ornamental character. The manufacture of majolica was, it is of course well known, revived by Mr. Minton, whose firm in that, as in many other varieties of pottery, takes the lead in point of excellence of decoration. The manufacture of majolica was commenced at Etruria in 1860, and in this style, I believe, Messrs. Wedgwood now produce as much in quantity as is done in any other establishment, while their quality and style of decoration is of commensurate excellence. In the purely artistic portion of the majolica— the paintings on plates, dishes, slabs, and other piecesthose produced at Etruria are fully equal, both in force of drawing, in purity of style, and in depth as well as delicacy of colouring, to any produced at Sèvres; while in choice of subjects they are far superior to those of the Royal factory. In quantity, too, I believe that the productions in this particular and wonderfully artistic and beautiful style are multiplied by six at Etruria, while they are divided by ten in cost. The principal painter of these majolicas is M. Emile Lessore, an artist of considerable repute, whose works are much sought after.* His majolicas have the advantage of bearing his name, written on the painting itself, either in full, "Emile Lessore," or "E. Lessore." Whether in pastoral, emblematical or other groups, or in the nude figure, this artist's productions bear the stamp of originality, and are characterised by great freedom and power of touch, and by harmonious and rich colouring. The future collector will be pleased to know that the pieces bearing the name of M. Lessore, and the Wedgwood mark, have been produced since 1859.

* M. E. Lessore possesses first-rate abilites, and his works are far superior to those of any other artist in this striking and beautiful style. His name is well known as a painter in oil; but of late years, having turned his attention to producing paintings on pottery, M. Lessore has succeeded, by the liberal and enlightened aid of the Messrs. Wedgwood, in founding a school of decorative art on pottery which bids fair to be of lasting duration, and in which the works of Rubens, Raphael, Titian, and other great masters are interpreted in such a way as to render them applicable to fictile purposes. M. Lessore was, I believe, for a time, at the Royal Works of Sèvres.

In majolica a dinner service of unique pattern, with figures and foliage on the rim, recently designed, will no doubt prove very successful. In majolica, too, as in the "malachite," the "mottled," the "agate," and other wares, dessert and toilet services, and a variety of both useful and ornamental articles, are made-ranging from the large-sized garden seat (a fine one, formed of bamboos, is specially deserving notice), and the gigantic vase, down to the small and delicately-formed ladies' ring stand. In the "mottled" ware a marvellously rich and striking effect is produced by the combination of the most brilliant colours; while in the "malachite" the beautiful green and darker wavings of the stone are well imitated.

“Parian" was made by the Messrs. Wedgwood at Etruria about 1848 or 9, and was of good quality.

Another variety of ornamental work is the "inlaid" ware, in which a variety of articles, including services, are made. The effect of this style of ornamentation is much the same as the "Tunbridge ware," which, of course, is well known to my readers. It is striking from its novelty, and pleasing from its very simplicity.

Turning now to the "useful" and more strictly commercial part of the works, I must first of all note that the "cream-coloured" ware, the veritable "Queen's ware' of the olden time, is still made to an enormous extent, and is still sought for and purchased throughout the world. Of a delicate creamy whiteness in colour, light and pleasant to the touch, true and close-fitting in the "potting," and covered with one of the most faultless of glazes, this ware still holds its own," and maintains its wonted supremacy. In it, services and every variety of useful articles are made; and it is pleasant to add, that the pieces are still made in the old moulds used in the great Josiah's time, with only such modifications as fit them for more modern notions. For instance, the "turin" modelled by Flaxman, and charged for in his bill, which I have printed, is still made, with only the addition of newly-designed handles; and hun

dreds of others of the "ancient forms" are still, in the same way, preserved and produced.

The next principal variety of useful ware is the "pearl" body-a body of great hardness and durability, of a pure pearly white, and glazed to the utmost perfection. In this, as in the cream-coloured, services and useful goods of every description are manufactured, both in plain white and printed. The same body is used also for many of the decorated varieties, and is highly glazed. The "pearl" ware is not a "pearl of great price," but one for ordinary use and of moderate cost.

"Rockingham ware," of a very superior quality and of a good colour, is made largely at Etruria in teapots, coffeepots, services (the cups white inside), and other articles.

The 66 porous ware" used for water bottles, butter coolers, &c., is also made at the present time; and the "mortar ware " is still made, and keeps foremost rank in the market.

In the "red ware"-a rich colour and fine body-services and a large number of other articles are produced, and are frequently ornamented with raised figures, &c., in black, with good and striking effect.

BLUE PRINTING was introduced at Etruria at an early date, and has, of course, with black, &c., been continued to the present day.

These are the principal varieties of wares in the "useful classes," and it will be sufficient, in closing, to make the one general remark, that the services now made at Etruria, whether dinner, tea, dessert, or toilet-whether of the more ordinary descriptions "for the million," or of the more elegant and costly "for the few "—are all thoroughly good, and all produced with that care and nicety which have ever characterised the place and its proprietors.

The markets to which the goods are sent are more widely spread than perhaps will be conceived by the uninitiated, and it is not too much to say, that, besides the home trade, which is very extensive, the "Wedgwood ware" of the

present day is sent, as it used to be, to every quarter of the globe.

In a former chapter I have given a view of one portion of the Etruria works-the "Black Works," as that portion was called-and I here re-introduce it, and at the same time add two others, for the purpose of giving my readers some idea of their extent and their general character.

The first view which I give of these famed works shows

the front of the manufactory. In the foreground is the canal-the canal carried out by the enterprising spirit of Wedgwood, and formed by the indomitable skill of Brindley -which passes close to the works; where there is, as will be seen, excellent wharfage; it has branches opening directly into the manufactory itself, so that boats may be laden and discharged with the greatest ease. To the left of the view will be seen the "hovels" and kilns; and in the centrethe large pedimented building with the bell-turret-are the "show-rooms," the offices, the "museum," &c.; and at the

extreme end of the view, to the right, will be seen the lodge, &c. These works, it may be remembered, were planned and built by the great Josiah, and possess, therefore, an unusual degree of interest.

The next illustration shows a part of the interior of one of

the yards, which I have selected as much from its historical interest as from its picturesque character. It is one of the "useful" works where so much of the "Queen's ware" and other of the staple manufactures of the place has been made;