enterprise, the industry, and the perseverance of one
man, Staffordshfre would, indeed, soon equal Dresden and
out-do St. Cloud in works both of utiUty and beauty.
Little did he tiiink that " thrice happy England " would,
Uterally, still prepare its clay, and " buUd its fame on
earthenware." Little did he think that within a dozen
years from the time when be penned those lines, the great
man whose industry had tended to bring about so wonderful
a result, would stand in the House of Commons and give
his evidence that at that time from fifteen to twenty thou
sand persons were employed in tbe potworks of Staffordshire
alone, and double that number received employment in pre
paring the materials — the coal, the flint, and the clay — for
their use. But so it was. And tbe disfrict of the Potteries
has gone on increasing in size and in importance from that
day to this. It is indeed a great fact — a fact of which
Staffordshfre has reason to be proud — that the man who did
most to bring about this happy state of things — who laid
the foundation on which the nation
" Builds her fame on earthenware,"
was a son of her own native soil, who was raised up to do
her honour, and to add to our national prosperity. The
man who did all this was Josiah Wedgwood.

INDEX.

Adams, 39, 132, 293, 396, 415,
Addenbroke, 74.
Aerial zone, 180.
Agate knife-hafts, 107, 117, 118.
Agate-ware, 188, et seq.
Agate-ware vases, 336, 390.
Alcock, S., and Co., 348.
Aldersea, 107.
Ale pots, 33—36.
Allen, 67, 374, 375.
Allbut, 398.
Allman, Broughton & Co., 127
Almon, 344.
Alsager, 132
Alsop, 127
Ancient British pottery, 4, et seq.
Anglo-Saxon pottery, 15, et seq. ; mode
of decorating, 16.
Antrobus, 75.
Arden, 72, 75.
Ark-wright, Sir Richard, 87, 287, 288.
Armagh, 354.
Armitage, 49.
Armorial plaque, 256.
Artists' materials, 100.
Arundel Castle, 354.
Astbury, 42, 46, 63, 83, 93, 94, 418;
discovers flint, 60, 96 ; employed by
Elers, 94 ; discovers their secret, 95 ;
viUage of, 155; marriage of Wedg
wood, 155.
Astley, 112.
Astle, 330.
Aston, 354.
"Asylum for Fugitive Pieces," 344.
Auckland, Lord, 308, et seq.
Austen, 113.

B.

Babworth, 354.
Baddely, 415.
Baddely Edge, 30.

Baggaley, H., memorial jug, 409.
Bagley, 115, 293.
Bagnall, 39, 114, 259, 260.
Baker, 203.
Bakewell, 207.
Baldey, 45.
BaUad of Yorkshire Wedgwoods, 86.
Bailor, 255.
Bamboo ware, 188, 311, 321, 411.
Banks, Miss, 44.
Banks, Sir Joseph, 313.
Barbeiim Vase (see Portland Vase).
Barker, 110, 114.
Barlaston, 206, 337, 371, 375.
Barleycorn pattern, 139.
Barlow, execution of, 293.
Barnett, 207.
Barney, 332.
Barr, 354.
Barret, 207.
Bartalozzi, 350, et seq.
Basaltes, 186-190, 205, 214, 332, et seq.
Basford Bank, 99.
Baslow Moor, Celtic pottery, 12.
Bas-reliefs, 329, et seq., 338.
Bas-reHefs, Flaxman's, 277, et aeq.
Bateman, 421.
Bateman, T., 7, 12, 23, 65.
Bath pattern, 140.
BathweU, 127.
Bee Low, Celtic pottery, 9.
Beech, Isabel, 98, 127.
Beech, WiUiam, 132, 134.
Bellaport, 73.
Bellarmine, Cardinal, 34, 35.
BeUarmines, 33 — 36.
BeU Bank, 132.
BeU for calling potters to work, 129,
131, 132.
BeU, potters caUed by sound of, 131.
BeU Works, 99, 132, et seq., 142 ; pro
ductions of, 134.
Benson, flint grinding, 60, 61.
Bentley and Boardman, 194.
Bentley, Dr. Richard, 165.

424

INDEX,

Bentley, Thomas, introduction to Wedg
wood, 164 ; popular error concern
ing, 164, 1U5 ; becomes partner with
Wedgwood, 193; founder ofthe Oc
tagonians, 194 ; letters of, 195, 209,
269, et seq. ; turns the wheel for first
vases made at Etruria, 204 ; marries
Mary Stamford at Derby, 212 ; visits
Paris, 264 ; death of, 26.5 ; epitaphs
on, 266, et seq., 316, 341, 361, 384,
407.
Besborough, 330.
BetheU, 386.
Bevans and Cookworthy, 221.
Bibby, 146.
Biddeford, 46.
Biddulph, 72, 158, 293.
"Big House," 76, 120, 123, 132, 167,
168, 160, et seq.
Biggs, 76.
BiUington, 415.
Birmingham, 129, 360, et seq., 364.
" Bit-stone- ware," 63.
Black ware (see Basaltes).
Blackwood, 72.
Black Works, 391, 392, 394.
Blomley, 207.
Blore Heath, 74.
Blowers, 115, 116.
Blue painting, 69.
Blue printing, 391.
Boardman, 194, et seq.
Boettcher, 399.
Bone, 234.
Boone, 109.
Booth, 68, 74, 107, 269.
Booth, Hugh, 413, 416.
Boothby, Sir Brooke, 73.
Boothby, 73—76.
Botany Bay, 313.
Boulton, 72, 129, 221.
Boulton, James, 396.
Boulton, Matthew, 360, et seq. ; pre
vents pension to F. Eginton, 353.
Bouquetiers, 336.
Bourne, 82, 83, 127, 132.
Bowls, Anglo-Saxon, 16.
Bowyer, 168.
Boyle, John, 383.
BradweU, 40, 94.
Bransford, 179.
Brassington, Derbyshire, 184.
Breadsall Priory, 374.
Bridgwood, 99, 100.
Bridgwood and Clarke, 100.
Brindley, 407.
Brindley, James, 71, 160, 194 ; wind
mill, 160 ; Grand Trunk Canal, 168,
et seq.
Bristol china, 223, vt seq.

