ALTERATION OF POSTAGE RATES. The Post Office announces that, under the provisions of a new convention concluded between the States forming the Postal Union, the following changes will take place on Ist April next in the rates of postage and regulations affecting correspondence addressed to all the States of Europe, Turkey in Asia, Gibralter, Malta, Cyprus, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt, United States of America, Morocco, Madeira, Azores, Canary Islands, Heligoland, Canada, Newfoundland, St. Pierre Miquelon, Tahiti, Persia (viâ the Black Sea or Caspian Sea). Postcards.-The rate of postage on postcards will be reduced from 14d. to Id. each. Commercial Papers.-Commercial papers will be liable to a postage of 24d. for any weight not exceeding four ounces, with the addition of d. for every two ounces in excess. They must be forwarded under band or in an open envelope. No packet may exceed four pounds in weight. Under the term "Commercial Papers" are comprised all papers or documents written or drawn wholly or partly by hand (except letters or communications in the nature of letters, or other papers or documents having the character of an actual and personal correspondence), documents of legal procedure, deeds drawn up by public functionaries, copies of or extracts from deeds under private seal (whether written or printed on stamped or unstamped paper), way-bills, bills of lading, invoices, and other documents of a mercantile character, documents of insurance and other public companies, all kinds of manuscript music, the manuscript of books, and other literary works, and papers of a similar description. mercial papers; and in such case the pattern must not exceed the authorised weight or dimensions, and the whole packet must not exceed four pounds in weight. The following articles must not be sent by the post : Letters or packets containing gold or silver money, jewellery, or precious articles. Any packets whatever containing articles liable to customs duty in the country to which they are addressed. INCREASE OF Postage to PERU.-The Post Office authorities also announce that the entry of Peru into the Postal Union having been further postponed, the reduction of postage recently made on letters, &c., to and from that country on the understanding that it had become a member of the union is necessarily withdrawn ; and the rates chargeable on and from April 1 next will be those which were nforce previous to Oct. 1, 1878. THE NEW PATENT BILL. The following summary of this important measure, which we extract from the Ironmonger, wherein it appeared in the form of a letter from Messrs. William P. Thompson and Co., the well-known solicitors of patents, of 323, High Holborn, London, and 6, Lordstreet, Liverpool, it will give our readers a very clear idea of the important alterations to be effected by this Bill. The new Patent Bill introduced into Parliament last week has just been published, and the following are its principal provisions: Ist. The duration of provisional protection is to be extended from six months to one year, and the stamp duties thereon lowered to half their present amount. 2nd. A complete specification must, however, be filed before the expiration of nine months from date of original application, or the protection will terminate at the end of the twelve months, and cannot afterwards be Printed Papers.-The postage on printed papers will be reduced from 1d. to d. for every two ounces. No packet may exceed 4lb. in weight. Under the term "Printed Papers" are comprised, in general, all impressions or copies obtained upon paper, parchment, or cardboard, by means of print-renewed. ing, lithographing, or any other mechanical process easy to recognise (except the copying press). Also printed, engraved, or lithographed circulars, notwithstanding that such circulars may be letters or communications in the nature of a letter. Address-cards, and all printed papers presenting the form and consistency of an unfolded card, may be forwarded without band, envelope, fastening, or fold. 3rd. The complete specification shall be immediately published with all other documents relating to the case, and for a prescribed period anyone shall be at liberty to oppose the grant of a patent. 4th. If there be no opposition the applicant may give notice to proceed, and secure his patent for half the stamp duties now levied. 5th. A patent shall last 21 years instead of 14, but shall become void if the £50 and £100 stamps be not duly paid at the end of the third and seventh years respectively, and an additional stamp of £100 before the end of the twelfth year. 6th. Patents can be amended or added to Patterns or Samples.-Patterns of merchandise will be liable to a postage of one penny for any weight not exceeding two ounces, with the addition of a half-penny for every two ounces in excess. No packet may exceed eight ounces in weight or the dimensions specified. In all other respects the present hereafter, but with such fees and limitations regulations as regards their transmission re- as to make an amendment-especially if an main undisturbed. If printed papers and addition-almost as costly as an original commercial papers be sent together in the patent. The amendment, however, then same packet, the packet must be paid for at becoming part of the original patent, is not the higher rate of postage applicable to com- subject to additional stamp duties. (This mercial papers. If patterns and commercial however, is still a great improvement over papers be sent together, the packet must like-existing practice, and all alterations mentioned wise be paid for at the rate applicable to com- so far are in favour of the patentee.) 7th. The Crown shall have power to use any patented invention, paying the inventor such royalty as the Treasury shall consider fair. 8th. If an inventor does not work his invention in the country within three years of grant, and if he refuses to grant licences on such terms as the Lord Chancellor shall consider reasonable, the patent will be annulled. 9th. Inventions first patented (or imported from) abroad can in future be patented in England by the foreign patentee (he being the true and first inventor) within six months of the date of the foreign patent, or of the date of this Act. But such patents will fail with the expiration of any foreign patent for the same invention, whether granted before or after the date of such patent. 