INDEX.

A.

Æolipile, the Greek, 6.

Adventurers, the Cornish meetings of, 258–60, 273–4, 332.

Albion Mill scheme, 353–7;

the mill burnt by incendiaries, 358–9.

Anderson, Professor, Glasgow, 113, 119.

Arkwright’s patent trial, 302, 347.

Austhorpe Engine, Leeds, 61.

B.

Bacon, Roger, his prophecy of steam power, 4.

Banks, Sir Joseph, and Boulton and Watt, 267, 286, 369.

‘Beelzebub’ Engine, Soho, 241, 326.

Beighton, Henry, improvements on Newcomen’s engine, 67.

Bell, Andrew, and Symington’s steamboat, 449.

Bell, Henry,—his ‘Comet,’ 453.

Berthollet, M., on chlorine, 381.

Birmingham, its ancient industry, 161–3;

Copper Company formed, 281–2;

illegal coining, 386–7;

riots at, 410–13.

Black, Dr., intercourse with and friendship for Watt, 110–14, 123, 132, 464;

lends Watt money, 150;

Boulton’s intercourse with, 329;

discovers carbonic acid gas, 372;

his death, 464;

his character, 465.

Boats, first constructed of iron, 213.

Boats, paddle and steam, see Steam and Paddle boats.

Bonze, Cornish engineer, 233–4, 236;

his atmospheric engine, 245, 296, 313.

Boulton, Matthew, F.R.S., Birmingham,—his family, 163;

birth and education, joins his father in business, 164;

his early trade correspondence, 165;

his marriage, 166;

his business enterprise, 167;

removes from Snow-hill to Soho, 168;

his aims at excellence, 170;

his distinguished and Royal patrons, 171, 174, 176, 180–1;

his artistic taste, 172;

surpasses French art manufacturers, 173;

makes clocks and timepieces, 174;

employs first-rate artists, 175;

corresponds with Benjamin Franklin concerning his model fire-engine, 182–4;

first meeting with Watt, 186;

takes Roebuck’s share in Watt’s engine, 197;

Boulton’s qualities, 199, 200;

his friends, 201;

his views as to engine business, 202–3;

his grief at the death of Dr. Small, 208;

puts Watt’s son to school, is visited by the Empress of Russia, 216;

goes to London on financial affairs, 217;

terms of partnership, 219;

advice to Watt on his marriage, 219–20;

pressure of work, 221;

his tubular boilers, 222, 283;

difficulties, financial, and with his partners, 240, 247;

raises extra capital, 242;

his visits to Cornwall, raises capital, and combats the adventurers, 247, 261, 270, 273, 317, 320, 331;

his property and financial affairs, 262, 277–8, 320, 363–4;

pushes the letter-copying machine in London, 266–7;

has erysipelas, 270;

his courageous perseverance, patience, and business tact, 241, 249, 252, 271, 273, 276–7, 294;

his tender regard for Watt, and encouraging treatment, 272, 301;

organises mining business in Cornwall, 273–4;

suggests a tooth-cutting machine, 284;

his mechanical drawings, 283;

suggests horizontal-axled elliptical rotary engines for general uses, 307, 324, 327;

life in Cornwall, his scientific tastes, 323, 340–41;

ill health, and visit to Scotland, 328–9, 365;

his paternal affection and domestic enjoyments, 340–1;

a commercial politician, 342;

connection with the Copper Company, 349–50;

hostility towards him in Cornwall, 351–2;

his sympathy with the Quakers, 352;

starts the Albion Mill scheme, 353;

his depressed spirits, 366;

his friendships, 367–71;

turns coiner by steam power, his Soho mint, 389–99;

his success in medalling, 395;

contract with Government for a new coinage, fits up the Royal mint and others, 398–9;

Watt on Boulton’s merits in coining, 399;

his affectionate nature and generosity, 366, 401, 405, 487;

paternal care for young Watt, 406;

continued activity, his water-raising machine, 457, 474;

his reception of burglars at Soho, 458;

correspondence with Sir W. Scott, 459;

failing health, 462, 475;

counsel of friends to give up business, 475–6;

his death and funeral, 477;

monumental inscription, his qualities and character, 477, 478, 486, 487;

his workmen’s assurance society, 480;

his powers for organization and business qualities, 481–4;

Watt’s estimate of Boulton, 485, 486.

Boulton and Watt commence partnership, 197;

prospects of engine business, 207;

manufacture of engines commenced, 213–15;

terms of partnership, 218–23;

orders from Scotland, 219;

Gainsborough’s attack on the patent, 222–3;

difficulties with workmen and engine men, 227–8;

Cornish business, 231, 237;

terms on which engines were erected, 243–4;

resistance of engine dues, 246, 262;

orders from abroad, 249;

their altercations with the Cornish miners, 257–60, 315–16, 331–2;

engines sold, 262;

engine patent threatened, they share in mining adventures, 273, 278, 295–304;

their voluminous correspondence, 307–8;

adverse circumstances, 315;

dues from pumping-engines, 317;

Hornblowers’ opposition, 320;

miscellaneous engine orders, 333;

profits commence, 363;

their personal friends, 367;

their sons join the firm, 417–21;

partnership dissolved, 456.

Boulton, M. Robinson, his education and attainments, 433–4;

in Paris, 405;

returns, 1788, 408;

his reception by the Lunar Society, 408–9;

settles to business, 417;

his business ability, 418–21.

Boulton, M. P. W., on alleged photographic discoveries of Boulton and Watt, 383.

Branca’s steam machine, 7.

Brougham, Lord, opinion of Watt, 490, 503, 507.

Burke, Edmund, opposes Watt’s patent-right, 210;

denounces Dr. Priestley, 410;

also young Watt, 415.

C.

Caledonian Canal surveyed by Watt, 157, 197.

Calley, John, Dartmouth, 63.

Campbell, Thomas, opinion of Gregory Watt, 468.

Carron Iron Works, 138–9, 329, 443.

Cartsdyke, Greenock, 80–2.

Cartwright, Dr., and steam navigation, 450.

Caus, Solomon de, his steam apparatus, 8, 9, 20, 21.

‘Century of Inventions,’ Marquis of Worcester’s, 10–16.

Charles II. and mechanical inventors, 15, 28.

‘Charlotte Dundas,’ steamboat, of Symington, 447.

Chacewater Mine and engine, 231;

engine finished, 235;

its working, 242–3.

Chlorine, bleaching by, 381.

‘Clermont,’ the steamboat, 453.

Clyde, survey of, by Watt, 155, 191.

Coinage improved by Boulton, 387–99.

Coining, illegal, 386;

punishments for, 387.

Coins struck at Soho Mint, 394.

‘Comet,’ the steamboat, 453–4.

Cooper, of Manchester, political friend of young Watt, 408;

they are delegates to Paris, 414.

Copper Company organized, 281–2, 349–50.

