was one of the oldest in the Potteries. It was in existence in the early part of the last century (probably established about 1720), and afterwards belonged to John Baddeley (in 1750 R. and J. Baddeley), an eminent potter, who died in 1772. Here, it is said, printing in oil was first practised. Messrs. Hicks, Meigh, & Johnson were among the most successful of the manufacturers in the district, and produced, among other wares, a remarkably good quality of ironstone china. Besides this, they were large manufacturers of earthenware of the ordinary and finer kinds, and of china. They and Mason were the only makers of ironstone china; and when Mr. Morley, who purchased their business, became also the owner of Mason’s process and of his moulds, plates, &c., he became the _only_ manufacturer of ironstone ware. Having united the two manufactories, he removed Mason’s concern to his own works, where he entered with spirit into the manufacture, and soon established a lucrative business in “Mason’s wares.” In 1856 a first-class medal for this ware was awarded at the French Exhibition. Mr. Morley retired from trade in 1859, having sold the entire business, moulds, copper-plates, &c., to the present owners, Messrs. Geo. L. Ashworth and Taylor Ashworth (brothers), who continue, to the fullest extent, the manufacture of the “Patent Ironstone China,” which they and their predecessor named the “Real Ironstone China” (of which patented articles they are the _only_ makers) on their marks, and produce all Mason’s best patterns in services, vases, &c., made from his original models. They also manufacture Meigh’s ironstone, from his old moulds, &c. This manufacture has been very largely developed by Mr. Taylor Ashworth (who studied the processes under Mr. Morley, and is the resident acting partner), to whom the art is indebted for many improvements. This gentleman, who married the grand-daughter of Mr. Meigh, obtained by that alliance a vast deal of valuable information about the working of the stoneware; and it is a somewhat singular and pleasant circumstance to record, that after a lapse of half a century, or more, the manufacture may, through that marriage, be said again to be brought into the old family. Messrs. Ashworth, besides these great features of their trade, make table, toilet, dessert, and other services, and ornamental goods of the best quality, in every description of general earthenware. These they produce in immense quantities, both for home and foreign markets, about one-third of the whole being exported. The ordinary classes are principally exported to Russia, India, &c., and the more rich and costly to Havanna, Spain, and other countries. Sanitary wares are also produced, as well as insulators for our own and for foreign governments. The “Ironstone China,” from its extreme hardness and durability (for it is not easy to break even a plate) is specially adapted, in its simpler styles of decoration, for services used by large steamship companies,