“SIR,
“The extraordinary and affecting manuscript writing of the
unfortunate stranger found drowned in Sea-Mill Dock, which I
transmitted to you last month, having very probably excited
the attention and sympathy of many of your numerous readers, I
feel it a duty incumbent upon me to lay before them (through
the channel of your useful publication) some information which
I have since been enabled to procure of this unhappy and
extraordinary person.
“A few days previous to the publication of your magazine,
I caused a paragraph to be again inserted in the Bristol
newspapers, requesting the attention of the readers to the
personal description of the stranger found drowned at Sea-Mill
Dock, and inviting the two women who had made inquiries after a
stranger that was missing, and answering the same description,
to come forward with their information, as the only probable
means left of tracing out the name and connections of this
unfortunate stranger. I was soon after waited on by two
gentlemen of Bristol of the name of Ring, the proprietors of a
large pottery, whose information and description of a person
lately come to Bristol, and who worked in their manufactory,
in the art of painting china, so exactly corresponded with the
clothing and person of the man found drowned at Sea-Mills, that
there remained not a doubt of his being the person, the subject
of their inquiry. Through their polite assistance I obtained
the name of the deceased, which is James Doe, and I also got an
interview with the K--f--m acquaintance, who, having visited the
tenement, and viewed the manuscript writing there upon the wall,
recognised the handwriting of his friend; he gave me likewise
a description of his person and dress, which corresponded with
that already published. For particulars of the deceased’s family
and friends, I was referred to several persons in London, one of
whom, a respectable proprietor of a pottery there, writes thus:--
“‘SIR,--I received yours, and was much affected at its contents.
I should have written sooner, but I wished first to see his
uncle, who has informed me of the following particulars:--
“‘James Doe was born at Lambeth, in Surrey, of very respectable
parents, and was educated in the same place. He served an
apprenticeship at Lambeth to a painter in the china and
earthenware line, and he painted in the biscuit before it was
glazed. In this line he was esteemed a good workman; and,
to my own knowledge, he worked some years at Mr. Wedgwood’s
manufactory in Staffordshire. He was there very much respected
by his employer, his fellow-workmen, and by all who knew him.
He was fond of company, but I do not remember him to neglect
business when urgent. Having a tolerably good education, he
was fond of reading. He was particularly generous, and always
first to relieve any of the trade out of employ or in sickness.
He worked at Mr. Baddely’s, in Staffordshire, for six or seven
years, and was, at that place, very much respected. In fact, I
believe him to be generally beloved and respected wheresoever
he worked. About three years ago he came to London, and finding
little or no employment in the line in which he was brought
up, he was obliged to leave town, and, being assisted by
his friends, he embarked on board a ship for Newcastle, and
from thence went on to Glasgow in Scotland, where he was a
fellow-workman with one of my present journeymen, and supported
an excellent character there. From this time, I believe, he met
with many disappointments. He then went to Ireland, and, after
stopping there a short time, he embarked on board a vessel bound
for Swansea, in South Wales, where he worked some time, and then
went on to the Worcestershire China Manufactory, which was, I
believe, the last place he worked at.’”
The following is an extract from the letter alluded to:--
“‘LONDON, _Nov. 20, 1797_.
“‘SIR,--
“‘You seem to be very anxious concerning the life of the
unfortunate stranger found drowned in Sea-Mill Dock. You have
a right to know it, for the kindness you have shown to his
unfortunate remains. James Doe was born at Lambeth, about two
miles from London, of honest parents, who brought him up in
as creditable a manner as their circumstances would admit. At
the age of fourteen years, or thereabouts, he was put as an
apprentice to Mr. Griffiths, at the delft pottery, High Street,
Lambeth. When he was out of his time, he continued working
at his business until he became slack; and the queen’s ware
meeting with great encouragement, he went into Staffordshire
for employment, where he remained upwards of twenty years,
working for different masters, and then came up to London, in
want of employ, and got work at China-gilding for a few months.
He was then invited into Staffordshire again, where he remained
but a short time: and from that time he has been considered
the wanderer of the trade. He was the most charitable man I
ever knew; and he was often known to neglect himself when
misfortunes came on his friends and acquaintances, to whose
relief he contributed both time and money, as much as lay in
his power. Believe me, Sir, you have bestowed your trouble
on the remains of a very good-hearted man. The acquaintance
he alluded to in his diary, and another person, were going
to France, about thirteen years ago, with a view of carrying
over and establishing there the queen’s-ware manufactory; some
of the master potters heard of it, and had them confined in
prison. As soon as James Doe heard of it, he went through the
trade to gather money to support his friend, and to preserve
him from want; and he, poor soul, contributed all he had, for
that purpose. To be denied assistance by that man whom he had
relieved in distress, was too great for his tender heart to
bear. Sir, I do not pretend to hold my friend up to perfection,
the last action of his life is against him; but, I believe, the
denial of relief by that man whom he had served and relieved in
distress was the sole cause of his committing the rash act of
suicide. The language of the manuscript writing is nearly the
same as his last conversation with me, as far as this friend is
mentioned. I perfectly agree with you, that he was in his senses
as much as he ever was in his life, when he committed the act of
suicide. He was acquainted with a Mr. Greenwood in Staffordshire
for some years, a man remarkable for fine knowledge; to that
man the unfortunate Doe owed a great deal of his knowledge; and
although Mr. Greenwood was a very sensible man, yet he held it
just for a man to destroy himself, and, like my friend, in his
perfect senses, actually made away with himself the day before
he was to have been married to a person of credit and property.
They are two of the strangest suicides I ever heard; and had
James Doe written to his friends in London, he would have had
money sent him; for his friends in London would have thought
it a happiness to relieve him. He was a very useful man in the
Staffordshire ware manufactory, as he had studied the chemical
secrets of that business. He was fond of reading. I shall be
happy to communicate any further particulars you may require;
and am, Sir,
“‘Yours,’ &c. &c.”
In the possession of Mr. R. C. Ring is a mug painted by Doe--said
to be his last work. It is signed “J. Doe, Sept., 1797;” and as he
committed suicide on the 14th of that month, it would certainly be one
of his last productions. Mr. Owen’s assertion that he committed suicide
through a fear that that painting would injure the enameller’s trade
is, from the above letters, &c., amply shown to be without foundation.
_Coades._--Coade’s Artificial Stone Works, at Pedlar’s Acre,
King’s Arms Stairs, Narrow Wall, Lambeth, opposite Whitehall Stairs or
Ferry, were established about 1760 by Mrs. or the Misses Coade, under
the name of “Coade’s Lithodipyra, Terra Cotta, or Artificial Stone
Manufactory.” This material was intended to take the place of carved
stone for vases, statues, and architectural enrichments. In 1769 the
two Misses Coade took into partnership their cousin, a Mr. Sealy (the
nephew of Mr. Coade), and by these the works were carried on. In 1811
the firm was still “Coades & Sealy.” At the death of Mr. Sealy, who
survived the Misses Coade, a Mr. Croggan, who had for a long time been
a clerk or manager attached to the business, became the proprietor
of the works, which he continued for many years. He then disposed
of the business to Messrs. Routledge, Greenwood, & Keene, who were
succeeded by Messrs. Routledge & Lucas. These gentlemen, about 1840,
dissolved partnership and sold off all their moulds, models, plant,
&c., by auction, by Messrs. Rushworth & Jarvis, of Saville Row. Many
of these moulds and models were bought by Mr. Blashfield[52] and by
other manufacturers, among whom was Mr. H. M. Blanchard of Blackfriars
Road[53] (which see), and who, being an apprentice with the Coades, and
possessing many of their models, &c., claims to be their successor.
