The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss.
Title: Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss.
Author: Samuel Smiles
Release date: May 15, 2016 [eBook #52069]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Rosanna Murphy, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
by The Internet Archive)
Transcriber’s Notes:
Punctuation has been standardised. Spelling has been retained as it appears in the original publication except as marked like this in the text. The original text appears when hovering the cursor over the marked text. A list of amendments is at the end of the text.
Clicking on an illustration with a blue border will open a higher resolution version of the image in the current window.
LIVES
OF
BOULTON and WATT.
BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
LIVES OF BRITISH ENGINEERS, from the Earliest Times to the Death of Robert Stephenson; with an Account of their Principal Works, and a History of Inland Communication in Britain. With Portraits and 270 Woodcuts. 3 Vols. 8vo. 63s.
SELF-HELP; with Illustrations of Character and Conduct. Post 8vo. 6s.
‘SELF-HELP,’ ou Caractère, Conduite et Persévérance, Illustrés à l’aide de Biographie. Traduit de l’Anglais par Alfred Talandier sur le texte revu et corrigé par l’Auteur. Post 8vo. 5s.
INDUSTRIAL BIOGRAPHY: Iron-Workers and Tool-Makers. A Companion Volume to ‘Self-Help.’ Post 8vo. 6s.
JAMES BRINDLEY AND THE EARLY ENGINEERS. [Abridged from ‘Lives of the Engineers.’] With Illustrations. Post 8vo. 6s.
STORY OF THE LIFE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON including a Memoir of his Son Robert Stephenson. [Abridged from ‘Lives of the Engineers.’] With Illustrations. Post 8vo. 6s.
WORKMEN’S EARNINGS,—SAVINGS,—and STRIKES: Reprinted from the ‘Quarterly Review.’ Post 8vo. 1s. 6d.
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
James Watt F.R.S.
Engraved by W. Holl, after the portrait by Sir W. Beechy, R.A.
Published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, 1865.
LIVES
OF
BOULTON and WATT.
PRINCIPALLY FROM THE ORIGINAL SOHO MSS.
COMPRISING ALSO
A HISTORY OF THE INVENTION AND INTRODUCTION
OF THE STEAM-ENGINE.
By SAMUEL SMILES,
AUTHOR OF ‘INDUSTRIAL BIOGRAPHY,’ ETC.
LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
1865.
The right of Translation is reserved.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.
PREFACE.
The present volume concludes the author’s ‘Lives of the Engineers.’ Its preparation was begun many years since. The favourable reception given to the ‘Life of George Stephenson,’ the principal improver and introducer of the locomotive engine, encouraged the author to follow it by a Life of James Watt, the principal inventor and introducer of the condensing engine. On making inquiries, however, he found that the subject had already been taken in hand by J. P. Muirhead, Esq., the literary executor of the late Mr. Watt, of Aston Hall, near Birmingham. As Mr. Muirhead was in all respects entitled to precedence, and was, moreover, in possession of the best sources of information, the author’s contemplated Life of Watt was abandoned, and he satisfied himself with embodying the substance of the materials he had collected in a review of Mr. Muirhead’s work, which appeared in the ‘Quarterly Review’ for July, 1858.
Having recently, however, through the kindness of M. P. W. Boulton, Esq., of Tew Park, Oxon, been enabled to examine the extensive collection of documents brought from Soho, including the original correspondence between Watt and Small, between Watt and Boulton, and between the latter and his numerous intimate friends and business correspondents, it has appeared to the author that, notwithstanding the valuable publications of Mr. Muirhead, the story of the life of Watt is one that will well bear to be told again, in connexion with the life and labours of Matthew Boulton of Soho. The two men were so intimately related during the most important period of their lives, and their biographies so closely intermingle, that it is almost impossible to separate them. They are therefore treated conjointly in the present volume, under the title of ‘Boulton and Watt,’ the name of the old Soho firm which so long enjoyed a world-wide reputation. But though the name of Boulton takes priority in the title, that of Watt will be found in many respects the most prominent in the narrative.
