1 1 o Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



work, Coward was permanently retained by Wedgwood 

 at 200 per annum. 



John Bacon, afterwards the famous sculptor, was 

 another of Wedgwood's principal artists at one period 

 of his life. Bacon was originally a clothworker with 

 his father, but showing a taste for drawing and design- 

 ing, he determined to follow the bent of his genius. 

 " Happiness," he said to himself when a youth, " is in 

 every man's power who can learn to discipline his own 

 mind " a bold but true thought and on this plan he 

 made a philosophical attempt to secure his own happi- 

 ness. 



When about fourteen years of age Bacon apprenticed 

 himself to one Crispe of Bow Churchyard, an eminent 

 maker of porcelain. His master observed his talents as 

 a designer, and thus Bacon was soon promoted by his 

 employer. Bacon learnt under him not only drawing 

 but modelling. He also painted figures on plates and 

 dishes. At that early age, this helpful fellow princi- 

 pally supported his parents by the produce of his labours. 



Bacon became fascinated by the pursuit of model- 

 ling. His models were sent to the pottery furnace in 

 Lambeth to be fired. With a hopeful and willing spirit, 

 his work gradually improved. His ambition was stimu- 

 lated, and he gave all his leisure hours to his new 

 pursuit. He next proceeded to discipline his hand 

 and eye in the severe school of sculpture. With such 

 determination, he could not but succeed ; and, at the 

 age of nineteen, he presented his first model in clay 



