228 CERAMIC WARE. 



ligious convictions. Then, as an example of energy, and 

 progress of knowledge under difficulties, few men have existed 

 so preeminent in these respects as the estimable Palissy. Like 

 many other enthusiasts, he was thought to be deranged, be- 

 fore his success removed that impression. Mrs. Palissy was 

 very much of this opinion. Palissy ended his days in the 

 Bastile, when more than eighty years old. 



At periods of the remotest historical antiquity the Chinese 

 manufactured porcelain in all respects as good as now; in 

 many respects better : but with the exception of the Japanese 

 who certainly equalled, perhaps excelled the Chinese 

 ancient potters, for want of a raw material absolutely white, 

 had to content themselves with coloured patterns ; and not 

 only coloured, but void of that character of semi-transparency 

 so characteristic of porcelain, or real China ware. 



Nevertheless, much of the ancient pottery is extremely 

 beautiful. Samian and Etruscan vases are imitated by modern 

 manufacturers, and that but imperfectly. In regard to colour 

 ornamentation, the ceramic artists of India, Egypt, Greece, 

 and Etruria were hemmed in by narrow limits. Eed, yellow, 

 or brown upon black, or black upon red, yellow, or brown 

 mere outline figures in either case, without tint-gradation 

 this was all they could effect. Debarred the charm of colour, 

 the Indian, Samian, and, in a minor degree, the Etruscan 

 artists revelled in beauty of form. Nothing can be more 

 exquisite than the shape of Samian vases and amphorae, 

 generally speaking. Though the appellation i Etruscan vase 9 

 is so commonly employed, yet the Etruscans did not bear the 

 palm of excellence in the manufacture of vases, or other 

 vessels of beautiful form and finish. Their specialties were 

 funereal urns and coffins. In regard to the black pigment 

 used for the ornamentation of ancient red and yellow ware, 

 there is much dispute ; in fact nothing certain is known in 

 respect of it. 



Debarred, as the Greeks, Etruscans, and Eomans were, 



