/^^ 



THE FAKMEK'S MAGAZINE, 



JULY, 1857. 



PLATE I. 



PORTRAIT OF MR. RICHARD GARRETT, 



PLATE II. 

 TWO LABOURERS' COTTAGES. 



MR. RICHARD GARRETT 



(the head of THfi FIRM OF GARRETT AND SONs). 



There is not a more copious source of in- 

 struction than biography; more especially as it 

 is calculated to influence the conduct of those just 

 entering upon the active duties of life. It is by 

 having brought before us those predominant ten- 

 dencies which have led on to fame and fortune, that 

 we are enabled to pursue with advantage the track 

 of knowledge and improvement. What, it is 

 asked, has this or that one done or attempted to 

 do? Has he lived for good or for evil? Is the 

 world benefited or injured by his achievements? 

 If either of these questions should be put con- 

 cerning the subject of this notice, we may answer 

 at once with some record of his useful career. 



Mr. Garrett is the head of the firm of 

 Messrs. Garrett and Sons, of Leiston Works, 

 Saxmundham, Suffolk. He was at a very early 

 age actively connected with the manufacture of 

 agricultural implements. Both his father and 

 grandfather excelled in the production of tools 

 used in husbandry; though till the year 1806 the 

 sickle was the chief instrument of their manu- 

 facture. At this period, Mr. Garrett's father, then 

 in but a humble way of business, was engaged in 

 making a thrashing-machine, patented by Mr. 

 John Ball of Hetheringsett near Norwich — the 

 first of its kind that was usefully apphed to 



OLD SERIES] 



thrashing purposes in this country. This was 

 considered a serious undertaking for one in Mr. 

 Garrett's position; but, as the speculation suc- 

 ceeded beyond the most sanguine expectations of 

 the patentee, it brought both him and the manu- 

 facturer into great repute amongst the agriculturists 

 of the eastern counties of England. In fact, this 

 thrashing machine, though introduced through 

 much opposition and clamour, laid the foundation 

 of the large manufactory of agricultural implements 

 at Leiston ; for very shortly after this, several other 

 machines were devised and successfully brought 

 out. 



The position of Mr. Garrett even at this time 

 was an important one. So good a financier was 

 he, that soon after he had entered his teens he 

 commenced his career of usefulness in this depart- 

 ment of his father's establishment. He was even 

 then remarkable for the vigorous grasp with which 

 he seized on his duties, and the fervid and masculine 

 energy with which he carried them out. Attending 

 to business mth great assiduity and integrity, he 

 left the usual pastimes of boyhood to gayer dispo- 

 sitions, and speedily became one of those whose 

 solid and superior views render them fit, at a very 

 early age, for the business of real life. There is, 

 too often, an inaptness for work in men whose 

 B [VOL XLVII— No. 1. 



