the war there were about
thirty-three thousand."

Theo gasped.

"Why, I had no idea of it!" he exclaimed.

"It takes a vast number of workmen to manufacture all the clay
products turned out in America. Remember dishes and ornaments are not
the only things made. The industry is classified, and covers white
earthenware, or the better qualities of imitation porcelain used by
those who cannot afford the real; this branch of the work alone takes
up about forty per cent. of the entire output. Then there is the
genuine porcelain for table and decorative use; the porcelain
necessary for electrical purposes; stoneware, or the commoner
household articles found in the kitchen comprising yellow ware,
Rockingham ware, and red earthenware; and in addition the great
quantities of sanitary ware for plumbing, drain-pipes, and tiling. Of
all these varieties of porcelain the hardest in quality, and the only
one absolutely non-absorbent, is true porcelain. Therefore it is the
cleanest to use. Kaolin being simply decomposed feldspar, and the
glaze applied to it being practically pure feldspar, the product is
merely a mass of feldspar melted in the fire until all the metals it
contains except platinum are eliminated. Such a composition is of
course far too brittle and delicate for ordinary use even did not its
expense prohibit our introducing it into the kitchen; but could we
substitute it for the cheaper wares it would be much more hygienic--a
factor persons are liable to forget when purchasing china."

"I never thought of that," said Theo.

"The general public does not," replied Mr. Croyden. "Still, now that
I have explained it, you can readily understand it. Another thing that
is not ordinarily considered is that porcelain-making is not as
healthful an occupation as we wish it were. Those who work in the
glazing department, where powdered flint and lead are used, inhale the
dust and in consequence are sometimes subject to tuberculosis or lead
poisoning just as painters are."

"Can't something be done about it? That seems a dreadful thing."

"It is a dreadful thing, and we are constantly trying to better
working conditions and lessen the danger. Yet if you were to examine
the details of other industries you would find that few of them are
entirely free from undesirable results. Almost every line of
manufacture has its peculiar risks," returned Mr. Croyden. "I do not
mean for a moment that for that reason we are justified in closi