gg Life of Sir Stamford Raffles. 



commonly pursued, at the outset of their career, directed partly by 

 their own genius and inclination, partly by the force of surround- 

 ing circumstances, a certain line of study or path of occupation, 

 and have quickly risen, accordingly, \o some degree of eminence^ 

 in their respective departments of human affairs. 



At this epoch in their fortunes, some event has befallen them, 

 apparently trivial in itself, some production in art or nature, some 

 work of science or of literature, has deeply engaged their attention, 

 or an intimate acquaintance has been formed with some man of 

 talent or of consequence and weight in society — which has given 

 all their energies a decided and permanent, and, comparatively, 

 exclusive direction, towards one grand object of pursuit ; and this 

 object they have in consequence secured, to a considerable extent, 

 as it were at one grasp. 



This appears especially to have been the case, when their distinc- 

 tion has been created, directly, by their superiority in mental 

 endowments, and when also they have been elevated from an infe- 

 rior rank in society, solely by the force of their own talents. 



The great Watt, for example, the author of those improve- 

 ments in the Steam-engine, which have produced such stupendous 

 effects in the arts and manufactures of this country, having a genius 

 for mechanism, commenced life as a maker and repairer of philoso- 

 phical instruments and apparatus. In this business he speedily be- 

 came eminent; but having the model of a steam-engine placed in 

 his hands to repair, his mind was awakened to the importance of 

 that machine, and the perfection of which it appeared susceptible. 

 Devoting himself henceforth to the construction of the steam- 

 engine, he soon atchieved the capital improvement of the separate 

 vessel, for condensing the steam, after it had given motion to the 

 piston, on which the perfection of the engine, as now used, prima- 

 rily depends. In a few short years after this, in conjunction with 

 Mr. Boulton, he supplied all Britain with steam-engines, and ac- 

 quired the exalted reputation which he ever afterwards retained, 

 and which a grateful posterity will ever award to his memory. 



Thus also the illustrious Herschel, after pursuing for some 

 years, with enthusiasm and success, his profession as a musician 

 and teacher of music, became acquainted with the wonders of the 



