[116] These teapots were of high and somewhat peculiar form, like what are now usually sold as coffee pots, and were universally known as “Rockingham Teapots.” This high form was said to be the reason of the tea being produced of a better quality than in the ordinary shaped ones.
[117] Mr. Allen, of Lowestoft, at one time was in the habit of purchasing white wares from the Rockingham Works, which he painted and burnt in an enamel kiln, erected at the back of his shop.
[118] The following is a copy of the agreement in my own possession:—
“Memorandum of Agreement the 28th of February, 1838.
“Brameld & Co. agree to buy from Mr. Wm. Dale, of Shelton, his interest in a certain invention he has now in the Patent Office in London for the manufacture of China, Ironstone China or Earthenware Pillars, Columns or Rails, &c., for Bed-Posts, Window-Heads, &c., &c., and for obtaining the Patent-right of which he has entered a Caveat and taken other preliminary steps.
“B. & Co. agree to employ the said Wm. Dale in the manufacture of and superintendance of the completion of the articles to be manufactured by them under the Patent, and also in the general management of the China Clay department at the Rockingham Works for seven years, to be computed from the 1st of , this year—at the yearly salary of Eighty Pounds.
“The whole expences incurr’d from this time in obtaining the proper security of the Patent to be borne and paid by Brameld & Co. at their sole cost and risk.
“The said Wm. Dale to have no extra allowance above his salary as fixed above, for the first year of his servitude. But for the second, and each and every of the succeeding years of the term the allowance or premium of Fifty Pounds, as a compensation for giving up his interest in the Patent, making in the six years terminating this agreement a total of Three Hundred Pounds. But it is understood and provided that if the amount of sales of the articles made under this patent does not, in any of the said six last years of this agreement, amount to Five Hundred Pounds or upwards, at wholesale or trade prices, nett money, then, in such case, the premium or compensation for the Patent-right shall be reduced exactly in the same degree or proportion as the sales may fall short of the amount of Five Hundred Pounds in any or all the said six years of this agreement.
“For the considerations agreed as above to be given by Brameld & Co. to the said Wm. Dale, it is fully and clearly understood that he shall give up to them the whole of his designs, models, and moulds of every sort connected with the execution of the articles to be produced under the Patent.
“It is also further agreed between the parties to this contract, that if it shall turn out that the said Wm. Dale cannot from any cause whatever substantiate his claim to, and fully secure an available and efficient Patent so that the advantages to be expected from it shall fail of being obtained, then, in such case, this Agreement, in every part, shall be considered to be annulled, and to cease and determine.”