POTASH-MAKING IN ESSEX: A LOST RURAL INDUSTRY. 121
Up to the earlier years of this century Potash making was a
very common rural industry in Essex, and possibly just as frequent
elsewhere, but, as I am writing for Essex readers, I shall confine my
remarks in a great measure to its existence in this county.
As a proof of the frequency of Potash Works, it is only
necessary to look over a large scale map of Essex and note how
very often the name "Potash-Farm," "Potash-Corner," "Potash-
Field," occur. Now, every one of these marks the site of a so-
called "Potash," the usual name by which these works were known.
Common as these "Potashes" evidently were, and recently as this
manufacture ceased, it is very extraordinary how very few people
seem to know anything of the processes, or even where they were
carried on.
Had a manufacture of this character and importance to the rural
population disappeared a few years earlier than it did, some know-
ledge of the craft would have lingered amongst the country people,
and many who never saw one would have heard tales from their
fathers and grandfathers of the situation of "Potashes," and of the
mode of manufacture. But all traditionary knowledge has now
ceased in our villages ; so few remain in their birthplaces that
traditions are not passed on from father to son, and the result is that
most villagers under fifty years of age know nothing of the later
history of their district, excepting in those matters which have come
under their own observation, or which they may have seen in print.
It is useless, therefore, to make inquiries of any people of the age
mentioned, with reference to events which may have occurred in
their districts, even if they happened only a few years before their
birth. For these reasons I have been unable to get any information
or assistance in my inquiries respecting Potashes, unless the person
I questioned was approaching old age.
I think the decay of tradition and traditionary knowledge one of
the worst features of our time ; instead of people feeling any interest
in, and being proud of, their own part of the country, and therefore
having local patriotic ideas, all these sentiments are totally absent.
What is true of small districts is equally true of the kingdom at
large ; the loss of traditionary knowledge in the one section of the
community produces loss of interest and patriotism in both. That
patriotism as a natural characteristic is declining, is a statement all
must assent to who pay any attention to the news of the day, and to
every thinking person it must be a matter for regret : for a kingdom