Item
The President's Vacation. His Travels, Pleasure and Adventures." Pittsfield, Mass., Sun. Reprinted in the St. Andrews Beacon, 1891.. . . Shops are not many-- simply the country stores to supply the practical wants of the population but every summer an art crockery store is opened to sell souvenirs to tourists. The shop is well filled by exquisite things from French, English and Irish potteries and as there is no duty the prices are very tempting. The shell-like Belleck Ware, the Worcester, Devonshire, Wedgewood and other fancy wares are not above half Boston prices. Wedgewood is the favorite with buyers. Pittsfield people will see some good examples of it at Mr. Mills' store on North street, and the President is so captivated with its beautiful blue color and its cameo like carvings of mythological gods and goddesses that he defies the law and buys an armful. Old Josiah Wedgewood, who invented this ware in 1600, and made fame and fortune with his bowls and cups and vases and pitchers with their profiles of kings and statesmen and actresses upon them, would have smiled out loud if he could have seen the President guarding his treasures from the inquisitive eyes of the customs men. It transpired that the revenue guards knew all about it, but at their discretion let slip the little samples and presents the tourists buy. His teacup and bowl, wreathed with exquisite carvings telling a tale he will have to look up in the Iliad or the wanderings of Ulysses were perfectly safe, and he need not have carried them so furtively and secretly in his high Derby hat.