[ 59 ] 

 X. Biographical Accoimi of M^rrnEyv^ Boui-ton, JS/^,* 



XF genius and indefatigable induftry, dire£bed by the pureft 

 patrjotifm, have any claim to the notice of our readers, an 

 authentic account of this gentleman cannot but be highly 

 acceptable to them. When we contemplate the enlarged 

 extent of his views, the wide and rapid circulation of his imr 

 provements and difcoveries in the muft important branches 

 pfart, and the numerous and honourable connexions which 

 he has formed in every part of the civilized world, we lliall 

 be obliged to admit that fe\v men pofTefs greater claims to 

 the attention and gratitude of their country. 



Matthew Boulton, fon of Matthew Boulton, by Chriftlan, 

 daughter of Mr. Peers, of Chefter, was born at Birminghani 

 the 14th of September 1728. He received the chief part of 

 his education at a private grammar-fchool kept by the 

 Rev. Mr. Anfted, who officiated at St. John's Chapel, De-;- 

 fitend. 



Sq early, we believe, as the year 1745, Mr. Boulton, 

 having loft his father, who left him in floyrifliing circum- 

 ftunces, diftinguiflied himfelf by the invention of a new and 

 niqft ingenious method of inlaying fteel. Buckles, watcli- 

 chains, and a great variety of other articles wrought at his 

 manufactory, were exported in large quantities to France, 

 where they were eagerly purchafed by the Englifh, who af- 

 fedted to have no talte for the productions of their own couu 

 try, 



The confinement of a populous town was bu-t ill fuited to 

 fupl^ an eftabliduTient as foon became necelTary forMr. Boul- 

 ton's further experiments. Accordingly, in the year 1762, 

 he purchafed thofe cxtenfive tracts gf common, at that time 

 ci Ijarren heath, with only a fmall houfe and mill, on which 

 jhe Soho manufaftory now ftands. He laid the foundation 

 of his prefent cxtenfive works at the expenfe of nine thou- 

 fand j)ounds. To this fpot his liberal patronage foon at- 

 tratlud great numbers of ingenious men from all parts ; and 

 by their aid he fo eminently fucceeded in imitating the or 

 raoulujthat the moft fplendid apartments in this and in many 

 foreign counlries; received their ornaments from Soho. Here, 

 too, the works of the greaieft mafttrs in oil colours were me- 

 chanically taken off, with fuch eafe and exadlnefs that the 

 original could fcarcely be dillinguifhed from the copy. This 

 mode of copying was invented, we believe, by Mr. Egging- 



* Fioin Tublic Charaftcrsof 1800-1801. 



ton, 



