242 PERU. 



In the early part of 1817 four engines were at 

 work in the mines, two pumping water and two raising 

 the ore ; while a fifth engine was coining in the Mint 

 at Lima. Trevithick believed that he could much 

 improve the engines and the mining, and that it would 

 be necessary and practicable to arrange for the con- 

 struction of engines in Lima; for though death and 

 dissension had caused difficulty, the authorities were 

 still prepared to give him full power. 



A strange defect in his character is evidenced in 

 this letter. He wished his life to be insured for the 

 benefit of his wife and family, but never thought of 

 paying the yearly insurance premium, leaving it for 

 his wife to pay, whom he had left, as far as he knew, 

 penniless in England. 



On his sailing from Penzance, he told his wife that 

 he had paid the house-rent for a year in advance, 

 mentioning the sum. At the end of that time a demand 

 was made on Mrs. Trevithick for a year's rent, being 

 a larger sum than her husband had mentioned as the 

 proper rent. It turned out that Trevithick had taken 

 and paid for the house at six-monthly periods, instead 

 of yearly periods. It was in the same street, and but 

 three or four houses from that occupied by the parents 

 of the eminent Sir Humphry Davy. 



A person pressed him for payment of a bill. Trevi- 

 thick said, " Grive me your bill," and writing on the 

 bottom of it "Received, Richard Trevithick," handed 

 it back to the claimant with u Now, will that do for 

 you?" The payment of the life insurance obliged Mrs. 

 Trevithick to part with her personal property, on 

 which she had counted for support during her husband's 

 absence. This inability to see the necessity of method- 

 ical action, when working with others, and utter disre- 



