THE GROWTH OF THE STEAM-ENGINE. 



!39 



an opening, out of which, before starting the engine, the air is driven 

 from the cylinder and condenser. 



37. In the building and erection of his engines, Watt had the 

 greatest difficulty in finding skillful workmen to make the parts with 

 accuracy, to fit them with skill, and to erect them properly when 

 once finished. 



The fact that both Newcomen and Watt found such serious trou- 

 ble indicates that, even had the engine been designed earlier, it is 

 quite unlikely that the world Avould have seen the steam-engine a 

 success until this period, when mechanics were just acquiring the 

 skill requisite for its construction. But, on the other hand, it is not 

 at all certain that, had the mechanics of an earlier period been as 

 skillful and as well educated in the manual niceties of their busi- 

 ness, the steam-engine might not have been much earlier brought 

 into use. 



In the time of the Marquis of Worcester, it would have probably 

 been found impossible to obtain workmen to construct the steam- 

 engine of Watt, had it been then invented. Indeed, Watt, upon one 

 occasion, congratulated himself that one of his steam-cylinders only 

 lacked three-eighths of an inch of being truly cylindrical. 



38. Pecuniary misfortunes soon deprived Watt of the assistance 



v\ 



of his friend and partner Dr. Roebuck, but in 1773 he became con- 

 nected with an intelligent, energetic, and wealthy manufacturer of 

 Birmingham, Matthew Boulton. Thenceforward, the establishment 