The MS. papers which have been consulted for the purposes of the present volume are of an unusually complete and varied character. They consist of several thousand documents selected from the tons of business books and correspondence which had accumulated at Soho. The most important were selected and arranged by the late M. Robinson Boulton, Esq., who entertained the highest regard for his father's memory; and, from the character of the collection, the author inclines to the opinion that it must have been made with a view to the preparation and publication of a Life of Matthew Boulton,—which has not, however, until now been undertaken. Thus, among sundry papers endorsed “M. Boulton—Biographical Memoirs,” is found a MS. memoir in the handwriting of James Watt, entitled “Memorandum concerning Mr. Boulton, commencing with my first acquaintance with him,” and another of a similar character, by Mr. James Keir,—both written shortly after Mr. Boulton’s death. Another collection, endorsed “Familiarum Epistolæ et Selectæ, 1755 to 1808,” contains letters received from various distinguished personages in the course of Mr. Boulton’s long and interesting career. The number of original documents is indeed so large, that, but for a rigid exclusion of non-essential matter, these Lives must have expanded into several volumes, instead of being compressed into one. But the author believes labour to be well bestowed in practising the art of condensation, and that the interest of biography gains much by judicious rejection. What Watt said to Murdock as to the production of a machine, holds equally true as to the production of a book,—“It is a great thing,” said Watt, “to know what to do without.”
Besides the memoirs of Boulton and Watt, which occupy the principal places in the following volume, it will also be found to contain memoirs of the other inventors who have at various times laboured at the invention and application of the steam-engine,—of the Marquis of Worcester, Dionysius Papin, Thomas Savery, and Thomas Newcomen. The author has also been enabled to gather from the Boulton papers a memoir of William Murdock, which probably contains all that is likely to be collected respecting that excellent and most ingenious mechanic.
In addition to the essential assistance received from M. P. W. Boulton, Esq., in preparing the present book, without which it would not have been undertaken, the author desires to record his acknowledgments to J. W. Gibson Watt, Esq., for information relative to James Watt;—to Charles Savery, Esq., Clifton, J. T. Savery, Esq., Modbury, Lieutenant-Colonel Yolland, R.E., and Quartermaster Connolly, R.E., for various facts as to the family history and professional career of Thomas Savery, inventor of the “Fire Engine;”—and to Thomas Pemberton, Esq., Heathfield; W. C. Aitkin, Esq., Coventry; George Williamson, Esq., Greenock; the late J. Murdock, Esq., Handsworth; and the late Mr. William Buckle, of the Royal Mint, formerly of Soho,—for various information as to the lives and labours of Boulton and Watt.
In his treatment of the subject, it will be observed that the author has endeavoured, as much as possible, to avoid introducing technical details relating to the steam-engine. Those who desire further information on such points, are referred to the works of Farey, Tredgold, Bourne, Scott Russell, Muirhead (‘Mechanical Inventions of James Watt’), and other technical treatises on the subject, where they will find detailed particulars of the various inventions which are only incidentally referred to in the following pages.
London, October, 1865.
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
| Anecdote of Matthew Boulton and George III.—Roger Bacon on steam power—Early inventors, their steam machines and apparatus—Hero of Alexandria, Branca, De Caus—The Marquis of Worcester—His water-works—His imprisonment—His difficulties—The water-commanding engine—His “Century of Inventions”—Obscurity of descriptions of his steam-engine—Persevering struggles—His later years and death | Page 1–26 |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Zeal of the Marchioness of Worcester—Sir Samuel Morland—His pumps and fire-engines—His privations and death—Dr. Dionysius Papin—His digester—Experiments on the power of steam—His steam-engine—Proposed steamboat—Early schemes of paddle-boats—Blasco Garay—Papin’s model engine and boat—Destroyed by boatmen—Papin’s death | 27–38 |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Thomas Savery—The Savery family—Savery’s mechanical experiments and contrivances—His paddle-boat—Treatise on ‘Navigation Improved’—Cornish mines and the early pumping machinery—Savery’s “Fire-engine”—Exhibition of his model—Explanations in the ‘Miner’s Friend’—The engine tried in Cornwall—Its failure at Broadwaters, Staffordshire—Savery’s later years—His death and testament | 39–58 |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| Slow progress in invention of the steam-engine—Thomas Newcomen of Dartmouth—His study of steam-power—Correspondence with Dr. Hooke of the Royal Society—Newcomen’s