About a century ago the pottery-makers of England, with that keen insight which has given to the British Empire the markets of the world, established a profitable branch of commerce with the Colonies and with the States of the new American Republic, by means of an appeal unique in the annals of trade. They decorated the pottery destined for the new market with faithful views taken from America itself, many of which, by the way, have been perpetuated in no other manner. -- pg. ix.