Cornish pumping engines, 46, 52, 55, 65, 75, 230–31;

Chacewater, 235, 239, 242–3;

Dalcoath, 246, 270, 306–7;

Hallamanin, 253;

Huel Vor, 55;

United Mines, 237, 275;

Poldice, Polgooth, Tingtang, Wheal Chance, W. Crenver, W. Busy, W. Maid, W. Treasury, W. Union, W. Virgin, and others, see passim, 235–327, 339.

Cornwall, early mining in, 45–48;

Savery’s engines employed, 55;

Newcomen’s, 69;

Watt’s engines introduced, 230;

life in Cornwall, 235;

appearance of mining districts, 237;

character of miners, 257–60;

rain in, 260;

postal service, roads, and weather, 321–3;

wasteful mining, 349;

riots, 351.

Corn-mill first worked by steam, 325.

Cosgarne House, Cornwall, 275.

Cosmo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, visit to Marquis of Worcester’s water engine, 19.

Counter for steam engine, 245.

Craig, John, Watt’s partner, 125.

Crank motion invention stolen, 289.

Cromwell and the Marquis of Worcester, 14.

D.

Dalrymple, Sir John, and steam navigation, 440.

Darwin, Dr. Erasmus—correspondence with Boulton, 184, 201;

a Member of the Lunar Society, 369, 465.

Davy, Sir Humphry, on gas-lighting, 429;

and Gregory Watt, 468–9;

Davy on Gregory’s death, 472.

Day, Thos., author of ‘Sandford and Merton,’ 201, 263.

Dick, Dr., Glasgow, 101, 106, 113–14.

Digester, Papin’s, 32, 120.

Dircks, Mr., on Marquis of Worcester’s inventions, 11, 22.

Dundas, Lord, and steamboats, 448.

Dundonald, Lord, and Boulton, 329.

E.

Edgeworth, R. L., and Boulton, 201;

and the locomotive, 336;

and the Lunar Society, 369–70.

Engine dues—contests with miners, 243–5, 271, 311, 315, 317, 320, 331–2, 339, 418–21.

Eginton, Fr., at Soho, 171;

partnership with Boulton in picture business, 264.

Ewart, Peter,—his opinion of Boulton, 486.

Expansive working, 146–7, 228–9, 304, 307, 310–11.

F.

Fairbairn, William, opinion of Murdock, 431–2.

Fire and Steam Engines. See Steam engines.

Fond, M. St., describes interviews with Watt and Priestley, 383–5.

Fothergill, John, a Soho partner, 169;

travels on the Continent for the firm, 172, 204;

his despondency, 240, 247, 263;

his tenacity, his death, 275;

his embarrassments, 314.

Franklin, Benjamin,—correspondence with Boulton on steam-engine, 182–4.

Fulton inspects Symington’s steamboat, 449;

makes a model steamboat in Paris, 450;

applies to James Watt, jun., for an engine, 451;

his ‘Nautilus’ infernal-machine, 452;

he fits up the ‘Clermont’ steamer, 452.

G.

Gainsborough, Humphrey, attacks Watt’s patent, 222.

Garay, Blasco, and paddle-boats, 36.

Gas-lighting invented by Wm. Murdock, 424–7;

Wintzer’s wonderful project, 428.

George III. and Boulton, 3, 174;

Watt’s interview with the King, 403, 476.

Glasgow in 1754, 96–100;

the tobacco lords, 98;

the clubs, 99;

drinking habits, 100;

the University and Professors, 106–8, 113–15;

the Green, 127.

Governor, The, invented by Watt, 335.

Greenock at end of last century, 80–4;

improvements, 85;

at the rebellion of 1745, 93.

Gunpowder and Steam as powers, 5.

H.

Hamilton Bridge—James Watt architect, 156.

Handsworth Church, near Birmingham, 477–8, 505, 507, 514.

Harper’s Hill, Birmingham, 214.

Hart, Robert,—Reminiscences of Watt, 147, 229, 424, 499, 500.

Heathfield, Birmingham, 460, 493–5, 512–13.

Hero of Alexandria, his writings on steam, 5–7.

Hollins, Mr., Birmingham,—Reminiscence of Watt, 505.

Hooke, Dr., on the Vauxhall hydraulic-machine, 19;

correspondence with Newcomen, 62.

Hornblower, Jabez, and his brothers, 296–7, 332.

Hornblower, Jonathan,—Watt’s first meeting with, 232–3;

with his sons, erects engine to supersede Watt’s, 296–304, 320–24, 331.

Hornblower, Joseph, erects Newcomen engines in Cornwall, 71.

Hulls, Jonathan, of Campden, 72;

his steamboat, 73;

unsatisfactory trial, his publications, 74.

Huntsman, Benjamin, Sheffield, and Boulton, 165.

Hutton, William, Birmingham, 153, 162;

house destroyed by the rioters, 412.

J.

Joint Stock Mining in Cornwall, 47–8.

K.

Kaltoff, Caspar, assistant to the Marquis of Worcester, 10, 13, 18, 19.

Keir, Jas., friend of Boulton, 170, 201;

his partner, 265, 409.

Kinneil House, 142;

Watt’s workshop, 148.

L.

Latent heat, 122–3.

Lawson, James, on Boulton’s Mints, 391.

Lemon, William, Penzance, 69.

Letter-copying machines invented by Watt,—partnership, 265.

Locomotion by steam, 187;

patent by Watt, 333, 337;

Edgeworth, 336;

Murdock’s model, 336–7;

Symington, 435–6.

Luc, M. de, friend of Boulton and Watt, 351, 369, 376, 381–2, 395, 476.

Lunar Society of Birmingham, 367–70;

its discussions, 375;

alleged photographic discovery, 382–3;

demise of the Society, its influence, 385;

dissolution by deaths, 465.

M.

Meason, Mr., Wanlockhead, 435–6.

Medals struck at Soho Mint, 395–7.

Micrometer, prismatic, 152.

Miller, Mr., of Dalswinton, propels boats by paddle-wheels, 437;

employs Symington to make an engine for steamboat, 439;

its trial, 442;

orders a second engine, 443;

another trial, applies to Boulton and Watt, 444;

their reply, 445.

Mines, United District, Cornwall, 231.

Mint, Soho, 390, 396, 400.

Mint, Tower Hill, fitted up by Boulton, 398–9.

Mints, foreign, fitted up by Boulton, 389.

Monkland Canal,—Watt, engineer, 153–4, 194.

Morland, Sir Samuel,—his fire-engine, 29;

his poverty and blindness, his death, 30.

Murdock, William, employed by Boulton and Watt, 253;

his character, early days, and antecedents, 254;

his interview with Boulton, the wooden hat, and his engagement, 255;

sent to Cornwall, interest in his work, 256;

how he dealt with the bullies, fights a duel with Captain Trevithick, 257;

invents sun-and-planet motion, 309;

his value and merits, 311–12, 337–8, 361;

presented with an acknowledgment, 312;

his popularity in Cornwall, 313;

testimony of Boulton to his worth, 321;

makes a model locomotive, 336–435;

puts Albion Mill engine to rights, 356;

at Soho, 400;

his loyalty and usefulness to the firm, 422;

his inventions, 423, 430–32;

the D slide valve, lighting by gas, 424–28;

his steam-gun, engine cement, 431;

obtains the Rumford gold medal, 425;

Mr. Fairbairn’s opinion of him, 431–3;

his death, 433.

