“He was ever at the works, before any one else in the morning, and frequently at five o’clock. In the depth of winter, or however inclement the weather, at all seasons of the year, nothing hindered his early commencement of the duties of the day. Lucifer-matches were unknown in those days, and he, therefore, usually brought a tinder-box in his pocket--the old flint and steel affair. He thus procured a light and made himself a fire. Then he would proceed to examine the stock in the warehouses, that he might be enabled to order what was necessary to replenish it, and thus keep the printers and others constantly at work. He also devoted a certain portion of his time to the mixing-room, in order to keep up the supply of bodies, glazes, &c. Then he would proceed to the counting-house, where I,” says Mr. Stringer, “was an assistant-cashier under his special superintendence. To convey an idea of his peculiar nicety and accuracy in this department of his labours, I may relate the fact that, on a certain Saturday evening, after examining my cash account, Mr. Herbert told me that I was one _halfpenny_ short in my balance. He was aware of my usual accuracy, and was surprised even at this trifling mistake. I opened my cash-box for further examination, when, to my good fortune, I discovered the missing halfpenny within it standing on its edge. This rectified the supposed mistake, and afforded us both a hearty laugh.” In 1817, Thomas and Herbert Minton were admitted into partnership with their father, the firm being “Thomas Minton and Sons.” In 1821, the elder brother, Thomas Webb Minton, quitted the works, for the purpose of studying for the Church, and he was ordained in 1825, taking his first curacy at Chesterfield, and afterwards at St. Cuthberts, Darlington, and other places. He died in 1870, at Darlington, where he was incumbent of the Church of the Holy Trinity. In 1828 the partnership was dissolved, although Mr. Herbert Minton continued to devote his energies to the development of the concern. On his father’s death, in 1836, he again took up the business, and shortly afterwards took into partnership Mr. John Boyle, under the style of “Minton and Boyle.” In 1841, Mr. Boyle withdrew from the firm, and, about 1842, became a partner with Mr. Wedgwood; and in 1845, Mr. Michael Hollins, nephew to Mrs. Minton, joined the firm under the style of “Herbert Minton and Co.” In 1849 a nephew of Mr. Minton’s, Mr. Colin Minton Campbell, now M.P. for North Staffordshire, joined the firm under the same style. In 1858, Herbert Minton died, and Messrs. Hollins and Campbell continued the manufactory. The present head of the firm is Mr. Colin Minton Campbell, M.P.; the trading style being simply “Mintons.” [Illustration: Fig. 215.]