230 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



he ornamented the teapots and other wares, were but the 

 earnests of his future career as the greatest sculptor of 

 his time. The remarkable series of drawings published 

 through the enterprise of Mr. F. Eathbone a worshipper 

 of Wedgwood x and executed by M. F. Appel of Paris, 

 under the title of Old Wedgwood, the Ceramic Relief 

 Art of the Eighteenth Century, will serve to show 

 what an influence the sculptor's early practice, as well 

 as the munificent potter's enterprise, had upon advanc- 

 ing the art of the century he lived in. The drawings 

 consist of vases, plaques, medallions, portraits, intaglios, 

 and cameos, produced by the famous potter during the 

 years between 1760 and 1795. Not satisfied with his 

 knowledge of English, Wedgwood was learning French. 

 He also proceeded with his study of chemistry, botany, 

 drawing, designing, and conchology. He endeavoured 

 to get to the bottom of everything. His knowledge 

 and apprehension involved the entire study of natural 

 science. And the results were seen in the admirable 

 works which he executed. " My tablets," he said in 

 one of his letters, " only want age and scarcity to be 

 worth any price." This prophecy proved entirely true. 

 While occupied with his plaques, cameos, seals, and 

 ornamental teapots, Wedgwood did not neglect his 

 useful ware, which was the foundation of his prosperity. 

 The Queen patronised his beautiful pearl-white tea- 

 ware, which soon became popular. Her Majesty also 

 visited Wedgwood's collection of works in Greek 



1 The Drawings are published by Mr. Quaritch, Piccadilly. 



