“A new engine, or method for grinding of flint stones, being the chief ingredient used in making of white wares, such as pots and other vessels, a manufacture carried on in our county of Stafford, and in some other parts of this our kingdom; that the common method hitherto used in preparing the same hath been by breaking and pounding the stones dry, and afterwards sifting the powder through fine lawns, which hath proved very destructive to mankind, occasioned by the dust suckled into the body, which, being of a ponderous nature, fixes so closely upon the lungs that nothing can remove it, insomuch that it is very difficult to find persons to engage in the said manufacture, to the great detriment and decay of that branch of trade, which would otherwise, from the usefulness thereof, be of great benefit and advantage to our kingdom; that by the petitioner’s invention the flint stones are sprinkled with water, so that no dust can arise, then ground as fine as sand, with two large stones made to turn upon the edges by the power of a wheel, worked either by wind, water, or horses, which is afterwards conveyed into large stone pans, made circular, wherein are placed large stone balls, which, by the power of such wheels are driven round with great velocity; that, in a short time, the flint stones so broken are reduced to an oily substance, which, by turning on a cock, empties itself into casks provided for that purpose; that by this invention all hazards and inconveniences in making the said manufacture in the common way will be effectually prevented, and in every particular tend to the manifest improvement and advantage thereof, and preserving the lives of our subjects imployed therein.” In 1729 Samuel Bell took out a patent for fourteen years “for a new method not hitherto practiced within Great Brittain for making of a red marble stone ware with minerall earth, found within this kingdom, which being firmly vnited by fire will make it capable of receiving a gloss so beautiful as to imitate, if not to compare with rubie; that the stone ware may be formed into vessells for any necessary vse, or into ornaments for houses or gardens, such as jarrs, flower potts, &c., it being the most perfect of its kind, both in colour, nature, and form, that hath ever appeared in this part of Europe;” but no specification, to show what the mineral earth was, is given.