It should not be forgotten that Wedgwood's success was not the result of any fortunate discovery accidentally made, but that it was due to patient investigation and unremitting efforts. In prosecuting his investigations, he was guided by sound scientific principles, while, with ardent and indefatigable energy, he devoted himself entirely to the object. At the same time, he sought a higher class of workmen than had formerly been employed, to assist him in his labours, and was well seconded by their industrious ingenuity. By varying and repeating his experiments, he succeeded in discovering the mode of manufacturing many other descriptions of earthenware and porcelain, adapted to various purposes of use and ornament. While thus carrying on his improvements, he applied himself to the study of chemistry; and for his further assistance engaged Mr. Chisholme (who had been employed in a similar department by the celebrated Dr. Lewis, author of the "Commercium PhilosophicoTechnicum"), for whom he not only built a comfortable habitation near the manufactory, but, with generous liberality, when the infirmities of age had disabled him, allowed him an annuity for his support, which was continued till his death.

At the period when Wedgwood commenced his career, the means of intercourse were miserably insufficient. Pottery wares were conveyed in small crates, by pack-horses, or carts, along the wretched roads, while materials for the manufacture travelled after the same fashion. No sooner was the idea of the canal

system started than Wedgwood, immediately perceiving its immense advantages, not only to himself but to all engaged in the pottery trade, eagerly cooperated with Brindley, who was then projecting the "Grand Trunk," and actually turned up the first clod of earth for it, in his own neighbourhood. Immediately on the passing of the Act, he bought the land on which the village of Etruria now stands (and which is intersected by the canal), and commenced the erection of his manufactory while the canal was digging. There, in the summer of 1769, he set to work and built a large mansion for himself, at a convenient distance from the works, and suitable dwellings for his workpeople. This is now a neat village, presenting a scene of industrious and profitable labour, the sight of which cannot fail to recall most pleasantly the memory of its celebrated originator.

Finally, leaving Burslem, he removed thither in 1771. About this period, the antique specimens of terra-cotta collected by Sir W. Hamilton at Naples, awakened much interest. They were called Etruscan vases, and exhibited fine specimens of an art the secret of which had been lost for ages. Mr. Wedgwood immediately set about imitating them, and soon, by the aid of encaustic colours of his own composition, produced a series of the most accurate and beautiful copies, which sold at a high price and met with a large demand. It was from this new branch of his art that he called his mansion Etruria, which classical appellation is abbreviated among the population

of the district into the familiar-sounding name of "Trury."

In the mean time Mr. Wedgwood had opened a warehouse in London, where the productions of his skill were offered to inspection, and in his partner, Mr. Richard Bentley (son of the Archdeacon Bentley, of Ely), he found a valuable coadjutor, whose extensive knowledge in many departments of literature and science, and acquaintance with many eminent patrons of art, greatly assisted him in the higher branches of his manufacture, and especially in obtaining the loan of specimens of sculpture, vases, cameos, intaglios, medallions, and seals, suitable for imitation by some of the processes he had discovered.

We learn from Dr. Bancroft, that almost all the finely diversified colours which were applied by our artist in his pottery were produced only by the oxides of iron. In the manufacture of the beautiful jasper ware, which rivalled the productions of antiquity, and which found its way into the collections of the curious in all parts of Europe, he employed the native sulphate of barytes, and from this use of it derived great profit, till, by the treachery of a servant, the secret was disclosed and sold, when others employed inferior workmen at a reduced salary, and thus prevented him from employing his exquisite modellers on that branch of the manufacture.

Six other distinct inventions in earthenware and porcelain are ascribed to Wedgwood, besides the Queen's ware, all of which continue to be produced. 1. A

terra-cotta, resembling porphyry and granite; 2. The basalt, or black ware, which strikes fire with steel, receives a high polish, serves as a touchstone for metals, resists all acids, and bears the strongest fire without injury; 3. The white biscuit-porcelain, of a smooth, wax-like surface, and of similar properties to the basalt; 4. The jasper ware, so much admired, with its beautiful blue body and pure white raised figures; 5. The bamboo or cane-coloured biscuit porcelain ; 6. A porcelain admirably adapted for mortars and other vessels used by chemists.

The most remarkable of all his productions, and the one which has been considered his masterpiece, was his perfect imitation of the Barberini or Portland vase, which was discovered in the tomb of Alexander Severus. On its being offered for sale in London, he wished to purchase it, and bid high against the Duchess of Portland, until, his object being ascertained, he was offered the loan of the treasure for an indefinite period. It was then knocked down to the duchess for the sum of 1,800 guineas. Fifty copies of it were executed, and sold at the price of £50 each; but so great was the expense of its production, that it exceeded the amount thus obtained. Mr. Webber is said to have received 500 guineas merely for modelling it.

The prosperity attained by Mr. Wedgwood at this period of his career was quite unprecedented, both as to the interest excited by his extraordinary talents and the consequent remuneration he obtained; but the results of his skill and energy were far from being

confined to his private advantage. They were, in a high degree, valuable to the commercial interests of the country.

In 1785 he was examined before a parliamentary committee, and from the evidence he gave, the importance of the Staffordshire manufactures to the national interests became apparent. He stated in evidence, that from 15,000 to 20,000 people were then employed in the district called the Potteries, and much greater numbers in digging coals for them, and in preparing flints and clays for the manufacture. He showed the immense amount of inland carriage they created, and the employment they afforded to coasting vessels, even then amounting to 20,000 tons annually. From various other particulars, he illustrated the prosperous state of the manufacture, which he further proved by the statement that, notwithstanding the intolerable duties laid on British ware by foreign states, at least five-sixths of the quantity made were exported. His modesty led him to state that he considered the art of pottery but then in its infancy-a conjecture which has not been verified by subsequent experience.

In the year 1783 he was elected a member of the Royal Society, and in 1786 of the Society of Antiquaries. He carried on an extensive correspondence with the most eminent scientific men, both at home and abroad, and published various pamphlets on the subject of his business, particularly an address to the workmen in the Potteries, dissuading them from