SAMUEL CROMPTON. 187 



in securing a patent for the mule, or the Hole-i'-tli'-VVood-wheel, 

 as the people at first called it. 



He says he " gave the mule to the public ; " and virtually he 

 did, but in such a v^^ay that he gained no credit for his gene- 

 rosity, and was put to inexpressible pain by the greed and 

 meanness of those with whom he dealt. Persuaded to give up 

 his secret, the following document was drawn up : — 



" We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, have agreed to 

 give, and do hereby promise to pay unto, Samuel Crompton, at 

 the Hole-in-the-Wood, near Bolton, the several sums opposite 

 our names, as a reward for his improvement in spinning. 

 Several of the principal tradesmen in Manchester, Bolton, etc., 

 having seen his new machine, approve of it, and are of opinion 

 that it would be of the greatest public utility to make it generally 

 known, to which end a contribution is desired from every well- 

 wisher of trade." 



To this were appended fifty-five subscribers of a guinea 

 each, twenty-seven of half-a-guinea, one of seven shillings and 

 sixpence, and one of five shillings and sixpence; making, 

 together, the munificent sum of ;^72, iis. 6d., or less than the 

 cost of the model mule which Crompton gave up to the sub- 

 scribers. Never, certainly, was so much got for so little. The 

 merciless transaction receives its last touch of infamy from the 

 fact recorded by Crompton in these words : — " Many sub- 

 scribers would not pay the sums they had set opposite their 

 names. When I applied for them, I got nothing but abusive 

 language to drive me from them, which was easily done ; for I 

 never till then could think it possible that any man could 

 pretend one thing and act the direct opposite. I then found 

 it was possible, having had proof positive." 



Deprived of his reward, Crompton devoted himself steadily 



