PREFACE. xvii 



date, and no deviations occur beyond the modern spell 

 ing of words. The &quot; Century,&quot; however, being printed 

 matter, has been re-produced verbatim, with scrupulous 

 accuracy. 



The general reader will find that the really scientific 

 portion of this memoir, is restricted to the u Century,&quot; 

 which has relieved the biographical portion of much 

 technical detail : no more reference to inventions oc 

 curring therein than appeared absolutely necessary to 

 preserve uniformity in the narrative. 



It was very desirable in such a work as the present 

 to steer clear of a controversial strain, whether in 

 reference to the past or the present. This has been 

 effected in a great measure, as regards the numerous 

 detractors that might be cited, who have given false 

 views, both of the personal character of the Marquis, 

 and the merit of some or most of his inventions, until 

 we find the admiring biographer of the celebrated James 

 Watt, as if blinded by too much light, speaking of the 

 Marquis in the most disparaging terms. And lastly, it 

 was impossible to escape recurring to the charge against 

 Savery ; the dates and facts, now for the first time sup 

 plied, going far to strengthen the belief, that the engine 

 reputed to be Savery s, is identical with that invented 

 by the Marquis of Worcester. 



The materials of the present work are principally 

 derived from original sources with respect to Manu 

 scripts ; and from the highest published authorities. All 

 printed materials are scrupulously acknowledged in two 

 catalogues, one historical and literary, the other wholly 

 scientific. Through the kindness and liberality of His 

 Grace the Duke of Beaufort, the entire collection of 

 Manuscripts in his Grace s possession, relative to the 

 Marquis of Worcester, are here given at large. While 

 at Raglan, on visiting Troy, Osmond A. Wyatt, Esq., 



