412 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



physical powers of man. Little more than a century since, this 

 flourishing seat of commerce scarcely had existence as such. Nature 

 had indeed amply compensated the want of a genial surface, in the 

 rich and inexhaustible mineral treasures which pervade this exten- 

 sive district ; but if the exertions of the Agriculturist were para- 

 lyzed, so the sources of future wealth remained unexplored. The 

 Potteries so called, 'wore a bleak and barren aspect, and consisted 

 merely of several detached and straggling villages, thinly inha- 

 bited, and possessing a trade comparatively insignificant. But 

 what a change has public spirit wrought in this interesting tract of 

 country ! The ingenuity of the artizan has been seconded by the 

 researches of the mineralogist; and the earth has poured forth her 

 bounties to enrich its owners, and raise the Staffordshire Pot- 

 teries to the enviable rank which they hold in the commercial 

 world of two Continents. They can now boast their thickly-inha- 

 bited towns and villages, public edifices, extensive works, beautiful 

 villas, and handsome habitations, enlivened by a busy and increas- 

 ing population of 60,000 souls. To point out individuals, who merit 

 the thanks of their countrymen, and the praises of posterity, might 

 in us seem invidious : suffice it to say, all have contributed to this 

 great work. All have deserved the meed of applause for their 

 ceaseless endeavours to promote the well being of all with whom 

 they were more immediately connected. The generation that has 

 passed away, will ever be remembered with grateful veneration for 

 having began the goodly fabric upon a firm and durable basis, 

 whilst their descendants are entitled to equal honour in having 

 raised a superstructure worthy the talents and patriotism of their 

 predecessors. 



The exact period of time at which the Manufacture of Earthen- 

 ware was introduced into this county, cannot now be ascertained : 

 it may, however, be traced with certainty for two centuries back. 

 At that time, its principal seat was the town of Burslem, then 

 called the Butter Pottery, from a manufactory established there for 

 making butter-pots. These pots were of a cylindrical form, and, 

 under the provisions of an Act of Parliament obtained for the pur- 

 pose about 1670, were of a certain size and weight (Gibs.) and 

 made to contain not less than fourteen pounds of butter. This 

 Act, it seems, was obtained in consequence of a fraud practised 

 upon the public by the inhabitants of the Moorlands, by making 

 these pots thick at the bottom, in order to increase their weight. 



Burslem is denominated a Butter Pottery in some old maps ; 





