1 82 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



Koyal Society, while under the Presidency of Sir Joseph 

 Banks. 



Wedgwood records many experiments " with a view 

 to remedy the imperfections of flint glass for achromatic 

 instruments." He published An attempt to discover 

 the cords and waviness in Flint Glass, and the most 

 probable means of removing them. He made many 

 experiments on the artificial crystallisation of alabaster. 

 Being always a close observer, he took up the study of 

 geology. He could never be idle, even on his journeys 

 from London to Etruria. 



In his Commonplace Book he records the geological 

 strata between London and Birmingham ; as well as 

 the nature and character of the vegetation through 

 which he passed. At his own works he tested every- 

 thing. He would not accept the dogmas of others, but 

 observed for himself. He possessed great power as 

 an organiser. He kept receipts, for reference, on all 

 manner of subjects glazes, tinning of iron plates, 

 varnish, plasters, and such like. He recorded in his 

 Commonplace Book all the conversations of importance 

 he had with distinguished persons legislators, artists, 

 and men of science. The potters of Staffordshire 

 looked up to him as their head. They appointed him 

 their chairman, to watch over their interests in the 

 commercial negotiation with foreign countries as well 

 as at home. , 



To return to Wedgwood's driving tour into Cornwall, 

 to ascertain the places where the growan stone or clay 



