xvi Wedgwood's Joz^rney into Cornwall 187 



of the finest scenes a traveller can wish to pass through." 

 They were now in the midst of the Growan Stone 

 district. Near St. Austell they found large quantities, 

 and observed the white kaolin obtained by washing 

 from the raw materials. They also went to St. Stephens, 

 where the Growan Stone was prepared to supply the 

 Bristol porcelain manufactory. At St. Columb they 

 went to see the collection of Mr. Soper, apothecary, 

 a very intelligent man, but they were disappointed. 

 Earths, stones, and clays were too mean to find a place 

 in the museums of Cornish collectors. 



At Truro the travelling party witnessed what they 

 considered an extraordinary sight. Wedgwood thus 

 relates it : " In one of our walks through the town we 

 met a very numerous procession of females, all dressed 

 out in their best garments. We were much struck 

 with such a troop of young women marching in regular 

 order. We inquired as to the cause of the procession, 

 and were told that it was the annual meeting of two 

 female clubs, who had associated for the same purpose 

 as men do in this and other parts of the island that 

 is, to lay by a little money whilst they are in health 

 and can spare it, to receive it again in time of sickness. 

 I am sorry I cannot say much in favour of the beauty 

 of the fair sex. Indeed, there were scarcely three faces 

 in the two clubs that were tolerable." 



At Redruth Wedgwood found Growan clay in great 

 abundance, and of a very white colour. He obtained 

 some specimens for experiment, believing the clay to 