N.

‘Nautilus,’ the infernal machine, by Fulton, 452.

Newcomen, Thos., of Dartmouth, 59;

his house, 60;

his family and character, 61;

his improvements on the fire-engine, 62–70;

correspondence with Dr. Hooke, 62;

Newcomen engine described, 63–68;

he erects colliery engines, 68;

supplies pumping-engines for Cornwall, 69, 71, 74–5;

his obscure end, 72.

Newcomen engines, increased use of for pumping, 74–75;

they are superseded, 275.

Newcomen Model at Glasgow University, 119–21.

O.

“Old Bess” engine, Soho, 250, 326.

P.

Papin, Dr. D.,—preference for gunpowder to steam, 5;

a French refugee, 31;

Curator Royal Society, his digester, inventor of the safety-valve, 32;

proceeds to Germany, his experiments on water and steam, 33–35;

his steam-boat, 37;

his misfortunes and death, 38.

Parallel motion patented by Watt, 333–4.

Patent-right, attacks and defence, Watt on patent-right, 280–1, 295, 303;

combination against, 347;

Watt, junr., vindicates rights, 418.

Pickard, James, steals Watt’s crank motion, 289.

Pitt, William,—Boulton, and his commercial policy, 342–6;

coinage projects, 388, 393.

Port Glasgow piers, by Watt, 156.

Potter, Humphrey,—his invention of the “Scoggan,” 66.

Priestley, Dr., of Birmingham and the Lunar Society, 369;

his gifts, 370–72;

Boulton’s association with him, 373;

meeting of the Lunar Society, 409;

his sympathy with its French revolutionists, 410;

the new meeting-house and his house at Fairhill burnt by a mob, 411;

grievous loss of his books, MSS., and apparatus, 412;

his death, 466.

Pumping-engines. See Cornish Pumping-engines.

Q.

Queen Charlotte and Boulton, 174–5.

R.

Radstoke, Bristol, Hornblowers’ Engine, 322–3.

Raglan Castle, 10–12, 26.

Redruth, Cornwall, 237–8.

Rennie, John, engineer, Albion Mill, 354.

Reynolds, Mr., of Ketley, has Watt’s first rotary engine, 327.

Robinson Family, The, 166.

Robison, Professor,—his intercourse with Watt, 113–14;

his voyagings, his estimate of Watt, 115–16, 118, 121, 130–31;

idea of a locomotive, 336;

incident in class on his return from Watt’s patent trial, 463–4;

his death, 472–3.

Roebuck, Dr.,—Carron Works and coal mining adventures, 138;

correspondence with Watt, 139;

terms of partnership with Watt, 141;

his house at Kinneil, 142;

his embarrassments, 150;

his patent for alkali manufacture, 152;

his ruin, 158;

correspondence with Boulton, 185, 189, 192;

arrangement to transfer his share in Watt’s engine to Boulton, 190;

his share transferred, 195–7, 204.

Rotary motion, 286;

Watt employs the crank, 287;

the invention stolen, 289, 293, 299–301, 309–10, 319, 325–7.

Russia, Empress of, visit to Boulton, 216.

S.

Savery, Captain Thomas, his family, 40;

early life, study of mechanics, 41;

his clocks, machine for polishing plate glass, his paddle boat, 42, 43;

opposed by the Navy Board, 43;

his “Navigation Improved,” 42, 44;

his paddle yacht on the Thames, 44;

his fire-engine, 48–54;

his ‘Miner’s Friend,’ 50, 52;

his engines used in Cornwall, 55;

failures of engines, 56, 57;

his later years, death, and will, 58.

Schimmelpenninck, Mrs., descriptions of meetings of Lunar Society, &c., 408–9;

on Watt’s character, 503.

Scott, Sir W., on gas-lighting, 429, 431;

opinion of Boulton, 459;

of Watt, 501–4.

Screw-propeller suggested by Watt, 192.

Shelburne, Lord, opinion of Boulton, 171.

Simson, Professor, Glasgow, 112–15.

Small, Dr., birth and parentage, 145;

correspondence with Watt, 146–7, 150–51;

correspondence, 186–198;

his attainments, 201;

his death, 208.

Smeaton, James, engineer, attracted by the atmospheric engine, 68;

improvements on Newcomen’s engine, 76;

adverse opinion of Watt’s engine, 202;

improves York buildings engine, 217, 226, 292, 511.

Soho, Birmingham, its situation and cost of building, 167–70;

its varied manufactures, 176;

its distinguished visitors, 176, 180–1;

extent of capital and trade, 177, 180;

persons employed and machinery, 179–80;

Watt’s first visit, 185;

brisk engine trade, 348, 361;

workmen tempted to leave, 227;

training of workmen, 228;

Prussian spies, 250;

loss by painting business, 264;

letter-copying machine business, 265–8, 349;

steam corn-mill at, 325;

the mint at, 390, 396–99;

illuminated with gas, 427.

Soho pictures, the, 264.

Sorbière, M., on Marquis of Worcester’s inventions, 18–20.

Speaking-trumpet invented by Sir S. Morland, 29.

Steam and paddle boats. See Bell, Henry, 453;

Fulton, 449–52;

Garay, 35, 36;

Hulls, 72–74;

Miller, 437–45;

Papin, 37;

Savery, 37, 42–44;

Symington, 435–49.

Steam and fire engines, improvers of, and alleged inventors, 75–76;

see also pp. 6;

Branca, 7;

Caus de, and Worcester, Marquis of, 9–26;

Morland, 29;

Savery, 49–54, 59;

Newcomen, 63;

also index entries, Boulton, Matthew, and Watt, James;

possible defects, 224;

Watt’s single acting pumping engine, 236.

Steam flour-mills, 291, 325–6, 327.

Steam-gun suggested by Murdock, 431.

Steam hammer, Watt’s, 300.

Steam, its employment by the ancients, its enormous power, 5.

Stockdale, Mr., of Carke, visited by Boulton and Watt, 419;

describes a visit to Watt, 505.

Stratford-le-Bow Engine, 217, 223–6, 369.

Strathmore Canal surveyed by Watt, 155.

“Sun and Planet” motion, 309.

Sycamore Hill, Handsworth, Murdock’s residence, 254.

Symington, William, of Wanlockhead,—his model locomotive, 435–6;

matriculates at Edinburgh University, projects steamboat for canals, 436–7;

joins Mr. Miller in constructing a steamboat, 439;

his first steamboat engine, 441;

its trial, 442;

makes a second engine for Mr. Miller, 443;

another trial, 444;

fits up the ‘Charlotte Dundas,’ his adversity and death, 449.

