DONKIN. 51 



and prosperous, that Mr. Dollond took into partnership his brother 

 John. For nearly forty years the brothers resided here, endeavour- 

 ing, by their cordial and united efforts, to improve and extend each 

 branch of their profession. In 1804 John, the younger brother, 

 died, and in the following year his place was supplied by a nephew, 

 George Huggins, who, on being admitted into partnership, changed 

 his name to Dollond, and eventually succeeded to the whole con- 

 cern. In 1817 Peter Dollond took up his residence at Richmond 

 Hill, remaining there till June 1820, when he removed to Kenning- 

 ton Common, where he breathed his last, having arrived at his 

 90th yeax. Memoir by the Rev. Dr. Kelly. 



BRYAN DONKIN, F.R.S., &c. 



Born March 22, 1768. Died February 27, 1855. 



Bryan Donkin was born at Sandoe, in Northumberland. His 

 father, who followed the business of a surveyor and land agent, was 

 acquainted with John Smeaton, the eminent engineer, from having 

 had occasion to consult him frequently on questions relating to the 

 bridges and other works on the Tyne. Donkin early showed a taste 

 for science and mechanics, and when almost a child was to be found 

 continually occupied in making various ingenious mechanical con- 

 trivances. He commenced life in the same business as his father, 

 being engaged for a year or two as land agent to the Duke of 

 Dorset. Donkin, however, soon showed the bent of his natural 

 genius by quitting this agency, and going to consult Smeaton as 

 to how he could best become an engineer. By Smeaton's advice, 

 he apprenticed himself to Mr. Hall, of Dartford, in the carrying on 

 of whose works he was soon able to take so active a part, that in 

 1801-2 he was principally entrusted with the construction of a 

 model of the first machine for making paper, the execution of which 

 had been put into Messrs. Hall's hands by the Messrs. Fourdrinier. 

 The idea of this machine originated with Mr. Roberts, and formed 

 the subject of a patent, which was assigned to Messrs. Bloxam and 

 Fourdrinier. After considerable expense had been incurred, and 

 many trials made with the model, the paper produced was found to 

 be of too inferior a quality for sale. The model remained at Mr. 

 Hall's works for some time, till at length Donkin agreed with the 

 owners to take the matter in hand himself, and for this purpose 

 took premises at Bermondsey (still occupied by his sons). In 1804 

 he succeeded in producing a machine which, on being erected at 

 Frogmore, Herts, and set to work, was found to be successful, 



D 2 