Bristol Delftware, 67.
Broad, 117.
Brocklesby, 361.
Brock, 134.
Bromley, 73.
Bromley Regis, 354.
Broughton, 127.
Brown, Robert, 382, et seq.
Brownhills, 39, 82, 126.
Brownsword, 396.
Bruckfield, Frances, -wife of Thomas
Byerley, 316, 380
Bruckfield, of Kirk Lceton, 316, 380.
Buchan, 270, 279.
Buckley, 288.
Bullets of earthenware, 380.
Burke, Edmund, 255.
Burley HiU, 17—19.
Burslem, 63, 65, 67, 81, 82, 87, 88, 96,
101, 119,e(»«?.,348; Roman kilns, 13;
ovens, 40 ; dialogue, 63, 163 ; notice
of, 69 ; churchyard, 87 ; Mitre Hotel,
87; communion plate, 127; Ivy
House, 120, 165, et seq. ; BeU Works,
99, 132, 142; school, 161; market,
162; townhall, 162; Wesley at, 172.
Burslem, De, &nuly, 70, 72, 75, 76, 126.
Busts, 332.
Butter bore, 28.
Butter-pots, 27—30, 32, 145; moor
landish tricks, 28.
Butter trade, 28.
Byerley HaU, 315.
Byerley, Josiah, 316.
Byerley, Mrs., 316, 359 ; her account of
Wedgwood's last illness, 359.
Byerley, Thomas, 313, rt seq., 359, 376,
417 — 419; partner with Josiah Wedg
wood, 313 ; death of, 380 ; manufac
tures china, 381 ; bequest to, 417.
C.
Caldwell, 213, 418, 419.
Camelford, Lord, 226, et seq.
Cameos, 312, 327. et seq.
Canals, 167; Grand Trunk, 167. rfwy.,
191 ; Duke of Bridgewater's, \<o~.
Candelabra, 334.
Candlestick, 27.
Cane-coloured ware, 311, 321, 411.
Cannock Ch.iso, 49.
l¥ps, ladiis', 372.
C^ardinal Bellarmine, 34 — 36.
Carlogiii's, 226.
Carrintrton, S., 7, 12.
CiirtliHigr, 82.
Ciu-twright, 203.
Cntakiguos, 213, 217, 218, 264, 310,
32li, et seq.

INDEX.

425

Caudle service presented to the Queen,
139.
Cauldon, 14.
" Cauliflower jugs," 118.
Caulin, 226, et seq.
Cave, 74.
Celtic pottery, 4, et seq. ; cinerary urns,
4 — 8 ; drinking vessels, 9.
Chaffers, W., 56.
ChaUinor, 127.
Chambers, 330.
Champion, Richard, notice of, 223, et
seq.
ChantiUy, 422.
Cheese factors, 28 ; taster, 28.
Chelsea, 180, 207, 212, 264; Wedg
wood's works at, 207.
Chelsea china, 258.
Chelsea China Works, 207.
Chessmen, Flaxman's, 277, 282, 283.
Chester, 35.
Chesterfield ware, 64, 65.
Chesterton, 14.
Child, 76.
Chimneypieces, 272, 336, 337.
China, Derby, 268, 5i6,etseq. ; Bristol,
223, et seq. ; Plymouth, 223, et seq. ;
Newhall, 259, et seq.
China ware first introduced into Staf
fordshire, 256.
China ware made by Littler, 105, 258.
China wares, 258 ; made from guano,
348; manufacture, introduction of,
into Staffordshire, 258, et seq. ; made
at Etruria, 381.
Chinese portrait modeUer, 209.
Chisholm, Alexander, 379, 411, 416,
417, 419, 420.
Chis-wick, 267.
Chorley HaU, 213.
Chubbard, 164, 194.
Churchyard Works, 83, 87, 88, 91, 96,
97, et seq., 105, 123 ; history of, 98 ;
productions of, 100, ioi ; -wiU of Mary
Wedgwood, 83.
Churchyard House, 98.
Cinerary urns, Celtic, 4 — 7; Anglo-
Saxon, 16, 16.
Clarke, Edward, 99.
Clarke, Philip, 416.
Classes into which Wedgwood divided
his productions, 326, et seq.
Clay, bottle, 30 ; hard fire, 30 ; red
blending, 31 ; properties of, in shrink
ing, 275 ; wldte, 31.
Clays used by ancient Britons, 4, et seq. ;
Romans, 14; Anglo-Saxons, 16;
Normans, 17 ; used in Staffordshire,
30; Derbyshire, 184; Cornish, 223,
et seq., 263, et seq.

Clay, pipe, 46, et seq.
Clayton, 194.
cuff Bank, 107.
CUfton, 83.
Clouding, 60.
Clowes, 269, 260.
Cobridge, 132, 409.
CockereU, 318.
Coekspur, 63.
Cololough, 76, 126.
Coleridge, Samuel Taylor, aided by the
Wedgwoods, 376, et seq.
Colston, 44.
Coltman, 317.
Combed ware, 33.
Cook, Captain, 277.
Cookworthy, William, notice of, 223,
et seq.
Cooper, 207, 353.
Cope, 114.
Copeland, 178.
Cormie, 132.
Cornish stone, 223 ; clay, 223.
Costrels, 21.
Costume of the last century, 366, et seq.
Cottle, 377, 378.
Cotton, 73.
Cowap, 385.
Crabstock pattern, 209.
Cradle, earthenware, 55.
Crate men, 32.
CressaU, 112.
Crewe, 330, 375.
CriseUy, 375.
Crompton family, 213.
Crouch ware, 39.
Crow Borrow, 77.
Crutehley, 293.
CuUeyn, Abraham, 37.
CuUeyn and Rous, patent, 37.
Cumberland, 318.
Cupit, 115.
Cups and saucers, 334.

D.

Da Costa, 288.
Dale HaU, 76, 127.
Damasking, 60.
DanieU, 74, 112, 139, 261.
Daresbury, 74.
Darley Dale, 374 ; Celtic pottery, 7, 8,
12.
Dartmouth, Earl of, 362.
Darwin, Charles, 374, 375.
Darwin, Dr, 312, 374; "Botanic Gar
den," 312.
Darwin, of Shrewsbury, 372, 374, 376.
Darwin on Wedgwood and his works,
312.