T.

Telescope for measuring distances, invention of Watt, 151.

Tilt-hammer worked by steam, patent by Watt, 301, 325, 333.

Tobacco Trade, Glasgow, 98–9.

Trevithick, Captain, Watt’s altercation with, 257;

Murdock fights a duel with, 257, 259, 296.

Tubular Boilers made by Boulton, 282–3.

U.

United Mines, Cornwall, map, 231, 261, 275.

V.

Vauxhall Water Engine, &c., 18, 25, 29.

W.

“Waggon and Horses,” Birmingham, 288.

Walker, Zaccheus, manager at Soho, 169, 400.

Warltire, Mr., Birmingham, lecturer, 377.

Washborough, Matthew, of Bristol, 289;

Watt’s opinion of him, 291–293.

Water, composition of,—Watt, Cavendish, Lavoisier, and Priestley, 377–81.

Water-raising engines, 20–25, 29, 52–5, 63–9.

See also Cornish pumping-engines.

Watt, Gregory,—his personal beauty and brilliant talents, 467–8;

his infirm health, is lodged at Penzance, friendship with Humphry Davy, 468–9;

his travels, continued illness and death, 470–71;

Davy’s appreciation of Gregory Watt, 472.

Watt, James,—the engineer’s father, 83;

his varied occupations and trade, 85–6;

he fills important public offices, 86.

Watt, James, engineer, F.R.S., &c.,—his ancestry, 80;

his birth, feeble constitution, home education, 87;

his early exhibition of mechanical taste and dexterity, his precocity, 88;

sent to school, 89;

continual ailments, taken to Glasgow, gift of storytelling, 90;

sent to Greenock Grammar School, 91;

love of reading, 92;

recollections of the rebellion, 93;

rambles, scientific pursuits and studies, 94;

his single sport, 95;

goes to Glasgow to learn a trade, difficulty in finding a master, 100;

proceeds to London, 101;

has again difficulty in finding a master, serves a watch-maker, cuts letters in metal, finds a master, 102;

his rapid progress as mathematical-instrument-maker, his life in London, 103;

danger from pressgangs, 104;

returns to Scotland, refused permission to commence business in Glasgow, 105;

finds asylum in the college, 106;

his shop there, 107;

his unprofitable business, sells maps and quadrants, 109;

makes musical instruments, 110;

builds organs, 111;

his studies, his club, his intercourse with the professors and students, 112;

his principal associates, 113;

Dr. Robison and others, 114;

Watt’s scientific attainments, 115;

studies chemistry, 118;

the Newcomen model, studies steam, 119–121;

his inquiries and experiments, 122–124;

business improves, takes a partner, 125;

marries his cousin, 126;

his continued brooding over the steam-engine, 127;

walk on Glasgow Green, a discovery, 127–8;

the separate condenser, experimental apparatus, 129–31;

Robison and Watt, anecdote, 131;

friendship with Dr. Black, 132;

Watt’s air-tight cover, 133;

his model engine, 134;

working engine, 135;

mechanical and financial difficulties, 136–37;

Watt’s connexion with Roebuck, 138–9;

begins business as surveyor, 139;

surveys canals, 140;

proceeds with the engine, 141;

visit to Roebuck at Kinneil House, 142;

a patent determined on, 143;

strives after improvements, 144;

his perseverance, 145;

his foresight, 146;

erects Newcomen engines, 147;

trial engine erected at Kinneil, 148–9;

dreary prospects, Roebuck embarrassed, 150;

Watt’s minor inventions, 151;

multifarious pursuits, superintends canal works, 152–3;

surveys Strathmore Canal, 155;

designs Hamilton Bridge and other engineering works, 156;

death of Mrs. Watt, 157;

Watt visits Soho, 185;

first meeting with Boulton, and correspondence with him and Dr. Small, 186, 190;

Watt resumes surveying, 191;

more unsuccessful engine experiments, 192;

Monkland Canal works stopped, and Watt loses employment, 194;

resumed overtures, Roebuck’s share transferred to Boulton, and commencement of Boulton and Watt’s partnership, Watt’s arrival in Birmingham, 195–8;

contrast between Boulton and Watt, 199–200;

the engine re-erected at Soho, 202–4;

works successfully, 205;

inquiries for engines, extension of patent, Watt’s arguments, Act obtained, 206–12;

invited to Russia, 209;

visits to London, 206–7;

Bow engine, 224–26;

goes to Cornwall, his life there, describes the adventurers, 231–34;

unable to wrestle for engine-dues, 244–46, 257;

fears as to financial obligations, 249, 263, 268, 273, 293–4, 314, 315, 317;

Watt’s imperfections, 258;

his infirm health and intolerance of inefficient workmen, 251, 269, 270, 272, 276–7, 308–9, 311–12, 316, 348;

invents letter-copying machine, 265;

opinion on patent right, 280–281;

rotary motion, 286, 293, 299–301, 311, 318, 325, 327, 359;

Washborough and Pickard’s piracy, 288–93;

invents contrivance for stopping engine, 306;

equalising beam, 307;

experiments on nutgalls, 307;

new patent, 300, 309–310;

visits Radstoke about Hornblowers’ engine, 322–3;

steam applied to the tilt-hammer, 333;

parallel motion, 334;

the governor, 335;

opinions of free commerce, 345;

financial caution, 364–5;

theory on the composition of water, 377–81;

connexion with the Lunar Society, 367;

experiments on bleaching by chlorine, 381;

takes pleasure tours, 402;

interview with the king, 403;

fears for his son’s safety, 415–417;

letter on steam-navigation, 445;

his garret-workshop, 460, 493, 495, 513–14;

search after investments, 460–61;

his bereavements, 466–74;

enjoys retirement, 460, 475;

studies medical chemistry, 467;

sorrow at the death of Boulton, 488;

cheerful occupation of declining years, 489–90;

statuary-copying machine, 491;

medallions of his friends, 492;

consulted by the Glasgow Waterworks Company, his tours and visits, 497–8;

Sir W. Scott, Jeffrey, Mrs. Schimmelpenninck, on Watt’s character and attainments, 501–3;

caustic criticism by Watt, 506;

last illness and death, monumental honours, 507–8;

honours conferred upon and offered to him, 509;

modest estimate of himself, traits of character, 510–12;

concluding reflections, 513.

Watt, Mrs. James, 218;

letters to Boulton about life in Cornwall, 235;

Watt’s distresses, 276–7, 308, 475;

is very particular in domestic affairs, 496.

Watt, James, junr.,—his education and attainments, 403–4, 406;

Manchester life and training, his confidence in Boulton, 405–7;

his political proclivities, 408, 417;

a delegate to the Jacobin Club, 414;

scene with Robespierre, flees Paris, is denounced by Burke in the House of Commons, 415;

his liberty endangered, 416;

settles to business, 417;

his business ability, 418.

Watt, Thomas, the engineer’s grandfather, 79–82.