The Coades are said to have come from Lyme Regis, in Dorsetshire, and
probably it was for the purpose of turning their native clay to good
account in London that induced them to establish this manufactory.
Bacon, Flaxman, Banks, Rossi, and Panzetta, the sculptors, were
employed to model for these works, and many of the old mansions
and public buildings in London and in the country, as well as
abroad--including the bas-relief in the pediment over the western
portico of Greenwich Hospital, representing the death of Nelson,
designed by Benjamin West, and modelled by Bacon and Panzetta; and the
rood-screen of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor; the statue of Britannia
on the Nelson monument at Yarmouth, &c.--were executed at these works.
The works principally produced at Coades were capitals of columns,
statues, vases, bassi-relievi, monuments, coats of arms, keystones,
angle rusticated blocks, balustrades, &c. They were of durable quality
and excellent manufacture.
Another person employed at Coades was William John Coffee, who
afterwards attained some celebrity as a modeller at the Derby China
Works, and as a terra cotta maker, for a short time, at Derby. I
believe he was employed as a fire-man at Coades, and here, no doubt,
being a clever fellow, picked up his knowledge of modelling and of
mixing bodies. The following curious letter and “information,” from
the originals in my own possession, give some highly interesting
particulars regarding Coades’ and Sealy’s manufactory in 1790:--
“_The information got from the fire-man that worked at the
Artificial Stone Manufactory, Lambeth_:--There is three kilns,
the largest is 9 feet diameter and about 10 feet high, the other
two are sizes under; they have only three fire-holes to each,
and they are about 14 inches in the clear. They make use of
no saggers, but their kilns are all muffled about two inches
thick, which was always done by this fire-man. They always was
four days and four nights of fireing a kilns, and the moment
the goods are fire’d up he always took and stop’d the kilns
intirely close from any air whatever without lowering the fires
at all. He has been use to fire intirely with coal (which are
call’d Hartley coals--they are not much unlike yours at Derby).
He never made use of any thermometer, but depended intirely on
his own knowledge. The composition shrinks about half an inch
in a foot in the drying, and about the same in the firing. A
great deal of the ornaments are 4 inches thick when fired, and
he has fired figures 9 feet high. This man has had the intire
management of building the kilns, setting and firing them for
many years; his wages was one guinea per week, and for every
night when he fired he had 2_s._ 6_d._ for the small kiln, 3_s._
for the next size, and 3_s._ 6_d._ for the largest.
“SIR,--Quite unexpected, the fire-man from Lambeth that I have
been after so long, call’d on me on Monday, to say that he was
out of imploy; therefore I engaged him to meet me at Field’s in
the evening, which he did; and inclosed is all the information I
cou’d get from him. I informed him that when I wrote to him in
the country I was imploy’d to look out for a person in his way,
but did not know wether there was now the same person wanted or
not, but wou’d write. At the same time I ask’d him if he shou’d
like to go down into the country to make a trial for a short
time, and see how he was likely to succeed; but this he seem’d
to decline for some time, unless he went upon a certainty for
constant imployment. After drinking a bowl of punch, he said
he wou’d go down to make trial, in case his expences was all
paid up and down, and paid for the time he was away. He seems
to think, before he cou’d attempt doing any thing, there must
be some alteration made to the kiln; but of this you will be
the best judge, if you agree to have him down. He seems pretty
confident they will be glad to have him back to Lambeth again
very soon: in short, he thinks they cannot do without him. He
says they had better a made him a present of £500 than a parted
with him. I have been inform’d thro’ another hand that had use
to work at the manufactory they have had very great losses in
the kilns since he left, and that they have lost everything in
the large kiln. He seems very confident in succeeding in firing
China figures to any size; but of this he cannot be a judge
till a trial is made. After I first see this man, I went and
inform’d Mr. Vulliamy of it, and his advise is to for you to
have him down, tho’ he says he is a drunken bad chap, but clever
in his business. If you shou’d so determine to have him down,
I think sooner the better, as he expects soon to be call’d to
Gen. Conway’s[54] again, and likewise to fire some figures, &c.,
for a Mrs. Dimer,[54] in town. He has promis’d to call again in
a few days, therefore you will please to give your answer. Mr.
Vulliamy very much wants two boys of the last mould sent: begs
you will forward them immediately. Mr. V. inform’d me a few days
since that he would write to you the first opportunity, and am,
“Sir, your very obedient servant,
“J. LYGO.”
“March 23rd, ’90.”
In 1792 the following letter, also in my own possession, was
addressed to Coffee by Miss E. Coade, and shows what a clear-headed,
right-minded, and well-disposed employer she was:--
“Lyme, 25 July, 1792.
“MR. COFFEE.--I received your third letter, but have had so many
engagements that I cou’d not answer it sooner; besides that
at this distance I can’t speak upon it as if I were present.
I supposed, as you now say, that Mr. Pritchard’s information
against you was in consequence of some quarrell you had had
with him; but I do not justify his manner of taking revenge,
and you are now returning it upon him by acquainting me of his
making tools in my time and selling them, which, as you say, is
a _greater_ crime than what he has charged you with, and if Mr.
Sealy knew it, I can’t suppose he wou’d keep such a man. But it
is always a rule with me to let every man speak for himself if
he can; and, therefore, as I am at such a distance I must put it
by for ye present, or else refer it to Mr. Sealy, who is ye only
judge whether ye hurry of business will allow of parting with a
man or not. _You shou’d put yourself in ye place of a master,
and then consider how many things they have to try them_, and
how impossible to attend to ye private quarrells of ye workmen:
however, I know Mr. Sealy is disposed to do justice. You say he
behaved very well to you in ye beginning of this affair, and
_if he changed his conduct, it must be in consequence of your
improper behaviour to him_. But as it is too late to recall what
is past, my advice to you is to do as you say--return to your
work; and if you are conscious that in your passion you have
_behaved disrespectfully to Mr. Sealy, make such acknowledgments
to him as will show your good sense, as well as a sense of
duty_. I have no doubt but he would have lent you money if you
had asked it in a becoming spirit. I hope your hand is better
and that you are at work. And _wishing you may improve this
accident to your own good_, I remain
“Your sincere friend,
“E. COADE.
“My best wishes to Patty. I did not know but I shou’d have been
up by this time, but I hope it will not be long.”
_The London Pottery_ is in High Street, Lambeth. It was established
on a small scale in 1751, on a portion of old “Hereford House,” the
palace of one of the former bishops of Hereford, and has been carried
on without intermission, from that time to the present. In 1840 the
manufactory came into the hands of Mr. James Stiff, the head of the
present firm of “Messrs. James Stiff & Sons.” At that time the works
consisted only of two kilns (the larger one being only about ten feet
in diameter), and covered an area of probably less than a quarter of
an acre of ground. Since 1840 it has been gradually developed, until
at the present time it comprises fourteen kilns (some of them more
than twenty feet in diameter) and covers an area of about two acres
of ground. It has a very extensive frontage on the Albert Embankment,
overlooking the river Thames, and by means of a private dock, with
entrance under the Embankment, is enabled directly to carry on a very
extensive export trade, and also to import most economically the coals,
clay, and other raw material used in the production of brown and white
stoneware, terra-cotta, &c. Until 1860, when fresh buildings were
erected, a Delft-ware sign-board existed in the front of this pottery.
