2 



Perkins, whose object was, in conjunction with Messrs. Murray, 

 Fairman& Co., to introduce into the art of bank-note engraving, 

 a new and original style of work, the production of a machine 

 invented by me, and called the Geometric Lathe. Mr. Gobrecht 

 was, at that time, employed in the same establishment, which 

 afforded us frequent opportunities of conversing on subjects con- 

 nected with the business. He talked much concerning ruling 

 machines — had a great desire to possess one, and told me he had 

 attempted to make one, to be moved by a screw, but that it fail- 

 ed from the imperfection of the screw. He thought, however, 

 that by the aid of such means and implements as were then in 

 my possession, he could be furnished with a screw of sufficient 

 accuracy for the purpose. I undertook to assist him ; but had 

 not proceeded far when I became convinced, that the plan we 

 were upon would not answer. Having, however, embarked in 



the enterprise, I was unwilling to give it up, and began immedi- 



ately to study some other plan ; when a modification of the wheel 

 and axle, like that of the plating mill, was fixed upon by me. I 

 then made known to Mr. Gobrecht my entire want of faith in 

 his old plan, and described to him my new one, in which I had 

 the fullest confidence. He, however, was not pleased with it, 

 and seemed loath to give up his own, but after consulting with 

 Mr. Perkins, who gave a decided preference to my plan, and spoke 

 in the highest terms of it, he became anxious to have the first ma- 

 chine on the new plan. I undertook it for him ; my other en- 

 gagements made it necessary, that I should get it up in the sim- 

 plest form, and with the least possible labor. I had previously 

 to this furnished Mr. Gobrecht, at his request, with a very simple 

 plan for ruling waved lines, taken from a movement in the Rose 

 Engine, and easily attached to any ruling machine, consisting of 

 an arm or lever, with a point or touch, as it is called in the Rose 



Engine, resting on a waved surface and kept in contact with it by 



a suitable weight or spring. This touch being connected with 



the slide which carries the etching point, and made to move over 



the waved surface or model, a vibratory motion thus caused was, 



by joints adjusted for the purpose, communicated to the etching 

 point. 



Thus the machine was placed in Mr. Gobrecht's hands, with 

 the exception, merely, of the waved surface or model, which was 

 left for him to supply, to suit himself. This last appendage to 



