410 Professor T. E. Thorpe [May 4, 



tion of the Home Secretary to have their glazes tested in the Govern- 

 ment laboratory, are now producing lead fritts, the solubility of which 

 is even below tbe standard provisionally suggested in the Home Office 

 circular. 



I am not sufficiently sanguine, however, to suppose that the 

 adoption of these measures will altogether stamp out plumbism in the 

 potteries, even as regards glazes. We may possibly have scotched 

 the evil, but I fear we have not absolutely killed it. 



For it must be clearly understood that complete immunity from 

 lead poisoning can never be obtained so long as lead compounds 

 continue to be used. 



The question may be asked — Are lead compounds actually 

 necessary to the potter ? 



I unhesitatingly reply that as regards glazes they are not. 



Leadless glazes of sufficient brilliancy, covering power, 'and 

 durability, and adapted to all kinds of table, domestic, and sanitary 

 ware, are now within the reach of the manufacturer. 



Leadless glazes can be applied without difficulty to the large and 

 varied class of ware which is known as "china furniture." They 

 are equally applicable to white, cream, buff, and printed tiles. Insu- 

 lators and electric fittings of the most varied kind can readily be 

 coated with leadless glaze. 



It was pointed out in the report to the Home Secretary, to which 

 I have alluded, that much of the ware supplied to the order of various 

 Government Departments, such as the Post Office, the Office of 

 Works, the Admiralty, the War Office, the India Office, &c, could be 

 dipped in leadless glaze, if so specified, without detriment to its 

 character, and with no increase to its cost. The articles supplied to 

 the various School Boards, the crockery and sanitary ware furnished 

 to Poor-Law Unions, Asylums, and Hospitals, could also, if so specified, 

 be coated with leadless glaze. 



As the result of this representation, wares made with leadless 

 glaze are now in actual use by some departments of the Government, 

 and steps are being taken by other departments for tbeir introduc- 

 tion. 



Lord Eeay informs me that the London School Board has resolved 

 to insert a clause in all specifications for new works strictly pro- 

 hibiting the use of any pottery goods involving lead glaze wherever 

 practicable. I can only hope that this example will be widely 

 followed. 



There can be no doubt that if the public insisted on being sup- 

 plied with leadless-glazed ware its demands would be met. 



The fact that the use of leadless glazes has passed beyond the 

 experimental stage is so obvious that the Secretary of State now 

 proposes to relax the special rules issued by the Factory Department 

 in regard to the pottery industry in the case of factories or processes 

 in which no compounds of lead are used. 



Any manufacturer who decides to abandon the use of lead in any 



