[Illustration: Figs. 580 to 583.] A new invention of Messrs. Grainger is their “Opalite,” a highly vitrified and very fine body, in which they have produced, with remarkably good effect, embossed tiles for external decorations in shop fronts, &c. A design of a celadon ground with the blackberry, conventionally treated, in relief, in white, with the stems relieved with burnished gold, burned into the body, is remarkably beautiful and effective. * * * * * _Mr. St. John’s Encaustic Tile Works._--After the removal of Messrs. Flight and Barr’s works to the present site of the Royal porcelain manufactory, on the amalgamation spoken of on a preceding page, Mr. Barr for a time continued making encaustic paving tiles on the old premises. In this he was joined by Mr. Fleming St. John, who was one of the managing directors of the Royal porcelain works, and some excellent patterns, and of good colour and material, were produced. The tile works were, however, in 1860, sold to Messrs. Maw, who continued to carry on the manufacture until 1852, when they removed to Broseley, where the manufacture is still continued (see “Broseley”). In 1853 the premises were purchased from Mr. Fleming St. John by Mr. Allcroft, one of the partners in the firm of Dent, Allcroft, and Co., and their business of glove-making was removed within the same year. * * * * * _“Worcester Tileries,” Rainbow Hill._--These works were established in 1870 by Mr. H. C. Webb, their present proprietor. The tiles produced are in three series--1st, geometrical tiles in five colours, viz. black, red, buff, grey, and chocolate; 2nd, geometrical tiles in these colours with the addition of cream, fawn, blue, white, and green; 3rd, the whole of these, with encaustic or inlaid tiles added. The geometrical tiles are made of various sizes and of every necessary shape, and thus pavements of admirable and effective design and of endless variety are produced, which are equally suitable for small villas, cottages, schools, &c. The colours are clear and good, and the quality hard and durable. The mark used by Mr. Webb is the name HENRY C. WEBB, WORCESTER, in raised letters, in a small circle impressed in the clay. * * * * *