experiments—Assisted by John Calley—Newcomen’s atmospheric engine—Newcomen and Calley erect their first engine—Humphrey Potter the turn-cock boy’s contrivance—Engines erected at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Leeds, and Cornwall—Wheal Fortune engine—Mr. William Lemon—Joseph Hornblower—Jonathan Hulls and steam propulsion of ships—His steamboat—Extended use of the Newcomen engines in Cornwall and northern mining counties—Payne, Brindley, and Smeaton, improvers of the steam-engine | 59–76 |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| James Watt, his birthplace and lineage—His grandfather the mathematician—Cartsdyke and Greenock in the last century—James Watt’s father—His multifarious occupations—His mother—Watt’s early years—His fragile constitution—Sent to school—His first visit to Glasgow—His indulgence in storytelling—His boyish ingenuity—His home education—The Stuart rebellion—Watt’s love of scientific pursuits—Sent to Glasgow to learn the trade of mathematical-instrument maker | 77–95 |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| Glasgow in 1754—The Glasgow tobacco lords—The early clubs, and social habits of the merchants—Watt’s master—Leaves Glasgow, and proceeds to London on horseback—Is placed with a mathematical-instrument maker—His progress in learning the trade—Frugal living in London—Danger from pressgangs—His infirm health—Returns to Scotland—Refused permission to begin business in Glasgow—Gains asylum in the College—His workshop there—Makes musical instruments—His various reading and studies—Intercourse with the professors—Intimate relations of Watt with Robison—Robison’s estimate of Watt | 96–116 |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| Robison and Watt’s conferences on the power of steam—Dr. Black and latent heat—Watt’s experiments on steam—His apparatus—The college model of the Newcomen engine arrives from London—Watt’s experiments upon it—His difficulties and perseverance—His instrument-making business improves—Takes a partner and opens a shop in the Salt Market—His marriage—Continued experiments on steam—His Sunday walk on Glasgow Green, and his first idea of the condensing engine—His experiments with the model, and successive difficulties—Anecdote of Watt and Robison and the new apparatus—The model engine—Removes to a cellar and erects a working engine—Mechanical and financial difficulties | 118–137 |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| Watt’s introduction to Dr. Roebuck—Begins business as surveyor—Surveys canals—Partnership with Roebuck in the engine—Difficulties in constructing the engine—Watt’s visit to Kinneil—A patent determined on—Watt’s despondency—Continues his improvements—Learns German—Correspondence with Dr. Small—Specification of patent lodged—Watt erects a trial engine—The washhouse behind Kinneil—The engine completed—Its defects—Roebuck’s embarrassments—Watt accepts engagement to superintend canal works—Employed in various surveys—Designs Hamilton Bridge—Supplies plans for dock and pier at Port Glasgow and harbour at Ayr—Illness and death of Mrs. Watt—Dr. Roebuck’s ruin—Turning point in Watt’s fortunes | 138–158 |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Birmingham in early times—Its industry—Roads—William Hutton—The Boulton family—Matthew Boulton begins business—His trade correspondence—His marriage—His love of business—Snow-hill and Soho—Partnership with Fothergill—Aims at excellence in his productions—Emulates Wedgwood—Surpasses French art-manufacturers—His royal and noble patrons—Employs the best artists—Visits of foreigners at Soho—Extension of business—Promotes canals—His vast business—Commercial panic—Boulton’s scientific pursuits | 161–181 |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Water- and horse-power at Soho—Boulton’s correspondence with Benjamin Franklin concerning fire-engine—Boulton’s model—Correspondence with Dr. Darwin and Dr. Roebuck—Watt visits Soho—First meeting of Boulton and Watt—Correspondence of Boulton and Watt, and of Dr. Small and Watt—Dr. Roebuck visits Boulton—Watt’s anxiety for Boulton to join him—Watt’s discouragements—His continued experiments and their failure—Watt engineer for the Monkland Canal—Commercial panic—Watt loses employment as canal engineer—Roebuck’s failure—Terms of proposed partnership between Watt, Small, and Boulton—Roebuck’s share in Watt’s engine transferred to Boulton—Watt’s arrival at Birmingham | 182–198 |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| Characteristics of Matthew Boulton—Contrast between him and Watt—Boulton’s friends—Watt’s engine at Soho—Boulton’s views of engine business—The Kinneil engine re-erected at Soho—Works successfully—Inquiries for pumping-engines from the mining districts—Proposed extension of patent by an Act—Watt in London—Death of Dr. Small—Watt invited to Russia—Application to Parliament for extension of engine patent—Application opposed—Watt’s arguments—Act obtained—Watt returns to Birmingham—The manufacture of engines begun—The Wilkinsons—First iron vessel | 199–213 |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| Watt’s