The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-09
and changing conditions in which they

and changing conditions in which they
live.
without making any claims as an ex-
pert in the manufacture of chinaware. /
make some suggestions as to the way to
look up the subject, and remark that it
seems to me that the managers of the
Museum which l visited would be proper
parties to take the Initiative in investi-
eating the matter
As a first proposition, l would collect
from all parts of the State samples of
clays, and then engage an expert chem
list, acquainted with the manufacture of
chinaware, to examine and experiment
with them to learn their qualities. 1t
may be that he would have to combine
several of them to produce the desired
result In this connection | would also
get together some of the technical litera-
ture on china clays, describing their APP
pearance, manner of treating them ETC.,
ETC., as an assistance in securing speci-
mems which might be what was wanted.
1t may be that a final result of the work
of the chemist would be that your clays
are not suitable for making very fine
chnaware, but he might advise you that
some of them were adapted to plain iron
stone china for table use, Or that they
would make vitrified brick for street
paving, but that is another story" as
Rudyard Kiplng would say.
Supposing the proper materials to be
secured for making fine chinaware, the
erection and equipment of the necessary
pottery plant would be only detail and
easily carried out.
! have no doubt but that your women
folks have among them the talent to
learn how to decorate china in an artis-
tic manner, but in carrying out this part
of the work a system of instruction
would need to be established to develop
such talent as there is, fOi which compe
tent instructors could be gotten from the
art schools of Philadelphia or elsewhere.
TO do all these things would take time,
patience and money, but if you were sure
you were on the right track ] feel sure
it would he worth all of these which
you would have to spend.
The same idea as | suggest has been
carried out very successfully in the es-
adjustment OF the "Rookwood Pottery
at Cincinnati, Ohio, and their wares now
rank very high as products of special ar
tistic merit and command high prices in
The markets all over our country. ! sent
to the Museum a pamphlet of the Rock
wood Pottery" and a sample of their
product, which, however, is more in the
nature of a crockeryware than a porce-
lain or chinaware. These things can be
seen there by any one who is interested
in this subject.
Permit me to say that the carrying out
of my idea does not include anything of
a charitable or getting something for
nothing" feature, but rather the estab
fishing of a regular business on strict
business principles, in which every one
engaged will know that they earn all
they are paid by their own efforts and
ability. / believe there is an abundant
and profitable market among the millions
OF people of our country for the output
of such pottery as / suggest, if the pro-
duct has the merit of deserving it.
take occasion to remark, in cOnclus-
ion that my only object in writing this
article is that of helpfulness to your
people, who are also my people" as We
all belong to this great and dear coun-
try | only hope that have made myself
clear enough to be understood.
Respectfully yours,
CHRISTOPHER WREN.
Plymouth. Pa, March A. 1902