Another person employed at Coades was William John Coffee, who afterwards attained some celebrity as a modeller at the Derby China Works, and as a terra cotta maker, for a short time, at Derby. I believe he was employed as a fire-man at Coades, and here, no doubt, being a clever fellow, picked up his knowledge of modelling and of mixing bodies. The following curious letter and “information,” from the originals in my own possession, give some highly interesting particulars regarding Coades’ and Sealy’s manufactory in 1790:—

“The information got from the fire-man that worked at the Artificial Stone Manufactory, Lambeth:—There is three kilns, the largest is 9 feet diameter and about 10 feet high, the other two are sizes under; they have only three fire-holes to each, and they are about 14 inches in the clear. They make use of no saggers, but their kilns are all muffled about two inches thick, which was always done by this fire-man. They always was four days and four nights of fireing a kilns, and the moment the goods are fire’d up he always took and stop’d the kilns intirely close from any air whatever without lowering the fires at all. He has been use to fire intirely with coal (which are call’d Hartley coals—they are not much unlike yours at Derby). He never made use of any thermometer, but depended intirely on his own knowledge. The composition shrinks about half an inch in a foot in the drying, and about the same in the firing. A great deal of the ornaments are 4 inches thick when fired, and he has fired figures 9 feet high. This man has had the intire management of building the kilns, setting and firing them for many years; his wages was one guinea per week, and for every night when he fired he had 2s. 6d. for the small kiln, 3s. for the next size, and 3s. 6d. for the largest.

“Sir,—Quite unexpected, the fire-man from Lambeth that I have been after so long, call’d on me on Monday, to say that he was out of imploy; therefore I engaged him to meet me at Field’s in the evening, which he did; and inclosed is all the information I cou’d get from him. I informed him that when I wrote to him in the country I was imploy’d to look out for a person in his way, but did not know wether there was now the same person wanted or not, but wou’d write. At the same time I ask’d him if he shou’d like to go down into the country to make a trial for a short time, and see how he was likely to succeed; but this he seem’d to decline for some time, unless he went upon a certainty for constant imployment. After drinking a bowl of punch, he said he wou’d go down to make trial, in case his expences was all paid up and down, and paid for the time he was away. He seems to think, before he cou’d attempt doing any thing, there must be some alteration made to the kiln; but of this you will be the best judge, if you agree to have him down. He seems pretty confident they will be glad to have him back to Lambeth again very soon: in short, he thinks they cannot do without him. He says they had better a made him a present of £500 than a parted with him. I have been inform’d thro’ another hand that had use to work at the manufactory they have had very great losses in the kilns since he left, and that they have lost everything in the large kiln. He seems very confident in succeeding in firing China figures to any size; but of this he cannot be a judge till a trial is made. After I first see this man, I went and inform’d Mr. Vulliamy of it, and his advise is to for you to have him down, tho’ he says he is a drunken bad chap, but clever in his business. If you shou’d so determine to have him down, I think sooner the better, as he expects soon to be call’d to Gen. Conway’s[54] again, and likewise to fire some figures, &c., for a Mrs. Dimer,[54] in town. He has promis’d to call again in a few days, therefore you will please to give your answer. Mr. Vulliamy very much wants two boys of the last mould sent: begs you will forward them immediately. Mr. V. inform’d me a few days since that he would write to you the first opportunity, and am,

“Sir, your very obedient servant,

“J. Lygo.”

“March 23rd, ’90.”

In 1792 the following letter, also in my own possession, was addressed to Coffee by Miss E. Coade, and shows what a clear-headed, right-minded, and well-disposed employer she was:—

“Lyme, 25 July, 1792.

“Mr. Coffee.—I received your third letter, but have had so many engagements that I cou’d not answer it sooner; besides that at this distance I can’t speak upon it as if I were present. I supposed, as you now say, that Mr. Pritchard’s information against you was in consequence of some quarrell you had had with him; but I do not justify his manner of taking revenge, and you are now returning it upon him by acquainting me of his making tools in my time and selling them, which, as you say, is a greater crime than what he has charged you with, and if Mr. Sealy knew it, I can’t suppose he wou’d keep such a man. But it is always a rule with me to let every man speak for himself if he can; and, therefore, as I am at such a distance I must put it by for ye present, or else refer it to Mr. Sealy, who is ye only judge whether ye hurry of business will allow of parting with a man or not. You shou’d put yourself in ye place of a master, and then consider how many things they have to try them, and how impossible to attend to ye private quarrells of ye workmen: however, I know Mr. Sealy is disposed to do justice. You say he behaved very well to you in ye beginning of this affair, and if he changed his conduct, it must be in consequence of your improper behaviour to him. But as it is too late to recall what is past, my advice to you is to do as you say—return to your work; and if you are conscious that in your passion you have behaved disrespectfully to Mr. Sealy, make such acknowledgments to him as will show your good sense, as well as a sense of duty. I have no doubt but he would have lent you money if you had asked it in a becoming spirit. I hope your hand is better and that you are at work. And wishing you may improve this accident to your own good, I remain

“Your sincere friend,