The _four_ principal kinds of pottery manufactured by Messrs.
Stiff and Sons are: 1. Brown salt-glazed stoneware, in which the
tubular socket drain-pipes so extensively made here are produced;
water-filters, jugs, bottles, jars, and all kinds of chemical
apparatus are also made in this class of ware. 2. White stoneware or
“double-glazed” ware, or “Bristol ware,” in which salt is not used, but
the glazing is obtained by the application of a liquid glaze to the
interior and exterior of each article before it is placed in the kiln.
This ware, which is generally made with a rich yellow ochre on the
upper parts of goods, while the lower part is of a creamy-white colour,
has only been introduced into Lambeth about twenty years. It has,
however, to a considerable extent superseded the old brown stoneware,
on account of its superior appearance and cleanliness. 3. Buff
terra-cotta, in which is made garden vases, pedestals, chimney-tops,
window arches, string-courses, &c. This terra-cotta, being thoroughly
vitrified, is valuable for the manufacture of keystones, springers,
string-courses, &c., for buildings where durability is of the very
highest importance; one great advantage (for architectural purposes)
lying in the fact that, in it, the choicest and most elaborate
patterns, either raised or countersunk, can be obtained at little more
than the cost of perfectly plain stone. 4. Porous ware, in which round
and square porous cells, plates, &c., are extensively made, and have
been used by some of the first telegraphic engineers, philosophical
instrument makers, &c., of the day, and have given much satisfaction,
securing, as they do, the greatest amount of porosity, together
with a degree of hardness and fineness of texture which render them
insusceptible of disintegration.
The quality of the stoneware or “Bristol ware” produced at the “London
Pottery” is remarkably good, being extremely hard, and covered with an
excellent, clear, and firm glaze, not surpassed by any other house.
The same remark will apply to the porous ware, which is fine in
composition, and possesses to an eminent degree the porous quality so
essential in vessels of this description. The terra-cotta goods are of
very fine, hard, and durable quality, and of a peculiarly pleasing tone
of colour. Their artistic execution is of a high order, and some of the
designs--as notably the draped bowl and flower-pots which are engraved
on Figs. 340 to 342, and 345, 346.
[Illustration: Fig. 340.]
[Illustration: Fig. 341.]
[Illustration: Fig. 342.]
[Illustration: Fig. 343.]
[Illustration: Fig. 344.]
[Illustration: Fig. 345.]
[Illustration: Fig. 346.]
Messrs. Stiff & Sons produce a large number of filters of excellent
construction and of artistic design. Some of these have Gothic arches,
with figures or armorial decorations, and others are decorated with
elegant foliage; two of these effective designs are shown on Figs. 343
and 344. These filters have been more than thirty years before the
public. The filtering medium consists of alternate layers of charcoal,
silica, and another purifying substance, all carefully cleansed, and so
arranged as to retain full efficiency for eight or ten years without
further cost or trouble. The “Popular” filter--intended for common use
among all classes--purifies eight gallons of water per day, and is sold
complete and fitted for a mere trifle.
The potteries of Messrs. Stiff & Son are among the largest in London.
They employ about two hundred hands, and their annual import of raw
material, clay, coals, &c., is about 15,000 tons. They have business
relations in almost all parts of the world, and their manufactures
have been admitted to the principal International Exhibitions; their
terra-cotta vases combine excellence of finish with correctness of
design, and are sold at very moderate prices. Their stoneware chemical
apparatus has a very wide reputation, and their drain-pipes and other
sanitary appliances, comprising nearly two-thirds of their business,
have an immense sale.
It is well to add that at this pottery antique jugs and water-jugs,
of excellent design and clever manipulation, are made. The forms are
chaste and good, and they have, partly owing to the care in making,
and partly to the fineness of the glaze, a pleasanter feel to the hand
than others. The carriage and foot warmers, &c., made here are also
extremely good in quality and design.
_The Lambeth Pottery._--In 1818 Mr. John Doulton established
stoneware works at Vauxhall, and soon afterwards was joined in
partnership by Mr. John Watts, the business being carried on under the
style of Doulton & Watts. Some years after, the works were removed to
High Street, Lambeth, to premises near those which had formerly been
occupied by Mr. Griffiths, already spoken of. In 1858 Mr. Watts died,
and from that time to the present the manufactory has been carried on
by Mr. John Doulton in co-partnership with his sons, under the style
of Doulton & Watts, and Henry Doulton & Co. In 1854 Mr. Henry Doulton
took out a patent for “improvements in kilns used in the manufacture of
stoneware, earthenware, and china.” In 1859 he took out another patent
for “improvements in earthenware jars and bottles,” and in 1861 the
same gentleman also patented his “improvements in the construction of
vats and similar vessels for containing liquids.” At the Exhibitions of
1851 and 1862, medals were awarded to this firm, as they were also at
the Exhibitions at Paris, Hamburg, Oporto, New Zealand, Auxerre, Caen,
and Amsterdam. At the International Exhibitions of 1871 and 1872 they
also received the highest commendation.
The goods manufactured by Messrs. Doulton & Co. include chemical
vessels of large size (up to 500 gallons) and all kinds of stoneware
suitable for the laboratory and works of the manufacturing
chemist--jars, bottles, jugs, water-filters, and other articles of
domestic use; terra-cotta for architectural and gardening purposes;
drainage pipes, irrigation conduits, sinks, and all kinds of sanitary
ware; plumbago and other crucibles, muffles, furnaces, &c.: and,
in addition to their manufactory at Lambeth, they have works for
the manufacture of sewer pipes, fire goods, blue bricks, &c., at
Rowley-Regis, Staffordshire; Smethwick, Staffordshire; and St. Helen’s,
Lancashire. The various kinds of stoneware and terra-cotta produced by
Messrs. Doulton at their Lambeth works give employment to about six
hundred men; and their consumption of coals at Lambeth alone (exclusive
of the quantity used in their Staffordshire and Lancashire factories)
is over 10,000 tons per annum.
[Illustration: Fig. 347.--Doulton Ware.]
[Illustration: Figs. 348 to 353.--Doulton’s Vases, Filters, &c.]
[Illustration: Figs. 354 to 357.--Doulton’s Terra Cotta.]
In stoneware--which, like every other branch of the ceramic art,
has made great progress during the last twenty or thirty years, and
has been made applicable to scores of purposes never dreamed of by
the potters of old--Messrs. Doulton produce, to a very large extent,
bottles, jars, pitchers, and jugs; troughs and pans; feet, carriage,
bed, and other warmers; barrels and taps; filters, filter-stands, and
drip-pans, and every possible variety of household vessels. Besides
these, force-pumps, retorts, receivers, condensing-worms, still-heads,
evaporating dishes and pans, filtering-funnels, percolators, and
every other conceivable kind of chemical and manufacturing vessels
and apparatus, as well as drain-pipes, gullies, sinks, and sanitary
goods, are largely made.
Many of the productions in this stoneware are of extremely artistic
character, and evince a purity of taste which is highly meritorious.
