APPENDIX, (81) 



the original projedl of the ironworks at Carron, the chemical Account of 



o r J ^ _ ■> Dr Roebuck. 



knowledge and experience on which they were founded, the com- 

 plicated calculations which were previoufly required, the choice 

 of the lituation, the general conducfl and diredlion of the build- 

 ings and machinery, the fuggeftion of many occafional im- 

 provements, together with the removal of many unforefeen ob- 

 ftacles "and difficulties, which occurred in the infant ftate of that 

 eftablifhment, were, in a great meafure, the work and labour 

 of Dr Roebuck. Nor can it, with the leaft fhadow of jufhice, 

 detradl from his merit, that a larger capital, and greater expence 

 than was at firft calculated, have been found necefTary to bring 

 the works at Carron to their prefent flate of perfection ; or, 

 that great alterations and improvements have taken place, du- 

 ring the courfe of forty years, in a great and progreffive efta- 

 blilhment. In all works of that kind, the expence exceeds the 

 calculation. The undertakers even of the lateft ironworks 

 which have been erecfled, notwithftanding all the advantages 

 obtained from recent experience, will be ready to acknowledge, 

 that, in thefe refpe(5\s, there is little room to blame the original 

 projedlor of the firft eftablifhment of that kind in Scotland. 

 But the beft, and mofl infallible proof of Dr Roebuck's merit, 

 and of the found principles on v/hich thefe works were efta- 

 blifhed, is the prefent profperous flate of that eflablifliment, the 

 great perfedlion of many branches of their ma^ufac^ures, and, 

 particularly, the many extenfive and flourifhing ironworks, 

 which have been fince ere(fi:ed upon the model of Carron, in 

 different parts of Scotland, at Cleugh, Clyde, Muirkirk, and 

 Devon. It cannot be denied that all thefe works have fprung 

 from the eftablifhment at Carron, and are ultimately founded 

 upon the knowledge and experience which have been obtained 

 from them ; for fome of the partners, or overfeers of thefe new 

 works, and many of the workmen, have been, at one time, or 

 another, connected with that of Carron. Hence, then, it is ow- 

 VoL. IV. (L) ing 



