604 Earthenware. 



24. The next process is " glazing," in which the porous bis- 

 cuit is dipped into a sort of pulp formed of more fusible materials 

 than the ware, and it is again fired in the " glass oven," with 

 a heat just sufficient to make the glaze run, and cover the ware with 

 a thin hard transparent covering of glass, through which the colours, 

 &c. laid upon the biscuit, become visible. The best receipts of 

 these glazes are considered of great value, and are carefully con- 

 cealed. 



25. In coarse pottery, the glazing is effected in the first firing 

 by throwing into the bottom of the oven a quantity of salt, the fumes 

 of which react upon the surface of the vessels, and flux the surface, so 

 as to render them impervious to liquids. 



26. With the exception of adjusting the proportions of the mix- 

 ture of the slip, there is obviously nothing in the above processes 

 which natives of India are not just as capable of performing as Eu- 

 ropeans, and from their easy acquirement of manual dexterity, may 

 possibly perform better ; and as the materials are abundant, labour 

 cheap and plentiful, and wood fuel still covers vast tracts, there 

 can be no reasonable doubt, but that the manufacture of porcelain 

 and pottery might be carried on in South India. 



27. The demand for the manufacture of Pottery in India is not 

 likely to be great, and among the articles probably required may be 

 enumerated — 



Gallipots and vessels, for packing medical preparations for the 

 medical stores. 



Jars, for holding corrosive liquids and spirituous liquors, for which 

 the native chatties are quite unfit. 



Earthen vessels for preparing and refining sugar. 



Firebricks, which may be made in Bangalore, for a very little more 

 tHan common bricks ; the only increase of expence is the quan- 

 tity of fuel required to ignite them properly. 



Crucibles, for melting metals in the Government founderies. 



Retorts, for preparing corrosive liquids and acids in parting silver 

 from gold. 



And what may probably eventually prove to be the largest de- 

 mand, coarse plates and dishes for the use of the European sol- 

 diery in India; for from what I have observed, they are reduced to 