426

INDEX,

Dra-win, Sir Francis, 374.
Darwin, Susannah, i372, 374.
Davenport, 74.
Davenport and Co., 405.
Davey, Sii- H., 379, et aeq.
Davidson, 117.
Davis, Dr., J. Barnard, 6, 326, 367.
Davis's memorial statue to Wedgwood,
401.
Dean, 122, 134, 160, 406.
Debonaire, 45.
De Burslem family, 70.
Delaney, Mrs., 212.
Delft, EngUsh, 66.
Delft, town of, 56.
Delft ware, 66.
DeUa Robbia w£ire, 407.
Denman, Ann, 265.
De Quincey, 379.
Derby, 315 ; Bentley married at, 212.
Derby Canal, 167.
"Derby Chelsea" China, 207.
Derby china, 258, 346, et seq.
Derby China Works, 184, 207, 346, ct
seq.
Bet-by Mercury, 292.
Derbyshire, Celtic pottery, 4, 7 — 12 ;
Anglo-Saxon pottery, 15, 16 ; Nor
man pottery, 17, et seq. ; lead ore,
32, 33, 184; clay for china ware, 184 ;
Bentleys of, 193.
Dishes made by Toft, 23.
Divining rod, 225.
Done, 74.
Dowsing rod, 226.
Drayton, 74.
Dresden, 422.
Drinking vessels, Celtic, 9, et teq. ;
Anglo-Saxon, 16 ; mediaeval, 25.
Duesbury, WiUiam, Derby China
Works, 184, 207, 346, et seq.
Duke Wedgwoods, 132.
Dunsdale, 40.
Dunwood, 72.
Dutch butter, 29 ; pipes, 48, et seq. ;
earthenware, oo, et seq. ; tiles, 147.
Dutch catalogue, 264.
Dutton, 74. E.
"Earnest money ' to potters, 113,
ct aeq.
Earthenware cradle, 66.
Earthing, 364.
Eden, Mr. and Mrs., 308, 309.
Edge, 116, 406.
Edgworth, Maria, 11 ; R. L., 41.
Edwards, 206.
Egerton, Thomas, 72, 71, 76, 82, 127.

Eginton, Francis, notice of, 349, et seq. ;
inventor of polygraphic pictures, 360 ;
¦with Boulton of the Soho Works,
350, et seq. ; biUs and letters of, 350,
et seq. ; proposed pension to, 363 ;
his paintings on glass, 364.
Eginton, Harvey, 364.
I'jginton, the Misses, 355.
Eginton, WiUiam Raphael, 354, 355.
Egyptian black ware (see Basaltes).
Egj'ptian pebble vases, 187, et aeq.
Electric telegraph, invention of 178,
18U, et aeq.
Eler or Elers, 40, 41, 94, 96; their
wares, 41 ; memoir of, 42, et aeq. ;
famUy, 42, rt aeq. ; romantic marriage,
44.
Elizabethan ware, 59.
EUenborough, Wedgwoods o^ 348.
Emery, 396.
"Empress's pattern," 212.
Enamel paintings, 337, 338.
Encaustic painting, patent for, 200, 338.
Encaustic vases, 204.
English Samian ware, 14.
Engine lathe, 142.
Engine, steam, 394.
Etruria, 99, 191, 196, et aeq., 204, et teq.,
375 ; founding o^ 191 ; food riots
at, 290, et aeq. ;" erection of Black
Works, 191 ; Dr. Darwin's lines on,
312; Stubbs's painting, 337, 371;
china made at, 381 ; stone china, 382 ;
productions at the present time, 387,
et aeq. ; description of the works, 392,
et aeq. ; foimding of the village, 197 ;
description of the village, 395 ; inns,
395 ; sun and planet motion engine,
394.
Etruria Hall, erection of, 196; vases
under foundation oi, 206; death of
Wedgwood at, 366, 357.
Etruria Jubilee group, 396.
Etruria Works, opening of, 204 ; first
productions of, 205; frrst teapot made
at, 208, 209.
Etruscan Bone MiUs, 39S.
Etruscan -rases, patent for, 200, 337,
355. .
EveraU, 116.
Eye-cups, 220, 338.
Eylshiun, U7.

Fairy pipes, 46, ft aeq.
Faulkner, Dr., 292, 293.
Fenton, potters' kilns, 13 ; A^Tiioldon's
works at, 109.
Fonton, Elijah, tho poet, 74.

INDEX.

427

Fenton, John, 74.
Femeyhough, Rev. WiUiam, monody
on Wedgwood, 357.
Ferrars, badges of, 17, 18 ; piteher, 17.
Findem Academy, 194.
Finney, 396.
Fire, action and properties of, 141, 276,
342, et seq.
Flaxman, John, employed by Wedg
wood, 265, 273; original biUs of,
274, et seq. ; letter of, 274 ; chessmen
by, 277, 282, 283, 328, 364, et seq.,
390, 407 ; medallion portraits of
Wedgwood, 364, et seq.
Fleteher, 105, 106, 117.
Flight and Barr, 318.
Flint, discovery of, 60 ; grinding, 60,
61.
FUnt-infll, 116, 160.
Flowering, 116.
Fond's, St., opinion of Wedgwood's
wares, 345.
Fontana's bust of Wedgfwood, 373.
FouthUl, 354.
Food vessels, Celtic, 10, et seq.
Food riots at Etruria, 290, et seq.
Ford, 405, 414.
Forde, Mary, 72, 73, 75, 76.
Forde, William, 72, 73.
Fordyce, 330.
Forrester, 112.
Fowler, 76.
Fowke, Captain, 406.
Fox, 72, 75.
France, war -with, 309, 380.
French catalogue (see Catalogue),' 217 ;
circulars, 314, 315; description of
inkstand, 338.
Frome, 354.
Fry, Francis, 235.
FiUguri-Polygraph, 178.
Fynney, 76. G.
GaUonier, 34.
Garden tUes, 51.
Gardner, 114.
Gamer, 110, 114.
Gibson, 72, 75, 84.
GUbert, 76.
Gladstone, Right Hon. W. E., 101, 134,
135, 324, et seq., 336 ; dejeune service,
326; Wedgwood china, 381 ; Wedg
wood Memorial Institute, 401, et seq. ;
trowel presented to, 405.
Glaze, green, 108 ; salt, 39 ; lead, 32.
Glazing by salt, 39.
GoodfeUow, 127.
Gotham, 73.

Grand Trunk Canal, 168, et seq.
Granite vases, 187, et seq.
Greatbach, 110, 112.
Great Hucklow, 26.
Great Saredon, 19.
Grecian vases, 337.
Green, 88, 99, 117, 146, 207.
Greenbank, 122.
Green earthenware, 108.
Green glaze, 108.
Greenhead, 39.
GrenouiUiere Palace, service for, 211,
et seq.
Greybeards, 33—35.
Greyshot HaU, 178.
Grinding flints, 60, 61.
Grosvenor, 44.
Guano, china made from, 348.
Guisachan, 286.
Gun-riUe, 379.

