CHAPTEK XIV 



PORTRAITS, MEDALLIONS, ARTISTIC WORK 



IN the pre-Wedgwood days, when England was for the 

 most part dependent for its supply upon the earthen- 

 ware manufacturers of Delft in Holland, and the porce- 

 lain manufacturers of Limoges and Sevres in France, 

 this country had comparatively little market for its 

 fictile ware in any foreign country. But now there 

 was a large and increasing demand for English 

 pottery. 



"And do you really think," "Wedgwood wrote to 

 Bentley in September 1770, "that we might make a 

 complete conquest of France ? Conquer France in 

 Burslem ! My blood moves quicker ; I feel my strength 

 increases for this conquest. Conquer France by pottery 

 ware ! Pots," continues Wedgwood, " how vulgar it 

 sounds ! " Yet he was supported by Boulton of Soho, 

 who told him how the French were buying vases in 

 London how they took them over to Paris, mounted 

 and ornamented them with metal, and sold them to 

 Milords Anglais as the greatest rarities. "You re- 



