24 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



His brother Thomas having already observed his 

 efficiency as a thrower, which had attracted the atten- 

 tion of his fellow- workmen, determined to attach Josiah 

 to his work by binding him as his apprentice. Three 

 years had elapsed since his entering the works, but in 

 his fourteenth year (llth November 1744) the ceremony 

 of permanently securing him was performed. The 

 indenture was drawn up, signed, and witnessed by him- 

 self, his mother, his eldest brother (the head of the 

 pottery works), and his two uncles, Samuel Astbury 

 and Abner Wedgwood. 



The indenture provided that Josiah Wedgwood was 

 to be apprenticed to his brother for five years, and that 

 he was to " learn the Art, Mystery, Occupation or Im- 

 ployment of Throwing and Handling, which he, the 

 said Thomas Wedgwood, now useth, and with him as an 

 Apprentice, to Dwell, Continue, and Serve," until the 

 expiration of the term agreed on. The apprentice was 

 to be allowed his meat, drink, washing and lodging, 

 with suitable apparel "of all kinds, both linen and 

 woollen, and all other necessaries, both in sickness and 

 in health"; in return for which his master was to teach, 

 or cause him to be taught, "the art of throwing and 

 handling " ; but nothing was said in the indenture as to 

 any wages to be paid to the apprentice. 



The year after Josiah's indenture was signed, in 

 1745, the Highland Eebellion broke out, and Prince 

 Charlie, at the head of a small army, had the hardihood 

 to invade England. They passed through Cumberland 



