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Bassett, Sara Ware, 1872-1968

"The Story of Porcelain"

"
"I must say it is pretty thoroughly prepared," smiled Theo.
"It has to be," was Mr. Marwood's grave reply. "Each of these details
is an important factor in the making of high grade porcelain, and
should any of them be omitted we should get no flawless ware. It was
this infinite care in preparing clay that gave to China, Japan,
France, and Germany their perfect results in porcelain-making. If we
would equal what has been done in the past we must be just as
painstaking, and neglect no detail. As a nation we Americans are far
too prone to dash ahead and expect results all in a minute. We do not
like to mount a stairway step by step; we wish to shoot to the top in
an elevator. Now you cannot manufacture porcelain, or for that matter
anything else, in such a fashion."
"I know it," replied Theo. "Dad says we hurry so much over the little
things that we turn out quantities of poorly made goods that are just
hustled through instead of being carefully finished."
"Your father is right," Mr. Marwood admitted. "It is far too often
quantity and not quality with us. Just so long as men are paid on the
piece-work system we shall not better the condition, either.


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