Mr. Hasselby then read a paper on “A piece of clay.”
Referring in the first place to the antiquity of its use, the lecturer followed by a statement of the composition of the various clays in ordinary use. These were shown to be chiefly Silicates of Aluminium with varying amounts of Lime, Iron & other substances. The purest of all clays – Kaolin- which is the principal constituent of Chinese porcelain – was described & an account given of the discovery of the secret of its production & of its influence upon European manufacturers. A variety of clays from different localities were shown & their geological origin from granite alluded to; followed by a notice of the diversified applications of clay, artistic & domestic, from the earliest times to the present day & an account of their most prominent characteristics. The paper closed with a reference to the chemistry of clay & its constituents from the Ruby & Sapphire to the metal Aluminium with special reference to the future applications of the latter.