house, Harper’s Hill—First order for engines—Boulton’s activity—The London engineers prophesy the failure of Watt’s engine—Watt revisits Glasgow—His second marriage—Terms of partnership between Boulton and Watt—Orders from Scotland for engines—Boulton pressed with work and anxiety—Watt returns to Soho with his wife—Order for engine for Tingtang and Chacewater mines, Cornwall—Watt and the Shadwell Waterworks Committee—Stratford-le-Bow engine—Difficulties with workmen at Soho, and with unskilled enginemen—Expansive working | 214–229 |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| Inefficiency of the Newcomen pumping-engines—More orders from Cornwall—Watt in Cornwall—United Mines district—Mines drowned—Watt and Jonathan Hornblower—Mrs. Watt’s account of Cornwall—Chacewater engine finished—Its successful working—Watt’s embarrassments and financial difficulties—Boulton’s courage and perseverance, and Fothergill’s despondency—Fire at Soho—Engine royalty on savings of fuel—Altercations with adventurers—Watt’s frequent calls for Boulton’s help—Boulton’s harassments—Proceeds to Cornwall—Watt’s return to Birmingham—His despondency—Boulton sustains the firm—Orders for engines from abroad—William Murdock, his excellencies of character and ability—First interview with Boulton and engagement—Sent to Cornwall—His mode of dealing with the captains—Watt’s altercations with the Cornishmen—His reliance on Boulton—Altercation with Trevithick | 230–260 |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| Lieutenant Henderson in Cornwall—Boulton’s financial embarrassments increase—Boulton and Fothergill—The “Soho pictures”—Watt’s letter-copying machine—Boulton pushes the machine—Demand for copying-presses—More financial difficulties—Watt’s sufferings and melancholy—More Cornish engines wanted—Engine-dues—Boulton cheers Watt—Mining adventurers’ meetings—Boulton and Watt take shares—The mines—Boulton organises the mining business—Boulton’s house at Cosgarne, Cornwall—Mrs. Watt describes her husband’s miseries and weakness—The engine patent threatened by the Cornish men—Watt on patent right—The Birmingham Copper Company—Boulton improves engine-boilers by introducing tubes—His MSS. and drawings concerning mechanical and scientific experiments—His indefatigable industry | 261–284 |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| Watt again visits Cornwall—Rotary motion—The crank-engine at Soho—Theft of the invention—Matthew Washborough—Smeaton and steam-power—Rotary-motion engine—Boulton and Watt’s cares—Evasions of the engine patent—The Hornblowers’ engine—Watt’s new inventions—Boulton’s confidence in the engine—Air-engine—Watt’s fears for the patent—The rotary engine invented—New improvements introduced—The equalising beam—Watt’s ill health and humour—Various expedients for producing circular motion—Murdock’s sun-and-planet motion—Patent taken for the reciprocating expansive engine—Troubles with workmen—Murdock’s efficiency and popularity—Watt’s despondency—The firm’s London agent’s house burnt—Gloomy prospects of the mining trade | 285–316 |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| Financial position of the firm—Rotary engines for mills—Boulton’s battles with the Cornish adventurers—His life in Cornwall—Murdock and the miners—The Hornblowers’ engine at Radstoke—Watt at Bristol—Major Tucker—Steam mills—Rotary motion applied—The first rotative engines—Pumping-engines for the Fens—Boulton’s health fails—He visits Scotland, Carron ironworks, Lord Dundonald—His extensive correspondence—Grumbling in Cornwall—Concessions to the miners—Press of work at Soho—Watt’s invention of the parallel motion and the governor—Murdock’s model locomotive—Boulton’s praise of Murdock—More pumping-engines wanted—Boulton’s affection for his children—Letter to his son—His scientific recreations—Domestic enjoyment at Cosgarne | 317–341 |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| Boulton’s action in commercial politics—His interview with Pitt—Agitation against Pitt’s commercial policy—The “Irish resolutions”—Watt on free commerce—Is opposed to political agitation—Combination against patents—Fluctuations in the business at Soho—Engine orders from various quarters—The Cornish copper-miners—The Copper Company formed, and Boulton’s part in it—Riots in Cornwall—Boulton’s life threatened—The esteem in which he was held in Cornwall—His intimacy with the Quakers—The Albion Mill scheme—The double-acting engines for the mill—Ill-success of the undertaking—Albion Mill burnt down—Demand for rotative engines—Want of skill and misconduct of workmen—Wedgwood’s advice to Watt—Speculativeness of Boulton—His embarrassments—Watt’s caution in investing—Boulton’s health fails—His depressed spirits—Generosity to Watt | 342–366 |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| Friends of Boulton and Watt—The Lunar Society—Provincial scientific societies—Distinguished associates of the Lunar Society—Dr. Darwin—Dr. Priestley, his gifts and accomplishments—Josiah Wedgwood—Meetings and discussions of the Lunar