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accumulate for me till the end of this year, I fear I must lay my account with seven years from that period. Several persons here find means to shorten their exile by borrowing money from their monied friends at home at English interest, and lending it here at Indian interest, and deriving from it Indian profit. A subscription of 10,000l. raised for a man in England soon begets a fortune here with little or no risk to the subscribers. I know you do not write unnecessary letters, but I shall be very glad to hear from you about Byerley, in whom I take a very warm interest. Kitty will herself send all sorts of affections, loves, &c. I shall therefore conclude with very honestly assuring you that I ever am, Dr Wedgwood, with the greatest esteem and affection, Yours most truly, James Mackintosh.'1

1 Parell, Bombay, Feb. 25, 1805. Mayer MSS.

The Grammar School at Ottery-George Coleridge-Poole's high Opinion of him—-Printed Ware first made at Etruria-Interesting Particulars of William Wood the Modeller-Manufacturing Reforms -Robert Waring Darwin-Settles as a Physician at ShrewsburyAn admirable Centre for Medical Practice-The medieval Aspect of the Town-Dr. Withering-Dr. Darwin's House-Beauty of Situation—He marries Miss Wedgwood-His Taste for Botany-Kindness to Animals-The 'Mount' Pigeons-Dr. Darwin's medical FameHis great Practice-Always in his Chaise-His Appearance-His Unostentation and Benevolence-His Love of Children-Dr. Dugard of the Salop Infirmary visits Thomas Wedgwood in DorsetshireMrs. Darwin's Letters-Letter of James Watt, junior-Pressgangs -A Steward's Letter-Mrs. Drewe—George Coleridge's Pedagogueship-Thomas Campbell-His high Opinion of Thomas WedgwoodSeeks a Companion for him-Applies to Benjamin Thorpe, who declines-A Mr. Standert selected-Preparations for a Voyage to the West Indies closed by the sudden Death of Thomas Wedgwood.

THE interest taken by the Wedgwood family in the fortunes of S. T. Coleridge extended to his brother George Coleridge, who, like his father before him, was in orders, and head-master of the Grammar School of Ottery St. Mary. Early in 1805, Josiah Wedgwood consigned his eldest son, then a boy of about nine years old, to his care, and with him he remained, with the exception of a long period of illness, till the close of 1807. He and another brother were then sent to Dr. Valpy's at Reading; but for some reason or another they were removed at the end of six months, and went for a brief period to Mr. Coleridge. The latter was a voluminous letter-writer, and, true to that peculiar physical idiosyncrasy which runs in families, his handwriting is strangely

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like that of his brother, though with more verve and distinctness. He is a little pedantic, a little more subservient than befits our modern ideas, and he has a somewhat high notion of scholastic discipline and classical learning; nevertheless, his letters are those of a well-bred, educated gentleman, with a peculiar manner of redundant expression of thankfulness which brings to mind his brother the poet. It is pleasant to read that the schoolmaster, a brother, and a nephew conjointly, travel to Gunville to fetch the boy, and there are won by generous hospitality. Of him and some other points, Poole thus writes to Josiah Wedgwood in March 1805: 'I ventured to write a Letter to Mr. T. Wedgwood some time ago, in which I said something in answer to your last letter, and intimated that I may probably see you the latter end of last or the beginning of this month. The delays which have taken place in printing the abstract of the Poor Returns have delayed my journey to Town, and consequently the pleasure of meeting you at the time I proposed. When this long Job will be completed I don't exactly know, but you shall hear from me as soon as I do know-I should hope in a month. I hope Mr. T. Wedgwood is better than when you last wrote to me. Remember me most kindly to him, and thank him for the fine brace of Pheasants which my Friend Purkis duly received, and for which he has thanked me. Your son Jos, I suppose, is by this time with Mr. Coleridge. Since I wrote to your Brother, I met him by accident with Mr. Coleridge's unassuming and sensible address to the Public on Education, published in 1795. I was much pleased to see that he lays due stress on every branch of Education, without confining himself (as is commonly the case with the Masters of Grammar Schools) to the Classics. If he practises what he pro

fesses (and from everything which I have heard of Mr. Coleridge there can be no reason to doubt it) I cannot conceive a better School for Jos than that which you have chosen. He is too young for a public School; and I think I have heard you express an aversion to public Schools. The propriety of a public School depends altogether, in my mind, on the dispositions of a Lad, and on the line of Life for which he is intended. But this subject would lead to too long a discussion for a letter.' After further matter relative to a new threshing machine, the production of an able agriculturist, the Rev. H. J. Close, of Trimley, Suffolk, and later of Hordle, Lymington, Hants, Mr. Poole concludes thus: 'You know that the popular new Comedy, the Honey-Moon, is a production' of Tobin's Brother. He will get 700% by it. Davy supplied the Prologue, with a few hints from Sotheby.'1

Printed ware was first made at Etruria in 1805. Liverpool monopolised this branch of the trade till near the close of the preceding century, and till thus taken up at Etruria it was effected in the neighbourhood, by special hands. Of this printing and other business, Mr. Byerley thus writes at the end of March in this year, and relates some particulars relative to one of the famous modellers of the old days which are worth preserving: We get all our business done with as much economy as is consistent with having it well done. The increased price of every article of consumption, as well as of labour and the property tax, have made a great impression on the profits of the trade; and I think, too, our stock here increases in many articles, particularly pressed-ware, prodigiously. If we begin to make printed ware, we

1

1 T. Poole to Josiah Wedgwood, March 6, 1805. Mayer MSS.

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can remedy that by applying a part of the hands to that business. We could do more business if we had more thrown ware, and yet we have throwers enough. It will be absolutely necessary, I believe, to put a part of them, at least, to piece-work. Our Ornamental work is absolutely a losing concern, and must be renovated. We pay for making black ware almost as much as others sell it for. We could sell a great deal of black ware on the Continent, if we could get it made somewhat cheaper, and sell it at a price a little more proportioned to that of the country. Your brother is extremely active and intelligent, and is fast paving the way for a radical reform, and will greatly benefit the concern.' . . After relating the particulars of a trial at the Stafford assizes, in connection with an apprentice who had enlisted, and which ended by the boy being given up to the authorities of the Crown, Mr. Byerley continues: 'I am not sure that your brother has named to you the affair of William Wood, and as it may save him something I will now do it. W. W. applied to your brother soon after he came here for an increase of salary (he has now 70%.), on the ground that the necessaries of life are so enhanced in value, and the wages of other branches, less important, advanced so greatly. A few days ago he spoke to me, saying he was in debt about 307., part to his brother and Mr. Caldwell, and about 10%. or 127. for malt; that he could not do without malt liquor in the house; that he had none, and was ashamed to go for more till he had paid off the old score. He would not, however, ask for money, but would prefer waiting till some decision was had on the subject he had mentioned to your brother. That he had long been very unhappy, finding

1 Mr. John Wedgwood, then temporarily residing at Maer.