Note 331 — Chapter XX · Prosperity of Soho—Young Boulton and Watt—The Riots—William Murdock.

Boulton to Matthews, 25th August, 1788. In a letter dated the preceding day, he wrote—“I have been exceedingly harassed last week, have many letters before me unanswered. I cannot sleep at nights, and the room I write in is so hot by the fire-engine chimney as to relax me, and my head is distracted by the noise of the engine, by the making and riveting of boilers, and by a constant knocking at my door by somebody or other; but I believe and suspect that the separation of my son from me contributes more to the oppression of my spirits than anything else.”