Society—Dr. Priestley’s speculations and experiments—Composition of water, Watt and Cavendish—Bleaching by chlorine—Sun-pictures—Saint-Fond at Birmingham, his descriptions of Watt and Priestley—Decline of the Lunar Society | 367–385 |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| Increasing debasement of the coinage—Punishments for counterfeiting—Birmingham coiners—Boulton refuses orders for base money—Executes a contract for coin for the East India Company—Applies the steam-engine to coining—Improves the coining apparatus—Political action in relation to base coin—Strikes model coins for inspection of the Privy Council—Opposed by the Mint authorities—Presents model coins to the king—Executes coinage orders for foreign governments—His success—Medalling—Description of the Soho mint—Large consumption of copper in coining—Threatened attack on Soho by a mob—Boulton executes the new copper coinage for Great Britain—Erects the new Government Mint on Tower Hill, and mints for foreign countries—Watt’s estimate of Boulton’s improvements in coining | 386–399 |
| CHAPTER XX. | |
| Prosperity of Soho—Relaxed strain upon Boulton and Watt—Watt’s pleasure tours—His interview with the king at Windsor—Matthew Robinson Boulton, and James Watt, jun., join their fathers in the business—Their character and attainments—Boulton and young Watt—Young Boulton’s return from Paris—The French revolution—The Birmingham riots—Priestley’s house destroyed—Unpopularity of the “Philosophers”—Young Watt and the Jacobins—Watt’s flight from Paris—Denounced by Burke—Mr. Watt’s fear for his son’s safety—The sons join their fathers in partnership—Important services of the young partners—Evasion of engine-dues, resistance of the Cornish mining companies—Legal proceedings and favourable judgments—Progress of the engine business—William Murdock—His valuable services—His engine improvements—Return to Soho—Invents gas-lighting—Winsor’s wonderful schemes—Murdock’s various inventions—Substitute for isinglass, his idea of power wasted in streets, atmospheric railway, &c.—His death | 400–433 |
| CHAPTER XXI. | |
| First attempts to construct steamboats—All attempts fail until Watt’s condensing engine invented—The locomotive of Watt and Murdock—William Symington—His model locomotive—Symington at Edinburgh—Steam-engine for canal-boats proposed by Symington—Miller’s paddle-boats—Symington, Miller, and Taylor co-operate to produce a steamboat—Sir John Dalrymple’s inquiries of Boulton on the same subject—Boulton’s reply—Symington’s engine finished and fitted in Miller’s boat—Successful experiment—Symington makes another engine, further experiments—Miller applies to Boulton and Watt to join speculation—Watt’s reply—Symington’s engine for the ‘Charlotte Dundas’—Symington’s success frustrated—Fulton and Bell inspect the ‘Charlotte Dundas’—Fulton’s steamboat on the Seine—His ‘Nautilus’—His application to James Watt, jun.—Boulton’s caution, his letter to Lord Hawkesbury—Fulton orders an engine from Soho for the ‘Clermont’—Its success—Henry Bell’s steamboat ‘Comet’—Development of steam-navigation—First rendered practicable through Watt’s inventions | 434–455 |
| CHAPTER XXII. | |
| Watt withdraws from Soho—Boulton continues his interest in business—His patent for raising water—The burglary at Soho—Sir Walter Scott and Boulton—Watt in retirement—Search for investments—Purchases land—Makes a foreign tour—Death of Mrs. Keir—Painful bereavements—Death of Dr. Black—Deaths of members of the Lunar Society—Watt’s family bereavements—Watt’s studies on the inhalation of gas—Gregory Watt, his brilliant talents—His friendship with Humphry Davy—His excursions and tours—His scientific pursuits—His illness and death—Davy on Gregory’s death—Death of Professor Robison—Watt’s estimate of Robison—Boulton’s last days, his death and funeral—His character—Opinions of his contemporaries, Boswell and others, concerning him—Attachment of the workmen—His Mutual Assurance Society for the workmen—His powers of organisation—His business qualities—His strength, courage, and perseverance in fighting the battle of the steam-engine—Watt’s estimate of Boulton—Boulton’s generosity | 456–487 |
| CHAPTER XXIII. | |
| Watt’s closing years—His pursuits—His machine for copying statuary—Medallions of his friends—His garret workshop—Mrs. Watt’s rule over her husband—Tenacious retention of his faculties—Is consulted by the Glasgow Waterworks Company—His visits to Cheltenham and other places—Growth and improvement of Glasgow—Watt’s interview with the brothers Hart—His conversational powers—Sir Walter Scott’s panegyric on Watt—His extensive and varied knowledge—His anecdotal powers—Fondness for novels—Description of him by visitors at Heathfield—His last improvements in the sculpture-copying machine—His last illness and peaceful death—Monumental honours—Lord Brougham’s inscription—His qualities and genius—His modesty—His close observation—Facts and theory—Watt and Smeaton compared—Universal application of the steam-engine—Conclusion | 488–514 |
| Index | 515 |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.