Hackwood, 328, 367.
HaU, 414.
HaU, S. C, 150—152, 189, 190, 217, 306,
323, 338, 341, 379, 420.
Halman, 370.
HamUton, 345.
Hamilton, Sir WUliam, 198, et seq., 330.
Hancock, 112.
Handling, 114.
Hanley, 49, 60, 92, 105, 291, 408.
Hanley Mechanic's Institution, 92, 105.
Hanley Museum, 60, 146, 409, 410.
Hareastle tunnel, 174.
Harding, 75.
Hardy, 112.
Hargreaves, 80, 81.
Harley, 122, 160, 405.
Harrison, John, 107, 108.
Hartfield, 375
Hastings, 277.
Hatton, 112, 113, 354.
Hawksbnry, Lord, 318.
Hawson, 81.
Hayley, the poet, 287.
Hay Top, Celtic pottery, 10.
Haywood, 415.
Hazelrigg, 73.
Heath, Joshua, 260.
Heath, Thomas, 56, 414,
Heaton, 112.
Heat, thermometer for measuring, 287,
288, 342, et seq. ; properties of, 141,
275, 287, 288.
Henney, 112.
Henshall, Ann, 71.
Henshall, William, 176.
HerscheU, 276, 279.

428

INDEX.

Hevingham, 293.
Hilders, 73, 75.
HiU, 405.
HiU Works, Burslem, 179.
Hirings of potters, 110, 113, et seq.
Kitchen, 132, 406.
Hitter HUl, Celtic pottery, 11.
Hodges, 362.
HoUins, 73, 75, 168, 169, 2.39.
Holmes, 293.
Holt Castle, 73.
Hope, Beresford, 407.
Hopkins, 44.
Horn, potters caUed by sound of, 1 29,
131.
Horse shoe, 17.
Horsley Heath, 30.
Horton, 72, 74, 75, 158.
Hot Lane, 259, 260.
Ho-rington, 117.
Howard, 20.
Howard of Lichfield, 374.
Huntingdon, 76.
Hutchings, 207.
Huxham, 224.

Incense cups, Celtic, 12.
Inkstand, 218, 220.
Inkstands, description of, 338 — 340 ;
French description of, 340 ; jasper
ware, 341.
Inlaid ware, 390.
Inland navigation 167 (see Canals).
Ironsides, Colonel, 184.
Ivy House, Burslem, 120, 165, et aeq.
I-vy House Works, 99, 120.

Jackson, 115.
Jarvis, 112.
Jasper's dip, invention of, 289.
Jasper ware, 188, 216, et aeq., 320, 323,
et aeq., 388, et aeq. ; of Turner, 320 ;
d(Sjeune ser\'ice, 326 ; vases, 217, 324,
336, 338; beads, &c.,326; cups, 336;
medaUions of Wedgwood, 364, et aeq.
Jenkinson, 277, 279.
Jewitt coUection, examples from, 67,
, 189, 264, 265, 262—264, 368, 371.
Johnson, 99, 277.
Jones, 132.
JonoB, George, 418.
Jonson, Ben, 36.
.loynson, 99.
Jug, 36, 37.

K.
ICaolin, 226, el aeq.
Kauffmann, Angelica, 360, et aeq.
Kedleston HaU, 331.
KeeUng, 396.
Keeling, Anthony, 269.
Keeling, William, 114.
Keene, 77.
Kendal Academy, 194.
Kent, 116.
Kilns, Roman, 13 ; for tiles, 18.
Kingston, Anglo-Saxon pottery, 15, 16.
Kirby, 44.
Kirkby Wiske, 86.
Knife handles, 107, 117, 118.
Kniveton, 293.
Knypersley, 168.

L.
Lacy, Major, 43, 44.
Ladies' head-dresses, 368, et atq.
Lamps, &c., 334.
Lane Delph, 66.
LlangoUen, 364.
Langton, 375.
Lansdo-wne, 330.
Latham, 91.
Lathe, engine, 142.
Laurence, 207.
Lead ore, 32, 33, 184.
Leek, 72—75, 414.
Leicester, 317.
Leigh, 72, 74, 75, 83 — 85, 87.
Lessore, M. Enule, 389.
Lichfield, 49, 90, 91, 354.
Lindsay, 330.
Linley Wood, 165, 213.
" Little pot," 34.
Little Fenton, 109.
Littler, WiUiam, 99, 105, 120, 161, 258,
346.
Liverpool Delft -ware, 67 — 69; print
ing on earthenware, 146 ; Sadler and
Gree n. 146 ; Bentley and Boardman,
194; Octagon chapel, 195.
Lloyd, 420.
London, 95.
London Delft -ware, 57.
Longbeard, 33 — 35.
Longton, 161.
Ijovat, 396.
Loving cups, 25.
Low, 114.
Lowestoft Delft \^^^^e, 67.
Lowndes, 317.
Lucas, J. F., 11, 2.5,>.

INDEX.

429

M.
Maocai-oni hoad-di-osses, 869, et seq.
Maokiutosh, Sir,linues, 375.
Mnekintyve, 405, 406.
Maolcwortli, 288.
Maddock, 406.
Jlaor Hall, 375, 381.
Maiolioa, 388, 389.
Miuadiita ware, 890.
MiLlkin, 82, 12l), 178.
MiiJmosbuvy, Lord, 212.
Maneliester, porti-ait of Avkwviglit,
287, 288.
Manganese, 32.
Manifold writers, 179.
Mansfield, 91.
Mai-bled w-tu-e, 33.
Miwblo mortiu-s, 341.
Marbles used as buUets, 880.
Marlboi-ough, Duke of, 380.
Marriage of Josiah Wedgwood, 155.
MiU'riaife omens, 64.
Mare, 111.
Miu-]oribiuiks, D. C, ooUootion of, ISO,
282.
Markland, Dr. J., 267.
MiU-ks used by Wedgwood, 383, et seq.
Mtvrsli, 83, ub.
Mason, 396.
Jlnw, Messrs., 20.
Jlayor, (i8, 107.
Mayer, JoseiJi, 53, 57, 58, 146, 189,
252, 308, 324, 348, 367, 373, 382, 398,
406.
Mav-pole, 70, 122.
Meiivheath, 112.
Medallion poi-tnuts, cost of, 328, 329 ;
duiabiUtj'of, 329 ; portraits of Wedg
wood, 364, et s(>q. \ porti-aits of Mrs.
AVedgwood, 368 — 371.
Medallions, slave trade, 196 ; black and
white jasper, 215 ; series of, 269, 270 ;
ivstoi-.ition, 309; of elay &t)m >iew
South AVales, 311; cliisses of, 327,
H seq.
Median-iU pottery, 20, 21.
Meerman, Mr. and Jli-s., 277, 279.
Meisfh, C, and Co., 409,
Memoiial jug, 409.
Memorial riug-s, 420.
Memorials to Wedgwood, 397, ct seq.
Metal moulds, 60,
Miles, So.
MUk pans. 145.
Mfllor's Alaid, 150, 151,
MUls, J., 23, 58.
MiU to grind flint, 160.
MiU to grind old folks young again, 151.
Minton and Co., 389.

