158 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



workshops for 600 people. The extensive pool gives motion to a 

 large water-wheel, and by its means to a great number of different 

 tools ; and the mechanic inventions here employed, are superior, 

 in number, variety, and utility, to those of any other manufactory 

 in the world. 



When the projector first commenced business here, his produc- 

 tions were only such as arc usually made by the artists of Birming- 

 ham ; namely, buttons, buckles, watch-chains, and trinkets. But 

 with increasing prosperity his plans of utility were extended, and 

 the manufacture of plated wares on a large scale was likewise in- 

 troduced ; and when these substantial and useful branches had been 

 fully established, the proprietors began to bring forward works of 

 elegance in stone bronze and or-moulins. This new manufacture 

 immediately received the sanction of his Majesty, and the principal 

 nobility, while the invention and activity of the manufacturer kept 

 pace with such distinguished patronage. 



Messrs. Boulton and Watt afterwards turned their attention to 

 the manufacture of wrought plate, and, after a struggle, obtained 

 the establishment of an office of Assay in Birmingham, for regu- 

 lating the purity of the metal. Wrought plate is now a prominent 

 article among the many rich productions of this great establish- 

 ment, to the extension of which, the steam-engine has contributed 

 in a very considerable degree. 



The coining mill, erected in 1788, works eight machines, each 

 capable of striking from 70 to 80 pieces of money per minute, the 

 size of a guinea, which is between 30 and 40,000 per hour. And 

 at the same blow which strikes the two faces, the edge of the piece 

 is also struck either plain or with an inscription, and thus every 

 piece becomes perfectly round, and of equal diameter. 



In a national point of view, the manufactures produced at $oho 

 are highly important, by collecting together ingenious artists, in 

 consequence of which rival talents have been called forth, compe- 

 tition excited, and the different branches of the business brought to 

 the greatest possible perfection. 



The mansion of Soko, erected at a short distance from the manu- 

 factory, is elegant, and surrounded by beautiful pleasure-grounds. 

 Near to the Soho is the residence of Mr. Eggington, who has 

 brought the art of staining glass to higher perfection than was ever 

 known before. This artist's productions have met with the 

 warmest approbation from persons of distinguished taste and 

 judgment. 