Some of the jugs and tankards, from antique examples, and which are
produced both in brown, blue, claret, and fine white stoneware, are
remarkably chaste and elegant, and remind one of the best periods of
German and Flemish art. The forms are admirable, and the decorations,
whether foliage or animal, incised or in relief, are always thoroughly
well considered, and especially adapted to the material, the mode
of production, and the use of the object. “There are no affected
imitations of antique types. The spirit of true design is caught with
admirable perception and insight, and when colour is introduced, it is
done sparingly, and with a view to enhance the form of the object and
the natural beauty of the material, rather than to conceal either the
one or the other.”
[Illustration: Fig. 358.--Group of Doulton Ware.]
In terra-cotta, Messrs. Doulton’s works rank high, both for the
beauty of their productions, the variety of designs they have
introduced, and the durability and excellence of their material. In
vases for gardens, &c.--the finest of which is their Amazon vase
(Fig. 354) sent to the Exhibition of 1871--Messrs. Doulton produce
a large number of exquisite patterns, as they do also of pedestals,
fountains, garden-seats, flower-boxes, and vases, fern-cases,
flower-pendants, mignionette-boxes, brackets, terminals, &c., which
are all characterized by extreme excellence of design and workmanship.
In statuary and architectural decorations the productions consist
of figures, busts, and medallions; keystones, arches, trusses, and
string-courses; capitals, bases, and finials; window and door heads and
jambs; rain-water heads, of marvellously bold and effective design;
parapets and balustrades; panels of coloured stoneware and terra-cotta,
modelled in very high relief, and mostly of scriptural subjects,
for out-door decoration; tiles and bosses of endless design--some
ornamented in the sgraffito style, and others richly coloured; and
everything requisite for the architect or the builder. Of terra-cotta
flower-pots and fern-cases a large variety are made, all elegant in
shape--some ornamented with masks and medallions, and others with
vegetable composition; and of brackets and pendants the specimens are
very graceful. Painting on pottery has also of late been introduced
into this manufactory with very good results.
One class of objects to which attention should be called, presents,
in ordinary clays, adaptations in which is conspicuous all the play
of the chastest Greek contours, with all the forms dear to successive
generations of housewives before the revival set in. Prominent are
claret cups, loving cups, hot and cold water jugs, flower vases,
candlesticks, hunting jugs, pitchers, and inkstands, with a great
variety of other vessels. “What particularly arrests the eye in this
branch of the manufacture is, that each object has a style which now
takes us back to the flowery periods of Doric and Etruscan forms, now
to the days of mediæval hospitalities, or to modern instances, by
vessels of form and capacity which would delight even the hearts of
the notoriously beer-loving _Burschenschaft_ of Jena. And it is
necessary to explain that, as these works are not the results of the
common course of earthenware production, it has cost much thought and
the exercise of much knowledge and ingenuity to appoint a confederacy
of labour so particularly qualified as shall work successfully to this
special end.” The ornament is principally the _sgraffimento_, or
incised outline, which is effected sometimes as soon as the vessel
leaves the wheel, or more generally after it has been allowed partially
to dry to a consistency which will allow of its being handled, though
yet sufficiently soft to admit of being easily worked upon. To the
designs thus engraved in outline, especially to the leafage, colour is
applied with an ordinary water-colour brush, and burnt in. This ware
is called “Doulton ware,” or “Sgraffito ware,” and no two pieces are
formed alike. With regard to the body it will be sufficient to say that
the great strength of stoneware in comparison with that of earthenware,
and also its perfect cleanliness, have secured its adoption, whether
produced by this or any of the other eminent firms who manufacture it,
in all kinds of appliances in connection with drainage and sanitary
engineering; and the perfect resistance it offers to the strongest
acids, proves the material to be admirably fitted for the manufacture
of every kind of vessel and apparatus employed in trades depending in
any degree on chemical operations.
_Fore Street._--A manufactory of various kinds of pottery existed
here in the beginning of the present century, and was carried on by
Mr. Richard Waters, who in June, 1811, took out a patent for “a new
method of manufacturing pottery ware.” First, “in the fabrication of
various articles of considerable magnitude,” “instead of throwing or
moulding them on a revolving table, the clay is made into sheets and
then applied upon moulds and finished, by beating or pressure, or by
turning while in a revolving state;” second, forming “delf-ware pots
and other articles by compression of the clay between suitable moulds;”
third, “making or clouding the ‘Welsh ware,’ by using a number of pipes
instead of one in distributing the colour;” fourth, “making earthenware
jambs, tiles for facing houses, and for paving hearths, balustrades,
balconies, and bricks vein-coloured, variegated either by the last
process or by putting together masses differing from each other,” and
in the admixture of stony or metallic or other mineral substances, so
as to differ in their colours and appearance when baked; fifth, by this
process making “figures, statues, ornaments, armorial bearings, and
the like;” sixth, by this process making “stone mortars and pestles,
cisterns, coffins, worms for distillers’ use, tiles, with a hook on the
back instead of a knob, also with a higher edge and deeper return than
usual.”
_Imperial Pottery._--Another pottery at Lambeth was that of
Messrs. Green & Co., which in 1858 passed, by purchase, into the hands
of Mr. John Cliff, by whom it was considerably enlarged. Mr. Cliff here
brought into use his own “patent kiln for what is known as double glaze
or Bristol glaze kiln, and a circular bag for the salt glaze and pipe
kiln, since adopted generally.” Here also Carr’s “Disintegrant” was
first proved and got to work; and here, under his own eye, Siemens’s
gas furnace was tried on pottery. Here also Mr. Cliff brought out,
and into work, his patent wheel and patent lathe--two most important
improvements in the potter’s art, and said to be the most perfect and
convenient machines extant. The works were closed in 1869, through
the site being required by the Metropolitan Board of Works for
improvements, and Mr. Cliff removed to Runcorn, in Cheshire, where
he still continues his manufactory.[55] The works were originally
established for the manufacture of common red ware; but after a time
Mr. Green added a little salt-glazed ware; and then, as the double
glazed gained favour, added it, and made it his principal business,
giving up the red ware entirely. Later still, he manufactured drain
pipes and a good deal of chemical stoneware; and, besides all the usual
articles, filters were here extensively made for the celebrated George
Robins, the auctioneer. The old works were many times much injured by
fire--being nearly destroyed just before passing into Mr. Cliff’s hands
in 1858.
[Illustration: Figs. 359 to 363.--Blanchard’s Terra Cotta, &c.]
_Crispe’s China._--Crispe of Bow Churchyard is said to have had a
manufactory of china ware at Lambeth in the middle of last century; and
to him John Bacon, the sculptor, is stated to have been apprenticed
in 1755. But little is known of this manufactory of Crispe’s, but
reference to him and to his connection with the china trade will be
made in another part of this book.
Several other potteries--one carried on by Mr. Northen, who was an
apprentice to Mr. White of Fulham--existed at Lambeth, but have been
removed, like the “Imperial,” by the improvements on the banks of the
Thames.
BLACKFRIARS ROAD.
The terra-cotta works of Messrs. M. H. Blanchard, Son, & Co., were
established in 1839 by Mr. Blanchard, who served his apprenticeship
with Messrs. Coade & Sealey at Lambeth, and they are still carried on
by him and his sons and other partners under the above style.
The terra-cotta goods manufactured by this firm are of remarkably
fine and good quality, and consist of vases, tazzas, statues, busts,
groups of figures, brackets, pedestals, terminals, crosses, fountains,
balustrades, trusses, and every species of architectural enrichment.
In 1851, and again in 1862, as well as at the Paris Exhibition, Mr.
