The forms of these vessels were tygs or mugs, with two or more handles for passing round a table, candlesticks, dishes, &c. The earliest names found upon them are Thomas and Ralph Toft, William Talor, Joseph Glass; all names still known in Staffordshire. BURSLEM. The family of WEDGWOOD was of long standing at Burslem, and many members of it were employed in making pottery long before the birth of the great potter, Josiah Wedgwood. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as many of his other relations, were all engaged in the trade. Josiah Wedgwood was born in 1730, at Burslem; he was the youngest of thirteen children; his father, Thomas Wedgwood, died when Josiah was only nine years old. His eldest brother, Thomas, succeeded his father as a potter, and Josiah was bound apprentice to him in 1744, after the expiration of which he left his brother's house to make knife handles, imitation agate, and tortoiseshell small wares, at Stoke. Here, in 1752, he entered into partnership with John Harrison, which only lasted two years. [Illustration: FIG. 237.--VASE. _Pale blue jasper, with subjects in relief._] Next Josiah Wedgwood went into partnership with Thomas Whieldon of Fenton Low, one of the most eminent potters of his day, and they remained together five years; while here Wedgwood also produced that fine green glaze which covered his dessert services, in imitation of leaves. At the expiration of the partnership in 1759 Wedgwood returned to Burslem, and commenced business on his own account at the "Churchyard" works. He soon became so successful that he was compelled to enlarge his establishment, and to take over the "Ivy House" works. He engaged the services of his cousin, Thomas Wedgwood, who had gained his experience at the Worcester works, and in 1765 he took him into partnership, and three years later Thomas Bentley joined the firm. The first ware which gained him reputation was his fine cream-coloured ware, which remained a staple article from 1762 down to the time of his decease, and after royalty had approved of it the name was changed to Queen's ware. Wedgwood also produced, about this date, a sort of red ware, formed of the same ochreous clay as was used by the Elers nearly a century before; it required no glaze except what it derived from friction on the wheel and lathe, and was covered with engine-turned ornament; and in 1766 he began to make a black ware, which he called basaltes or black Egyptian. The business increased so much that he was obliged to open a new manufactory at ETRURIA in 1769.