xxvi INTRODUCTION 



the same year. In 1770 his poetical genius blos- 

 somed forth in a legendary tale in verse, entitled 

 ** Armine and Elvira." So successful did this 

 prove that seven editions appeared in somewhat 

 over a year.^ This was followed in 1779 by an- 

 other successful poem, " The Prince of Peace." 

 In the latter year he was made rector of Goodby 

 Marwood, Leicestershire, to which was added a 

 prebend in the Cathedral of Lincoln. Here it 

 would seem his life would probably be passed in 

 the peaceful occupations of a country clergyman. 

 His attention, however, having been called to the 

 possibility of applying machinery to weaving, his 

 inventive genius declared itself, and he produced 

 and patented in 1785 the power-loom. The first 

 machine was somewhat rude, but he afterward 

 gradually improved it, so that it became almost 

 perfect. The opposition on the part of the hand 

 weavers, which w^ent to the extent of destroying 

 by fire the first mill constructed on his plan, de- 

 layed, but did not prevent the complete success 

 of his great invention. Besides the power-loom, 

 Edmund Cartwright invented machines for comb- 



1 The first and last verses of " Armine and Elvira " will give some idea 

 of its scope. They are as follows: 



" A hermit on the banks of Trent, 



Far from the world's bewildering maze, 

 To humbler scenes of calm content 

 Had fled from brighter, busier days. 



Joy, Gratitude, and Wonder, shed 

 United tears o'er Hymen's reign. 



And Nature her best triumph led, — 

 For Love and Virtue join'd her train." 



