278 Josiah Wedgivood CHAP. 



same year, 1788, and thus the elder Josiah was left 

 sole proprietor of the great establishment he had 

 founded. 



This, however, could soon be remedied. In January 

 1790, Wedgwood took into partnership his three sons, 

 John, Josiah, and Thomas, and his nephew Byerley, 

 the latter having an eighth share of the profits. He had 

 already for a time managed the London business, and 

 eventually took an active share in the commercial part 

 of the concern at Etruria. John and Thomas Wedg- 

 wood afterwards retired, the one to become a junior 

 partner in the London and Middlesex Bank, and the 

 other to devote himself to chemical and scientific pur- 

 suits among others, to heliotype or photography. 

 After that, the firm was known as that of Josiah 

 Wedgwood, Sons, and Byerley. 



Wedgwood had constant correspondence with Dr. 

 Darwin. On one occasion we find Dr. Darwin asking 

 for information about his first wooden leg. It had been 

 first made by Addison, a lay-figure-maker in Hanover 

 Street, Longacre, about eighteen years ago ; but since 

 then, an ingenious joiner had made them at home. 

 " He is making me a new one now, which, I believe, is 

 nearly finished. He has made me one or two before, 

 and has had the care of the old one for many years. 

 It has received so many repairs from him, that it has 

 now become almost like the sailor's knife which had so 

 many new blades and so many new hafts. He is will- 

 ing to make one for the gentleman you mention." 



