chains or spurs which start from the central mass, as at Uzurgheti, and Lika-uri, are generally a mere succession of volcanic cones, or ranges of amygdalary porphyry, which lower gradually towards the great central plain, where they only constitute long and narrow hilly ranges, as if they had issued out of crevices. THE VALUE OF DRESDEN CHINA IN 1753. IN the May number of the "Lon lon Magazine," for 1753, there is an article entitled, "Some Account of the Porcelain Manufacture at Melsen, commonly called Dresden China:" "The manufacture is of two sorts, painted or entirely white, single or double. It is made of earth found in the country, but sufficient care is taken that none shall be carried out, though the quality of the earth, and some places from whence it is taken, are not absolutely a secret. It was discovered at the end of last century by an apothecary's servant, who, imagining that he could find out the secret of making gold by chemical process, discovered this porcelain, for which the late King Augustus ennobled and enriched him. It bears the fire three times. The principal director of the fabrick is a sort of prisoner at Melsen, about four leagues from Dresden, where it is established. Before he is admitted into this trust, which is of great consequence to the State and benefit to himself, he is sworn never to reveal the secrets of the fabrick; but the largeness of the king's pensions to the principal workmen is, probably, the greatest security, by which great encouragement they lose the inclination to carry their art to other places, where manufactures of porcelain, in imitation of this, have been established hitherto with little success. The king is at the sole expense of carrying on the work of making the porcelain, which is sold for his particular benefit, and six hundred men are daily employed in the fabrick. "Table services of this painted porcelain, for which there is no certain quantity fixed, sets for tea, coffee, and chocolate, figures of the human and animal species of almost every kind; fruits, flowers, vases, jars, baskets of Mosaic work, escritoires, watchtwizers and twizer-cases, bouquets for the breast and hair for ladies, and trinkets of vast variety, are painted in enamel, having thrice passed the fire; the art and beauty whereof are as much to be admired as the variety to be found in this fine manufacture. In any pieces of this porcelain particular coats of arms and cyphers may be had painted when bespoke. "This fabrick, which brings annually great sums of money into the country, is daily increasing in reputation, being justly in the highest esteem everywhere, and it is now carried to courts of Europe and all the great cities in it, even the Turks come from Constantinople to purchase it, and the rarest pieces that are made are carried thither to embellish the Grand Seignors and his great officers' houses and seraglios, of which they are not the least ornaments. "These table services may be had from 100 to a 1000 guineas. and upwards, according to the quantity of pieces, size, and nature of the painting they are composed of. Those most commonly bought are about the value of 160 to 300 guineas; for the last sum one may have a service, when the several pieces are chosen with judgment, that may be deemed fine and elegant. The plates are from eight shillings to twenty-four; the terrines, dishes, bowls, &c., according to their bigness, quantity, and quality of the painting on them. "The sets of porcelain for tea, coffee, and chocolate may be had from twenty-five to sixty guineas, differing, like the services, for the same reasons. There is one particular kind, for which they will abate nothing of 100 guineas the set; this is a double porcelain, not made at once, but a second layer added to the first form, resembling a honey-comb on the outside, which is of a pale brown colour, the letts or cavities being all painted, as well as the bottoms of all the insides of the cups and dishes. This, as all other sorts, may be had painted with landscapes and figures, birds, insects, fruit, flowers; the first being somewhat dearer, and the last the best executed, the flowers being almost equal to nature in beauty and liveliness of the colours. "The grounds of these different sorts of porcelain are various, some being painted on white, others on pink; some in compartments, and others without. "The space between these compartments are sometimes of white, yellow, or peagreen colour. When there are no compartments or divisions at all, the whole ground is generally white, with running flowers. This sort and the peagreen in compartments are the newest made, and in the most elegant taste. "The breaking of any piece of Dresden porcelain does not spoil the sets of services, because every piece is painted in a different manner, though the form and size be the same. This increases the variety and diminishes the loss of what is broke, which may be replaced and be had separately at the king's magazine, by ordering it expressly, if it be not found ready made. "Ornamental porcelain, as chandeliers, vases, jars, human, and animal figures, fruits, flowers, &c., differ also in price, in proportion to their magnitude and painting on them, and not according to the proportions of a figure, most parts whereof are more wanting in the design than in any other respect. That which ought to make the principal difference in figures, makes little or none in the prices of the manufacture, for one pays the same price for those of equal size, promiscuously, whatever their proportions be. The single figures, about fifteen inches high, are rated from the value of sixteen to twenty guineas, as