. III. WOKKSHOP, AND COLLEGE. 133 



manufacture of steam-engines at Soho chiefly attracted 

 Ins notice and his study. He had already made himself 

 acquainted with the principles as well as the mechanical 

 details of the steam-engine, and was ready to suggest 

 improvements, in a very modest way, even to Watt 

 himself, who was still engaged in perfecting his won- 

 derful machine. The partners thought that they saw 

 in him a possible future competitor in their trade ; 

 and in the agreement which they entered into with him 

 as to the erection of the Albion Mills, they sought to 

 bind him, in express terms, not only to abstain from 

 interfering in any way with the construction and work- 

 ing of the steam-engines required for the mills, but to 

 prohibit him from executing such work upon his own 

 account at any future period. Though ready to give 

 his word of honour that he would not in any way inter- 

 fere with Watt's patents, he firmly refused to bind himself 

 to such conditions ; being resolved in his own mind not 

 to be debarred from making such improvements in the 

 steam-engine as experience might prove to be desirable. 

 And on this honourable understanding the agreement 

 was concluded ; nor did Eennie ever in any way violate 

 it, but retained to the last the friendship and esteem of 

 both Watt and Boulton. 



On the 24th of November following, after making 

 himself fully acquainted with the arrangements of the 

 engines by means of which his machinery was to be 

 driven, our engineer set out for London to proceed with 

 the designing of the millwork. It was also necessary 

 that the plans of the building which had been prepared 

 by Mr. Samuel Wyatt, an architect of reputation in his 

 day should undergo revision ; and, after careful con- 

 sideration, Rennie made an elaborate report on the 

 subject, recommending various alterations, which were 

 approved by Boulton and Watt, and forthwith ordered 

 to be carried into effect. 



