In connection with this election, a song written especially for the potters, and no doubt sung while this very mug was filled with strong ale, and passed round from mouth to mouth, is worth reprinting:-- THE POTTER’S SONG. _To the tune of “Ye mortals whom fancy,” &c._ ADDRESSED TO THE PLUMPING POTTERS. Ye true-hearted fellows, free plumpers and men, Independent in Britain, how great is your claim! Not power without candour can soothe with a smile, Or forms of vain grandeur e’en fancy beguile. CHORUS. And thus sings the parent of liberty’s cause, If my son you would be, If my son you would be, Like Britons undaunted, like Britons be free. Tranquillity, heightened by friendship’s supply, Degraded may censure, with malice stalk by! Auspiciously reigning, those plumpers, they say, Unluckily carry the spoils of each day. And thus, &c. Regardless of great ones, we live uncontrolled, We’re potters and plumpers, we’re not to be sold. No purchase but merit can cheapen such souls, Thus circled in friendship, we live by our bowls. And thus, &c. Regained, now preserve the true blessing of choice, And strike at the wretch that would blast a free voice; Thus rich in possession of what is our own, Sir William’s our member, Squire Charley may moan. And thus, &c. [Illustration: Fig. 34.--Herculaneum Pottery.] The HERCULANEUM POTTERY,--the largest earthenware manufactory ever established in Liverpool,--was founded in the year 1796, on the site of some old copper works on the south shore of the river Mersey at Toxteth Park. The pottery had originally been established about the year 1793–4, by Richard Abbey, who took into partnership a Scotchman named Graham. Richard Abbey was born at Aintree, and was apprenticed to John Sadler, in Harrington Street, as an engraver, where he produced many very effective groups for mugs, jugs, tiles, &c. Of these, one of his best productions was the well-known group of the “Farmer’s Arms.” After leaving Sadler’s employment, Abbey removed to Glasgow, where he was an engraver at the pot-works, and afterwards served in a similar capacity in France, before he began business in Liverpool. Messrs. Abbey and Graham were successful in their factory at Toxteth Park, but Abbey growing tired of the business, they sold it to Messrs. Worthington, Humble, and Holland, and he retired to his native village, where he died in 1801, “at the age of eighty-one, after breaking a blood-vessel whilst singing in Melling Church, where, being a good musician, he used to lead the choir on a Sunday. He was buried at Walton.”