CHAP, v Wedgwood begins Business for Himself 4 1 



had devoted himself. Though his means were incon- 

 siderable, he thought that he might not only make the 

 ends meet, but perhaps he might eventually make a 

 mark during his lifetime in the development of the art 

 of pottery. 



The constant pain he had suffered from his injured 

 knee had in many respects been a sore hindrance and 

 disadvantage ; but by curtailing his bodily powers, 

 and keeping him often confined to his bed, it had 

 produced increased activity of mind. He never allowed 

 himself to be idle, and he had read much, and thought 

 more. 



He borrowed books from his friends, and read them 

 assiduously, especially those which bore upon his 

 favourite art. He also improved himself in arithmetic, 

 geography, and the knowledge of English. Some of 

 the books which he borrowed, especially those upon 

 chemistry and the mixture and combination of clays, 

 he copied in his own hand, for purposes of reference. 

 When he had gained some strength and found himself 

 sufficiently well to be able to rise and move about, 

 he began a series of experiments with the clays of the 

 neighbourhood ; and he thus commenced a course of 

 technical practical education, which proved of the 

 greatest value to him in after life. 



When he commenced business for himself at Burs- 

 lem, Wedgwood rented a portion of the Ivy House and 

 Works from his distant cousins John and Thomas 

 Wedgwood. The rental was only 10 a year, the 



