220 THE WEDGWOODS. 



The inkstand to which I have alluded to which Mr. 

 Gladstone has, for simplicity of construction and efficiency 

 in use, paid so well-merited a tribute was, then, invented 

 by Wedgwood in 1775, and it is pleasant to know that 

 besides being cared for in the "cabinets of the curious," it 

 is still to be found in use in many places, and is constantly 

 used in the very room, and at the same desk, at which the 

 Great Josiah sat at Etruria. 



The " Eye-cups," made of the composition imitating 

 various pebbles, and " sold at one shilling a-piece," were 

 also introduced in the same year, as were also closet pans. 



The following letter, addressed by Josiah Wedgwood to 

 his cousin and partner, Thomas Wedgwood, at Etruria, and 

 dated " London, 20th March, 1775," is so full of practical 

 information, and is so highly characteristic of Wedgwood's 

 scrupulous care in all the details of his art, that I cannot 

 better close this chapter than by giving it to my readers : 



"London, 20th March, 1775. 



"DEAR COUSIN-, 



"I have your good letter of the 17th, and thank you 

 for it. 



" The service for Mr. Scott will be sent from hence on Friday or 

 Monday next ; and hope he will be pleas'd with the dispatch we 

 shall be able to use in this Commission. 



" Messrs. Rabone and Co.'s order with green flowers is finish'd, 

 and waits his orders ; but are we to let him know, or will you 

 doit? 



" The small pattern boxes shall be sent with the next goods. 

 And with respect to the Cisterns for the Water Closets, I hope they 

 may be made when properly understood, as the Sale for them will, 

 in all probability, he very considerable, and the purchasers will be 

 willing to pay a very good price for them from 4 to 6 guineas 

 apiece. 



" They now give 8 or 10 guineas for marble cisterns, and do 

 not order these of our ware for cheapness, but because they will be 

 sweeter than marble ones. You may make them an inch thick, or 

 more if you please.; for the architects do not care how thick they 

 are. 



