TO THE CENTURY. 3G7 



existed from which he might derive the several classes 

 of subjects therein noted, which many have so far 

 doubted as to believe they originated wholly with 

 himself; as by adopting the other course, we should only 

 satisfy the public of the great use the &quot; Century&quot; has 

 been to others, a matter which has never been doubted. 



We thus see that the &quot; Century&quot; is but the epitome 

 of a greater work, designed to have been published 

 with suitable explanatory engravings, which the prema 

 ture decease of the author alone frustrated. During 

 two hundred years the subjects of the various inventions 

 and improvements it calendars have been long super 

 seded, so that there is not one, perhaps, that would in the 

 least assist the modern engineer, however minutely it 

 could be described. Yet the history of the Steam 

 Engine, of Inventions, and of Inventors would be 

 incomplete indeed without a Memoir of the Marquis 

 of Worcester, and some account of his inimitable 

 &quot; Century of Inventions.&quot; 



Much might be written on the conflicting opinions 

 expressed by historical, biographical, and scientific 

 writers, regarding the intellectual capacity and inge 

 nuity of the Marquis as well as of their adverse statements 

 on various historical points. But instead of adopting 

 such a thoroughly controversial strain, which after all 

 would only lead to a very doubtful result, another and 

 very different course has been adopted in the present 

 work, by supplying facts in place of conjecture. The 

 writer, who is strongly imbued with political, theolo 

 gical, or scientific views, cannot write otherwise than 

 as directed by the natural effect of such influences. 

 But as a rule the arena of scientific discussion is neutral 

 ground ; and the biographer and commentator, in the 

 present instance, does not feel swayed by any party 

 prejudice, and certainly not by any peculiar scientific 



