THE LATE SIR EDMUND ELTON.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIE,—Sir Edmund Harry Elton, Bart., died at his beautiful home, Clevedon Court, Somerset, on the 17th ult., in his seventy-fifth year after a long illness patiently borne. He took a deep interest in many things, and had a remarkable taste for :true art and a natural knowledge of what was good. Though self-taught his water-colour sketches were greatly admired, especially by Sir Edward Poynter, late President of the Royal Academy, when he visited the Court. The same day the Elton Ware was also on view, and he expressed his admiration and interest and at once insisted on his host showing his beautiful pottery at the exhibition at Burlington House in the autumn of 1916.
Sir Edmund's }peat success and favourite occupation was the formation of Elton Ware. Many years ago when quite a young man various circumstances led him to the idea of pottery. He started by going down to the local brickwoiks, and made him- self master of all. details of the manufacture. He then set to work to build his own kiln, settled his own wheel and learnt to throw on it. After overcoming numberless difficulties and failures, always patient and persevering, intensely enthusiastic, he ultimately succeeded in producing undreamed of results. He never copied but always originated his colours and designs, producing th usands of pieces of astonishing variety and intricate decoration. Just before his last illness he was much pleased by specimens in which a beautiful gold and silver lustre shone forth in combination with rich colouring. To South Kensington, Bristol, and other permanent exhibitions he gave characteristic specimens of his very finest work. He has received seventeen medals, most of them gold or silver, at various international exhibitions. The production of his famous ware now ceases, but from its earliest beginnings the foreman, George Masters, must not be forgotten. Day in and day out he was constantly engaged in carrying out his employer's methods both in design and technique, and this he did with consummate skill and ability. Sir Edmund was any- thing but an amateur potter. Though he worked out his own methods and his fine combinations of colour, he produced through special processes of his own invention. The Elton Ware was his sole creation. He was laid to rest in the church- yard of All Saints', Clevedon, on July 21st, amidst a remarkable demonstration of mourning friends and tenants, crowds of whom thronged the roads leading to the churchyard.
"The day he trod his path to God, So walked he from his birth In simpleness and gentleness in honour and clean mirth."
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