THE POTTIES ART. 



This celebrated potter, born at Burslem in 1730, was the son of 

 Thomas "Wedgwood, who followed the same business. The edu- 

 cation of Josiah must necessarily have been limited to reading and 

 writing, for at the early age of eleven years he worked at the 

 wheel in his father's pottery. 



After being united in partnership for short intervals with 

 Messrs. Harrison and Whieldon, he commenced working on his 

 own account in a little thatched building, in 1760. He soon 

 extended his works, erecting another small manufactory called the 

 "Bell Works," from the fact, then unusual, that the workmen 

 were assembled and dismissed by a bell. It was here that he 

 commenced the fabrication of the cream-coloured ware, with a 

 plombiferous glaze, which afterwards became so celebrated, and 

 which being approved and patronised by Queen Charlotte, consort 

 of George III., was called Queens ware, and procured for 

 Wedgwood the appointment of potter to the Queen. 



Wedgwood was esteemed as much for his public spirit and 

 private virtues as for Ms industrial enterprise and skill. It was to 

 him was chiefly due the construction of the canal connecting 

 the Trent with the Mersey, commenced in 1760, and completed 

 in 1777. 



His fortune being increased by inheritance as well as by his 

 commercial success, he purchased the estate called Ridge House, 

 where he established, in 1770, his manufactory of black ware. 



It was here also that he erected the noble mansion which 

 became his family residence, and the surrounding village called 

 ETRTTRIA, where he established his principal works, having 

 removed from Burslem in 1771, and where he accumulated that 

 princely fortune, which he devoted to so many noble and cha- 

 ritable uses. The name conferred on this establishment, and the 

 industrial village created around it, was taken from that of one 

 of the ancient Italian states, which had attained a high celebrity 

 for the tasteful forms of its potteries. 



He died at Etruria, in 1795, at the age of 64. 



The effects of the genius and perseverance of this prince of 

 manufacturers were not limited to the improvement of the mere 

 processes of fabrication. His efforts were directed with not less 

 success and effect to the improvement of forms and decoration. 

 He resolutely rejected the uncouth and distorted shapes Avhich 

 had till then prevailed, and replaced them by forms at once pure, 

 simple and elegant. He availed himself of the collection of 

 ancient vases, which Hamilton had brought from Italy, and took 

 his models from them. He substituted for the vulgar style of 

 ornament which had been till then exclusively adopted, decora- 

 tions characterised by a severe taste, and, like the earlier potters 

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