they happen to have ornaments about them; and those of five or six inches about as many pounds. This proportion is pretty nearly observed in the measures between these sizes. When they exceed it, the figures grow much dearer. "Besides this high-priced porcelain there is a sort that has but little painting, as a flower or two; another sort that is blue and white inside and outside; and another that is brown without and blue and white within, all very pretty in their kind for common use; and the sets for tea, coffee, chocolate, and services for the table come reasonable. "The prices of all the foregoing articles are fixed, of which the king's officers in his magazine abate nothing, except in the sale of some very considerable quantity they may allow something for breakage. And all pieces of the new porcelain, that will admit of it, are marked with two swords in blue, crossways, which is part of the electoral coat of arms, and the mark of this fabrick. The old porcelain has it not. "The porcelain entirely white, without the least painting, is the most esteemed of all, and with reason. It is not permitted to be sold, but reserved for the king's use, who makes very magnificent presents of it to foreign princes, and sometimes to his favouritesat least, the late king did so. A mixture of this white and painted porcelain makes a beautiful contrast on chimney-pieces and tables." In a note of the above account of the Dresden china, the editor of the " London Magazine" remarks as follows:- "It is with pleasure we can inform the public that an undertaking of this kind is carried on in the greatest perfection in our own country, so as to emulate the elegancies of Dresden or China porcelain— particularly at Chelsea and Stratford, near this metropolis." A writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine" for 1757, page 168, amongst other invectives against the manners of the age, complains that painting is considered merely as a matter of curiosity and not of influence, and that the natural and beautiful have given way to the fantastic and grotesque. That every house of fashion is crowded with porcelain trees, birds, and porcelain men and beasts, cross-legged Mandarins or Brahmins, Chinese crudities, either in colour form, attitude, or grouping, that all such things are adopted into fashionable use, and have become the standard of grace and elegance. NEXT-OF-KIN AND MISSING FRIENDS. Ir occurred to Mr. Edward Preston-a gentleman of unquestionable observation and sagacity—while compiling an Index to the Next of Kin and Missing Friends Advertisements, which had appeared in the Times during a year,-that a summary of such notices might not only be made amusing, but might possibly convey unexpected good news in the shape of a "windfall" to some who might chance to read it. The author has succeeded to admiration in his task, and his work, entitled, "Unclaimed Money: A Handy Book for Heirs at Law, Next-of-Kin, and Persons in Search of a Clue to Unclaimed Money, or to the whereabouts of Missing Relatives and Friends." By Edward Preston, Proprietor of " Chambers's Index to Next of Kin" (Allen, 11, Ave Maria Lane), not only deserves notice for its originality as the first book of this kind; but it is replete with historical interest and curious facts that are often very amus. ing; and it is further of great practical utility, as those who have neither time nor opportunity to ponder daily over the Times may find in it matters of importance which might otherwise have escaped their notice. When it is mentioned that in one instance the heirs or next of kin of a person who emigrated to America in 1683, were lately advertised for in connection with unclaimed property to the extent of 2,000,000 dols., that alone should suffice to show what "windfalls," as the author has it, present themselves to some in the course of the year. It is probable, indeed-more especially owing to the emigrating propensity of many people-that in no other country in the world is there so much unclaimed money, or so many persons ignorant of their claims or how to establish them. There is no class of persons more careless of their interests or who have fewer means of obtaining information than sailors and soldiers; and to such the three chapters on Army Prize Money Naval Prize Money, and Indian Loot cannot but be of interest and of value. In fact, whilst the present "Handy Book" is made essentially popular and readable to all classes by its interesting anecdotes, whimsical wills, and pointed illustrations, it ought in reality to come forth as a yearly business publication. The Index to the Next of Kin constitutes an essential accessory already in existence. The yearly Handbook (at, say, sixpence or Almanack price), should be devoted to such new facts as arise; and, as Mr. Preston seems to have Offices, and make a business matter of his forte and speciality, he could not do better than some day give the public another popular volume on the claims that come before him their peculiarities and whimsicalities, as far as could be told without infringing upon confidential communication, and even the results arrived at, which could not fail to win the sympathies of all classes, whilst they would encourage those who are sceptical and cynical (and they constitute a larger class than is generally supposed) to look after their interests. "REMEMBER ME!" Translated from Alfred de Musset's " "Rappelle-toi !" REMEMBER me, when opes the timid dawn This murmuring sound pervades, Remember me, when cruel fortune tears This heart shall e'er repeat, "Remember me!" Remember me, when in the earth so cold "Remember me !" CECIL MAXWELL-LYTE. |