told that we meant to say there were both longitudinal and cross striæ on the specimens sent. They, after labouring for nearly six months, and frequently asserting that we were mistaken, at length saw the cross striæ, and an account of our discovery then appeared in the Microscopical Journal for January, 1842. The next specimens on which the markings were seen by us were the N. lineata, of Harrison. This Navicula was unknown until 1843—at least it had not been described by any author before that time. In 1844 Mr. Sollitt was in London, and showed the lines on this Navicula to Mr. Ross, with a 1-8th of Nachêt, although Mr. Ross, at that time, could not bring them out with a very fine 1-12th which he had just finished. This little circumstance, trifling as it may appear, caused that eminent optician to alter the construction of his microscope and to bring it into its present superior form. We afterwards discovered the lines on the N. angulata, N. strigosa, and after much labour those on Ceratoneis fasciola, and the Navicula sigmoidea, and afterwards on the N. acus, which last is so extremely difficult, that in order even to catch a glimpse of its delicate markings the observer must be in possession of glasses of a very large angle of aperture and the finest definition-have the most careful management of oblique light, and in addition be possessed of a large share of patience." It will be observed that in the year 1841 Messrs. Ross and Sollitt held a discussion for nearly six months as to whether the Navicula hippocampus had transverse lines or not. These lines have since been measured and found to range about 42,000 to the inch, but Mr. Sollitt is now able to observe lines on the Navicula acus, estimated by him to measure 130,000 to the inch. During a short residence in Hull last summer, I received many very valuable hints on the illumination by oblique light from Messrs. Harrison and Sollitt, and I have seen, under favourable circumstances, with the aid of the bull's eye, the lines on Navicula acus with the 1-8th of Ross of 152° of angular aperture. By using oblique light as above described I find no difficulty in showing with a quarter-inch object glass of 85°, the markings on Navicula angulata lineata, Spenceri, elongatum, &c.; or with Ross's 1-8th of 152° those on Ceratoneis fasciola, Navicula sigmoidea, Grammatophora, subtilissima, and, indeed, almost every species of Diatomaceae that I have examined. M ON LIVERPOOL POTTERY. By Joseph Mayer, F.S.A. (READ 3RD May, 1855.) In a work just published under the auspices of the Government, containing an account of the Specimens of Pottery in the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street, London,* I find that, under the head of Liverpool, the authors say, "no detailed information has hitherto been obtained at the Museum respecting this earthenware. It is known that potteries were carried on at Liverpool about the middle of the last century, and amongst them was one called the Herculaneum." To fill up the chasm left by the authors in the history of the ceramic art in England, which, in reference to most other sites save Liverpool, has been detailed with as much accuracy as the materials in their possession would admit of, I am induced to give a few notices of Potters who carried on their works in Liverpool, when that art was in its infancy in England, and who, by their persevering industry and scientific knowledge, helped to raise up the fame of this now great national manufacture. For what the authors have done, every lover of the art must feel grateful to them, who have so perseveringly sought to fix the dates to the several inventions or improvements connected therewith, that their work is certainly the most complete of any yet published. The early history of the art of pottery, as carried on in the town of Liverpool, is involved in much obscurity. The first mention of pottery in Liverpool which I have yet found, is in the list of town dues payable at the port in the year 1674, which contains the following items :-"For every cart-load of mugs (shipped) into foreign ports, 6d. ; for every cartload of mugs along the coasts, 4d.; for every crate of cupps or pipes into foreign ports, 2d.; for every crate of cupps or pipes along the coast, 1d;" and from the specimens still remaining, I am inclined to assign to it a place amongst the first manufactories which were established in this country; nor am I aware that any authentic piece of English ware is known that can challenge Catalogue of Specimens illustrative of the Composition and Manufacture of British Pottery and Porcelain, from the occupation of Britain by the Romans to the present day, by Sir Henry de la Beche, C.B., and Thomas Reeks, Curator, London, 1855. comparison, in respect of antiquity, with the large placque now before you. It was, I believe, made at the works of Alderman Shaw, situated at the bottom of Dale Street, and, as its inscription denotes, is "A West Prospect of Great Crosby, 1716." In the foreground are a number of ships and brigs, a sloop, and a schooner. The large ship has a boat fastened to her stern, and there is another boat with