128 THE WEDGWOODS. 



of useful articles. Some of the ware produced is of fine and 

 good qualitj r , and is made to suit the requirements of both 

 home and foreign markets. Like many of the other works 

 in the neighbourhood, much o the goods produced at this 

 establishment are shipped to the United States, Canada, 

 and Sweden, to the requirements of which markets attention 

 is paid in the manufacture. Stoneware jugs are also pro- 

 duced by this firm ; and the finer earthenware services, some 

 of which are of good and effective designs, are either plain, 

 printed, enamelled, or gilt. The works give employment 

 to about one hundred and fifty " hands," and these are 

 engaged in producing the ordinary useful classes of wares, 

 no ornamental goods being made by the firm. Those who 

 either at home, or when travelling abroad, notice the printed 

 initials "A. B. & Co.," either with or without the addition of 

 " WEDGWOOD PLACE, BURSLEM," will know, after 

 reading this account, that the crockery which bears it was 

 made at the " Overhouse Works," so long and so intimately 

 connected with the Wedgwood family. 



The precarious state of Josiah Wedgwood's health at the 

 time when he was carrying on the Ivy House Works, 

 rendered him incapable for some time of extending his 

 connections so widely as he otherwise would have done ; but 

 in the midst of all his distressing ailments he superintended 

 the production of every article, and never allowed himself 

 that proper meed of rest which was so essential to him. 

 His mind, ever active, seemed at this time to spurn the 

 trammels which his bodily afflictions appeared to throw 

 around it, and to rise, phoenix-like, from that fire which 

 would have destroyed hundreds of minds of the ordinary 

 stamp. 



He turned his attention not to the making of the ordinary 

 classes of wares which then formed the staple manufactures 

 of the district, though he still, to some degree, produced 

 them, and to no small extent made the tortoiseshell and 

 marble plates which had already gained much celebrity : 

 his principal products at this time were ornamental flower 



