In 1810, about two years before Mr. Lee became a partner, the works were destroyed by fire. The manufactory was shortly rebuilt on a new site, on the opposite side of the street, and has been considerably enlarged. Mr. Lee having retired from the concern, the business was then carried on by Mr. Grainger until his decease in 1839, when his son, Mr. George Grainger, one of the present proprietors, succeeded him, and has carried on the works, under the style of “G. Grainger and Co.,” to the present day. Up to the year 1850, porcelain alone was made at this establishment, and its quality was remarkably good, both in body and in ornamentation. In that year, however, Mr. George Grainger invented a new body, which he named “_semi-porcelain_.” This new ware was first made public at the Great International Exhibition of 1851, and from its peculiar qualities of durability, hardness, and freedom from cracking with heat, attracted considerable attention. The surface of the semi-porcelain bears every characteristic of the finest china, and, of course, in colour, in painting, and in gilding can be made quite equal to it; but it has the additional advantage of being so completely vitrified that the inside, in case of being chipped or broken, remains of its original whiteness. It is peculiarly adapted for dinner-services through not flying or cracking with heat so readily as the ordinary china does, and because of its power of retaining heat for a much longer time. It is somewhat extensively exported both to France and to India. Mr. Grainger manufactures very largely of this material chemical vessels, batteries, insulators for telegraph wires, &c., and for these purposes its superiority is admitted by the highest scientific authorities. These insulators (in an unglazed state) after being soaked for many hours in acid, stood the test of a battery of two hundred Daniel’s cells--a very severe test--showing thus great strength and resisting power--a strength which would be much increased when glazed. [Illustration: C. GRAINGER &. C. MANUFACTURERS WORCESTER. Fig. 578.] The mark of the present firm is as follows:--[see Fig. 578] Another has simply the words “Chemical Porcelain, Grainger and Co., Manufactory, Worcester.” Messrs. Grainger and Co. also produce some admirable vases, excellent parian figures and ornaments. Another variety of goods is the perforated parian ware, in which is made vases, &c., of remarkably pure design and careful execution. Some of the best specimens of lace drapery have been produced by this firm. At the Exhibition of 1862, the last at which the firm exhibited, a medal was awarded them for this “semi-” or “chemical porcelain,” which, undeniably, well deserved such a distinction. [Illustration: Fig. 579.] The toilet services of this firm are of considerable elegance in design, as will be seen on Figs. 581 and 582. Fig. 580 exhibits a “honeycombed” coffee-service of very elegant design, the foliage being gracefully thrown.