Minton, Messi-s., 20, 68.
Mitchell, 63, 67, 419.
Miti-e Hotel, 88, 99.
Molo Cop, 30, 39.
Mole, Wedgwood of, 72, 168.
Molynenx, 74.
Monsal Dale, Celtic pottery, 7, 10.
Montague, 330, 421.
Moore, 83.
Moorland butter, 28.
Moorland eheats, 28.
Morgan, 127.
Mortm-s, 341.
Mortar w,ue, 188, 310, 311, 341 ; its
properties, 341, 342,
Moseley, 99.
Mosley 375.
Mosse', the, 72, 73.
Mossleigh, 73.
Mottled -rnu-e, 33, 390.
Mountford, 82, 84.
Mowsley, 73.
Mudge.'Dr., 224.
" Mug," 35.

N.
Napier, 45.
National schools, 98.
KeaJe, 68.
New HaU AVorks, 259, et seq.
New HaU oliina, 259, et seq.
NewcasUe-on-Tj-ne, 414, et seq.
Noweastle-undei'-Lymo, 14, 80, 46, 49.
71, 107.
New Chapel, 71.
NicJioUs, 405.
Norman pottery,17, et seq.
Norris, 53.
Northeote, tie painter, 221.
Nottingham ware, 65.
Nvigent, 277.

O.

Oat cake, 64.
Oatos, 264,
Octagonians, sect of, 194, et seq.
Old clothes given to potters, 113, c^ seq.
'¦ Old HaU" Works, 261, 409,
OUver. 188.
Ovens, 61,
Ovens for salt glaze, 39 ,
Over Tean, CelUe pottery, 7.
¦• Over House," 76, 97, ei seq., 124, 158,
••Over House AA'orks," 125, et aeq.;
productions of, 127, et saq.
O.Kfbrd, 354.

430

INDEX.

Pack-horses, 170, 171.
Paint chests, 338, 341.
Palmer, 39.
PaUssy, 399.
Pancheons, 86, 86.
Papplewick, 354.
Parian, 390.
Parker, 146, 207, 386.
Parkes, 207, 317.
Parkes, Bessie, 317.
Parrish, 60.
Parting cups, 26.
Patent, William Simpson, 36 : Rous
and CuUen, 37 ; Redrich and Jones,
60 ; Ralph Shaw, 62 ; Benson's, 60,
61 ; Wedgwood's, for encaustic paint
ing, 200.
Payne, 113.
Pearl body, 390.
Pedigree of Yorkshire Wedgwoods, 85.
Penna-polygraph, 179.
Pensnett Chase, 49.
Percival, 267.
Petunste, 226, et aeq.
¦phUlips, 313.
Phipps, 44.
Photographs, early, 360, et seq.
Photography discovered by Thomas
Wedgwood, 377, et seq.
PUeing, 113.
Pipes, tobacco, 46, et seq.
Ktehers, 17, 18, 86.
" Pitt-pots," 345.
Pitt, Wmiam, 344, 345.
Plates, tortoiseshell, 118; Queen's ware,
151.
Plot, Dr, on butter-pots, 28; on pot
ter's clays, 30 ; on tobacco pipes, 49 ;
on tobacco pipe clay, 49 ; on garden
tUes, 61.
Plymouth china, 223, et seq.
Pointon, 127.
Polygraphic pictures by Eginton, 350,
et seq.
Poole, 293.
Porphyry vases, 187, ct seq., 336.
Porringers, 86.
PorUand Vase, sale of, 306, 307, 330,
400 ; placed in Wedgwood's posses
sion, 307 ; first fifty copies, 307.
Portland, Duchess of, 306, et seq. ; Duke
of, 307, el seq.
Portrait medallions, cost of, 328, c^ seq. ;
of Wedgwood, 364, et seq. (see Jle-
dalUons, &e.)
Portrait modeller, Chinese, 209.
Portrait of AVedgwood by l{e\-nolds,
370 ; by Stubbs, 370,

Portrait of Wedgwood's family, by
Stubbs, 370 ; engraved, 370,
Porous ware, 390,
Port, Mrs., 212.
Port HiU, 259, 260.
Posset, 64, 66.
PoBset-pota, 64, 65.
Pot, 34.
Pot butter, 29.
Pot shards, 113.
Potteries of Staffordshire, early history
of, 1, et aeq. ; state oi, 171.
Potter to the Queen, 140.
Potter's wheel, 104, 130.
Potters, hirings 0^ 113; earnest money,
113 ; difficulty in keeping time, 129 ;
wages of^ 113; caUed by sound of
horn, 129, 131 ; caUed by sound of
beU, 129, 131, 132.
Pottery, Celtic, 4, et aeq; Romano-
British, 13, et aeq. ; Anglo-Saxon,
16, et aeq. ; medixval, 20, 21 ; Nor
man, 17, et aeq. ; Tudor period, 21 ;
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
22, et aeq.
Pottle pot, 34.
Pot- works, Norman, 17.
Priestley, Dr. 194, 420, 421.
Printing, blue, 391.
Printing on earthenware, 146.
PuUeine, Rev. R, 86.
Punches, Anglo-Saxon, 16.
Puzzle jugs, account of^ 51, et atq. ;
Wedgwood's, 51, 86.
Q.
Queen Charlotte, Wedgwood presents
a caudle service to, 129.
" Queen's pattern," 140.
" Queen's Potter," 118, 132, 139, 140,
143.
Queen Street, 143.
" Queen's ware," 118, 143, 144, et aeq.,
188, 320, et aeq., 390; first made, US,
132; teapots, 161 ; plates, 152; centre
and side pieces, 152.
R.
Rand, 72.
Rasbotham, 2C7.
Rathbone, IJenson, coUection, 189, 324,
338.
Rcilfem, F., 6, 28.
Red Hall. 163,
Rod HUl, 40.
Red Lion AVedgwoods, 157.
Redrich and Jones, 60.
Red -ware, 391.

INDEX.

431

Reeks, 61.
"ReUquary," the, 10, 17.
Reynolds of Bristol, 324.
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 182, 277, 287,
313, 350, 370, 395 ; on Portland Vase,
313.
Rhodes, 207.
Richards, 127.
Eidgehotise estate, 191.
Eidgway, 399.
Eiggs, Charles, 46, 48, 49.
Riots at Etruria, 290, et seq.
Eoads, state of the, 153, 162, et seq., I70.
Roberts, 207.
Robinson, 127.
Rockingham ware, 391.
RoUeston, 375.
Eomano-British pottery, 13, et seq.
Roman pottery, 13, et seq. ; potters'
kUns, 13 ; roads, 14.
Eoot pots, 336.
Eous and CuUen, patent, 37.
Eous, Thomas, 37.
" Eoyal pattern," 140.
Rubens, 350.
Rvunp ParUament, 73.
Russia, service for empress of, 211, et
seq., 269.
Eutland, 409.
Ryder, 416.