two men in it rowing towards her. On the water around them are numerous gulls and other aquatic birds; on the sands adjoining the water are various figures-women carrying baskets on their arms, and a man driving an ass before him. Rising up a little farther are the sandbanks, covered with broom and heather, amongst which are many rabbits, with the small house of the keeper of the warren. Further off, in the middle of the view, are men on horseback galloping, with cows, birds, &c., which occupy a large space, at the back of which are fields, surrounded and divided into larger and smaller plots by hedgerows, inside of which are numerous cattle, a milkmaid carrying a pail upon her head, and two men apparently conversing as they walk along. In the background is the town, including the school house and numerous other buildings, with long rows of trees and palings, gates, and other objects incidental to such a scene. On the right side of the view is Crosby windmill, which is still standing. The appearance of the village, as viewed from the River Mersey at the present day, shows little alteration to have taken place in the locality during the 139 years which have elapsed since the prospect was taken. The slab is composed of a coarse brown clay body, smeared with a thick white glaze, on which the design is painted with a good rich blue colour. The surface is quite flat, and measures 2 feet 7 inches long by 1 foot 8 inches wide. It is nearly threequarters of an inch thick. Another specimen exists in the old church at Crosby, affixed to the wall over one of the seats near the middle of the church; it is of a lozenge form, measuring 22 inches across its greatest length, 18 inches on each side, and nearly 1 inch thick. It is made of Concordia Parua Res Gescunt THIS SEAT WAS ERECTED BY the same rude body as the piece just described, and smeared with glaze; on it is also painted, in blue colour, the armorial bearings of the Merchant Tailors' Company of London, viz., argent, a tent royal between two Parliament robes, gules, lined ermine; on a chief azure, a Lion of England. Crest, a Holy Lamb in glory proper. Supporters, two Camels or. Motto, Concordia parvæ res crescunt; below which is written in Roman letters, "This seat was erected by John Harrison and Henry Harrison, of Leverpoole, 1722." These gentlemen, I am told, were natives of Crosby, and erected and endowed the grammar school in that village, after having amassed large fortunes as merchants in the City of London; they left the trust in the hands of the Merchant Tailors' Company, who have lately restored the building. There are several specimens of similar ware in my collection, which I have procured from families resident in the town long prior to that time; and that such was the style of manufacture, we have abundance of autho rities for asserting; thus proving that manufacture to have been in active operation in Liverpool, and one of the earliest of the numerous potteries which sprung up in England at the commencement of the 18th century. Amongst other notices, we may quote the following :-" The chief manufactures carried on here are blue and white earthenware, which at present almost vie with china. Large quantities are exported for the colonies abroad." Amongst the specimens now exhibited are two " mugs," the body and glaze similar to the other specimens just named, but ornamented with flowers and leaves in blue, yellow, and green colours. The larger one, a quart mug, having on the side near the handle the letters and date, 'T. F., 1757," was made at the pot works in Shaw's Brow, and presented to Thomas Fazackerly by a friend of his, a workman there. Mr. F. having married during the following year, his friend made the smaller mug, which holds a pint, ornamented in the same style and 66 * Since the above was in type I have found another specimen of Liverpool delf ware placed in the front of the house belonging to the farm occupied by Mr. Josiah Day, at Newton-cum-Larton, in the Parish of West Kirby, in Cheshire, being a very large circular plate having painted on it the arms of Johnson impaling those of Anton, and beneath them the date 1753. The Mr. Johnson here alluded to was Mayor of Liverpool in 1766, and to him we owe the formation of St. James' Walk. Having married an heiress, Miss Anton, he built the house above named, and here resided for several years, where the slab was placed, probably being the gift of his brother Alderman, Mr. Shaw, the Potter. (See etching.) When at the house a few days ago, Mr. Day presented me with several tiles, some of the old delf make, others of a more recent date, and one with the name "Sadler, Liverpool," upon it, which were formerly arranged round the fire-place; also a posset cup of the period of Shaw, also of the thick glaze style, together with a quart mug of coarse china body. + The Liverpool Memorandum Book, or Gentleman's, Merchant's, and Tradesman's Daily Pocket Journal, for the year 1754, so contrived as to be useful and convenient for all sorts of people, particularly with regard to their expenses, engagements, and occasional business: printed for R. Williamson, &c. |