DRAINAGE OF HOLLAND. 295 



Trevithick's ideas for making ice have since been 

 patented and made useful, though the detail of the 

 operation has been improved by experience. 



The Dutch, extending the use of steam on the 

 Ehine and also in sea-going ships, wished Trevithick 

 to see what was going on in Holland, where his nephew, 

 Mr. Nicholas Harvey, was actively engaged in engineer- 

 ing. He had not money enough for the journey, and 

 borrowed 21. from a neighbour and relative, Mr. John 

 Tyack. During his walk home a begging man said to him, 

 " Please your honour, my pig is dead ; help a poor man." 

 Trevithick gave him 5s. out of the 40s. he had just 

 begged for himself. How he managed to reach Holland 

 his family never knew ; but on his return he related 

 the honour done him by the King at sundry interviews, 

 and the kindness of men of influence in friendly commu- 

 nion and feasting. 



" Ml?. GILBERT, "LONDON, July SIst, 1828. 



"Sir, The night before last I arrived from Holland, 

 where I spent ten days. I found my relative there, Mr. Nicholas 

 Harvey, the son of John and Nancy Harvey. He is the engineer 

 to the Steam Navigation Company at Rotterdam. They have 

 a ship 235 feet long, 1500 tons burthen, with three 50-inch 

 cylinders double, also two other vessels 150 feet long, each with 

 two 50-inch cylinders double, ready to take troops to Batavia. 

 The large ship with three engines cost 80,OOOZ. The Steam 

 Navigation Company built them, and many others of different 

 sizes. This company has been anxious to get me to Holland, 

 having heard of the duty performed by the Cornish engines. 

 They were anxious to know what might be done towards 

 draining and relieving Holland from its ruinous state. 



" Immediately on arrival I joined the Dutch company, and 

 entered into bonds with them. 



" I give you, as near as I can, the present state of the country. 

 About 250 years since, a strong wind threw a hank of sand 



x 2 



