London, July 13, 1790.

“That the Bearer, Mr. J. Spengler, has agreed to come down to the Manufactory at Derby, to work as Modeller, &c, and to receive for the first month after the rate of three Guineas per week, and his expenses paid down by the Coach. His hours of work is to be from Seven o’clock in the morning till the rest of the People in the Manufactory give Over work in the Evening. It is further agreed on, that after the expiration of the first Month, if the parties like each other and they agree for a fixed time to come, The bearer, Mr. J. Spengler, is then only to receive after the rate of two pounds ten shillings per week from the first day he began to work in the manufactory.

“Witness:   (Signed)   “For Mr. W. Duesbury.

“B. Vulliamy.   “J. Spengler.   “J. Lygo.”

He accordingly came to Derby and a more full agreement was drawn up in September. On the 15th of that month he drew up and signed a memorandum to the effect that as he knew nothing either of the laws or language of England, he was to go to London to cause to be examined the agreement made between himself and “Monsieur Duesbury Maitre de la fabrique de Porcelaine a Derbey,” and should it be found right, to return at once to Derby and sign and execute it; Mr. Duesbury agreeing to pay the expenses of the journey and half the loss of time at the rate fixed in the agreement. This memorandum, which is well written, but in wretched French, is signed by “J. Spengler” and by “Mr. Duesbury” thus:—

“Sep. 15th, ’90. As far as I can understand the French Language, I conceive the above to be right.

Wm Duesbury.”

Spengler first went down to Derby in the beginning of August, 1790, soon after the date of the agreement of July 13th (having just previously modelled a “Figure of Astronomy, in London,” for which Mr. Duesbury paid him ten guineas, and for extra time expended over it at Derby, in finishing, an additional two and a half guineas), and his first pieces of work were “Figure with a Vase (Morning),” and its companion, a “Figure with a Vase (Noon),” for each of which he was paid seven guineas; and the “Three Graces,” for the time expended on which he was paid six guineas.[19] Before long, unpleasantness arose through Spengler’s inattention to work, breach of contracts, and getting into debt, and in 1792 he left Derby surreptitiously. Proceedings were taken by Mr. Duesbury; his goods (the inventory of which, dated March 18th, is before me) were sold; and he was captured at Ramsgate, and placed in the King’s Bench Prison. The result of law proceedings was that Spengler entered into a fresh agreement with Mr. Duesbury (I have the draft) by which he covenanted “Not to lose more time in any one week than half a day, sickness excepted, under the penalty of paying after the rate of 7s. per day to Mr. D., Mr. S. to continue to serve Mr. D. to the best of his skill (without working for any other person) until he shall have paid Mr. D. the ballance due to him, and all lawful expences; Mr. D. receiving two-thirds of his earnings, Spengler to have liberty to attend any number of hours (that the manufactory is open for others) over and above those work’d by himself and the rest of the other hands for overtime, and to receive in the same proportion for such time as for the regular day’s time,” and so on. He was, evidently, for the purpose of carrying out the agreement, bailed out of the King’s Bench by a friend, whose letters I possess, but by November of the same year had again left his employment.[20]

Spengler was then again in the King’s Bench, from which, on the 31st of January, after other correspondence, he wrote a very pathetic letter (in French, as all his letters are) to Mr. Duesbury, and ultimately it appears that an arrangement was come to for him to work in London. In 1794, fresh arrangements were again in progress (Spengler, who was living at Chelsea, in the meantime having continued to work for Mr. Duesbury), and much correspondence took place; the result being that in February, 1795, Spengler returned to Derby, under a fresh agreement, which, as it contains much valuable information as to figures and groups, and prices for modelling them, I give entire:—

“Heads of an Agreement to be enterd into between Wm. Duesbury of Derby in the County of Derby & J. J. Spengler, Modeller, Viz.:—