52 THE WEDGWOODS. 



And here it may be interesting, perhaps, to say a word or 

 two on " puzzle jugs," which are curious and very interesting 

 vessels, about which but little is known even by collectors. 

 The puzzle jug was an ale- jug, and was so contrived, by 

 perforations in various parts, and by open work in its neck 

 and spout, as to render it impossible to use it like other jugs. 



The liquor being drawn into the jug by the tapster, the 

 puzzle was for the customer to drink it all without spilling. 

 It became a prolific source of wagers, and most ale-houses 

 found it to their advantage to keep one or more of different 

 forms for their visitors. The handle usually sprang from 

 near the bottom of the jug, and was carried up its " belly" 

 some distance, when it bowed out in the general form, and 

 was attached to the rim at its top. The handle and rim were 

 made hollow, opening into the inside of the jug near the 

 bottom, and around the rim were attached a number of little 

 spouts, differently placed, according to the whim of the 

 potter. The ale could thus only be drunk by carefully 

 covering up with the fingers all the spouts but one, and 

 through this one the liquor would have to be sucked into the 



