THE 



PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE, 



JUNE 1798- 



I. Account of Mr. C.iZTlVRIGHT's Patent Steam Engine. 



X HE fteam engine is confidered, and with juftice, as the 

 firft mechanical invention of modern times. The parent 

 idea of this new and ftuperidoiis power originated, it is well 

 known, in the fertile mind of the Marquis of Worcefter, in 

 the time of the Charles's ; though Captain Savary feems to 

 have been the firft who actually pointed out to the public its 

 practical application. In his hands, however, it was but 

 Hercules in the cradle. Newcomen and his aflbciate have 

 the merit of bringing it to maturity, and giving to its energies 

 a valuable direction. The principal improvements that have 

 been added to it for the laft thirty years, it has received from 

 the hand of the juftly celebrated Mr. Watt. From the 

 many fruitlefs attempts which have been made fince the date 

 bf Mr. Watt's patent, ftill further to improve the fteam 

 engine, the public has been led to believe, either that it has 

 already arri\ ed at its higheft fta'te of perfection, or that its 

 defects admitted not of remedy. Thefe defects, as every 

 one knows, are an imperfect vacuum, much friction, and a 

 complicated conitru&ion of parts ; liable, without great care 

 and attention, to be frequently out of order. It is to thefe 

 points Mr. Cartwright has immediately, and, we may add, 

 fuccefsfully, directed his attention. His firft object feems 

 to have been to obtain, as nearly as may be, an abfolute 

 Vol, I, B vacuum; 



