RAMBLES IN CORNWALL. 43 



these pits the mixed water and clay look quite 

 milky, and it is not at all unlikely that the tourist 

 may suspect that he has discovered the source of 

 Cornish cream you must not say Devonshire 

 cream in Cornwall or you are sure to be rebuked 

 for your levity but let us hope that cows are as 

 plentiful in Cornwall as China clay is abundant. 



The clay is taken from the " pits" into the tanks, 

 where the fluid gradually becomes thicker, and after 

 that it is poured into long, shallow pans built over 

 flues. Here the drying process goes on until the 

 substance is firm enough to bear being cut into 

 squares of about nine inches. After a time these 

 squares may be shovelled out, and the blocks of 

 clay are ready to be transported to the pottery. 

 If Cornwall were only blessed with coal, it might 

 rival the Severn and Staffordshire. But the making 

 of porcelain requires such great heat that the cost 

 of bringing coal to the clay renders Cornish 

 potteries an impossibility. It is cheaper to send 

 the clay to the coal than to bring the coal to the 

 clay. 



Besides being used in the manufacture of porcelain, 

 China clay is of importance to calico makers and 

 bleachers. It is unfortunate, however, that it does 

 not remain in the " pores " of the calico, which it 

 whitens and thickens, and hence the fabric does not 

 retain its apparent excellence when it has been 

 through the hands of the laundress. Large quan- 

 tities are taken also by paper manufacturers, for the 

 purpose of giving body and weight to their paper. 

 Some other applications of the article, the character 



