One day Rev. Mr. Matthews invited John over to his home so that Mrs. Matthews might tell him more about the heroes of Greece about whom he was so fond of reading. That was the beginning of a new day in John’s life. He listened spell-bound as Mrs. Matthews told of the romantic careers of Hercules, Achilles and many others. He visited the Matthews’ home a great many times, and tried hard to make plaster casts of these heroes of ancient times. There came to him a great ambition. He resolved to become a sculptor. At first it seemed ridiculous and almost impossible. He had scarcely been to school a day in his life. His parents were too poor to send him to any art school, but what seemed to be even a greater obstacle than either, was his own health which still prevented him from getting around as other boys did. But the more he thought about it the more determined he became to realise his ambition. About this time a gentleman asked him to make six drawings and when they were finished he praised John’s work and paid him for it. This was the first money that John had ever earned and there was no happier or prouder boy in all England. He began to attend an art academy and when he was fifteen he won a silver medal in the academy contest for a model he had cast. Two years later he tried for the gold medal award, and although it was expected by all that he would win, the prize was awarded to another boy. This was a bitter disappointment to John Flaxman, but in reality it was a good thing for him. He became more determined than ever to put his best into everything he attempted and to take nothing for granted. About this time the great potter Josiah Wedgwood heard about John Flaxman’s skill and visited him. He asked him to make some designs in pottery: tea-cups, saucers, jugs and tea-pots. Wedgwood did not know whether or not John Flaxman would think himself above doing such things but the young sculptor never hesitated a moment. He was glad to do the work, both for the experience he would get, and because of the money he could earn, which he badly needed. Josiah Wedgwood was delighted with Flaxman’s work and the two worked together for several years.