Sadler, 146.
Sadler and Green, 146.
Saggers, 116.
SaUsbury, 354.
Salt glazing, 39.
Samian ware, 14.
Sans, WUliam, 24.
Saqui, 234.
Saxon china, 317.
Saxony, treaty -with, 317.
Scarsdale, Lord, 331.
Scheemakers, 266.
Scotia Road, Burslem, 125.
Scropton, Derbyshire, 193, 266.
Seabridge, 375.
Seals, 327.
Ser-rice for Emperor of Russia, 211.
Seton, 179.
Shakspeare, 266.
Shards, 113.
Shaw, 112, 148, 168.
Shaw, Dr., 20, 29, 4l, 72, 109, 158.
Shaw, Margaret, 76, 126.
Shaw, Ralph, 62, 63 ; trial, 63.
Shawds, 113.
Shelton, Celtic pottery, 7 ; iron works,
7 ; stone ware, 33.

Shelton, 47, 49, 74, 269, et seq., 291 ;
New HaU Works, 259, et seq.
SheUey, Percy Bysche, 180.
Shepherd, 293.
Shirratt, 72, 158.
Shoe Lane, Burslem, 120.
Shrivenham, 354.
Shrinking of clays, 275.
Shropshire, Roman pottery, 14 ; clays
of, 49. •
Shuckburgh, 354.
Shuter, 207.
Siddons, Mrs., 274, 279.
Siddons, Mr., 274.
Simcock, 207.
Simpson, William, petition of, 36.
Simpson, 82, 115.
Skinner, 385.
Slave trade medaUion, 196 ; Darwin's
Unes on, 312.
Sleigh, 74.
SUp, orange, 31, 32; white, 31, 32;
red, 31, 32 ; kUns, 60, 99.
SmaU pox, 101.
Snules, error regarding Wedgwood,
89 ; Harecastle tunnel, 174.
Smith, 72, 76, 255, 293, 294.
Smith and Co., of Stockton, injunction
against, 386.
Smithum, 32.
Soho Works, Birmingham, 129, 350, et
seq.
Specification for encaustic painting,
200, et seq.
Spitting pots, 345.
Spode, 68, 108, UO, 114, 115.
Spode, Josiah, apprenticeship, 114;
future hirings, 115.
Stafford assizes, 293.
Staffordshire, early potteries of, 1, et
seq. ; bad roads, 162 ; state of the
people, 171 ; case of the potters, 246 ;
introduction of china manufacture
into, 258, et seq. ; teapot, verses on,
422 ; reason to be proud of Wedg
wood, 422.
Stained glass, by Eginton, 354, 365.
Staining, 60.
Stamfords of Derby, 212, 213, 264, 266,
316.
Stananer, 112.
St. Andrew, 72.
Stanley, 39.
Stanner, 112.
Stannor, 354.
Stanton Moor, Celtic pottery, 12.
Stanway, 396.
St. Cloud, 422.
Steele, 139.
Stenson, 348.

432

INDEX.

StUe Cop, 49.
Stilts, 63.
Stockdale, 313.
Stoekley, 112, 113.
Stockton pottery, 386.
Stoke, 20, l(f7, 146.
Stoke-upon-Trent, burial of Josiah
Wedgwood, 356, et aeq. ; monument
of, 359, 372; memorial statue, 373,
397, et seq. ; monument to Mrs.
Wedgwood, 382.
Stone china, 382.
Stone, cinerary um, 6.
Stone pots, 36, 37.
Stoneware, 33, 37, 69, 159 ; Aaron
Wedgwood's, 169.
Stouking, 31, 105.
Stringer, Mary, 84, 158.
Stringer, Samuel, 91.
Stuart, 266.
Stubbs, George, animal painter, 337,
370 ; paints family group, 337, 370,
371 ; enamel paintings, 337, 338 ;
portraits of Wedgwood, 370.
Stubbs, George To-wnley, engraver, 370.
Sudbury, 74.
Sun and planet motion engine, 394.
Sundorn, 364.
Sun pans, 60.
Sutton, TJriah, 118.
Swan Square, Burslem, 122.
Sydnope, 374.

Tablets, 329, et seq., 337.
Talor, wmiam, 23.
Taylor, 142, 178, 182, 183, 415, 416.
Tea equipages, 334.
Tean, Celtic pottery, 7.
Teapots, Queen's ware, 161 ; crabstock
pattern, 209 ; designed by Flaxman,
274.
Telegraph, electric, invention of, 178,
180, et seq.
Telwright, 19.
Terra-cotta, 187—189, 214.
Tewksbury, 354.
Thermometer for measuring heat, 287,
288, 342, et seq.
Thomson, Dr. A. Todd, 317.
Thornbridge, 317.
Thraves, 113.
Thrower, 89, 104.
Throwley, Celtic pottery, 12.
Thurlow, Lord, 344.
TUes, encaustic, 19 ; for gardens, 51 ;
printed, 146.
TUo Wright, 19.
Tipton, 30.

Tobacco pipe clay, 49.
Tobacco pipes, 46, et aeq.
Toft, Ralph, 24, 25.
Toft, Thomas, 23, 24.
Tomlinson and Seton, 179.
Toot HUl, 6.
TortoisesheU ware, 116, 118.
"Tough Tom," 66.
TownhaU, Burslem, 122.
Toys and chimney ornaments, 109.
Transfer printing, introduction of, 146,
et aeq.
Treaty with Saxony, 317.
Tregonin clays, 226.
Trencher pattern, 140.
Trentham, cinerary um, 5, 6 ; food
vessels, 10.
Trial, Ralph Shaw, 62, 63.
Triangles, 63.
Tripods, 334.
Troutbeck, 74.
Tub butter, 29.
" Tumblers," origin of, 17.
TumbreU, 112.
Tunbridge ware, 390.
TunstaU, 99, 100, 259, et aeq., 349.
Tunstead, 174.
Tumer, 68, 164, 194, 259, 321.
Turner's jasper ware, 321.
Turnpike roads, improvement oi, 162,
170.
Turk's Head, 12'2.
Turnham Green, 265.
Turnhurst, 71.
Twigg, 405.
Twigg, WE., 124.
Twyford, 42, 95.
Tygs, 22, 26.
Tylor, 375.
TyrreU, 348. U.
Udale, 293.
I'mtarian reUgion, 421 ; chapel at
Newcastle, 421.
f ttoxetor, Celtic um, 6; Eoman uin,
14 ; butter pots. 27—29,

A".

