a true porcelain, but on the contrary is an outer coating which
can be scratched through. But bone china is very strong, and does not
chip as does a more brittle variety. For that reason where wear and
durability are desired it is often preferred."

Mr. Croyden stopped a second.

"When I tell you these facts you must not think I am crying down the
English wares," he said. "I could show you beautiful varieties of
English porcelain. I merely wish you to understand that it has not the
qualities of the Chinese, Japanese, Sevres, Dresden, or even the more
modern Limoges ware. But what it loses in delicacy and translucence it
makes up in strength, and perhaps after all strength is as desirable
as any other quality."

"Didn't the English ever make any real hard paste china?" asked Theo.

"It is said that between 1730 and 1744 they did make some; and this
product is supposed to be the only true porcelain ever made in
England. It was manufactured at Stratford-le-Bow, and where do you
think the clay for it came from? Strangely enough from our own State
of Virginia. You can imagine the expense of bringing the clay across
the Atlantic. This ware known for convenience as Bow became very
popular. The first of it was hand-painted, but later the designs were
transferred, and the product became cheaper. Not only were tea sets
made, but also a great number of china figures of birds, animals, and
shepherdesses; there were even some statuettes of celebrities of the
time, which remain as an interesting record of the costumes of the
period. Owing to the fact that much of the Bow china was unmarked it
is frequently confused with the soft ware made at Chelsea, which was
also of early English manufacture."

"Did the Bow factories continue?" asked Theo.

"About 1775 the Bow works were merged with those of Derby; and in
1784, the Chelsea fabrique was also absorbed by the Derby
company. Derby china, especially Crown Derby, you must remember, is
one of the finest of present day English wares. About 1777 these
factories came under the patronage of King George III, at which time
the term Crown Derby was bestowed on the product."

"Then an English king did help in English porcelain-making after all!"
exclaimed Theo.

"To a certain extent, yes," answered Mr. Croyden. "The English
nobility, too, patronized the royal factories. The ware was so
beautiful perhaps people were only too glad to do so. There were
plates with deep borders of solid ri