TOM WEDGWOOD.
Torn Wedgwood. By R. B. Litchfield. (Duckworth and Co. 8s. net.)—Tom Wedgwood, the third surviving son of Josiah Wedgwood, of Etruria, was to have had his Life written by James Mackintosh and S. T. Coleridge. A more unreliable pair could not have been found, and nothing was done. There was, indeed, no special call for such a book. Possibly it is more inter- esting now than it would have been then. His pioneer work in photography, for instance, has assumed considerable importance, in view of the position which the art has now taken. Tom Wedgwood was a man of much ability, of a most kindly and generous temper. Unhappily, his life was marred by persistent ill-health. This compelled him to give up a partnership in the Etruria works after a period of two years, and, indeed, interfered with all settled employment. It drove him to use the anodyne of opium, though never to excess. His most memorable act was his help of Coleridge, to whom he gave a pension of .275 a year while he lived, making provision in his will for its continuance. Doubtless this provision was most welcome, even when the philosopher was sheltered in the house of those kindest of friends the Gillmans. It saved him the disagreeable need of having to ask for money for daily wants. Mr. Litchfield, who did not live to see his book published, has made as much of his task as was possible. But the capabilities were not large. The one amusing thing in it is the description of Tom Wedgwood's contribution to " child-study." He was somewhat infected by the "Sandford and Merton " temper, and had his plan of teaching the young idea. This was a suggestion for inculcating presence of mind. "The parent might invite the attack of a fierce bull, stand with perfect composure till the animal be within two or three paces of him, then suddenly open an umbrella, hold his hat before his face, or somehow contrive to amuse and terrify the foe, whilst the child, on the other side of the stile, should witness his parent's intrepidity." For less heroic souls a raging turkey-cock is suggested. Personally, we should infinitely prefer the turkey- cock.
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