Wedgwood, Josiah, and Boulton, 172–3, 201;

a mining adventurer, 273;

commercial politics, 343;

a member of the Lunar Society, his delicate and generous conduct towards Priestley, 374–5, 465.

Wilkinson, John, of Broseley, constructs the first iron boats, 212–13;

orders first engine from Boulton and Watt, 215;

casts cylinders for Boulton and Watt, 216–224;

a mining adventurer, 273;

orders rotary engine, 318.

William III. and Savery, 50.

Withering, Dr., and the Lunar Society, 201, 369, 383, 409, 413, 465.

Woodcroft, B., on Hero of Alexandria, 7;

Marquis of Worcester’s inventions, 23;

steam navigation, 448, 452.

Worcester, Edw., Marquis of,—birth and family, early life and studies, water-commanding steam-engine, ‘Century of Inventions,’ 10–13, 16–23;

his escutcheon lock, 17;

a Royalist in the civil war, advances money to the king, 12;

his exile and return, imprisonment in the Tower, College of Artisans at Vauxhall, 13;

his poverty, 14;

revived hopes, 15;

patented inventions, 16;

descriptions of his engine, 19;

seeks access to the king, 24;

his embarrassments, 25;

his death, 25.

Worcester, Marchioness of,—zeal for her deceased husband’s honour, 25, 27, 28.

Y.

York Buildings Engine, 206;

improved by Smeaton, 217, 227.

THE END.

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, DUKE STREET, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.

Lately published. By the same Author. Vols. I. and II., 8vo., 42s., with 5 Steel Portraits and 200 Illustrations on Wood.

LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS; WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR PRINCIPAL WORKS, AND A HISTORY OF INLAND COMMUNICATION IN BRITAIN.

FIRST SERIES.

Opinions of the Press, &c.

“There may be many here who have made themselves acquainted with a book that cannot be too widely brought into public notice—I mean the recent publication of a popular author, Mr. Smiles, entitled The Lives of the Engineers. There may be those here who have read the Life of Brindley, and perused the record of his discouragement in the tardiness of his own mind, as well as in the external circumstances with which he determined to do battle, and over which he achieved his triumph. There may be those who have read the exploits of the blind Metcalfe, who made roads and bridges in England at a time when nobody else had learnt to make them. There may be those who have dwelt with interest on the achievements of Smeaton, Rennie, and Telford. In that book we see of what materials Englishmen are made. These men, who have now become famous among us, had no mechanics’ institutes, no libraries, no classes, no examinations to cheer them on their way. In the greatest poverty, difficulties, and discouragements, their energies were found sufficient for their work, and they have written their names in a distinguished page of the history of their country.”—The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone at Manchester.

“I have just been reading a work of great interest, which I recommend to your notice—I mean Smiles’s Lives of the Engineers. No more interesting books have been published of late years than those by Mr. Smiles—his Lives of the Engineers, his Life of George Stephenson, and his admirable little book on Self-Help—a most valuable manual.”—Sir Stafford Northcote at Exeter.

“We cannot but refer, in passing, to the captivating and instructive volumes which Mr. Smiles has devoted to the Lives of the Engineers, a record not before attempted of the achievements of a race of men who have conferred the highest honour and the most extensive benefits on their country. ‘Who are the great men of the present age?’ said Mr. Bright a few nights ago in the House of Commons,—‘Not your warriors—not your statesmen; they are your engineers,’”—Edinburgh Review.

“A chapter of English history which had to be written, and which, probably, no one could have written so well. Mr. Smiles, has obtained a mass of original materials. It is not too much to say that we now have an Engineers’ Pantheon, with a connected narrative of their successive reclamations from sea, bog, and fen; a history of the growth of the inland communication of Great Britain by means of its roads, bridges, canals, and railways; and a survey of the lighthouses, breakwaters, docks, and harbours constructed for the protection and accommodation of our commerce with the world.”—Times.

“Happy alike in the choice of his subject and in the treatment he has bestowed upon it, Mr. Smiles has in these two delightful volumes made another sterling addition to our standard literature. The history of English engineering, which he has here traced from the beginning, forms an essential part of the history of English civilization, but one which had hitherto remained unwritten. The men whose lives he has narrated were all men of singular genius, and indomitable energy and perseverance; self-taught and self-made for the most part, and impelled by the force of their constructive instincts to the accomplishment, without precedents or guides, of works of inestimable national importance.”—Daily News.

“In two handsome volumes, richly illustrated and luxuriously printed, Mr. Smiles begins what is in fact a History of the results of Engineering Science in this country. He puts his history into the most interesting form by developing it through successive stories of the Lives of the Engineers. Although his subject is one of the most curious and important in the whole history of civilization, and abounds in details that are known to delight even our boys, the ground Mr. Smiles traverses is to a remarkable degree his own peculiar possession.”—Examiner.

Lately published. By the same Author. Vol. III., 8vo., 21s., with 2 Portraits and 70 Illustrations.

LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS, ETC. ETC.

SECOND SERIES.

“Mr. Smiles’s third volume of The Engineers contains the biographies of George Stephenson and his son Robert. The life of George Stephenson is a revised edition of the author’s previous excellent work on the same subject, but it is much more complete, from the circumstance that the history of George’s son and lifelong colleague is interwoven with his own. It is impossible fully to comprehend either without the other. Father and son understood one another better than any other person could have understood either of them. Their ambition was alike, and they perfectly coincided as to the means by which its objects were to be accomplished. They were equally kindly and generous, and there never was a shadow of reserve or estrangement between them. It is delightful to contemplate these two great men in their intercourse with each other, their mutual and perfect confidence, the laborious paths of discovery which they trod together, and the brilliant combinations of their genius hallowed by their strong affection.... This volume brings down the subject of British engineering to the establishment of the railway system, in which, as the author justly observes, ‘British engineers have displayed their highest skill and achieved their greatest triumphs.’ Mr. Smiles’s Life of George Stephenson is so well and so favourably known that we confine ourselves to the simple announcement of its appearance in the ‘Engineers’ series in a greatly improved form, and perfected by being blended with that of Robert Stephenson.... This volume is a monument to truth, honour, and integrity, as the deepest and most solid foundations of human renown.”—Daily News.

“The Biographical History of British Engineering would be very imperfect without the lives of the Stephensons, and we must thank Mr. Smiles for a third volume containing the story of the famous father and son, George and Robert. The career of George Stephenson, indeed, is already familiar to us through the earlier publication of Mr. Smiles, and the greater part of the present volume may be looked upon as a new and enlarged edition of that work; but, in the life of Robert, Mr. Smiles enters upon new ground, and he has produced a biography little inferior in interest to his former narrative. As interesting it can scarcely be called; for the difficulties which George Stephenson had to encounter were, by his carefulness, removed to a great extent from the path of his son, and we are not absorbed in the story of a single-handed battle with innumerable obstacles. The career of Robert Stephenson is, moreover, so much nearer to us than that of his father, that it was probably impossible to write its history with that fulness of biographic detail which presented the very man, George, before us, and gave such a charm to the story of his life.”—London Review.