Blanchard was awarded medals for his terra-cotta goods, and they are
considered to be among the best produced, either in this country or on
the Continent. Among the more successful of the works executed by them
may be named the terra-cotta for the Brighton Aquarium; the permanent
buildings, South Kensington Museum; the columns, &c., of the arcades in
the Royal Horticultural Gardens; the Charing Cross and Cannon Street
hotels and termini; the Grosvenor mansions; the Grand Hotel, Cairo;
and the chastely beautiful and effective enrichments of the Wedgwood
Institute, Burslem. Of this last, as one of the greatest achievements
of ceramic art, as applied to external decoration of buildings, I give
a series of engravings. The principal features of these designs are a
series of twelve nearly square panels, in alto-relievo, representing
the months of the year--each month being represented by a seated,
recumbent, or stooping life-size figure, with the attribute of the
season; and a series of oblong panels or plaques, representing, in
similar relief, all the more striking details of the work of the
potter, thus, very appropriately, illustrating the staple trade of the
district in which the Wedgwood Institute is situated. Of the months,
the four illustrations here given (Figs. 364 to 367) will convey a
correct idea.
[Illustration: Fig. 364.]
[Illustration: Fig. 365.]
[Illustration: Fig. 366.]
[Illustration: Fig. 367.]
Of the general high character for design and workmanship of the
productions of Mr. Blanchard--who ranks among the best in the
kingdom--the objects here engraved will give abundant testimony; and it
only remains to add that the quality of the material and its durability
are fully equalled by the excellence of design of the various articles
produced by this firm.
VAUXHALL.
Thomas Houghton, to whom I have in other parts of this work referred,
in his “Husbandry and Trade Improved,” writing on March 13, 1695–6,
says, speaking of the imports during the year 1694, “of teapots there
came but ten, and those from Holland. To our credit be it spoken, we
have about Faux-Hall (as I have been informed) made a great many,
and I cannot gainsay but they are as good as any come from abroad.”
In 1714 Thoresby writes that he “went by water to Fox-Hall and the
Spring-gardens. After dinner we viewed the pottery and various
apartments there. Was most pleased with that where they were painting
divers colours, which yet appear more beautiful and of divers colours
when baked.” The Vauxhall Pottery is said to have been situated close
by Vauxhall Bridge, in High Street. The Delft-ware Pottery in Princess
Street, Lambeth, is said to have belonged to the same works. The
Vauxhall Pottery, which was for the production of stoneware similar to
that at Lambeth, was carried on towards the close of last century by
a Mr. Wagstaffe; and on his death, in or about 1803, it passed into
the hands of his nephew, Mr. John Wisker, who carried it on until
his decease in 1838, he having, in 1833, taken out a patent “for
certain improvements in machinery or apparatus for grinding covers or
stoppers for jars, bottles, and other vessels made of china, stone,
or other earthenware,” such as are described in the patent of Robert
Burton Cooper taken out in 1831. On the death of Mr. Wisker, the works
were purchased of his executors by Mr. Alfred Singer, but have been
discontinued and pulled down; and the site built over, for some years.
At these works Mr. Singer, in conjunction with Mr. Henry Pether,
manufactured small tiles, or tesseræ, for tesselated pavements. In 1839
they took out a patent “for certain improvements in the preparation
and combination of earthenware or porcelain, for the purpose of
mosaic or tesselated work” “by cutting clay or other plastic material
into rectilinear figures, by means of intersecting wires stretched
in a frame,” and “the forming of ornamental slabs of mosaic work by
cementing together small pieces of porcelain or earthenware, of various
figures and colours, on slabs of slate, stone, or other suitable
material.”
There was another pottery at Vauxhall, where coarse red or brown ware
was made, and where also, later on, a fine stoneware was produced.
There was also a manufactory of white stoneware carried on, in 1811, by
a Mr. Joseph Kishire.
ALDGATE.
In 1690 William Knight was a “Pottmaker” in “the parish of St. Buttolph
without Aldgate, London,” and made “white ware.” In that year he
had conveyed to him, by deed, some premises which were situated “by
the river running from Merton Mill to Wandsworth, in the county of
Surrey,” and consisted in part of a mill, “_used for a colour-mill
for grinding colours for the glazeing of white ware_” made by him.
The original deed, which is in my own possession, was first made public
by me in my “Reliquary,” and is altogether one of the most interesting
contributions to the history of the ceramic art in England which has of
late been made. The deed is as follows:--
THIS INDENTURE, made the Tenth Day of March, ANNO DOM. 1690,
and in the Third Yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigns Lord
and Lady William and Mary King and Queene of England Scotland
France and Ireland &c BETWEENE Mary Crispe of the parish of
St. Andrewe Holborne in the County of Middx Widow late wife of
Ellis Crispe late of Wimbledon in the County of Surry Esquire
Deceased and Samuel Crispe of the Inner Temple London Gent.
Son and Heire of the said Ellis Crispe of the One part And
William Knight of the Parish of St. Buttolph without Aldgate
London Pottmaker of the Other part WITNESSETH That For and in
Consideration of the Sume of Seaven Hundred Pounds of lawfull
mony of England heretofore to the said Ellis Crispe and the said
Mary Crispe (by the name of Mary his wife) or one of them paid
by the said William Knight And in Consideration of the Sume of
Five Shillings to the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe or
one of them in hand at or before th’ ensealing and delivery of
these presents by the said William Knight well and truly paid
The Receipt of which severall Sumes they the said Mary Crispe
and Samuel Crispe doe hereby respectively Acknowledge Testifie
and Declare And thereof and of and from every part and parcell
thereof Doe hereby severally and respectively Release Acquitt
and Discharge the said William Knight his Heirs Executors and
Administrators and every of them by these presents And in
pursuance of a Covenant for further Assurances of the Lands
Mill and Hereditaments hereinafter mentioned or intended to be
Released or Conveyed made by and from the said Ellis Crispe for
himself and for the said Mary Crispe (by the name of Mary his
wife) and for the Heires and Assigns of the said Ellis Crispe to
the said William Knight his Heires and Assignes Conteined in an
Indenture bearing date on or about the Four and Twentieth day
of July Anno Domini One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Three
and in the Five and Thirtieth Yeare of the Raigne of the late
King Charles the Second Made or mentoned to be made Between the
said Ellis Crispe and the said Mary Crispe (by the name of Mary
his wife) of the One part and the said William Knight of the
Other part And for diverse other good Causes and Consideratons
them the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe thereunto moueing
THEY the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe HAVE Bargained
Sold Released and Confirmed And by these presents Doe Bargaine
Sell Release and Confirme unto the said William Knight (in his
actuall possession now being) and to his Heires and Assignes
ALL Those Five Closes or Parcells of Meadow Ground Conteineing
by Estimation Fifteene Acres be the same more or lesse lyeing
neare and adjoyneing to the River running from Merton Mill to
Wandsworth in the County of Surry Together with the Mill Erected
on part of the said Fifteen Acres formerly used for a Fulling
Mill and Brasill Mill and now and of late used for a Colour
Mill for Grinding Colours for the Glazeing of White Ware And
also the Watercourses Ponds Mill Ponds Floodgates Wayes Waters
Comodityes and Appurtenances to the said Mill and Premises
or any of them belonging or of right apperteineing All which
Premises now are and late were in the tenure or occupaton of the
said William Knight his Tennants or Assignes And are Scituate
lyeing and being in the said Parish of Wimbledon in the said
County of Surrey AND also all the Land Mill and Hereditaments
with the appurtennces which in or by One Indenture bearing date
the Fourth day of November Anno Domini One Thousand Six Hundred
Seaventy and Three And in the Five and Twentieth Yeare of the
Raigne of the late King Charles the Second made Betweene the
said Ellis Crispe of the One part and John Campion of London
Pewterer and the said William Knight of the Other part were
