Ill 



Learns his Trade 23 



It was observed that, though very young, Josiah 

 made rapid progress as a thrower. He had a remark- 

 able e}^e for proportioning the clay under his hands; 

 and his skill in forming the vessel on the potter's 

 wheel soon attracted the admiration of his fellow- 

 workmen. But an unfortunate attack of a malignant 

 disease compelled him for a time to abandon this 

 department of his trade. 



In 1741, when Josiah was over eleven years old, 

 virulent smallpox broke out in Burslem. The house in 

 which the Wedgwoods lived was close to the church- 

 yard, and the children of the family were mostly 

 attacked by that horrible disease. One of the worst 

 cases was that of the young thrower, who was covered 

 with confluent pustules from head to foot. He was 

 almost at death's door, but, though he fortunately 

 escaped with his life, he was, long after his partial 

 recovery, left in a state of almost utter prostration. 



One of the worst effects of the disease was the agon- 

 izing pain which he suffered in his right knee. Doctors 

 were consulted, but no application no fomentation, 

 liniment, or leeching could alleviate his suffering. 

 After many weeks of agony he tried to rise from his 

 bed, but fell back again helpless. At length he got 

 up and tried crutches, but found he could scarcely 

 walk. The pain, it is true, abated, but the knee was 

 comparatively useless through stiffness and deadness. 

 By and by, as his strength increased, he was able to 

 return to his work. 



