332 A BRIEF MEMOIR 



which had motion given to it by a band from 

 the rim; the cardings were placed upon this 

 cloth, with a boy or girl to piece one carding 

 to another as they were taken up by this cloth, 

 the clasp falling upon, and holding the cardings, 

 by a treddle, (which was worked either by the 

 foot or some mechanical contrivance) after a 

 certain quantity had been given out. The car- 

 riage receded like the mule to elongate the 

 carding into a rove, which was afterwards to 

 be spun by Hargreaves*s machine, which was 

 at this time in general use, and had become of 

 the utmost importance in the spinning, not only 

 of cotton but of wool; for which latter process, 

 it is the machine still employed. The substi- 

 tution of the roller beam with rollers to give 

 draught to the drawn sliver, made it applicable 

 to the mule; and also to Arkwrighfs method 

 of spinning, to which it was of great importance, 

 as it enabled rovings to be made at a small 

 expense, and of any fineness that might be 

 required. Thus the essence of Crompton's 

 invention, which was the carriage, became of 

 the greatest importance to the inventions of 

 others; as also (when thus combined) to the 

 original machine itself, though not primarily 

 intended for this purpose. The introduction of 

 metal rollers and clockwork soon enabled the 

 machine to be extended to a considerable length. 