or were mentoned to be demised granted and to Farm letten by
the said Ellis Crispe unto the said John Campion and William
Knight All which premises doe abutt on the Southside towards
the Highway on the Westside towards the Land late of the said
Ellis Crispe late in the occupaton of Joseph Walton William
Mason and Edward Hubbart on the Northside towards Biggery Road
and on the Eastside towards the Old River All which Land Mill
and Premises are Platted Sett out and drawne and butted and
bounded in a Plott or scheame to these presents annexed[56]
(EXCEPT and allwayes reserved out of this Present Release or
Conveyance unto the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe and the
Heires of the said Samuel The Royalty of Fishing and free leave
liberty and lycense to and for the said Mary Crispe and Samuel
Crispe and the Heires of the said Samuel and her his and their
Servants to come into and upon the premises hereby Released
or Conveyed to Fish at all seasonable and convenient times)
And the Revercon and Revercons Remainder and Remainders Rents
Issues and Profitts of all and singular the Premises and of
every part and parcell thereof And all the Estate Right Tythe
Interest Revercon Inheritance Trust Property Profit Clayme
and Demand whatsoever of them the said Mary Crispe and Samuel
Crispe or either of them of into and out of the Premises hereby
menconed or intended to be Released or Conveyed and every or
any part or parcell thereof Together with true Coppyes (to be
made at the costs and charges of the said William Knight his
Heirs or Assignes) of all such Deeds Evidences and Writeings
(now in the hands custody or possession of the said Mary Crispe
and Samuel Crispe or which they or either of them may or can
come at without Suite in Law) as doe relate to or concerne the
Premises hereby menconed or intended to be bargained and sold
joyntly with other the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments of them
the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe or either of them All
which Premises hereby menconed or intended to be bargained Sold
Released and Confirmed were heretofore bargained sold released
and confirmed or otherwise Conveyed unto the said William Knight
his Heires and Assignes to his and their own use and behoofe
for ever by and from the said Ellis Crispe and the said Mary
his wife by Indentures of Lease and Release bearing date the
Three and Twentieth and Four and Twentieth dayes of July Anno
Domini One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty and Three and in the
said Five and Thirtieth Yeare of the Raigne of the said late
King Charles the Second made or mencondd to be made Betweene
the said Ellis Crispe and the said Mary Crispe by the name of
Mary his wife of the One part and the said William Knight of
the Other part and by other good and sufficient Conveyances
or Assurances in the Law And also together with all Messuages
Tenements Houses Erectons and Buildings Sythence erected and
built upon the said Fifteen Acres of Land or any part thereof
with their Appurtenances TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular
the premises (Except before Excepted) Unto the said William
Knight his Heires and Assignes To the onely use and behoofe of
the said William Knight his Heires and Assignes for Ever and to
and for noe other use or uses intents or purposes whatsoever
And the said Mary Crispe for herselfe her Heires Executors and
Admstrators AND THE SAID Samuel Crispe for himselfe his Heires
Executors and Administrators Doe respectively Covenant and Agree
to and with the said William Knight his Heires and Assignes
by these presents That it shall and may be lawfull to and for
the said William Knight his Heires and Assignes peaceably and
quitely to Have Hold Occupy Possese and Enjoy the premises
with the appurtennces hereby bargained and sold or menconed to
be hereby bargained and sold and to receive have and take the
Rents Issues and Profitts thereof to his and their owne Use and
Uses without the lawful Lett Suite Trouble Molestation Eviction
Disturbance or Interrupton of or by the said Mary Crispe and
Samuel Crispe or either of them their or either of their Heires
or Assignes or the Heires and Assignes of the said Ellis Crispe
or the Heires or Assignes of Rowland Wilson Esquire Dec^d late
Grandfather of the said Ellis Crispe Or of or by any other
person or persons claymeing or to clayme by from or under the
said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe or by from or under the said
Ellis Crispe or Rowland Wilson or any or either of them in any
manner of wise And that Free and Cleare and freely and clearly
Acquitted Exonerated and Discharged Or otherwise by the said
Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe their Heires and Assignes from
time to time and at all times hereafter well and sufficiently
Saved Defended and kept harmelesse and Indempnifyed of and from
All and all manner of former and other Guifts Grants Bargaines
Sales or Conveyances (Other than such as are hereinbefore
menconed) Mortgages Joyntures Dowers Right and Tytle of Dower
Uses Wills Intayles Recognizances Statutes Merchant and of
the Staple Judgements Executons Extents Seizures Forfeitures
Debts to the Crowne and of and from all other Charges Estates
Tytles Troubles and Incumbrances whatsoever had made comitted
done or suffered or to be had made committed done or suffered
by the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe or either of them
respectively their Heires or Assignes or by the said Ellis
Crispe and Rowland Wilson or either of them or any clayming by
from or under them either or any of them in any manner of wise
AND FARTHER That the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe either
of them their and either of their Heires and Assignes and all
and every other person and persons claymeing or to clayme by
from or under the said Mary Crispe and Samuel Crispe or either
of them or the said Rowland Wilson or Ellis Crispe shall and
will from time to time and at all times hereafter within the
Space of Seaven Yeares at the Request Costs and Charges in the
Law of the said William Knight his Heires or Assignes make doe
acknowledge leavy execute and suffer or cause and procure to
be made done acknowledged leavyed executed and suffered unto
him and them such further or other lawfull and reasonable Act
and Acts Deed and Deeds Conveyance and Conveyances Assurance
and Assurances in the Law whatsoever for the further and better
Conveying Assureing Surety and Sure makeing of the Premises with
the appurtennces hereby bargained sold or released and every
part and parcell thereof unto the said William Knight his Heires
and Assignes to his and their owne use and uses Bee it by Fine
or Fines Recovery or Recoveryes with single double or treble
Voucher or Vouchers over Deed or Deeds Inrolled or not Inrolled
Release Confirmacon or by all or any of those wayes or meanes or
by any other wayes or meanes whatsoever As by the said William
Knight his Heires or Assignes or his or their Councell Learned
in the Laws shalbee reasonably devised or advised and required
Soe as such farther Assurance shall conteyne noe further or
other Warranty or Covenants then only against the partyes
thereunto and for and concerning their own acts only and soe as
the Person or Persons making such farther Assurance shall not
be Compelled or Compellable to Travell farther than the Citys
of London or Westminster in Case they Inhabit within Seaven
Miles thereof or else farther than Seaven Miles from the Place
of his or their abode for the doeing thereof AND IT IS hereby
Covenanted Declared and fully agreed by and betweene all and
every the Partyes to these presents for them and their Heires
That all and every Fine and Fines Conveyance and Conveyances
Assurance and Assurances in the Law whatsoever already had made
levyed acknowledged executed or suffered or hereafter to be had
made levyed acknowledged executed or suffered by or betweene
the said Partyes to these presents or whereunto they or any
of them are or shalbee Party or Partyes Of or concerning the
premises hereby menconed or intended to be Released or Confirmed
unto the said William Knight his Heires or Assignes intirely
by themselves or joyntly with any other Lands Tenements or
Hereditaments whatsoever shalbee and Enure and shall be adjudged
deemed construed expounded and taken to be and enure and is and
are hereby declared to be and enure as to the said severall
Closes Mill and other the premises with the appurtenaces hereby
menconed or intended to be Released or Conveyed To the use and
behoofe of the said William Knight his Heires and Assignes and
to and for noe other use or uses intents or purposes whatsoever
IN WITNESS whereof The said parties to these present Indentures
Interchangeably have Sett their Hands and Seales Dated the Day
and Yeare First above written.
