Theo nodded.

The elevator stopped and they stepped out into a vast, well-lighted
room, gray with clay-dust and thronging with powdery workers. At
benches, before revolving wheels, and beside turning-lathes toiled
busy workmen with white, clay-coated hands.

"We will start our program with the potter's wheel, the oldest of
pottery modeling devices," said Mr. Marwood. "It is a very simple
contrivance, you see--just a round piece of board set horizontally on
top of a revolving spindle. As the disc turns the potter shapes the
clay with his fingers, building it up to the desired height and
moulding it to conform to the profile, or pattern, he keeps beside
him. This profile is of wood or steel, and gives the elevation of the
object in actual size. As he works the potter constantly consults and
measures it. Pieces made in this fashion are known as thrown ware. All
the finest potteries, as well as some of the most expensive
porcelains, are made in this way. However, it is a costly process and
rather slow, for a piece thus shaped must have the entire attention of
a single worker. If we were to make all our china by this method I do
not know where we should bring up. It would take us a decade, and cost
us a great deal of money. But by this means the most artistic results
are obtained. It was in this fashion that the Greeks modeled their
matchless vases, and you can now see why no two of them were
alike. Each potter put his soul into the thing he was making, and as
he had endless time at his command he worked with utmost care to
perfect his product. This was all very well in a warm country where
life was simple; demands few; and where there was not the tension of
present day living. It was a matter of no concern if the artist made
only a few such vases in a lifetime. He had the patronage of the rich,
and was sure of being taken care of. But to-day, alas, we face a
different problem."

[Illustration: "IT IS A COSTLY PROCESS, AND RATHER SLOW"]

"We surely do," agreed Theo.

"Therefore, here in America only a small proportion of this thrown
ware is made. Such art potteries as the Roferno and Sicardo wares,
seen chiefly in private collections and museums, are thrown; also some
of the Grueby, Rookwood, and Cincinnati varieties--all very beautiful
American potteries. In addition to these exquisite home products The
Dedham and Paul Revere potteries made near Boston should be mentioned,
for although of less costly type they are do