“It was almost necessary, that the life of George Stephenson as an engineer should combine itself with that of his son, so closely were the two mixed up in the most remarkable project of their lives. Robert Stephenson has been removed by death since his father’s biography was first given to the world by Mr. Smiles and the author has acted very judiciously in adding to his work those special details which are required to furnish forth a complete biography of the pair. The keen, bluff, intelligent features of the younger Stephenson are finely engraved among the illustrations of this volume from a photograph by Claudet. Much is recorded respecting the man that is of great interest over and above the information given us as to the achievements of the engineer.... This book will be a sterling addition to our libraries—adding to its literary and human interest the merits of excellent typography and fine ornament in the engravings with which it is enriched.”—John Bull.

“A book which has at once the conciseness necessary to render it valuable to the professional man, and the interesting character which makes it acceptable to the general reader.... The information is so interspersed with anecdotes and interesting notes, that the work will be read with pleasure by everybody.... Mr. Smiles has enjoyed the active co-operation of those who were able to throw a light upon the subject, including Robert Stephenson himself.”—Mining Journal.

Lately published. By the same Author. Post 8vo. 6s.

INDUSTRIAL BIOGRAPHY: IRON WORKERS AND TOOL MAKERS.

“Mr. Smiles is not only a skilful workman, but he has chosen a new field of work. Hitherto the great biographies have been written of soldiers and sailors, statesmen, poets, artists, and philosophers. It would seem as if these only were the great men of the world, as if these only were the benefactors of mankind, whose deeds are worthy of memory. The suspicion has arisen that, after all, there may be other heroes than those of the pen, the sceptre, and the sword. There are, indeed, men in various walks of life whose footsteps are worthy of being traced; but surely, considering what England is, and to what we owe most of our material greatness, the lives of our engineers are peculiarly worthy of being written. ‘The true Epic of our time,’ says Mr. Carlyle, ‘is not Arms and the man, but Tools and the man—an infinitely wider kind of Epic.’ Our machinery has been the making of us; our ironworks have, in spite of the progress of other nations, still kept the balance in our hands. Smith-work in all its branches of engine-making, machine-making, tool-making, cutlery, iron ship-building, and iron-working generally, is our chief glory. England is the mistress of manufactures and the queen of the world, because it is the land of Smith; and Mr. Smiles’s biographies are a history of the great family of Smith.... Many of the facts which he places before us are wholly new, and are derived from the most likely sources. Thus, Maudslay’s partner, Mr. Joshua Field, and his pupil, Mr. Nasmyth, supplied the materials for his biography. Mr. John Penn supplied the chief material for the memoir of Clement. And so of the other memoirs; though they necessarily go over much well-trodden ground, they contain also much original information, expressed with great clearness, and with a practised skill which renders the reader secure of entertainment in every page.”—Times.

“Mr. Smiles has become the biographer of our profession. Only the other day the world knew little or nothing of the Lives of the Engineers, whether of this century or the last. There were none who, as authors, attempted to blend with general biographical portraiture that popular reference to constructive and mechanical details, without which the life of an engineer or an inventor would be either a chapter of naked facts or of indiscriminate eulogy. In his Life of George Stephenson, Mr. Smiles showed that practical appreciation of the strong points of engineering life which, with his skill and industry as a biographer, has given us a new department of literature. The great success of that book proved that there were many thousands who were not only willing but desirous to know something of our railway-makers and mechanicians. Mr. Smiles has since done much in this branch of biography, and in his present book he has grouped together the leading incidents of the professional lives of Dud Dudley, Andrew Yarranton, Abraham Darby, Richard Reynolds, Benjamin Huntsman, Henry Cort, Dr. Roebuck, David Mushet, J. B. Neilson, Joseph Bramah, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Clement, Fox of Derby, Matthew Murray, Richard Roberts, Joseph Whitworth, James Nasmyth, and William Fairbairn. A few of the subjects of these memoirs are still living, but this, certainly, does not render the more important part of their history—already accomplished as we may believe—the less interesting.”—Engineer.

“This is not a very large book, but it is astonishing how much individual, conscientious, and thoroughly original research, has been required for its composition, and how much interesting matter it contains which we possess in no other form. Mr. Smiles rescues no name, but many histories, from oblivion. His heroes are known and gratefully remembered for the benefits they have conferred on mankind, but our knowledge of our benefactors has hitherto been mostly confined to our knowledge of the benefit. It was reserved for Mr. Smiles to discover in the workshop heroes as true as ever hurled their battalions across a battle-field, and to present us with much-enduring, much-endeavouring, and brave men, where hitherto we had been content with disembodied, almost meaningless names. The present work is further distinguished, not indeed from its predecessors, but from much of the current literature, by the exquisitely pellucid English, the vigorous but unobtrusive style, in which the narratives are conveyed. The value of the work before us is doubled, and the time required for perusing and especially for consulting it halved, by the full and minute index in which its contents are tabulated.”—Edinburgh Daily Review.

Lately published. By the same Author. Post 8vo. 5s.

“SELF-HELP,” OU CARACTÈRE, CONDUITE, ET PERSÉVÉRANCE, ILLUSTRÉS À L’AIDE DE BIOGRAPHIES.

TRADUIT DE L’ANGLAIS PAR ALFRED TALANDIER, SUR LE TEXTE REVU ET CORRIGÉ PAR L’AUTEUR.

“Le succès de cet ouvrage, qui s’est répandu comme par enchantement dans les mains de la jeunesse, dans les bibliothèques des villes et des villages, dans les cottages des ouvriers, est un remarquable indice des tendances du génie anglo-saxon. Le titre à lui seul est à peu près intraduisible: Self-Help (aide-toi toi-même).... Une grande sagesse qu’on pourrait appeler la splendeur du bon sens, comme Platon définissait le beau la splendeur du vrai, tel est le caractère qui distingue surtout Self-Help.... La traduction de M. Talandier est à la fois fidèle, nerveuse et élégante; elle contribuera à propager en France les saines idées de M. Smiles.”—Revue des Deux Mondes.

“Les Français, nés malins, mais très-ignorants en ce qui touche leurs voisins, viennent de découvrir, après dix ans d’existence, un livre anglais classique, destiné à l’éducation des enfants. C’est une espèce de morale en action, écrite par un homme de haute valeur, qui a dû faire de grands efforts pour se mettre à la portée de jeunes intelligences.... Le Self-Help, ou caractère, conduite et persévérance, est un livre honnête et sérieux qu’on lit à petits coups, en le savourant; il est écrit pour les enfants avec une simplicité voulue; il vous dit que la pauvreté est sainte, que l’homme ne doit se soucier que de sa conscience; il honore l’industrie, enseigne le courage, relève les faibles, humilie les forts, vous dicte des maximes pour toutes les circonstances de la vie, et appuie tous ses conseils d’une anecdote qui sert d’exemple.... Voici une anecdote à écrire en lettres d’or:—Le vrai courage.—‘Un officier français, au combat de cavalerie d’El-Bodon, en Espagne, s’avance, l’épée nue, sur Sir Fulton Harvey; il va le frapper, quand il s’aperçoit que son ennemi n’a qu’un bras; il s’arrête aussitôt, abaisse son épée devant Sir Fulton et, faisant avec courtoisie le salut militaire, part au galop.’ Vous voyez que c’est un livre qui élève plus l’âme que les Mémoires d’une femme de chambre!”—Le Monde Illustré.

