Mr Miller on the Invention and Practice 
of these have been gradually winning their way on the candour 
and credulity of the world, I have had to experience no slight 
degree of self-reproach, in so long refraining from the assertion 
and public vindication of the claims of my Father to be held 
and acknowledged as the real author of the modem system of 
navigation by means of steam. In now performing thus tardi- 
ly that act of duty to which I have felt myself imperiously 
called, I shall studiously confine myself to a brief narrative of 
facts, Such as I feel confident will supersede the propriety or 
necessity of any controversial discussion on the subject. 
The practical system of modem steam-navigation may be 
said to consist of two distinct parts. These are, in the first 
place, the application of wheels or rotatory paddles to the pro- 
pulsion of vessels ; and, in the second place, the substitution of 
the irresistible power of steam in place of animal strength, or 
any other species of mechanical force, in the working of those 
rotatory paddles. 
Without any violation of what ought to be admitted as ge- 
nuine historical truth, it may be said, that both of these are 
modern and very recent inventions ; while, at the same time, it 
is not to be disputed, that some rude and long forgotten at- 
tempts at both may be traced to periods considerably more re- 
mote. Thus, it is undeniable, that, in the 15th century, small 
Vessels, propelled by means of rotatory paddles instead of oars, 
were employed on some of the rivers of Italy, although the 
practice seems to have been very limited, and long since dis- 
tised, as very inferior in efficacy to that of ordinary oars ; and,, 
in so far as I have had any opportunity of learning, the exist- 
ence of the practice is nowhere recorded but in the work of llo- 
bertus Valturius, De Re Military first published at Verona in 
the year 1 472, — a work of considerable note in the author’s own 
time, but which has been for ages neglected and unknown, un- 
less to the more curious in early bibliography. In like manner, 
it is undeniable, that, about ninety years ago, an ingenious person 
of the name of Jonathan Hulls invented a machine “ for carry- 
ing ships and vessels out of or into any harbour or river against 
wind or tide, or in a calm,” for which he obtained royal letters- 
patent, dated in the year 1786 ; an invention consisting of a 
