ON DERBYSHIRE PLUMBERY, OR WORKINGS IN LEAL). 83 



front and back of the tank are alike in their ornamentation, and 

 so, too, are the ends. In the centre of the larger sides, above a 

 conventional piece of foliage, is a well-designed group of two seated 

 amorini, the boy, at whose feet is a basket of flowers, holding a 

 wreath of roses over the girl. At each side is a bird on the tendril 

 of a grape-vine, pecking at the fruit ; the bird is perhaps intended 

 for a pea-hen. On each of the ends are two medallions, the one 

 representing a female feeding an eagle, and the other a female 

 feeding a stork. The larger sides also bear the initials R. A., and 

 the date, 1794. It is almost needless to remark that the initials 

 stand for the celebrated Sir Richard Arkwright. 



The manner of making these cisterns or tanks was as follows : — 

 The size of the four sides was measured out, and the dimensions 

 of the side first to be cast having been taken, slips of wood on 

 which the outer mouldings had been previously cut, were pressed 

 upon the sand, thus leaving their impression ; and in the same 

 way figures of birds, of foliage, or of whatever was required were 

 pressed upon the internal surface of the smoothed sand from 

 carved moulds, usually of wood, but sometimes of lead. The 

 casting-table was of wood bound with iron, and was covered with 

 fine smooth sand, on to which the lead was run. 



In the Hall garden, at Chaddesden, Derby, is a leaden tank 

 4 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. and 2 ft. deep ; on a leaden plate on the pump 

 above it is the Wilmot crest, with the initials, R. M. W., and the 

 date 1773. These are the initials of Sir Robert Mead Wilmot, 

 Bart., who died in 1793. 



It is very possible many excellent specimens of lead work in the 

 county of Derby are here left unnoticed ; it will be a pleasure to 

 learn from correspondents of particulars of any others, which may 

 perhaps lead to a supplementary article. But however unfinished 

 or imperfect this article may be, it may certainly, we believe, lay 

 claim to this — that it is the first attempt made in any county or 

 district of putting together that which is beautiful or interesting in 

 the old art-treatment of a now too neglected material, which 

 might be put to so many effective uses by builders and architects. 



