viii Wedgwood appointed Qiteens Potter 7 7 



influence, and came rapidly into general estimation 

 and use. Indeed, it was of a quality so far superior 

 to everything which had before been made in this 

 kingdom, and at the same time so moderate in price, 

 that it could not fail to be favourably received. The 

 other potters, availing themselves of his successful 

 invention, with the advantage of being exempt from 

 the anxieties and expenses which it had cost the 

 inventor, soon set up works of the same kind, and 

 Queen's ware became the staple pottery of England. 



On the Queen's service being finished and delivered, 

 the King gave Wedgwood his immediate patronage by 

 ordering a similar service for himself, but without 

 bands or ribs : this was called " The Eoyal Pattern." 

 Their Majesties' patronage, by drawing public atten- 

 tion to the Staffordshire potters, opened up a source 

 of wealth to many thousands of people, and extended 

 commerce to a marvellous extent, not only at home 

 but abroad. The tide of fortune which had thus 

 set in was greatly increased by Wedgwood's sub- 

 sequent inventions, and he emerged from his small 

 manufactory at Burslem to the colony which he after- 

 wards established at Etruria, a few miles distant. 



The forms of the vessels in use were greatly im- 

 proved by Wedgwood. Other manufacturers followed 

 his example ; they adopted his models, for he took out 

 no patent (with only one exception, of no special 

 importance), and all his efforts and inventions virtually 

 became the property of his competitors. His forms 



