Fig. 565.—Jasper Déjuner.
In 1775, on the occasion of Richard Champion applying to Parliament for an extension of the term of patent-right in Cookworthy’s invention of porcelain (as detailed in my first volume), “Josiah Wedgwood, in behalf of himself and the manufacturers of earthenware in Staffordshire,” gave the scheme his most determined, but happily not successful, opposition. The printed papers connected with this matter are of the highest interest and importance, but having already been printed in extenso in my “Life of Wedgwood,” I refrain from again introducing them. It is also needless to recapitulate the particulars regarding numerous editions, English and foreign, of the catalogue.
In 1780 (November 26th) Thomas Bentley died at his residence at Turnham Green, London, and was buried at Chiswick on the 2nd of December, where a tablet is erected to his memory. About this time, and probably previously as well as later, Flaxman the sculptor was much employed by Wedgwood, and his designs and models gave a tone and a character to the productions which raised them to an immeasurable height. I was so fortunate as to be able to print, for the first time, in 1864, some of the original bills for work done by Flaxman for Wedgwood, in which many well-known portrait groups, &c., are named. From these I give a few items for the purpose of reference:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
| “A portrait of Mr. Herschell | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A „ Dr. Buchan | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A portrait of C. Jenkinson, | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A „ Govr. Hastings Esq. | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Mr. and Mrs. Meerman’s portraits | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Moulding a bust of Mr. and Mrs. Siddons | 1 | 11 | 6 |
| A model in wax of Capt. Cook | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A „ „ Dr. Johnson | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A figure of a Fool for Chess | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| A drawing of Chess Men | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| A model of the King of Sweden | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| A model of Peace preventing Mars from bursting the Door of Janus’s Temple | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| A bas-relief in wax of Veturia and Volumnia entreating Coriolanus | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| A model of Mercury uniting the hands of England and France | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| A bas-relief of Hercules in the Hesperian Garden | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| A model of the Queen of Portugal | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| A bas-relief of Boys in wax | 11 | 0 | 6” |
and so on. Besides these he charges for drawings of crests and coats of arms; drawing bas-relief vases, &c., at a guinea a day; outlines for lamp and stand; drawings of chimney-pieces; patterns for borders for plates, &c. Many of Flaxman’s originals are still in Messrs. Wedgwood’s hands, and the moulds are still used by them for their lovely productions; others, notably a series of exquisite models in wax, are in the possession of Sir D. C. Marjoribanks. Of some of those named I give engravings.
In 1782 Wedgwood was elected F.R.S., and communicated to that learned body his invention of “a thermometer for measuring the higher degrees of heat, from a red-heat up to the strongest that vessels made of clay can support;” in the following year his observations on “Derbyshire Black Wadd;” and afterwards other observations on thermometers, &c. In 1785 he invented his famous “Jasper Dip,” which has continued in use ever since. In that year he wrote “The new jasper, white within, will be the only sort made in future; but as the workmanship is nearly double, the price must be raised. I think it must be about 20 per cent. Nov. 21, 1787.” Thus, till 1785, the “jasper” body was the same throughout; from Nov., 1785 to 1858, it was “dipped,” remaining white inside; and in the latter year the “solid jasper” body was re-introduced, and continues to some extent to be made.
MRS. MEERMAN.
