THE EARLY POTTERIES OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 59 



of " blue printing," that it became, as it were, almost a part 

 and parcel of their manufacturing creed. I have heard it 

 related of one manufacturer (whose name is well known in 



rc^ 



the district) of the last century, who was a light-hearted 

 merry fellow, always fiddling, dancing, and humming tunes, 

 that if any of his potters came to ask him what he was to do 

 with any piece then in progress, he would go on fiddling and 

 dancing, while he sang out the reply 



" Tip it wi' blew, 

 An' then it'll dew." 



This the children of the neighbourhood soon caught up, and 

 it became a popular rhyme about the place. 



Another important variety of ware made in Staffordshire 

 was the white ware a dirty, creamy looking white which is 

 usually, though erroneously, called " ELIZABETHAN WARE." 

 Of these a plate, for the purpose of exhibiting the raised 

 border, is shown on the accompanying engraving, from an 

 example in the Museum of Practical Geology. The centre of 

 this example is, of course, printed, and is of later date than 



