448 Memoir of James Watt,^ Esq. F.R.S. 



We are minute in describing tiiis, to show the difficulties in\'en- 

 tors have to encounter; but most of all to preve, that in inven- 

 tion the most complicated and difficult method is that which 

 generally occurs first. 



The example of the common spinning-wheel, with the crank 

 and heavy broad rim, which acts as a fly, was all that was neces- 

 sary to be copied, and the business would have been done. To 

 that did it come at last, after great trouble and expense, and in- 

 deed every improvement in the steam-engine was attended with 

 immense trouble. 



It was to this application of the rotative motion, that the world 

 owes the general use to which the power of steam has been ap- 

 plied, and by which an almost total change has been produced in 

 the mechanical world. 



Many operations are now performed by the power of steam, 

 that could only before be done by human strength, and still more 

 by what horses were employed to perform. But that is not all ; 

 lor where great power was wanted, neither men nor horses could 

 be so applied as to do the business, and in most cases wind and 

 water were out of the question. 



Power can now be created where and when one pleases, and 

 in the quantity that is required ; and it has been calculated that 

 the labour of three millions of men is performed by means of 

 steam; but even that, though a most incalculable advantage, is 

 not all, for operations are performed by steam that could not be 

 performed by any other means with which we are acquainted. 

 Deep mines could not be drained by animal force, and neither 

 wind nor water could be applied, so that they must have been 

 already abandoned in many cases, and by degrees in all. 



It is probably, wc might almost say certainly, to the improve- 

 ments in the steam-engine, that this country owes its ability to 

 have s\ipported the struggle she had to maintain against nearlv 

 the whole of Europe and the United States of America at the same 

 time*. 



* An. anecdote has been recorflcd of Mr. Boulton, which deserves record. 

 — He was <•» man who mixed with the world, and went occasionally to court, 

 where he was always particularly noticed by Mis Majesty. 



Soon after he was connected witli Mi. Watt, he appeared at St. James's 

 on a levee day. '' Well, Mr. Boulton," said the king, " I am glad to see 

 joit. What new project have you got now? I know you are always at some- 

 thing new!!" " I am," said Mr. Boulton, "manufacturing anew article 

 that kings are very fond of." " Aye, aye, Mr. Boulton, what's that ?" — "It is 

 power, an please Your Majesty." — " I'owcr I Mr. Boulton, we like /.ojt'er, 

 t'lat's true ; but what do you mean ?" — " Why, sir, I mean the power of 

 steam to move machines." His Majesty ^^as pleased, and laughing said. 

 " Very good, very good ; go on, go on." His Majesty little thought that 

 Mr. Boulton was manufacturing a power Ihat would enable him to resist- 

 nearly all the world in arms, but which turned out literally to be the case, 

 though neither His Majesty nor Mr. Boulton saw the happy end of the contest. 



