214 THE WEDGWOODS. 



This catalogue, which is of much smaller size than the 

 later editions, contains sixty pages, inclusive of introduction, 

 &c., and is so curious as to be well worth reprinting entire. 

 From the introductory portion I make the following impor- 

 tant quotation, for the purpose of enabling collectors to 

 arrive at a correct idea of the dates of the production of the 

 various wares for which Wedgwood became so celebrated : 



" The proprietors of this manufactory have been encouraged by 

 the generous attention of the nobility and connoisseurs to their first 

 essays to give it all the extent and improvement they were able, 

 and with constant application and great expense they have now 

 produced a considerable variety of ornaments in different kinds, the 

 merit of which they humbly submit to the judgment of those who 

 are best skilled in these subjects. 



" The variety of new articles which many of their respectable 

 friends have not seen, and multitudes of persons of curiosity and 

 taste in the works of art have never beard of, render some account 

 or catalogue of them desirable, and even necessary : but many of 

 the articles, and especially the vases, being of such a nature as not 

 to admit of satisfactory and clear descriptions, several parts of this 

 catalogue can only give a slight and general enumeration of the 

 classes, without descending to particulars. 



" We shall, however, hope to make the general enumeration 

 sufficiently intelligible, and descend to particulars where the nature 

 of the subjects admits of it. 



" To give an idea of the nature and variety of the productions of 

 our ornamental works, it will be necessary to point out and describe 

 the various compositions of which the forms, &c., are made, and to 

 distinguish and arrange the several productions in suitable classes. 



1 The compositions, or bodies, of which the ornamental pieces are 

 made, may be divided into the following branches ; 



" I. A composition of terra-cotta, resembling porphyry, lapis 

 lazuli, jasper, and other beautiful stones, of the vitrescent or crys- 

 talline class. 



"II. A fine black porcelain, having nearly the same properties 

 as the basaltes, resisting the attacks of acids, being a touchstone 

 to copper, silver, and gold, and equal in hardness to agate or 

 porphyry. 



"III. A fine white biscuit ware, or terra-cotta, polished and 

 unpolished." 



