Ill 



Learns his Trade 25 



and the northern counties, and entering North Stafford- 

 shire, halted at Leek, and when they reached Bagnall 

 the Pretender and his staff, uninvited, breakfasted 

 at Justice Marshall's. The rebels plundered the 

 house, and made the Justice pay a fine of 300. 

 Ward, in his History of Stoke-upon- Trent, 1 relates the 

 incredible story of Justice Marshall having afterwards 

 caught a sick Highlander, had him flayed, and sent his 

 hide to be tanned for a drumhead ! 



The Pretender and his army reached Derby, but 

 proceeded no further. In all haste they retreated to 

 the North. The Duke of Cumberland, with an increas- 

 ing army, lay for a time at Shelton and Stone. The 

 people of the county were apathetic, though they could 

 not but feel excited by the invasion of the wild moun- 

 taineers. The country was, however, soon cleared, and 

 the poor unfortunate Highlanders were eventually 

 trodden down at Culloden. 



To return to the apprenticeship of Wedgwood. He 

 was now fifteen years old. His right knee still con- 

 tinued stiff and painful. Eemedies were applied and 

 rest taken, but without avail. He could only sit while 

 at work with his right leg extended before him on 

 a stool. This attitude so hampered his position at 

 the wheel and interfered with his efficiency that 

 he was under the necessity of altogether abandoning 

 the thrower's bench. It might be supposed by some 

 that this was a calamity, but in reality it proved a 



1 P. 230. 



