212 THE WEDGWOODS. 



to defer many designs till, by improving the quality of 

 his Queen's ware, he should make it less inferior to its 

 rival." 



When the Russian service wa*s completed, in 1774, it was 

 exhibited in London, and caused quite a " sensation" among 

 people of taste. Thus Mrs. Delaney, in a letter to Mrs. 

 Port, 1774, says: 



" I am just returned from viewing the Wedgwood ware that is 

 to be sent to the Empress of Kussia. It consists, I believe, of as 

 many pieces as there are days in the year, if not hours. They are 

 displayed at a house in Greek Street, Soho, called Portland House. 

 There are three rooms below, and two above, filled with it, laid out 

 on tables ; everything that can be wanted to serve a dinner. The 

 ground, the common ware, pale brimstone, the drawings in purple, 

 the borders a wreath of leaves, the middle of each piece a particular 

 view of all the remarkable places in the King's dominions, neatly 

 executed. I suppose it will come to a princely price : it is well 

 for the manufacturer, which I am glad of, as his ingenuity and 

 industry deserve encouragement." 



This magnificent service the Empress showed with pride 

 to Lord Malmesbury when he visited the Grenouilliere 

 Palace, in 1795.* 



In 1772 Thomas Bentley married for his second wife 

 Mary Stamford, of Derby, a lady in every way suited to his 

 taste, and with whom he lived a most happy, though short 

 life. The marriage of Mr. Bentley took place at All Saints' 

 Church, Derby, on the 22nd of June, as will be seen from 

 the following extract from the register of that parish. It 

 will be noticed that in this register he is again described as 

 " of Chelsea," the place where the branch works had been 

 established : 



11 Thomas Bentley, of Chelsea, in Middlesex, gentleman and 

 widower, and Mary Stamford, of this parish, spinster, were married 

 in this church by Licence, the Twenty-second day of June, in the 



* A cup and saucer of this " Empress's pattern " is preserved in the 

 splendid museum of Mr. Joseph Mayer, of Liverpool. 



