Section 142. JAMES WATT AND THE STEAM-ENGINE. I.
Reading edition
James Watt was the great Improver of the steam-engine; but, in truth[1], as to all that is admirable in its structure, or vast in its utility, he should rather be described as its Inventor. It was by his inventions that its action[2] was so regulated as[3] to make it capable of being applied to the finest and most delicate manufactures, and its power so increased as to set weight and solidity at defiance. By his admirable contrivances[4] it has become a thing stupendous alike for its force and flexibility, for the prodigious power which it can exert, and the ease, precision, and ductility with which this power can be varied, distributed, and applied. The trunk of an elephant, that can pick up a pin or rend[5] an oak, is as nothing to it. It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal before it, draw out without[6] breaking a thread as fine as gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bubble in the air. It can embroider[7] muslin and forge anchors, cut steel into ribbons[8], and impel[9] loaded vessels against the fury of the winds and waves.