It was not until kaolin was discovered in 1765 and taken from
the section about St. Yrieix that hard paste, or pate dure, was
made in France."
"I see."
"Nevertheless the French people got wonderful results from their pate
tendre, and became wildly enthusiastic over the pieces the
china-designers turned out. And well they might for the French were an
inventive, art-loving people who certainly got fine results from their
early china-making. To understand the place art occupied at that time
you must remember that the Court was a centre for all those who were
interested in beautiful things. The King was ever on the lookout for
what was novel or artistic, and ready to give it his patronage; and
whatever the King patronized became the fad among the rich, idle
courtiers. So when the King turned his attention to the new art of
china-making its success was assured; as a matter of course all the
rest of the fashionable world did the same."
"It was a good fashion."
"A very good fashion. Often a monarch's patronage of arts and letters
called public attention to a praiseworthy production that might
otherwise live unrecognized for years. I sometimes think that in our
day it would be a fortunate custom if more persons of influence would
give thought and money to elevating the arts to their rightful
position of dignity.
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