60 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



ing from the opposite direction. He nevertheless rode 

 on to Liverpool, but when he arrived there, although 

 scarcely able to stand, he somehow contrived, with help, 

 to stumble up to his bedroom. Inflammation set in, 

 and threatened a prolonged illness. A surgeon was 

 sent for, and after giving him some relief, and reducing 

 the inflammation, ordered him to remain in bed. This 

 enforced inactivity was a sore trial to one who anxiously 

 desired to be at Burslem looking after his various works 

 and workmen. 



Dr. Turner, who attended Wedgwood, was himself a 

 man of accomplishments. Besides being a good surgeon, 

 he was an excellent chemist, a classical scholar, and a 

 man of artistic taste. His interest in his patient led 

 him, when he had sufficiently recovered, to bring to his 

 room and introduce to him many of his own personal 

 friends. Among those who were thus introduced to 

 Wedgwood, was a gentleman of much intelligence, an 

 excellent conversationist, and of a most agreeable 

 manner. This was Thomas Bentley, then a Liverpool 

 agent and merchant, who had travelled on the con- 

 tinent, and knew many foreign languages, especially 

 French and Italian. On his return to England he 

 settled at Liverpool, and married Hannah Gates, but 

 she died within two years, and her elder sister managed 

 Bentley's household. Eventually he took Mr. James 

 Boardman as a partner into his firm. Wedgwood was 

 attracted by him from the first. Their acquaintance 

 ripened into friendship, then into brotherly affection. 



