Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss. / Comprising also a history of the invention and introduction of the steam engine

Watt was also honoured during his lifetime. Learned Societies were proud to enrol him amongst their members. He was a Fellow of the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, a Foreign Associate of the Institute of France, and a Member of the Batavian Society. The University of Glasgow conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Law. Lord Liverpool offered him a baronetcy; but, consistent with the simplicity of his character, he declined the honour. He was invited to serve as Sheriff on two occasions, for Staffordshire and for Radnorshire; but he strongly pleaded to be excused undertaking the office. He was “a timid old man,” and hoped that he “should not have a duty imposed upon him that he was totally unfit for, nor have his grey hairs weighed down with a load of vexatious cares. My inventions,” he said, “are giving employment to the best part of a million of people, and having added many millions to the national riches, I have a natural right to rest in my extreme age.” His pleas were in both cases regarded as sufficient, and he was excused the office.

It is altogether unnecessary to pronounce a panegyric on the character and achievements of James Watt. This has already been done by Lord Jeffrey in language that cannot be surpassed. Sir James Macintosh placed him “at the head of all inventors in all ages and nations;” and Wordsworth the poet, twenty years after his death, said, “I look upon him, considering both the magnitude and the universality of his genius, as perhaps the most extraordinary man that this country ever produced: he never sought display, but was content to work in that quietness and humility, both of spirit and of outward circumstances, in which alone all that is truly great and good was ever done.”

Watt was himself accustomed to speak of his inventions with the modesty of true genius. To a nobleman who expressed to him his wonder at the greatness of his achievements, he said, “the public only look at my success, and not on the intermediate failures and uncouth constructions which have served as steps to enable me to climb to the top of the ladder.” Watt looked back upon his twenty long years of anxiety and labour before the engine succeeded, and heaved a sigh. “Without affecting any maidenly coyness,” he wrote to Dr. Darwin, who proposed to eulogise him in his ‘Botanic Garden,’ “you really make me appear contemptible in my own eyes by considering how far short my pretensions, or those of the invention, were of the climax of human intellect,—I that know myself to be inferior to the greatest part of enlightened men in most things. If I have excelled, I think now it has been by chance, and by the neglects of others. Preserve the dignity of a philosopher and historian; relate the facts, and leave posterity to judge. If I merit it, some of my countrymen, inspired by the amor patriæ, may say, ‘Hoc a Scoto factum fuit.’”

Although the true inventor, like the true poet, is born, not made,—and although Watt pursued his inventions because he found his highest pleasure in inventing,—yet his greatest achievements were accomplished by unremitting application and industry. He was a keen observer and an incessant experimenter. “Observare” was the motto he deliberately adopted; and it expresses the principle and success of his life. He was always on the watch for facts, noting and comparing them. He took nothing for granted; and accepted no conclusions save on experimental evidence. “Nature can be conquered,” he said, “if we can but find out her weak side.” His patience was inexhaustible. He was never baffled by failure, from which he declared that he learnt more than from success. “It is a great thing,” he once observed to Murdock, “to find out what will not do: it leads to one finding out what will do.”

“Give me facts,” he once said to Boulton, “I am sick of theory: give me actual facts.” Yet, indispensable though facts are, theory is scarcely less so in invention; and it was probably because Watt was a great theorist, that he was a great inventor. His invention of the separate condenser was itself the result of a theory, the soundness of which he proved by experiment. So with the composition of water, the theory of which he at once divined from the experiments of Priestley. He continued theorising during the whole progress of his invention of the steam-engine. New facts suggested new arrangements and the application of entirely new principles, until in course of time the engine of Newcomen became completely transformed.

Watt’s engine was not an invention merely—it might almost be called a creation. “The part which he played,” says M. Bataille, “in the mechanical application of the force of steam, can only be compared to that of Newton in astronomy, and of Shakspeare in poetry. And is not invention the poetry of science? It is only when we compare Watt with other mechanicians that we are struck by his immense superiority,—when we compare him, for example, with Smeaton, who was, perhaps, after him, the man who had advanced the farthest in industrial mechanism. Smeaton began, about the same time as Watt, his inquiries as to the best means of improving the steam-engine. He worked long and patiently, but in an entirely technical spirit. While he was working out his improvements, Watt had drawn forth from his fertile imagination all those brilliant inventions to which we owe the effective working steam-engine. In a word, Smeaton knew how to improve, but Watt knew how to create.”[425]

As for the uses of the steam-engine, they are too widely known to stand in need of illustration. Had Watt, at the outset of his career, announced to mankind that he would invent a power that should drain their mines, blow their furnaces, roll and hammer their metals, thrash and grind their corn, saw their timber, drive their looms and spindles, print their books, impel ships across the ocean, and perform the thousand offices in which steam is now regularly employed, he would have been regarded as an enthusiast, if not as a madman. Yet all this the steam-engine has done and is now doing. It has widely extended the dominion of man over inanimate nature, and given him an almost unbounded supremacy over the materials which enter into his daily use. It has increased his power, his resources, and his enjoyments. It is the most universal and untiring of labourers,—the steam-power of Great Britain alone being estimated as equal to the manual labour of upwards of four hundred millions of men, or more than double the number of males supposed to inhabit the globe.[426] It is, indeed, no exaggeration to say that the steam-engine of Watt is, without exception, the greatest invention of modern times; and that it has been instrumental in effecting the most remarkable revolution in all departments of industry that the world has ever seen.

Some months since, we visited the little garret at Heathfield in which Watt pursued the investigations of his later years. The room had been carefully locked up since his death, and had only once been swept out. Everything lay very much as he left it. The piece of iron he was last employed in turning lay on the lathe. The ashes of the last fire were in the grate, the last bit of coal was in the scuttle. The Dutch oven was in its place over the stove, and the frying-pan in which he cooked his meal was hanging by its accustomed nail. Many objects lay about or in the drawers, indicating the pursuits which had been interrupted by death,—busts, medallions, and figures, waiting to be copied by the sculpture-machine,—many medallion moulds, a store of plaster of Paris, and a box of plaster casts from London, the contents of which do not seem to have been disturbed. Here are Watt’s ladles for melting lead, his foot-rule, his glue-pot, his hammer. Reflecting mirrors, an extemporised camera with the lenses mounted on pasteboard, and many camera-glasses laid about, indicate interrupted experiments in optics. There are quadrant-glasses, compasses, scales, weights, and sundry boxes of mathematical instruments, once doubtless highly prized. In one place a model of the governor, in another of the parallel motion, and in a little box, fitted with wooden cylinders mounted with paper and covered with figures, is what we suppose to be a model of his proposed calculating machine. On the shelves are minerals and chemicals in pots and jars, on which the dust of nearly half a century has settled. The moist substances have long since dried up, the putty has been turned to stone, and the paste to dust. On one shelf we come upon a dish in which lies a withered bunch of grapes. On the floor, in a corner, near to where Watt sat and worked, is a hair-trunk—a touching memorial of a long past love and a long dead sorrow. It contains all poor Gregory’s school-books,—his first attempts at writing, his boy’s drawings of battles, his first school exercises down to his College themes, his delectuses, his grammars, his dictionaries, and his class books,—brought into this retired room, where the father’s eye could rest upon them. Near at hand is the sculpture-machine, on which he continued working to the last. Its wooden framing is worm-eaten and dropping into dust, like the hands which made it. But though the great workman has gone to rest, with all his griefs and cares, and his handiwork is fast crumbling to decay, the spirit of his work, the thought which he put into his inventions, still survives, and will probably continue to influence the destinies of his race for all time to come.

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.