George II. gave the Chelsea establishment his countenance and earnest support, and did much to encourage its works, and to ensure its success. He procured for it workmen, models, and materials from the State of Saxony, and thus enabled the factory to produce works of such high merit as to successfully rival the productions of Sèvres and Dresden. This royal patronage of course produced its results, in procuring the patronage of many of the leading men of the day. Thus, the Duke of Cumberland not only took it under his special care, but allowed a sum of money annually for its furtherance and support. In 1750 it belonged to M. Nicholas Spremont, or Sprimont, a foreigner of considerable taste and talent, who did much towards establishing its already acquired reputation. At this time the productions of the establishment must have been of a particularly high order. In Watkins’s “Life of Queen Charlotte,” it is stated that “there are several rooms in Buckingham Palace full of curiosities and valuable movables, but not ranged in proper order. Among other things I beheld with admiration a complete service of Chelsea china, rich and beautiful in fancy beyond expression. I really never saw any Dresden near so fine. Her Majesty made a present of this choice collection to the duke, her brother--a present worthy of so great a prince.” Horace Walpole, too, in 1763, wrote, “I saw yesterday (March 3, 1763) a magnificent service of Chelsea china, which the king and queen are sending to the Duke of Mecklenberg. There are dishes and plates without number, an epergne, candlestick, salt-cellars, sauce-boats, tea and coffee equipages, &c. In short it is complete, and cost £1,200.” In the Lansdowne MSS.[57] in the British Museum is a curious document relating to the Chelsea works, which, being particularly interesting, I here give in full. It is entitled “The case of the Undertaker of the Chelsea manufacture of Porcelain Ware.” “Many attempts towards this art have been made in Europe for a long course of years past; the success which has been met with at Dresden has revived these pursuits in many parts of Europe. “The Empress Queen has a manufacture of her own. “The French King has one, and has patronised and encouraged several; the King of Naples has one; the late Duke of Orleans was, at the time of his death, and had been for many years, engaged very earnestly in this pursuit, but none have come up to the pattern they have been endeavouring to imitate. “Several attempts have likewise been made here; few have made any progress, and the chief endeavours at Bow have been towards making a more ordinary sort of ware for common uses.