We are not certain which of these theories is
correct. Nevertheless we have the name, although at this particular
date it was incorrectly applied."
"But the English had nothing at that time but pottery to give the name
to," objected Theo.
Mr. Croyden chuckled.
"Exactly! So they shouldn't have used the term at all," he said,
"because they have confused a lot of good people since then. From this
period on England went steadily forward with its china-making.
Earthenware of various kinds covered with salt glaze were made at
Fulham, Stoke-on-Trent, and Staffordshire. It was about 1750 that the
second of the great potters made his advent."
"Ah!" cried Theo, "now we are going to hear who he was!"
Mr. Croyden paused a moment as if thinking just how he should best
tell the story. Then he began:
"The name of this second pottery-maker to whom the world owes a mighty
debt was Josiah Wedgwood. He was a man who came naturally by his skill
at pottery-making, for, not only was he himself a potter, but he also
had several ancestors who had followed the trade. He was a
conscientious workman of limited education, but a person to whom a
thorough, careful piece of work, done as well as it was possible to do
it, was a satisfaction and delight.
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