128 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



to proceed with his improvements. While at this place he was 

 again thrown into prison for debt, which influenced him to avail 

 himself of a release under the odious bankrupt law, about ten 

 days before its repeal. This law he had always opposed, and 

 firmly resolved not to accept of any of the advantages it offered, 

 but the provocation, in this instance, was such that his resolu- 

 tion gave way ; and, as things terminated, he has never had 

 cause to regi'et his change of purpose, since, very shortly after 

 this, his invention began to be appreciated ; and, together 

 with the success of the shirred goods before alluded to, 

 enabled him to do justice to his creditors, notwithstanding his 

 discharge in bankruptcy. Since that time to the present, he 

 has had no occasion to complain of hard fortune, having con- 

 tinued his experiments and improvements according to the 

 plan specified in another chapter, appropriating the receipts 

 from his invention as they have accrued, to the purposes there 

 stated. These means have been almost as inadequate for the 

 object in view, as those which he formerly had were for the 

 comfort of himself and family, and for his experiments before his 

 success in the chief discovery. The want of pecuniary facili- 

 ties has caused much delay in his course, which undoubtedly has 

 had the effect to make the whole system much more complete 

 than it would have been if he had possessed ample means. Al- 

 though sometimes disheartened by the apparent loss of time from 

 these hindrances, the inventor has, on the whole, good reason to 

 be reconciled to these temporary delays, being well aware that 

 the law of necessity in one form or other, is the only one under 

 which invention will thrive or accomplish much. Millions 

 might have been spent without effecting any thing in comparison 

 with what has been done. Money is indispensable for the per- 

 fecting of improvements, but it is trial and necessity chiefly that 

 are eftectual in bringing to light things that are hidden ; in other 

 words, however indispensable money may be to carry out an en- 

 terprise, or perfect the improvements of an inventor, it will avail 

 but little in bringing to hght that which is unknown, especially 

 where the subject cannot be approached by any known laws of 

 science. 



