CHAP. VI 



Improvement of Ware 55 



About this time Wedgwood adapted that curious 

 machine, the Engine lathe, for the improvement of 

 pottery. Before his time the potter's lathe was very 

 primitive in its construction ; it was merely used for 

 paring down any inequalities of surface. Wedgwood's 

 attention was first drawn to the engine lathe by 

 Plumier's L'Art ch Tourner ; he had the book translated 

 for him. The machine had hitherto been employed for 

 turning in wood, ivory, and metal. The possessor of 

 one in London refused to admit Wedgwood for a few 

 minutes where one of them was at work, without pay- 

 ment of five guineas. 



This, however, was not sufficient. Wedgwood had the 

 good fortune to meet with the celebrated Mr. Taylor of 

 Birmingham, who had made the lathe instrumental in 

 greatly improving various branches of metallic manufac- 

 tures. Wedgwood and he had many conferences together, 

 and the Burslem potter profited greatly by Taylor's 

 mastery in practical detail. The latter undertook to 

 make a machine turning lathe for Wedgwood, who 

 was so ardent in the business that he would not quit 

 the place until he had got the machine finished ; and 

 he brought it home with him, together with a person 

 instructed in the manner of using it. This was in the 

 year 1763. Under Wedgwood's hands this machine be- 

 came a most important tool. His first application of it 

 was to the red porcelain, which, being of a close texture 

 and without glaze, was well suited to receive and 

 retain a sharpness in the work. He afterwards applied 



