“The spot where the excavations were made is supposed to have been where one of the kilns formerly stood; this is borne out to a certain extent by the presence of a quantity of bricks cemented together, the inner surface having become vitrified by the heat of the kiln; and also by a vast number of broken saggers, or cases of baked earthenware, used to contain the china, and protect it from the flame and ashes in the kiln. One of these saggers, of cylindrical form, measures 10 inches in diameter by 8½ inches in height; it had three rows of holes pierced through the sides, at equal distances from top to bottom, into which clay pegs (like large clout nails) were inserted, to support the circular platforms within, at convenient distances, on which the china articles rested while baking. The cockspur, or point, used to separate the china is a simple cone of baked clay, not the usual form, which is like the _caltrop_, having always three points below and one only uppermost. Large pieces of china clay were found, some in a soft, soapy state, others hardened; bones of animals, which entered into the composition of the paste, as well as calcined flints and pieces of quartz, used in making the frit or glaze; a number of circular medallions of baked clay, from two to six inches in diameter--one was marked on each side with H and M cut into the clay. All the fragments of vessels discovered are of porcelain biscuit: not a piece of Delft or common earthenware was found among them: some few are glazed, but these form the exceptions. “The first we shall notice, and probably the earliest manufacture, are the pieces decorated with blue painting: the designs are painted, in mineral colour, on the biscuit, and have not been glazed or burnt in. These designs are principally of Chinese landscapes, flowers, figures, and birds. A few examples are given on the next page, to show their general character. “A very frequent pattern of simple character in the blue ware is three hanging branches of willow leaves. Among the rest is a mottled ground plate with white angular medallions of light blue scenery. The only variations in colour are a cup with green leaves and lake flowers, and a fragment painted in lake _camaïeu_, with a castellated mansion, of high finish: these two are glazed. Not a single specimen of blue-_printed_ china was discovered: all are _painted_ with a brush. This is not at all surprising, for it must be remembered they are all unfinished pieces, which have never been out of the factory; and, when this decoration was required, they were sent to Liverpool to be printed.