“Le livre de M. Smiles est une nouvelle Morale en action, mais elle a l’avantage d’être complète, méthodique, raisonnée, et surtout appropriée aux goûts et aux tendances modernes. L’origine de cet ouvrage mérite d’être rapportée, car c’est le meilleur moyen d’en faire connaître le caractère.... Si nous voulions donner une idée du livre, il nous suffirait de citer la table des matières où se trouvent réunis les noms des hommes qui, fils de leurs œuvres, ont le plus servi la science, le plus honoré l’humanité. Nous nous contentons donc de recommander ce volume à tous ceux qui aiment les beaux et bons livres, mais nous tenons toutefois à ajouter un dernier mot. La plupart des ouvrages de morale (cela est triste à dire, mais vrai), sont ennuyeux; les auteurs semblent trop compter sur le mérite de leur sujet, et ils ne se donnent pas la peine d’ajouter quelques ornements à la vérité. Il en résulte que la sévérité de la forme nuit aux sérieuses qualités du fond, et que plus d’un bon livre reste lettre close pour ceux qui auraient le plus d’intérêt à le connaître. Self-Help est écrit dans un genre tout différent: c’est la morale la plus pure et la plus saine présentée sous la forme la plus attrayante: c’est un ouvrage dont la lecture offre, plus que toute autre, plaisir et profit.”—Revue de l’Instruction Publique.

“‘Ne t’attends qu’à toi seul, c’est un commun proverbe,’ a dit notre immortel Lafontaine. Cette utile vérité vient d’être mise en lumière, ou pour mieux dire, développée, dans un bon livre anglais dont je veux vous parler. Self-Help, S’aider soi-même, c’est ne pas hésiter devant le travail du jour, c’est résister à sa paresse, à son égoïsme, à la pente de ses vices de toute sorte, et en un mot, se vaincre soi-même. Quelle victoire! Rappelez-vous ce mot d’un ancien: ‘Si tu parviens à te vaincre toi-même, tu vaincras le monde.’ ... Bref, le Self-Help, qui vient d’être traduit en français, est un plaidoyer éloquent en faveur de la confiance en soi-même, sans orgueil toutefois et sans mépris des autres, et de l’aristocratie humaine et sociale du travail dans toutes ses applications. A cœur vaillant rien d’impossible! comme s’exprime la devise de Jacques Cœur, citée aussi par M. Smiles. C’est pourquoi un président americain, à qui on demandait quelles étaient ses armoiries, se souvenant qu’il avait été bûcheron dans sa jeunesse, répondit: ‘Une paire de manches de chemise retroussées.’ Je ne sache rien de plus beau que cette mâle et fortifiante devise. Vous qui voulez apprendre à quelle école se forment les hommes,—j’entends de ces êtres rarissimes que cherchait Diogène à la lueur de sa lanterne,—lisez et méditez le Self-Help.”—La Sentinelle du Jura.

“Je veux vous parler ici d’un bon livre. Les livres abondent; mais, dans ce fatras de papiers imprimés et réunis en faisceaux de toutes formes et de toutes dimensions, à quels signes particuliers reconnaîtrons-nous les bons livres?... M. Ampère definissait ainsi un grand nombre d’ouvrages parus en ce temps:—‘Ce sont des œuvres qui intéressent et souvent même qui attachent; mais, quand on a fini de lire, on éprouve une singulière impression: il semble qu’on ait besoin de brosser son habit et de se laver les mains.’ Les bons livres sont une nourriture plus ou moins délicate, mais saine et fortifiante, qui procure la santé de l’âme et de la conscience. On se sent meilleur, plus heureux même, à mesure qu’on en suit les douces pages, et, plus tard, c’est avec un esprit content qu’on s’en souvient. Il en coule, en effet, de l’espérance et de la foi, tout ce qu’il nous faut pour être satisfaits du présent, et pour affronter paisiblement l’avenir. Self-Help est un livre précieux à tous ces titres, et je ne saurais trop vous le recommander.... Le livre de M. Smiles, traduit en français par M. Alfred Talandier, obtiendra tout le succès qu’il mérite, le succès d’une bonne et vertueuse action.... Le moraliste anglais qui nous occupe a donc présenté au public une suite de biographies, très-écourtées, mais très-substantielles, des grands hommes qui se sont honorés par leur travail et qui ont ensuite glorifié l’humanité par leur génie et leurs découvertes.... Quelle notice attachante que celle que M. Smiles a consacrée à ces deux hommes illustres qui se sont unis dans une œuvre commune et dont la gloire est inséparable aussi, Richard et Lenoir! Leur double nom a été donné, à Paris, au boulevard Richard-Lenoir! Mais tout serait à citer de ce curieux assemblage de salutaires leçons et de profitables anecdotes, où sont invoqués, tour à tour, Vauquelin, Dupuytren, Ramus, Buffon, Béranger, Watt, Jacquart, Papin, Robert Peel, Michel-Ange, Nicolas Poussin, Ambroise Paré, Shakspeare, Saint François Xavier et Saint Vincent de Paul, Franklin, Walter Scott, Meyerbeer, etc. Chacun d’eux apporte son témoignage et vient affirmer à sa façon que le travail seul est grand, que la patience honnête est seule féconde, que la persévérance et l’esprit de conduite sont la véritable alchimie que doivent pratiquer et étudier tous les chercheurs d’or.”—Le Moniteur Universel du Soir.

