MASTERS AND MEN I: The New Owners

On Thursday and yesterday, entertainments were given to the work people of Messrs Copeland and Garratt, at stoke. Most of our readers are aware that Messrs. C. and G. entered upon the extensive China manufactory of the late Josiah Spode, Esq. last year, and have carried it on with a spirit unsurpassed even in this thriving district. The entertainments were in celebration of their entrance upon the concern, and were intended to have been given some time ago; but the pressure of business and other circumstances put them aside until the present Martinmas, which being a general holiday, offered a suitable occasion. 

The principle entertainment was an excellent dinner given to the young men and women, and the adults, on Thursday. These persons, numbering nearly 700, assembled at the manufactory, shortly after eleven o'clock, where they formed a procession, three abreast, and went through the principal streets of the town - the bells ringing merrily the while. Admirable arrangements having been made, the party, on their return, found a plentiful repast awaiting them, laid out in three long rooms of the manufactory, which were prettily decorated with laurels and other ever-greens. The fare consisted of offitorious meats, (provided under the superintendence of Mr Yates of the Talbot, and Mr Fiddler, of the Wheat Sheaf) - the good old English dishes of roast beef and plumb pudding, predominating. Justice having been done to these substantial evidence of hospitable feeling, many were the kindly greetings, the good wishes, and the benevolent sentiments uttered over cups of "nut-brown ale."  T. Garratt, Esq., visited the several rooms during the dinner, and by his kindness and affability conducted greatly to the pleasure universally felt.

It would occupy too much of our space if we were to enumerate all the toasts, addresses, and songs, which followed the withdrawal of the cloth; they were such as displayed sociality and hilarity of feeling, and respect to the "founders of the feast."
The first toast proposed, was the health of Messrs. Copeland and Garratt, which it is almost needless to add, was given with three rounds of hearty cheers. After the applause had partially subsided.
T. GARRATT, Esq. stepped forward, and read a letter which he had received from his partner, Mr Alderman Copeland. The letter expressed the regret felt by the worthy Alderman, at being prevented , by numerous engagements, from participating in the pleasures of the day. It spoke in high terms of the honourable disposition generally displayed by those employed in the concern and stated the wish of the Firm to encourage and reward meritorious individuals, and mentioned the gratifying prospect of full employment for all, at fair remunerating prices.
The letter concluded with the hope, hat by reciprocal endeavours to secure their mutual welfare, both employers and employed would secure each other's respect and regard, and under the blessings of Divine Providence, live long in health and happiness. (Several passages of the letter were loudly applauded.) - Mr GARRATT then made a few observations illustrative of his hearty concurrence in the sentiments of his partner, and his individual desire to conduce to the welfare of those in their employ. (Applaus.) 
Mr SHAW afterwards delivered a humorous address. He described the manufactory as a vast collection of bipeds, and with much art showed the difference of habits and employment of the different branches of operatives. The drollery with with he pointed out the most striking specimens of each species, and commented upon them was irresistible, and produced repeated bursts of laughter. - Mr Shaw said the idea was suggested by his having at times exhibited the manufactory, as one of "the lions" of the Potteries, to distinguished personages, some of whom are now among the crowned heads of Europe. - Subsequently, in another room, Mr Shaw adverted to the comparative comfort of drunken and sober men, and showed very feelingly how the misconduct of the former led to suffering on the part of their innocent wives and families. 
He then called attention to the Savings Bank connected with the manufactory, as holding out peculiar advantages, Messrs Copeland and Garratt having, from a desire to encourage small savings, very liberally offered to give a bonus to each depositor, equal to the interest allowed by Government. Mr S. concluded by proposing "May the manufacture of Messrs Copeland and Garratt be broken all over the world." (Tremendous applause.)

The entertainment did not close until about seven o'clock, when "God save the King," having being sung, the guests retired, good order having being maintained throughout.

Yesterday morning, a breakfast of tea and coffee, and meats of various kinds, was given to the children employed in the establishment, about two hundred in number. Mr Garratt was present on this occasion also. The juvenile party evidently enjoyed the treat to its fullest extent, and their happy countenances furnished a still richer treat for those who were witnesses of their enjoyment. Like their seniors, they had a procession, of three abreast, through the town. After the breakfast, they made spoil of the laurel, etc. and bore boughs of it in a second precession to the front of the works.

North Staffordshire Mercury, 15 November 1834