The Amateur Pottery & Glass Painter

the well known artist and authority upon stained glass-who, when the writer explained the difficulty to him, at once most generously placed fac-similes of his own sketch book, together with the valuable notes appended, in his hands. The haste with which this was done will account for the crudeness of the descriptions of these illustrations. It is also the writer's duty, as well as pleasure, to publicly acknowledge here his obligation to his friend Mr. Edmund Powell, who, from a long connection with the editorial staff of the City Press, has been able to render him valuable assistance in revising the matter while passing through the press.

Many productions have been issued upon this subject, but they have been mostly partial and unsatisfactory the attempts of one writer to be concise rendering his labours barren; while another's voluminous histories of art have been put aside by the genuine student, who seeks, chiefly, practical information. The writer is well aware that he has been obliged to tread, to a certain extent, in the steps of those who have gone before him. While acknowledging this, he trusts that their labours will find elucidation in his own, which are the outcome of the experience of five generations. He may be pardoned for referring with some pride to the fact that since John Hancock mixed Wedgwood's "bodies" and made his colours, one hundred

and twenty years ago, up to the present time, his family has been uninterruptedly connected with the art in all its branches. Indeed, the present handbook is chiefly intended to supersede the necessity of replying to correspondence, which has come to the writer's works from all quarters of the globe since his first introduction of specially prepared colours for amateurs.

Therefore with all confidence he places his book before the public; and for whatever observations the friendly critic or professional artist may make, he will show himself grateful in future editions.

NOTE TO SECOND EDITION.

THE First Edition of this work having been so rapidly exhausted, it has become necessary immediately to issue a Second. As most of the orders for this further issue are already awaiting execution, there has not been time to make use of some suggestions which have been kindly forwarded to the author. Correspondents who have been good enough to send them may, however, rest assured that they will not be lost sight of in future issues.

The Chromo-lithographs introduced in the First Edition proving too difficult for beginners to copy, others have been substituted which, it is hoped, will be more suitable. These examples form part of a series which will shortly be issued in a portable form, each plate having attached to it specific directions for painting.

It has been thought well to add also a few words in an appendix as to the now well-known London Exhibitions of Paintings on China already held, as well as those projected in the provinces.

In the Preface to the First Edition the author omitted to acknowledge (as he has now much pleasure in doing) his indebtedness to Mr. Frank Harris as the writer of the Lessons quoted from The Pottery and Glass Trades' Fournal, in the chapter on "Specific Work." He also takes this opportunity of acknowledging the many letters of thanks he has received from all quarters, for the help his book has afforded, and assures the writers he feels such letters to be the most valuable reward which they could possibly have bestowed upon him.

IT was with a sense of great satisfaction that the author found that a Fourth Edition of this book was required, and that the sixth thousand of the extracts “ China Colours" was before the public.

In consequence of the rapid demand for the earlier editions, and the rapidity with which they were pressed forward, many additions and emendations intended to have been made were necessarily postponed. In this, however, the suggestions of many friends have been met, as well as lack of space and time would permit.

The very kind manner in which professional artists and the press have noticed this work is very gratifying to one who professes no literary ability, but mainly desires to make plainer to quote from an American reviewer of his work-"those essential little things, the sum of which make the decorator something more than a mere theorist." This sense of gratification was greatly increased when the author read in an American paper that his work "is now well known in the United States, where it is considered the text-book alike for amateurs and professional artists."

The special directions given by the author's friend, Mr. Hill, a well-known artist and teacher of Worcester, attached to the copies for painting in the present Edition, are inserted in answer to the very numerous letters which have been received from amateurs requesting further information. A series of these examples, each having its own specific instructions, is now ready, thus fulfilling a long given promise.

The author feels that some apology is due to the Editor of an admirable serial published in New York, entitled The Art Amateur, for having copied from that journal the beautiful motifs for decoration to be found on pages 3, 23, 71, without express permission, but he feels sure that had there been time to communicate with the Editor it would have been granted. He therefore expresses his thanks for such permission received by anticipation.

Thanks are heartily given to Messrs. Cox of London for their designs for domestic stained glass, also inserted; to the Editor of the Furniture Gazette for the ready permission to insert reduced facsimiles of designs which appeared in that journal, and which are well adapted for China Painters; to Mr. James Hadley and Mr. G. Siéver, of Worcester, for their kindness in lending their original drawings, the former's in pencil and the latter's in crayon, inserted to illustrate the mode by which exact reproductions of drawings may be now made by a special process, and by which shortly exact copies may be transferred to china, glass, or metal, perfect reproductions of any original; and not less to the general art public, whose hints, given in the kindest of letters, the author has gladly profited by, though possibly not now recognisable by their writers, but nevertheless hereby thankfully acknowledged.

Sydney House, Worcester.

E. C. H.

Contents.

AMATEUR POTTERY PAINTER.

The Amateur's Sphere of Work :—Amateurs in China Paint-

ing-Difficulties-Advantages over other methods-Amateurs' as

distinguished from Factory work-Household ceramic art-Plea-

sure-Profit