MARY CRISPE. SAMUEL CRISPE.
The deed, which is sealed with the arms of Crispe, is thus attested on
the back, “Sealed and Delivered in the presence of
JOHN WALKER, } Servts. to Saml. Crispe.
WALTER LOCKIE, }
BENJ: GLADMAN, Scr: in Lothbury, London.”
The William Knight, “pott maker,” of this deed was the same William
Knight whose name appears three years later on, in 1693, along with
those of Thomas Harper, Henry De Wilde, John Robins, and Moses
Johnson--“all potters in London”--in the curious “Brief Account of the
Evidence given on behalf of Edmund Warner” in a trial in the Court
of Exchequer, concerning a parcel of Potter’s clay which had been
wrongfully seized as Fuller’s-earth, given on page 134.
“Mary Crispe of the parish of St. Andrewe, Holborne, in the county of
Middx., widow, late wife of Ellis Crispe, late of Wimbledon, in the
county of Surry, Esquire, deceased, and Samuel Crispe of the Inner
Temple, London, Gent., Son and Heire of the said Ellis Crispe,” were,
there can be but little doubt, of the same family to which, later on,
Crispe, the china manufacturer, belonged.
MILL-WALL.
Mr. Blashfield, now of the Stamford Terra-cotta Works, who had
previously been engaged in the plastic, scagliola, and cement
business, commenced the manufacture of terra-cotta vases, statues,
chimney-shafts, &c., turning to good account the models he had used in
his former business and those he had acquired from Coades. These works
he carried on until 1858, when he removed to Stamford, in Lincolnshire,
and opened his present large manufactory.
MORTLAKE.
Delft-ware works appear to have been in existence here in the
seventeenth century. At the close of the eighteenth they were taken by
Mr. Wagstaffe, of the Vauxhall Pottery, and passed with them to his
nephew, Mr. Wisker, about the year 1804, and were by him continued
for the manufacture of Delft and stone-wares until 1820 or 1821, when
he removed the whole concern to Vauxhall. Two examples of Mortlake
Delft-ware--a large punch-bowl, twenty-one inches in diameter, painted
in blue, with birds, flowers, &c.; and a set of twelve tiles, also
painted in blue, with landscape, ruins, figures, &c., are in the South
Kensington Museum. They were removed from the old factory.
SOUTHWARK.
_Gravel Lane._--In the beginning of last century a pottery was carried
on by Nathaniel Oade, connected with whom and whose business a shocking
circumstance is detailed in the _Post Boy_ of March 1st, 1718. It
appears that Oade had a family of four sons, who were determined to
have the business and house made over to them, leaving him to exist
on what property he had acquired. This he declined to do; when they
swore they would have it in spite of him, and soon afterwards had him
arrested on judgment in a sham action in the Marshalsea Court for
£500, and thrown into prison. The sons then, with their vile attorney,
conveyed arms and a store of provisions into the house, and at once
turned their mother and servants out and barricaded the place. “In
their rage they shot a woman who was passing by; also their own mother
and a servant who would not give up possession of the books of account.
The constables and the military at length arriving, they capitulated.”
The youngest son and another man were executed for the murder; the
others were found guilty of manslaughter. In 1750 the roof of a pottery
belonging to Mr. Oade was thrown down by an earthquake, and an account
of the circumstance was sent to the Royal Society by William Jackson, a
potter.
ISLEWORTH.
The manufacture of porcelain at Isleworth was commenced by Joseph Shore
in 1760, and was continued to be made about forty years. In 1795 Lysons
says: “There is a china manufactory at Isleworth belonging to Messrs.
Shore & Co.” In 1800 it was discontinued, but the stock is said to
have remained on the premises until 1830, when the works, having in
the meantime been used for the manufacture of earthenware--principally
“Welsh” or “streaked” ware,--were closed. A few years afterwards the
manufactory was removed to Hounslow, and the site converted to other
purposes. Joseph Shore is said to have come from the Worcester China
Works, and his partner and principal painter, Richard Goulding, was his
son-in-law, who was, later on, assisted by his son, William Goulding
[Sidenote: WM. GOULDING, June 20th, 1770. ✳] (a dated piece of his
having the name as in the margin). I am inclined, however, to think
that Joseph Shore must have originally belonged to the Derby China
Works, as several of that name were connected with them. After Shore’s
death, the works were continued by the Gouldings. The works were at
Railshead Creek, by the ferry side.
STEPNEY.
A manufacture of porcelain was carried on here in the middle of last
century; for Jonas Hanway, writing in 1750–1, says, “It is with great
satisfaction that I observe the manufactories of Bow, Chelsea, and
Stepney have made such a considerable progress.”
GREENWICH.
In 1747 it appears there was a small manufactory of china here, but
nothing is known of its history. In the _London Tradesman_ of
that year occurs this note:--“Of late we have made some attempts to
make porcelain or chinaware, after the manner it is done in China
and Dresden. There is a house at Greenwich, and another at Chelsea,
where the undertakers have been for some time trying to imitate that
beautiful manufacture.”
[Illustration: Fig. 368.]
[Illustration: Fig. 369.]
* * * * *
_Ransome’s Patent Stone Works._--These works, situated at Blackwall
Lane, East Greenwich, were established at Ipswich in 1844, and removed
to this locality in January, 1866. In 1871 the present company was
incorporated in extension of the preceding firm. Mr. Frederick Ransome,
the inventor of the processes, is a member of the well-known Ipswich
family, and was in early life connected with the Orwell Works firm of
Ransomes and Sims. It was while there, and noticing a workman engaged
in dressing a millstone, that he conceived the idea of producing
artificial stone, capable of being moulded to any form, and to be a
perfect imitation, both in appearance and substance, of the blocks
taken from our best quarries. At the commencement Mr. Ransome had, as
I have said, his stoneworks at Ipswich. For ten years the difficulties
he had to encounter were very great, but he persevered, and, though
often discouraged, toiled and experimented on scientific principles
until he succeeded in making not only perfectly equable and homogeneous
grindstones, with keen cutting powers, and that need no dressing, but
also ornamental and decorative stonework of ornate character, which has
been well introduced in the Brighton Aquarium, London Docks, Albert
Bridge, the Indian Court, Whitehall, St. Thomas’s Hospital, &c., the
University of Calcutta and other buildings in India, and for ornamental
buildings in France, Belgium, Holland, Egypt, Turkey, China (where
a splendid fountain of Ransome stone adorns the public gardens at
Hong Kong), and other countries. The demand for this artificial stone
becoming much extended, the inventions were taken up by a company, and
extensive works were erected at East Greenwich, to which the business
was transferred, Mr. Ransome continuing with the company as managing
director.