“Le Self-Help ou Aide-toi toi-même, comme on est obligé de dire pour traduire littéralement ces deux mots anglais, c’est le secret de trouver en nous-mêmes, si une volonté ferme et un cœur vaillant nous en rendent dignes, des ressources et des secours infiniment supérieurs à tous ceux qui pourraient nous venir du dehors.... M. Samuel Smiles, s’adressant d’abord à ses compatriotes, leur citait à l’appui de ses théories la vie et les œuvres des hommes qui, en Angleterre, ont porté le plus haut la dignite humaine et poussé le plus loin la force de caractère. Aujourd hui que son livre passe en France, il a changé pour nous la plupart de ces exemples, et ce sont des noms tels que ceux de Palissy, de Papin, de Jacquart, d’Ambroise Paré, de Nicolas Poussin, et de Richard-Lenoir, qui lui servent à nous convaincre de la vérité de sa doctrine, en même temps qu’ils font plus fortement vibrer en nous le sentiment de l’honneur et de l’amour-propre national. L’amour-propre national, en France comme en Angleterre, n’a pas cessé d’agir à sa manière sur l’esprit et sur le courage des hommes laborieux qui, voulant honorer avant tout leur patrie, ont honoré l’humanité entière. Nous ne saurions recommander avec trop d’instances ce recueil intéressant, instructif et curieux, moral au plus haut degré, gros d’anecdotes et d’histoires plus émouvantes que celles des romans, où l’émotion est le mieux conduite et le mieux amenée, plein d’enseignements utiles appuyés sur des biographies on ne peut plus concluantes et laissant après sa lecture une impression saine et durable. Ce livre s’adresse aux travailleurs de tous ordres; sa place est dans le cabinet de l’homme d’étude et dans l’atelier de l’ouvrier; sa place est surtout dans ces bibliothèques communales, dont nous apprenons la création avec tant de plaisir, et qui font naître en nous tant d’espoir. Self-Help est du nombre des livres utiles qu’une commune doit acquérir, de façon que ceux qui n’ont pas les moyens d’avoir une bibliothèque puissent cependant le lire. On a dit de certains ouvrages littéraires qu’ils sont une bonne action. Self-Help a tous les droits à être ainsi qualifié et désigné au public.”—Le Pays, Journal de l’Empire.

Lately published. By the same Author. Post 8vo. 6s. each.

JAMES BRINDLEY AND THE EARLY ENGINEERS. [ABRIDGED FROM ‘LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS.’]

STORY OF THE LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON, CONTAINING ALSO A MEMOIR OF HIS SON, ROBERT STEPHENSON. [ABRIDGED FROM ‘LIVES OF THE ENGINEERS.’]

“We have taken the facts in this account of Brindley from a delightful popular edition of that part of Mr. Smiles’s ‘Lives of the Engineers’ which tells of him and of the earlier water engineers. Of Mr. Smiles’s ‘Lives of George and Robert Stephenson’ there is a popular edition as a companion volume, and therein all may read, worthily told, the tale of the foundation and of the chief triumphs of that new form of engineering which dealt with water, not by the river-full but by the bucket-full, and made a few buckets of water strong as a river to sweep men and their goods and their cattle in a mighty torrent from one corner of the country to another.”—All the Year Round.

“It would be impossible to have selected two more valuable works for general circulation in a cheap form, or to have given the working classes a better incentive, not to ‘rest and be thankful’ with their present position and attainments, but to become convinced that the path of success is always open to those who, by patience and perseverance, are determined to pursue it. No one knows better than Mr. Smiles how to promote this important object; and no one is a greater benefactor to his fellow men than himself, since by his talent and discrimination he incontestably proves how ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves.’”—Bell’s Weekly Messenger.

“The Story of the Life of George Stephenson (including a memoir of his son Robert Stephenson), is a cheaper and more compact form of a work which, on its first appearance, was received with universal approbation. Now we have it cheaper and handier—and better than ever. Is it not enough to say this much? Could we say more? James Brindley and the Early Engineers was originally published in ‘The Lives of the Engineers.’ Besides the biography of the man who made canals do the great carrying work of the country before railways were extended over the length and breadth of the country, the volume contains memoirs of Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, who drained the Fens; of Sir Hugh Myddelton, who brought the New River water into London; of Captain Perry, who stopped a breach in the Thames embankment at Dagenham: and in an appendix we have the life of Pierre Paul Riquet, who constructed the Grand Canal of Languedoc, and who has been fitly called ‘the French Brindley.’ Two volumes like these cannot fail to be as widely circulated as is the reputation of those whom they commemorate. They will go through the length and breadth, and into the nooks and corners of the land; and they deserve to go wherever the English language prevails, for they are models of their kind.”—Standard.

“The Life of James Brindley is partly a reproduction of the Life of Brindley, originally published in the Lives of the Engineers, and now forms a companion volume to the Life of Stephenson—the two men having so much in common, that having read the life of one, we look to the other with increased interest; what one achieved for railways, the other achieved for canals, each being great in his particular branch. There are several other lives of engineers given—such as Sir Hugh Myddelton, Vermuyden, and Captain Perry; and a very curious memoir of Pierre Riquet, the French Brindley, whose life is incorporated in the French edition of Self-Help published in Paris. As in the Lives of the Stephensons, the liberality of the publisher is evinced in making the work, though adapted for the general public, perfect in every respect; it teems with illustrations of the most curious nature, which evidently, from their character, must have been collected with infinite labour. No one will read the lives of Brindley and his brother engineers without that glow of satisfaction that rises within us from feeling that these men were thoroughly English in every respect, and that the works illustrating their lives are models also of English literature.”—News of the World.

Footnotes:

Transcriber’s Notes:

Minor inconsistencies in punctuation have been standardised. All other original errors and inconsistencies have been retained, except as follows (the first line is the original text, the second the passage as currently stands):

Page 33: Leipsic, in 1790. “I felt Leipsic, in 1690. “I felt

Page 38: this calamity befel Papin’s machine this calamity befell Papin’s machine

Page 111: he had sucessfully repaired an he had successfully repaired an

Page 120: [caption missing] PAPIN’S DIGESTER.

Page 128: it had been by chance and it had been “by chance and

Page 176: exceeding good acromatic exceeding good achromatic

Page 315: up your fortitute and try to up your fortitude and try to

Page 404: Every pains was taken to Every pain was taken to

Page 438: Symington was, ‘Why don’t you Symington was, “Why don’t you

Page 447: chains and ratched-wheels, as in chains and ratchet-wheels, as in

Page 447: proportionately elate at the proportionately elated at the

Page 497: [caption missing] WATER-PIPE IN THE BED OF THE CLYDE.

Page 516: Chasewater Mine and engine, 231; Chacewater Mine and engine, 231;

Page 516: Chasewater, 235, 239, 242–3; Chacewater, 235, 239, 242–3;

Page 517: Leman, William, Penzance, 69. Lemon, William, Penzance, 69.

Page 518: Rumford gold medal, 525; Rumford gold medal, 425;

Page 519: Sorbiere, M., on Marquis of Sorbière, M., on Marquis of

Page 519: Papin, 67; Papin, 37;

Page 519: Steam flour-mills, 291, 325–5, 327. Steam flour-mills, 291, 325–6, 327.

Page 520: returns to Sotland, refused permission returns to Scotland, refused permission

Page 520: Watt’s imperfecfections, 258; Watt’s imperfections, 258;

Page 521: Wilkinson, John, of Brosely, constructs Wilkinson, John, of Broseley, constructs

Page 521: William III. and Savary, 50. William III. and Savery, 50.

Page VI: The Story of the “The Story of the

Footnote 24: By Tho. Savory, Gent. London, By Tho. Savery, Gent. London,

Footnote 32: a large, A, A, and a a large, A, and a

Footnote 224: 19th November, 1791. 19th November, 1781.

Footnote 361: substitute for isinglas, he occupied substitute for isinglass, he occupied