312 LIFE OF BK1XULKY. 



information was obtained whilst carrying on their busi- 

 ness. The millwrights were as yet the only engineers. 

 In the course of their trade they worked at the foot-lathe, 

 the carpenter's bench, and the anvil, by turns ; thus 

 cultivating the faculties of observation and comparison, 

 acquiring practical knowledge of the strength and 

 qualities of materials, and dexterity in the handling of 

 tools of many different kinds. In country places, where 

 division of labour could not be carried so far as in the 

 larger towns, the millwright was compelled to draw 

 largely upon his own resources, and to devise expedients 

 to meet pressing emergencies as they arose. Necessity 

 thus made them dexterous, expert, and skilful in me- 

 chanical arrangements, more particularly those connected 

 with mill-work, steam-engines, pumps, cranes, and such 

 like. Hence millwrights in those early days were looked 

 upon as a very important class of workmen. The nature 

 of their business tended to render them self-reliant, and 

 they prided themselves on the importance of their 

 calling. On occasions of difficulty the millwright was 

 invariably resorted to for help ; and as the demand for 

 mechanical skill arose, in the course of the progress of 

 manufacturing and agricultural industry, the men trained 

 in millwrights' shops, such as Briridley, Meikle, Rennie, 

 and Fairbairn, were borne up by the force of their prac- 

 tical skill and constructive genius into the highest rank 

 of skilled and scientific engineering. 



Brindley, however, only acquired his skill by slow 

 degrees. Indeed, his master thought him slower than 

 most lads, and even stupid. Bennett, like many well- 

 paid master mechanics at that time, was of intemperate 

 habits, and gave very little attention to his apprentice, 

 leaving him to the tender mercies of his journeymen, 

 who were for the most part a rough and drunken set. 

 Much of the lad's time was occupied in running for beer, 

 and when he sought for information he was often met 

 with a rebuff. Skilled workmen were then very jealous 