A'eining, 60, 113.
A' enables, 73, 74.
A'ernon, Lord, 44. AV.
Wages paid to potters, 113, et seq., 2C8.
AValgrangi\ 72.
AValfcy, 385.

INDEX,

433

AA^anstead, 361.
AVarburton, 90, 259, 260.
AVai-d, Burslem dialogue, 63, 163 ; error
ooneerning liontley, l(i5.
AVan-ington Aeadeiuy, 194.
AVorwick, 317.
AVater-oloset fittings, 220.
AVatson, 293.
AVatt, 238 ; sun nnd planet motion
engine, 394,
AVaveing, 31.
AVax models, Flaxman's, 283, et seq.,
278, etseq., 328, 239 ; Ladv Temple's,
285.
Wedgwood memorials, 397, et seq.
AVedgwood "Memorial Institute," 101,
373, 400, et seq. ; description of, 400,
et .s-eq. ; Mr, Gladstone lays first stone
of, 402.
AVedgwood, pedigree of, 158.
AVedgwood puzzle jug, 61, 86.
AVedgwood statue, 373, 397, et seq.
AN'edgwood, township of, 71.
AVedgwoods of the " liig House," 76,
12(), 123, 13-2, 157, 158, 160, 161 ; of
Blaekwood, 72; ofthe "Chui-ehvard,"
77, 83, 88, 91, 96, 123, 13'2, I08 ; of
Cumberland, 61 ; of Derby, 346—348;
of EUenborough, 348 ; of Harracles,
72—71, 157 ; "bf Liverpool, 178 ; of
Uie Mole, 72, 15S ; of the "Over
House," 76, 97, 158 ; of the " Red
Lion," 157; of Smallwood, 166, 158;
of Wedgwood, 72; of AN'estniorcland,
61 ; of Yearsley, 85 ; of Yorkshu-e,
61,85, 179: ballad of ditto, 86; wares
of ditto, 85.
Wedgwood, Dorothy, 74 ; John, 51, 72,
73," 81, 8-2, 84, 90, 91, 126, 127, 157,
168, 160; Dr. Thomas, 65, 66, 83;
Buralem, 72, 158; Egerton 72, 73;
Eiilph, 72; Mary, 72, 83—85, 87,
90—92, 127, 158', 161; wiU of ditto,
88, et seq. ; AA''ilUam, 73, 76, 85, 86,
158; Anne, 72, 85, 158; Marg-axet,
72, 83, 86, 90; Ai-thm-, 73; Eliza,
72; Charles, 73; Gilbert, 76, 126,
157 — 159; Timotliy, 71; Joseph, 76,
99, 158; Abner, S3, 85, 93, 178;
Moses, 76, 158 ; Daniel, 83 ; Aliee,
84, 158 ; Aai-on, 76, 83—85, 90, 91,
99, 105, 120, 158, 169, 178; stone
ware of ditto, 159 ; Aaron and Mary
buried in one day, 159 ; Aaron AVedg
wood and Littlin- ; Thomfis, 76, 81,
83, 84, 87—92, 96, 123—127, 157—
160, 177, ef .wq. 220, 258: invents
electric telegraph, 178 ; Ricliard, 82,
84, 86, 90, 104, 105, 120, 127, 155, 158:
wiU of ditto, 82, 83 ; Margaret, 76,

et seq., 158 ; Thomas, wUl of, 77, 90 :
death of, 89 ; partner of Josiah, 177,
('/ seq. ; Catherine, 82, 83, 86, 90, 127,
158; Thomas and John, 120, 157,
159, ef seq.; Josiah, 8^; Maria, 85;
Jane, 85, 127, 158 ; Sanmel, 85, 187 ;
Isabel, 85, 127 ; Siu-ah, 127, 155, 205 ;
Francis, 205 ; Aai'On, 258, 346 ; Abner,
348 ; invents china from guano, 348 ;
Amy, 318; .Tolm, 313,314, 319, 372,
374—376, 415— 420; Jonathan, 346—
348 : artieles ofagreenient with AVil-
liam Duesbury, 347, 348 ; Josiah the
seeond, 313, 314, 319, 372, 375—378,
380, 381, 414, 416, ef seq. ; Josiah tho
thii-d, 375, 381 ; Josiah and Thomas,
aid to Coleridge, 377, et seq.; Tho
mas, 313, 314," 372, 375, 377, 378,
413, ef .v,j., 415, 417—419: invents
photography, 378 ; reseai-ehes into
light, 378, ef seq. ; Lieut. -Colonel
Thomas •losiah, 375 ; Mai'garet, 315 ;
Jlavy, 348, 375; Sai-ah, 337, 372,
37(i,'3S2, 413, 415, 419 ; Sarah Eliza
beth, 375: death of, 382; Enoch, 349;
John Taylor, 370 ; Fi-ancis, 370, 375,
3S;i, 385; Catherine, 372, 376, 415,
419; Caroline Louisa Jane, 375;
Charlotte, 375 ; Mary Anne, 372,
376 ; Eichai-d, 372, 375 ; Susanna,
372, 374, 415, 419; Henry AUen,
375 ; Jolm AUen, 375 ; Eev. Eobei-t,
375; Oodfi-ey, 357, 383; Clement,
375, 383 ; Frances, 375 ; Joseph,
418 ; Hensleigh, 375 ; Emma, 375.
AA'edgwood Place, Bm-slem, 124.
AVedgwood Street, Bm-slem, 120.
AVedgwood, Josiah, birth of, 85, 87; re
gister of baptism, 87 ; as a chUd, 88 ;
as a thrower, 89, 105 ; death of his
father, 89 ; legaey of .^20, 91 ; letters
of, 220; indenture of apprenticeship, '
92 ; iUness, 101 ; death of his mother,
10(i ; expiration of apprenticeship,
107 ; enters in partnei-ship -with Har
rison, 107 ; with A^^lieldon, 108, 116 ;
tortoisesheU -ware, 116, 117 ; first
makes Queen's -ware, 118; termina
tion of pai-tnei-ship -witli '\\Tiioldon,
119; returns to Burslem, 119; takes
the I\"y House, 120 ; enters upon
another pot-work, 129; calls pottei-s
to work by beU, 132; at the BeU
AVovlcs, lS2,etseq.; appointed Queen's
potter, 134; merit of his commoner
works, 135 ; Mi-. Gladstone's estimate
of the exeellenoe of his works, 134, et
seq. ; presents a caudle serrice to the
queen, 139 ; adapts tlio engine lathe
to pottery, 142 ; Queen's -wai-e, 144,

F F

434

INDEX.

