HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 421 



nese rubbed under or upon the glaze with a sponge, produced an 

 article known by the name of TORTOISE SHELL WARE. 



Another variety of ware, termed AGATE WARE, was produced by 

 the addition of ground zaffer, in various proportions, and applied 

 either by a sponge or the point of a hair pencil. Hafts for knives 

 and forks, snuff-boxes, &c. &c. were manufactured from these ma- 

 terials, and sent to Birmingham and Sheffield, to be fitted-up with 

 hinges, hoops, and springs. 



A similar application of calcined copper, iron, and other metals, 

 gave rise to other descriptions of ware, called CAULIFLOWER WARE, 

 MELLON WARE, &c. &c. 



Another and an excellent kind of ware was produced by employing 

 the lead-ore alone, or refined (omitting to use any of the before- 

 named metals), with a small proportion of ground flint. This va- 

 riety, denominated CREAM-COLOURED WARE, was first made in 

 the year 1750, by Enoch Booth, of Tunstall, near Burslem, and 

 one of his earliest pieces is now in the possession of an inhabitant 

 of Burslem. The colour of this ware was subsequently improved, 

 and considerable quantities of it were manufactured by the late 

 Mrs. Warburton, of the Hot-lane, near Burslem, in 1751. 



In the early stages of the manufacture of White Stone Ware, 

 numerous difficulties presented themselves, which to persons with- 

 out precedent or much chemical knowledge, might have proved in- 

 surmountable, had it not happened that different persons were 

 making experiments at the same time with more or less success. 

 Although the native marls or clays (of which the saggars were 

 made) were numerous, it required great judgment in the choice 

 and admixture, to enable them, when made, to sustain a much 

 higher degree of heat than was required in the manufacture of 

 lead ore glaze ; and this inconvenience was very generally felt for 

 a considerable time. It was, however, at length ascertained, that 

 saggars composed of Can-marl two parts, and Black-marl one part, 

 were capable of sustaining the degree of heat required. This 

 discovery was followed by that of the due admixture of flint and 

 clay for forming the body of the ware, and the manufacture of 

 White Stone Ware rapidly increased. 



About the year 1740, Thomas and John Wedgwood left their 

 father's employ (as lead-ore glaze potters) and commenced the 

 manufacture of White Stone Ware upon their own account ; but 

 although very industrious and ingenious workmen (one of them 

 being well skilled in burning or firing the ware, and the other au 



