THE POTTER AND THE QUEEN.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14015, 24 June 1913, Page 8

THE POTTER AND THE QUEEN.

Daring the Royal visit to the potteries recently, an amusing interview took place between the Queen and an old potter who paid his homage in |t remarkably natural way) At Messrs Wedgwood’s pottery works the Queen was vastly entertained’ (siys the Daily Mail) by an old man engaged in trimming the casts of Flaxman figures that are put on the blue jasper vases, which form one of this firm’s special productions. Her Majesty remarked upon the delicate beauty of- these figures and the perfection of the moulding.

“Yes, indeed,’’ said old Thomas Lovett. “If they ; do work in heaven it will he like this (pottery), for it’s as perfect as any, these is.’” '“How-old are you?” the Queen asked.

“Nearly 75,”-said Lovett, “and I’Ve never "been bad in m’ life. When I began earning my living I started work at six in the morning and went on till I’d swept out the place after the others had gone. - Aye, I’ve worked hard always, but I’ve always been careful. ‘ Never went out Without put m' coat on. It’s carelessness that makes potters ■ The old fellow stopped for breath, and the courtiers round thought the Queen would pass on, but old Lovett’ interested her. She- smiled at him kindly. , . “You fhtjst have some . wonderful memories?”,she said. “Aye, ypur Majesty,he returned eagerly, delighted, to talk. ‘T can recollect as far back as,the 1851 lixliibi-, tiou. I mind how the old master paidfor. all us lads to go up to London and see it. Before vve went we stood i outside this very building and sangi with jacfestories in our hands: that we : kept knocking together.” ■: And then-old-Loveft, bending towards the Queen and beating his; hands together, sang her in his qua- ! vering voice doggerel current in the 1851 exhibition year:

“If you want t6: see the wonders of the day, ’ See the sights and the carriages so

gay, y. There is great Lord John and his little

servant man, Arid the great king of-rChum, Ghum, Chum.” ‘ ..

The.QueenV vl’itlv genuine enjoytuent. “Very interesting indeed,” she said, arid- Telt Thomas Lovett the happiest-man in the realm.