10th. The Lord Chancellor shall have power in certain cases to allow a patentee who has accidentally omitted to pay his tax in time to pay it within three months after it became due, and thereby save his patent. 11th. All patents applied for before the passing of the Act to be independent of all its provisions except Article 10. 12th. The modes of procedure are altered in many respects, interesting only to patent agents and lawyers. This Bill is decidedly a step in the right direction, though it has faults that will probably be rectified in committee, and it is earnestly to be hoped that it will not share the fate of its less promising predecessors introduced by the present Government in previous sessions. REVIEWS, &c. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS TO INVENTORS: JULIUS HALL, 90, Chancery Lane, London. This is a little work which we would recommend to any one contemplating the taking out a patent for any invention. Many inventors have lost the fruits of their talent through the want of a little practical information such as Mr. Hall gives. The Ironmonger: 44A, Cannon Street, E.C. This journal, which is one of the best trade journals of the day, now publishes a Supplement in five different languages, viz.: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, thus rendering it readable in almost every civilised quarter of the globe. We may mention that we purpose following suit and intend commence publishing shortly an edition of THE POTTERY AND GLass Trades' Journal in French. ROBERT BROWN & SON The Paisley Sanitary Earthenware Works Paisley, MANUFACTURE EVERY DESCRIPTION OF Sanitary Earthenware, Suitable for Home and Foreign Markets. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES & PRICE LISTS ON APPLICATION. PHILIP PARGETER, RED HOUSE GLASS WORKS, STOURBRIDGE, MANUFACTURER OF FLINT, RUBY, VENETIAN, AND EVERY COLOURED GLASS, ALSO OF Cut, Engraved, Etched, and Ornamental Flower Vases, Candelabra, &c., Of every description. London Offices and Show Rooms:-14, BARTLETT'S BUILDINGS, HOLBORN, E.C. ANDREW KER & ¤¤.. PRUSSIA STREET FLINT GLASS WORKS, OLDHAM ROAD, MANCHESTER. Manufacturers of Cut, Engraved and Pressed Glass of every description, LAMPS AND OTHER GLASS, USED FOR RAILWAY, SHIPPING, AND COLLIERY PURPOSES. THE NEW WHARF POTTERY COMPANY, Manufacturer of Breakfast, Dessert, Tea, and China Services in great variety. Manufacturers of Plain & Ornamental Earthenware FOR THE HOME, COLONIAL, AND FOREIGN MARKETS. London Council Medal, 1851; London Gold Medal, 1862; Gold Medal, Paris, 1855; Gold Medal, Paris, 1867; Diploma of Honour, Vienna, 1875. To ensure correct delivery at the Manufactory, the words China Works should always be added thus MINTONS THE Pottery and Glass Journal. CHINA WORKS, STOKE-UPON-TRENT. One eighth of a page, if for one or £s. Trades' Ditto, if for a series The only recognised organ of the China, Earthernware, and Glass Trades. Published on the 1st of every month, at 34, Bouverie Street, Fleet Street, London, E.C. Single copy price 6d., by post 7d. Annual Subscription, payable in advance, post free, to any part of the United Kingdom, 6/; to any other part of the world except India, 7/; to India, 8. I O O 6 - O 7 O One eighteenth of a page, if for APRIL, 1879. GREAT FIRMS AND GREAT MEN. IV.-T. C. BROWN - WESTHEAD, MOORE AND CO. d. who had for some years previously been their father's partners. The partnership between Messrs. John and William Ridgway was, a few years later, dissolved, Mr. John Ridgway remaining the sole proprietor of the Works. Our space does not permit us to trace the development of the Works whilst under the direction of this celebrated potter -suffice it for us to say that Mr. Ridgway was made "Potter to the Queen," and that at the Exhibition in 1851 he was awarded a prize medal "for the excellent quality of his ware." In 1855 the Works passed into the hands of the present firm, Mr. Ridgway, however, retaining an interest therein until the year 1858, when he finally retired. At the Exhibition of 1851 the firm was stated by the jurors to be “one of the first in England." Since then it has not in proved its high position-the Works at Caulany way receded from, but considerably imdon Place have been enlarged and improved, yet the business has been so developed and increased, that new works, the Royal Victoria Works, had to be taken by the firm, in order to enable them to meet the requirements of their business, which now comprises the manufacture of every kind of china and earthenware goods (except those of the very commonest description) suitable for every market in the world. Notice to intending Exhibitors at the International Exhibitions to be held at Sydney during the present year and at Melbourne in 1880-A Special Correspondent will be dispatched to represent THE POTTERY AND In the latter part of the last century GLASS TRADES' JOURNAL at these important Mr. Job Ridgway founded the business Exhibitions. Descriptive articles will be published in which the exhibits of all English manufacturers will be considered at length. It is also intended to issue SEVERAL THOUSAND COPIES of the JOURNAL in addition to its ordinary extensive circulation, which will be distributed amongst the largest wholesale buyers of china, earthernware, and glass in of this firm, which has since been so developed and extended as to place it at the present day in the very first rank of English houses engaged in the china and earthenware trades. Mr. Job Ridgway in 1802 erected the works at Cauldon Place, Hanley, now carried on by Messrs. T. C. Brown-Westhead, Moore and Co., or we say, rather, that he erected works on the site s. d. of which the Works of Messrs. Brown-Westhead Moore, and Co. at present stand, as so o great has been the improvement, enlargement, and development of the Works since the time of Mr. Job Ridgway that comparatively little of the old premises now remains. In 1814, upon the death of Mr. I 10 o Job Ridgway, the Works became the property I 2 6 of his two sons, John and William Ridgway, 54 2 15 2 2 O The members of the firm as at present constituted, are, Mr. T. C. Brown-Westhead, by whom the business department of the firm is directed, and Mr. James Moore, who, assisted by his nephew, Mr. F. F. Moore, superintends the manufacturing department. As before mentioned, the firm manufacture |