The works are of great extent, and occupy a space of about four acres,
that was formerly a dreary waste, on the banks of the Thames. They are
connected with the river by a tramway and a jetty, supplied with a
powerful derrick. The works consist of a large covered building, with
a dividing wall across the centre, in which there are two openings for
the tramways that are laid from one end to the other, and on which the
work is conveyed from one point to another as the different processes
require.
The material is, to all intents and purposes, a pure sand-stone, whose
silicious particles are bound together by a cement of silicate of
lime--a mineral substance well known to be of the most indestructible
nature; its composition, mechanically and chemically, is precisely that
of the Craigleith and other best quality building-stones. It can be
moulded to any form while in a plastic state, and can be worked with
the chisel the same as any natural stone. The process of manufacture is
based upon one of the most beautiful of chemical reactions; flints are
dissolved by means of caustic alkali under high pressure, so as to form
silicate of soda, a kind of waterglass. This viscous and tenacious
substance is then rapidly mixed with a proportion of very fine and
sharp silicious sand in a pug mill, so as to form a soft, plastic mass,
which can be moulded into any shape that is desired. The soft stone is
next immersed in a bath of chloride of calcium solution, which is made
to penetrate every pore by means of hydraulic or atmospheric pressure.
Whenever this solution comes into contact with the silicate of soda the
two liquids are mutually and instantaneously decomposed, the silica
taking possession of the calcium and forming the hard, solid silicate
of lime, and the soda uniting with the chlorine to form chloride of
sodium in a small quantity. Instead, then, of the particles of sand
being covered with a thin film of the liquid silicate of soda, they are
covered and united together with a film of solid silicate of lime--one
of the most indestructible substances known. The small quantity of
soluble chloride of sodium, one of the results of decomposition,
is then washed out of the stone by a douche of clean water, or by
hydraulic pressure, its complete removal being ensured by chemical
tests. The stone is then dried and is fit for use.
[Illustration: Fig. 370.]
[Illustration: Fig. 371.]
The productions of these works may be said to comprise most of the
useful as well as ornamental purposes to which stone can be applied.
In the ornamental departments, vases of admirable design and of great
variety, fountains, tazzas (in these three departments some two hundred
different designs are produced), terminals, flower-boxes, flower-pots,
tree-pots, garden edgings, &c. Figures and busts are also produced. In
the more useful architectural departments, chimney-pieces, balustrades,
chimney-shafts and tops, window-heads, vases, plinths, capitals, and
many other articles are made, as well as memorial crosses, gravestones,
cemetery numbers and labels, and other mortuary articles, of such
excellent design and finish as to take the place of real stone, at a
great reduction of cost. Another speciality of the productions of
these works is the manufacture of grindstones and scythe-stones. These
are said to preserve their cutting edges better than stones dressed in
the ordinary way. Filters, too, for reservoirs, are made extensively,
and have the reputation of being the most effective of any introduced.
Pavement tiles, both red, white, grey, and other colours, and also
inlaid in different patterns, are made. These, among other places, have
been adopted on the new Albert Bridge, at Chelsea, with good effect,
and are giving entire satisfaction, on account of their great hardness,
strength, and non-liability to become slippery.
[Illustration: Fig. 372.]
[Illustration: Fig. 373.]
Another admirable and important element of Mr. Ransome’s inventions
is the applying of the silicate of lime to the preservation of stone.
The sculpture on St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, the Custom House at
Greenock, Trinity College, Dublin, and many other public buildings,
have been successfully treated with this solution, which hardens and
renders the surface indestructible by time or weather.
The trade mark of the company, which is the only mark used in this
manufactory, is a winged genius grinding an arrow, from an antique gem
at Rome. It is shown on Fig. 373. The works are under the personal
superintendence of Mr. A. Pye-Smith, with Mr. Frederick Ransome as
consulting chemist; Mr. Bessemer is the chairman.
DEPTFORD.
In the seventeenth century a pottery existed here, where were
manufactured melting-pots, “the best in the world, especially for
founders.” These were in great repute, and gradually superseded those
imported from Holland, Germany, and Denmark.
MERTON (see “Aldgate”).
HOUNSLOW.
About 1830 the manufacture of earthenware (commenced by Joseph Shore
and carried on after his death by his son and grandson Richard and
William Goulding) at Isleworth was removed to Hounslow, but died out in
the course of a year or two, and has not been renewed.
WANDSWORTH (see “Aldgate”).
EWELL.
“_Nonsuch Pottery._”--A pottery existed here in the early part of
last century, but about, or soon after, 1790, the bed of clay having
been exhausted, it was discontinued. About 1800 the steward of the
Nonsuch estates, on which the pottery was situated, gave permission
for a new pottery to be established wherever the clay could be
found; and soon afterwards the present “Nonsuch Pottery” was opened
in Nonsuch Park. It was founded by Mr. William Richard Waghorn, who
was joined in partnership by his son. This firm continued the works
until 1851, when they were transferred to Mr. Swallow, who had, until
that time, been their foreman. By him and his partner, Mr. Stone, the
business was continued under the style of “Stone and Swallow,” and by
them a pottery--principally for the manufacture of fire-bricks--was
established at Epsom. Mr. Swallow died in 1866 or 1867, and since then
his partner, Mr. Stone, continued the works alone: they are known as
the “Nonsuch Pottery,” or as “Stone’s Ewell and Epsom Potteries.” The
goods manufactured by Mr. W. Waghorn were “Italian tiling”--used very
extensively in the buildings of the time and remarkable for their
strength and durability; ornamental roof tiles; ridge tiles; “Nonsuch
Fire Bricks;” “Nonsuch Fire Loam;” paving and other tiles; moulded
bricks, &c., for Gothic buildings; ornamented chimney-pots; pipes;
flower-pots and vases, &c.; and on their lists was a view of the old
Nonsuch Palace, with an historical notice of the same. At the present
time the same descriptions of goods are produced--the mark, where used,
being simply the words “Stone & Co.”
CHEAM.
A pottery was worked here, about 1840, by Messrs. Waghorn, of the Ewell
Pottery; but on their retiring, in 1851, was transferred to Mr. Baker,
by whom it was worked until 1868, when he was succeeded by Messrs.
Cowley & Aston. It was closed in 1869. In the same year another pottery
was opened by Mr. Henry Clark, by whom it is still carried on, for the
manufacture of ornamental and plain flower-pots, rustic fern-stands,
vases, chimney-pots, drain-tiles, &c. They are of a bright red colour,
and when a mark is used, it is simply “Henry Clark, Cheam Pottery.”
CHISELHURST.
_The West Kent Potteries_ were opened in 1820, before which time other
works were in operation and carried on by the steward of Lord Sydney,
the owner of the estate, for the manufacture of wares for the use of
the estate. At Christmas, 1822, the works were taken by Mr. Pascall,
who continued to carry them on until January, 1869, when he died in the
ninety-second year of his age. Since then it has been carried on by his
sons, Messrs. Pascall Brothers, the present owners. The productions
of the works are the ordinary red-ware flower and root pots, sea-kale
pots, and other horticultural ware: building and paving bricks and
tiles; roofing and ridge tiles; drain, socket, and other pipes;
chimney-tops, &c. Messrs. Pascall are patentees of the famous West
Kent flower-pots with loose bottoms, celebrated for their convenience
for changing and examining the roots; and of the patent sea-kale pots
for growing sea-kale in hothouses. The works are extensive, and the
production of horticultural-ware is large.