et seq. ; objects to take out patcnt.s,
144 ; introduction of printing on
earthenware, 146, et seq. ; sends his
earthenware to Liverpool to be
printed, 150 ; improvement of turn
pike roads, 153, 162, 170; marries
his cousin, Sarah Wedgwood, 155;
takes the Ivy House at Burslem,
155 ; pedigree of Josiah and .Sarah,
158 ; project for new school at Bur
slem, 161; visits Liverpool, 164;
Ulness there, 164 ; introduction to
Thomas Bentley, 164 ; promotes the
Grand Trunk Canal, 167, et seq. ;
offers £1,000 towards it, 169 ; cuts
the first sod of the canal, 173 ; takes
Thomas Wedgwood into partnership,
177 ; imports clay from North Ame
rica, 183 ; researches into clays, 184 ;
tf aeq. ; invents " Basaltes,' ' or "Egyp
tian Black" ware, 186, 187, et aeq. ;
his inventions of bodies, 187, et seq. ;
purchases Eidge House estate, 191 ;
founds the works at Etruria, 191 ;
erection of Black Works, 191 ; takes
Thomas Bentley into partnership,
193 ; founds the vUlage of Etruria,
197 ; takes out patent for encaustic
painting, &c., 200 ; his specification,
201 ; throws the first vases, -with
Bentley at the wheel, 204 ; estab
hshment at Chelsea, 207 ; audience
of the king and queen, 210 ; service
for the Empress of Russia, 211 ;
issues his first catalogue, 213; hon
ourable commercial principles, 218 ;
opposes the extension of patent right
in Cornish stone and clay, 237 ;
presents a memorial to parliament,
237 ; controversy -with Champion,
238, et seq. ; enters into partnership
-with Carthew, 263 ; employs John
Flaxman, 265 ; death of Thomas
Bentley, 265; elected F.E.S., 287;
portraits painted, 287 ; experiments
on black wadd, 288 ; thermometer
for measuring heat, 288, et seq. ;
chamber of commerce, 288 ; riots at
Etruria, 290, ef seq. ; "Address to the
A'oung Inhabitants ofthe Potteries,"
292, et seq. ; Portland Vaso, 306, et seq. ;
letter of, concerning Portiand A'ase,
fee, 308 ; introduces elay from New-
South AA'alcs; commemorative me
dallion, 311; copied at So\Tes, 312;
Dr. Darwin's lines on, 312 ; issues his
first fifty copies of the Portland A'ase,
313 ; takes his sons and nephew into
partnership, 313 ; promotes the treaty
of commerce witliSaxony, 318; tenders

£1,000 in aid of a National gaUery of
sculpture, 312 ; classes into which
he divided his productions, 326, et
aeq. ; analysis of catalogues, 327, et
seq. ; femUy group painted by Stubbs,
337 ; thermometers for measuring
heat, description of, 342, et aeq.; lam
poon about "Pitt-pots," ire, 344;
exceUence of his wares attested by
St. i'ond and others, 345 ; letter of,
concerning Etruscan vases, &c., 355 ;
lafct iUness and death, 356, et seq.,
359 ; his burial at Stoke-upon-Trent,
366, 357 ; monody on, by Eev. AV.
Femeyhough, 357, 358; obituary
notices, 359, et aeq. ; portraits ofi 364,
ef aeq. ; busts and statues of, 372,
373 ; his chUdren and their de
scendants, 374, et seq. ; letter o^ 376 ;
pubUc statue to, 373, 397, et aeq. ;
Memorial Institute at Burslem, 401,
et aeq. ; memorial jug, 409 ; cabinet
of trials, &c., 410, 411, 416; charac
teristics, 412, et seq. ; his wfll, 413 ;
friendship with Dr. Priestley and
others, 420 ; his religious views, 421 ;
what he did for Staffordshire, 421,
422.
Wedgwood and .Sons, Etruria Works,
and their productions, 387, et aeq. ;
JubUee group, 396.
Wedgwood and Co., 384, ei aeq. ; injunc
tion against, 385.
Wedgwood marks, 3 S3, et at/}.
AA'edgwood mortars, 311.
Wednesbury, 30, 49.
Welchman, 44.
Wesley, John, visits the Potteries, 172.
Westa'bv, 116.
AA'est, Beniimun, 330, 350.
AA'etton, Celtic pottery, 10, 12, 14.
A\'Tieatstone. 180.
AVhieldon, Thomas, 67, 108—111, 116,
118 ; account of hirings, 110 ; buUds
new works, HI ; high sheriff of
Staffordshire, 119.
¦White stone -ware, 59, 159.
A\'hito porcelain bisque, 178.
AATiitworth, 171, 172.
AA'Uoox, 207.
AVillet, Eev. Mr., 421.
Willets, 91.
AVilUams, 127, 261.
WiUiams, Sir C. H., 421.
WUlington, 170.
AViUingsworth, 49.
AViU of Josiah Wedg-wood, 413, et siq.
AViU of Thomas AVedgwood, 1678, 77 ;
1739,90.
AVindmiU, Brindley's, 160.

INDEX.

435

Winsford, 170.
Winstanley, 207.
Winter, 213.
Wolsey, 73.
Wolverhampton, 352.
Wood, 61, 68, 109, 112, 113, 127.
Wood, Aaron, indenture of apprentice
ship, 66, 67.
Wood, Ralph, 66, 67.
Wood, SaraK, 67, 106.
Wood, Susan, 146, 146.
Woodall, W., 405, 406.
Woolstanton, 71, 72, 81, 337.
Worcester, 179.
Worcester, Flight & Barr, 318, 354.
Wright of Derby, 166, 204, 287,

Wrottesley House, 49,
Wyck, 194.
Wynne, 330. Y.
Yates, 39, 68.
Yearsley, 85, 86.
Yeomana, 178.
Y'orkshire Wedgwoods, 61, 86 ; their
wares, 86 ; baUad of, 86 ; puzzle jug,
Youlgreave, Celtic pottery, 9; Toft
famUy, 24.
Younghusband, 45.
Y'oxall, Celtic pottery, 6.

THE END.

JA.MES S. VIBXUE, PEISTJSE, CITY KOAD, LOKDOM.

IMPORTANT WORK TO COLLECTORS OF WEDGWOOD WARE.

Preparing for Publication, in One Volume 8i-o. ,
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, A^
ANALYSIS OF THE CATALOGUES
ISSVr.D BY
JOSIAH WEDGWOOD
\yrD BY
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SHOWING
THE DATES WHEN THE V-\E10US MED.VLLIOXS, BAS-REI.IEFS,
C.iMEOS, INTAGLIOS, VASES, BCSTS,
AND OTHER PRODVCTIOXS OF THE GRE.\T POTTER,
AND THE DIFFERENT WARES INVENTED BT HIM,
WERE FIRST INTRODrCED.
BY
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Makoh, 1865.

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