250 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



porcelain, is still used in his invention. Mr. Ericsson, 

 a great inventor, has also exerted his genius in en- 

 deavouring to form another description of pyrometer. 

 But here we must leave the subject, having shown the 

 part which "Wedgwood took in advancing the science 

 of the intense-heat-measurer. 



Wedgwood, ever inventing and ever improving, 

 introduced, in 1785, a "jasper dip," in which the clay 

 vessels were dipped and received a coating of jasper, 

 instead of being formed of that body throughout. 

 This enabled the jasper ware to be sold at a much 

 cheaper rate ; yet without any decrease in the beauty 

 of the manufacture. Wedgwood's ordinary trade con- 

 tinued to increase. He sent large consignments of 

 goods to Eussia ; and notwithstanding the almost pro- 

 hibitory duties, he received many orders from Germany, 

 Italy, and even France. He continued to add orna- 

 mentation to utility. Even in his chimneypieces he 

 introduced some of his most artistic designs. 



Wedgwood was of opinion that the fireplace should 

 be the most cheerful part of the house. There the 

 family assembled and indulged in their homely talk. 

 Here strangers were admitted and joined in the con- 

 versation. Why should not the chimneypiece, to 

 which they all gazed, be made bright, cheerful, and 

 represent artistic objects ? This was the reason 

 why he devoted so much attention to his chimney- 

 pieces, and invited Flaxman to assist him with 

 his beautiful designs of cameos and bas-reliefs, from 



