332 THE WEDGWOODS. 



has induced the proprietor to aim at regular biographical suites of 

 distinguished characters, in different ages and nations, for the illus- 

 tration of that pleasing and instructive branch of history ; and with 

 this view he has been at a considerable expense in collecting, 

 repairing, modelling, and arranging portraits of illustrious men, 

 both of ancient and modern times. The present class contains 

 those of Greece, Egypt, and the neighbouring states, in chrono- 

 logical order. The four following classes exhibit a complete series 

 of the Roman history, from the foundation of Rome to the removal 

 of the seat of empire to Constantinople. The thread of history is 

 continued in the next two classes by a set of the popes, and of all 

 the kings and queens of England and Prance ; and the more recent 

 periods of history are illustrated in the succeeding one by a con- 

 siderable number of princes, statesmen, philosophers, poets, artists, 

 and other eminent men, down to the present time. These portraits 

 are made both in the basaltes and in the jasper with coloured 

 grounds ; they are sold either with or without th eir cabinets. Their 

 general size is two inches by one and three quarters, unless where 

 otherwise expressed." 



Wedgwood's next class (ELEVEN), which he headed "busts, 

 small statues, boys, animals," &c., was a very important 

 one, and included many of his most extraordinary works. 

 These are the large busts of distinguished persons, which 

 now are so rare and so much sought after. Of his pro- 

 ductions in this class the great master wrote as follows, and 

 his opinions on the production of popular copies of fine 

 works of Art were so correct, that they will be read with 

 pleasure and profit at the present time. 



" The black basaltes having the appearance of antique bronze, 

 and so nearly agreeing in properties with the basaltes of the Egyp- 

 tians, is excellently adapted for busts, sphynxes, small statues, &c. ; 

 and it is certainly an object of importance to preserve in such 

 durable materials as many as possible of the fine works, both of 

 antiquity and the present age, for after time has destroyed even 

 marbles and bronzes, as well as pictures, these copies will remain, 

 and will transmit the productions of genius and the portraits of 

 illustrious men to the most distant times. 



"Those who duly consider the influence of fhejine arts on the 

 human mind, will not think it a small benefit to the world to diffuse 

 their productions as wide, and to preserve them as long, as possible. 



