xxi Wedgwood' s Personal History 275 



his usual regimen and drink wine, by which his health 

 has suffered considerably. "He tells me," said the 

 father, " that you are obliged to do the same. I have 

 explained myself fully to Mr. Byerley on this subject, 

 both with respect to himself and to you. In three 

 words, nothing, no advantage whatever, can in my 

 mind compensate to either of you for being in such a 

 situation. You know my rooted and well - founded 

 objections to young people accustoming themselves to 

 the use of fermented liquors. Habits of this kind are 

 soon formed. They increase, and rivet themselves im- 

 perceptibly both on body and mind. They cannot be too 

 soon or too earnestly guarded against. May God pre- 

 serve my dear son from this and all other evil habits, is 

 the prayer of your affectionate father, J. W." 



In a future letter, John said he had visited the Due 

 de la Eochefoucauld, by whom he was kindly received, 

 and also M. Lavoisier, the chemist, with whom he dined. 

 Lavoisier was one of the most distinguished philosophers 

 in France, whose head was afterwards cut off by the 

 guillotine, because the Eevolutionists " had no need of 

 Philosophers in Paris." 



After visiting the Sevres manufactory, in 1786, in 

 the company of Boulton and Watt, of Birmingham, 

 young Wedgwood proposed to make a residence in the 

 country, where the people spoke good French, and 

 where he would not be distracted by the amusements 

 and revels of Paris. His father agreed, and requested 

 him to keep a diary or commonplace book, in which he 



