“To start with, there was one ‘Bisque,’ and one ‘Glost’ oven, with slip house, for preparing the clay, and only such other buildings and appliances as were necessary to make good working commencement. Mr. Minton formed an engagement with the brothers Poulson, who owned the works opposite to the land he had purchased, known as the ‘Stone Works,’[41] and who were potters on a small scale, and, as was then the practice, had houses on the works, now converted into potters’ workshops. They belonged to an ancient family which had been located at Boothen for several centuries. Mr. Joseph Poulson was the practical potter, and his brother Samuel was modeller, mould maker, and useful man of all work. It was not until May, 1796, that Mr. Minton’s works were in operation. Considering the magnitude of the present operations of the firm, which has recently adopted the globe for its trade mark, it may not be uninteresting to quote from an old cash-book, which has been fortunately preserved, an item or two to show from what a very humble beginning great results have arisen. We find the amount paid the first week, which appears to have been a sort of broken week (perhaps there had been some merry-making to celebrate the opening);-- 1796. £ _s._ _d._ May 21. By paid wages, coals, &c., this week 12 19 5½ „ 28. „ „ „ „ 29 1 2½ June 4. „ „ „ „ 32 9 7½ Sept. 17. „ Joseph Poulson 18 weeks’ wages, to this day inclusive 18 18 0 “The average weekly amount under the above head of wages, &c., was within a trifle of £50, but still showing real progress. “The first item on the contrary side is-- 1796. £ _s._ _d._ May 23 @ June 3. To received for goods sold, ready money 33 10 10½