Note 255 — Chapter XVI · More Difficulties and more Inventions—Boulton again in Cornwall.

“We have had a visit to-day from a Mr. Cort of Gosport, who says he has a forge there, and has found out some grand secret in the making of iron, by which he can make double the quantity at the same expense and in the same time as usual. He says he wants some kind of engine, but could not tell what; wants some of us to call on him, and says he had some correspondence with you on the subject. He seems a simple goodnatured man, but not very knowing. He says he has most of the smith-work for the king’s yard, and has a forge, a rolling and slitting mill. I think him a brother projector.”—Watt to Boulton, 14th December, 1782.