132 TROUGHTON. 



blunt and unassuming, but yet possessed a certain kind of fascina- 

 tion which generally secured for him, in whatever society he might 

 be, an eager and attentive auditory. In person he was tall and 

 strongly made, being six feet two inches in height, and broad in 

 proportion, and to this day stories of his extraordinary feats of 

 strength are told among the miners of Cornwall. His life remains 

 a record of constant but brilliant failures, and that from no inherent 

 defect in his inventions, but solely from the absence in his character 

 of that perseverance and worldly prudence necessary to bring every 

 new undertaking to a successful commercial issue. Contributions to 

 the Biography of R. Trevithick, by R. Edmunds, Jun., Edinburgh New 

 Philosophical Journal, October, 1859. The Land's End District, &c., 

 with Brief Memoir of Ric. Trevithick, by R. Edmunds, London and 

 Penzance, 1862. All the Year Round, August 4, I860. And other 

 particulars taken from original and authentic sources. 



EDWARD TROUGHTON, F.R.A.S. 



Bora October, 1753. Died June 12, 1835. 



Edward Troughton, the first astronomical instrument maker of 

 our day, was born in the parish of Corney, on the south-west coast 

 of Cumberland, and was the third son of a small farmer. An uncle 

 of the same name, and his eldest brother John were settled in London 

 as mathematical instrument makers ; and as his second brother was 

 apprenticed to the same business, Edward was designed to be a 

 farmer, continuing to be his father's assistant till the age of seven- 

 teen. 



The death of his younger brother, however, altered Edward's 

 destination, and caused him to be placed with his brother John, at 

 that time a chamber master, employed chiefly in dividing and en- 

 graving for the trade, and the higher branches of the art. Under 

 the instruction of John, who was an excellent workman, Troughton 

 made very rapid progress, and at the end of his time was taken into 

 partnership. 



About the year 1782 the Troughtons established themselves in 

 Fleet Street, where they commenced an independant business and 

 soon rose into eminence. After the death of his brother John, 

 Edward alone continued the business until the year 1826, when 

 increasing age and dislike to routine employment, induced him to 

 take Mr. William Simms as his partner and successor. 



The instruments which facilitate navigation were peculiarly ob- 



