MA TTHE W BO ULTON. 1 09 



eight machines, eacli of which stamped on both sides and 

 milled at the edges from seventy to eighty-four pieces in a 

 minute ; and the eight machines together completed, in a style far 

 superior to anything which had previously been accomplished, 

 from 30,000 to 40,000 coins in an hour. 



The manufacture of plated wares, of works in bronze and 

 ormolu, such as vases, candelabra, and other ornamental 

 articles, was successively introduced at Soho, and the taste 

 and excellence which these productions displayed soon obtained 

 for them an unrivalled reputation in every part of the world. 

 Artists and men of taste were wannly encouraged, and their 

 talents called forth, by Mr. Boulton's liberal spirit. The 

 united labours of the two partners contributed to give that 

 impulse to British industry which has never since ceased. 



Mr. Boulton has been described by Playfair as possessing a 

 most generous and ardent mind, to which was added an enter- 

 prising spirit that led him to grapple with great and difficult 

 undertakings. " He was a man of address," continues the 

 same writer, "delighting in society, active, and mixing with 

 people of all ranks with great freedom and without ceremony." 

 Watt, who survived Mr. Boulton, spoke of his deceased partner 

 in the highest terms. He said, " To his friendly encouragement, 

 to his partiality for scientific improvement, and to his ready 

 application of them to the purposes of art, to his intimate 

 knowledge of business and manufactures, and to his extended 

 views and liberal spirit, may in a great measure be ascribed 

 whatever success may have attended my exertions." 



Mr. Boulton expended about ;^47,ooo in the course of ex- 

 periments on the steam-engine, before Watt perfected the con- 

 struction and occasioned any return of profit 



