Hence Vienna,
eager to retain the Oriental trade, was forced to change its artistic
trend and make instead porcelains adorned with arabesques and
geometrical figures. At the present time," concluded Mr. Croyden,
"there are extensive pottery and porcelain factories throughout
Germany and Austria-Hungary, and much of our finest ware comes from
these countries. Were you to study history you would find that many of
these factories sprang up from small beginnings, and that amid the
turmoil of European strife they had a stiff fight for existence."
"I think I never considered before the effect of war upon anything but
persons," remarked Theo musingly.
"Alas, the destruction war wages against human life is bad enough,"
answered Mr. Croyden. "But see, too, how it retards the arts and
industries of the world. May the day be not far distant when nations
shall find a more Christian and intelligent method of settling their
differences, and when wars shall cease forevermore!"
[Illustration]
CHAPTER IX
THE ROMANCE OF FRENCH CHINA-MAKING
The next day when Mr. Croyden put his head in at Theo's door to say
good-morning he found the boy sitting up in bed eating his breakfast
and his first remark was:
"How long did it take France to find out how to make porcelain,
Mr.
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