Earthenware. G07 



ject was referred to Dr. O'Shaughnessy, are classed according to the 

 quantity they are intended to hold, from 251bs. down to ^lb. finding 

 no other available way of obtaining earthenware of this description 

 for current use. The supplies from home being suspended, specimens 

 of the jars required were shewn to the Comars, or Potters, in the 

 Bazar, and the simplest method of glazing explained to one of 

 the most intelligent of them, who was told merely to cast a handful 

 of salt into the fire when the pots were at a red heat. He reported 

 the result, which was unfavourable. He was then directed to pound 

 a certain proportion of flint, and mix it with the clay of which the 

 pots were made, and again to try the salt. This attempt succeeded 

 partially. He was then desired to bring specimens of the materials 

 used to the Dispensary for inspection, when his clay proved to be 

 the common Bengal blue clay of which the Kedgeree pots are made, 

 and the flint used merely the common whin, or greenstone of which 

 the roads in Calcutta are repaired. The Comar was recommended 

 instead of the latter to use quartz rock. He seems however to pre- 

 fer his own way, nevertheless he has ever since continued to supply 

 well formed jars with a fine, shining, dense, and impervious glaze. 

 The glaze is however acted upon, and slowly removed by dilute acids, 

 and would not therefore do for pickle jars, but answers for ointments, 

 powders, neutral salts, and all those purposes for which the English 

 jars were imported. As an encouragement to the Comar, he was 

 offered the English invoice price of the article, exclusive of charge 

 for freight, and loss for breakage, and he has continued since 

 (May 1841,) to supply all the jars required at the following prices, 

 with an understanding that he is to continue his experiments till 

 he produce a glaze that will stand the action of acid. 









Rs. 



As. 







16 1b. 



Jars 



at 



6 







per 



dozen, 



8 1b. 



do. 



at 



3 



8 



per 



do. 



6 1b. 



do. 



at 



2 



4 



per 



do. 



4 1b. 



do. 



at 



2 







per 



do. 



2 1b. 



do. 



at 



1 







per 



do. 



The whole expenditure of these articles at present is not such as 

 would pay European superintendence, but it is sufficient to excite 

 competition with the natives. The article produced from Bengal 



