240 Porcelain and Earthenware. 



countries of Europe, to imitate it. ' The chemists and mineralogists 

 of Germany, engaged with great eagerness, in endeavoring to find 

 appropriate materials, and in combining them in the most advanta- 

 geous proportions. Accident at length disclosed the mysteries of 

 this art, where the most strenuous efforts had failed of success. The 

 Baron de Botticher, a German alchemist, was thrown into prison on 

 suspicion of his having in possession the philosopher's stone. Noth- 

 ing daunted, he pursued his researches with inflexible perseverance, 

 and on one occasion, he discovered that a crucible which he had sub- 

 jected to the most intense heat, had become perfect porcelain, re- 

 sembling in quality, the best oriental china. This discovery laid the 

 foundation of the celebrated manufactory at Dresden, which soon 

 became the first in Europe, and which rivals the best wares of the 

 east. The greatest secrecy is maintained respecting these works. 

 They are established within the walls of the fortress of Meissen on 

 the Elbe, three miles from Dresden. Seven hundred workmen are 

 employed, who are all close prisoners, and subject to arrest, if they 

 are found without the walls. There is no admittance to this strong- 

 hold, without an especial order from the governor of Dresden.* 

 About the same period, several manufactories for porcelain, were 

 set up in Germany, and conducted with impenetrable secrecy. At 

 this date also, a manufactory was established at Florence, where 

 statues and groups were modelled from some of the finest antiques. 



The government of France instructed the Jesuit missionaries, who 

 penetrated China, to inquire into the particular processes, and to collect 

 specimens of the materials employed by the Chinese. The Father 

 de Entrecolles had the address to obtain some of the substances, with 

 many details concerning the art, which were sent to France. The 

 celebrated Reaumur entered upon the most severe analyses of the 

 various ingredients; and after great labor and many disappointments, 

 he succeeded in imitating the porcelains of China in 1727. These 

 chemical examinations were the origin of the royal manufactory at 

 Sevres near Paris, and the kings of France, and Poland, munificently, 

 patronized establishments for the improvement of this art, which 

 were too expensive for private adventure. 



The European manufactories, which approach the nearest to the 

 most perfect Chinese porcelain, and in the style of painting, excel 

 even the Chinese, are, the one at Dresden ; the king of Prussia's at 



* Wraxall's Memoirs 



