Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/419

 1868.] Porcelain, Glass, and Pottery, 341 Ermines, as the word is a diminutive ; but you must understand, if you can, that tliis means quite another thing, namely : A White field powdered with Blttck ; but, then, every such spot hath a little Red hair on each. Others mention that this Red hair consists in a separate portion of the general tuft parted off on each side. Pe an — in markings and their disposition, cor- responds exactly with Ermine, Ermines, and Er minois ; but it is a Black fur, strewed with Gold or Yellow tufts or spots. This Fur is not mentioned at all by Coates, a very singular omis- sion in so elaborate and exhaustive a writer, as it seems, from heraldic au- thors of repute, to be well established. PORCELAIN, GLASS, AND POTTERY. By Charles P. Williams.* THE History of the Origin of Porcelain Manufacture in Eu- rope adds another to the man}' instances of important discoveries originating from Alchemical Researches. Much that is valuable in the most exact of "Physical Sciences — Chemistry — and in many of its applications to the useful in life was found in the waifs of by-paths from the main traveled road, over which so many passed in pursuit of the ignes fatui of the Philosopher's Stone and the Elixir of Life, blundered upon, and blindly followed, by some dreamer, till the crude, corroded nodules, perhaps, picked up for the hammers of emergency, suddenly breaking in the hand, display sparkling crystals of pure Science and true practical knowledge. An apothecary's assistant at Berlin, John Frederick Bottcher by name, being suspected of alchemy, fled thence to Dresden, where the Elector, believing him possessed of the secret of the trans- mutation of base metals, and their con- version into gold, placed him in the laboratory, and under the close surveil- lance of Tschirnhaus, who was seeking for the Universal Medicine. It was here, that the contents of some crucibles, prepared for alchemical purposes, unex- pectedly assumed the appearance of Oriental Porcelain, which had been in- troduced into Europe from China, after the voyage of the Portuguese naviga- tors around the Cape of Good Hope ; and which was even then much prized by, and only in possession of the wealthy. Augustus II. appreciated the importance of the discovery of Bottcher ; and re- moved him to the Castle of Albreckts- burg, at Meissen, where, with an officer as a constant attendant, he was provided with every comfort and luxury ; and with every facility for his research, till, in 1709, the true white porcelain was produced ; and, in the succeeding year, the great manufactory at Meissen was established, with Bottcher as director. The secret thus discovered was care- fully and jealously guarded ; strict in- junctions, with respect to secresy, were enjoined upon the workmen. The estab- lishment in the castle was a complete fortress ; the portcullis raised neither day nor night; and no stranger allowed to enter, whatever the pretence. The chief inspector and all under him, were
 * Analytical Chemist, No. 3015 Chestuut street. Philadelphia.