The presence of lime or iron in any considerable quantities would render the clay fusible, but when the silica and alumina so greatly preponderate, it will stand any amount of heat that can be raised in ordinary furnaces. The best clay fetches about 55s. per ton, and is used for glass-house pots and the bricks used in making glass furnaces, not only in England but other countries; it is exported to North America in large quantities, and to South America, France, Holland, and Germany. Besides the best clay, inferior descriptions called “seconds,” “black,” and “offal” clay are raised to a considerable extent. The first (black), mixed in certain proportions with “seconds,” potsherds, &c., is chiefly used for making crucibles, in which metals are melted; and of these Birmingham alone takes about 100 dozen weekly from this district. The “offal clay,” or that which is raised from the mine in the mixed or broken state, is not “picked” (or selected), but ground and sold at 10s. per ton: with this the great bulk of fire bricks are made. The trade is one of ancient date; Rufford’s clay works have been carried on during the whole of this century under the same name, but its principal development has taken place within the last forty years. Formerly the owners did not get half the best or other clays, and forty years ago there was no better speculation than taking to what was then considered a broken, or worked-out mine. Nor did they attempt any but square or roughly-made bricks, whereas the trade now can model and finish neatly. Even now the capabilities of Stourbridge fire clay are not generally understood. It has had a steady unfluctuating demand, and notwithstanding the discovery of fire clay in various parts of the island, Stourbridge never did a larger business than at present. The Stourbridge clays and bricks are sold freely both in the north and in Wales. About 15,000 tons of best clay are raised annually in the Stourbridge district. There are four proprietors of clay mines in Stourbridge, and two firms renting mines; five out of the six being also manufacturers of fire bricks and other articles in which the clay is used. The fire bricks are made of all sizes; the largest kept in regular stock weighs 635lbs. The glass-house bricks are sold “green” (dry) and but seldom burnt. The common description for gas works, iron works, and all other purposes, are burnt. About 14,000,000 of bricks of all descriptions are made annually in the Stourbridge district, consuming about 46,000 tons of clay, and may be valued at £50,000. An important branch of the trade, and one which has been gradually increasing for the last seven years, is the manufacture of clay retorts for gas works, and they are now generally preferred to metal. The most striking purpose to which the fire clay has been turned is the manufacture of large baths in one piece. At the suggestion of Prince Albert, the Society of Arts in 1846 offered a premium for the