256 Josiah Wedgwood CHAP. 



we do ? Then every distinction of country might 

 with justice be done away with, and they would have 

 a fair claim to all the advantages which we enjoy." 



The result of the agitation of the Chamber of 

 Commerce was, that most of the proposals to impose 

 new taxes on the raw materials of manufacture were 

 withdrawn by the ministry, and the Irish resolutions 

 were considerably modified. The delegates separated, 

 with the resolution to extend and maintain their 

 organisation in the manufacturing districts. 



To return to Wedgwood's career. His foreign trade 

 continued to increase, especially after the Commercial 

 Treaty with France had been entered into in September 

 1*786 a few years before the French Ee volution took 

 place. Eussia was one of his best customers for 

 ornamental wares ; but Holland, Germany, Italy, and 

 even Spain, were alive to the merits of his manu- 

 factures. After the departure of Flaxman for Eome, 

 Wedgwood had several excellent modellers. Amongst 

 these, Webber was one of the best. He had also the 

 assistance of Westmacott and Wyatt, then very young 

 men. Lochee, great in modelling gems and small 

 objects, was another admirable artist employed by 

 Wedgwood. 



As old friends passed away, new ones made their 

 appearance. Sir Joshua Eeynolds painted Wedgwood's 

 portrait, as well as that of his wife, in 1*783 ; and 

 Wedgwood produced a medallion of the artist, modelled 

 by Flaxman. After the death of Sir Joshua, a few 



