86 Mr Miller on the Invention and Practice 
And, after enumerating the peculiar properties by which 
those vessels were distinguished, and the various benefits to na- 
vigation resulting from these properties, he seems to have 
thought it necessary to apologise for not having conducted the 
experiments on a still more expensive scale. 
“ It was my wish to have built The Edinburgh [the triple 
ship, of which the engraved plans are annexed to the book] on 
a scale sufficiently large to have rendered her fit for a voyage 
of any length. This would have shewn more clearly the prin- 
ciple of her construction, and would have enabled me to ascer- 
tain with greater accuracy, not only the best forms and propor- 
tions of the three vessels, but also the proper distances at which 
they ought to be placed from each other. From an underta- 
king of such magnitude, however, I was not only prevented by 
the attention I owed to the duties of a great business in which 
I was then engaged, but I was also restrained by prudence, 
having, during the late war, expended large sums in number- 
less experiments for the improvement of artillery, with a view 
to aid my country, and having, since the peace, incurred much 
expence in building various vessels, with a design to improve 
naval architecture.” 
And, after giving various important suggestions as to the 
proper construction of such vessels, he thus concludes his state- 
ment. 
“ Having thus thrown out these few remarks upon the in- 
vention I now communicate to the world, I submit it to their 
consideration. As to the truth of my system, it may be easily 
ascertained by any Prince in Europe. It will be an underta- 
king patriotic and beneficent ; and if followed with the success 
which I expect, must be attended with the happiest conse- 
quences to his subjects. 
“ As to myself, after some years bestowed in study and ap- 
plication to this subject, the present time forms to me a period 
of repose and satisfaction. The vessel of which the engraving 
is annexed, is the eighth which I have had built, with a view 
to improve naval architecture. One of them, built at a consi- 
derable expence, lies proscribed and rendered useless by the 
above mentioned statute, enacted after the vessel was launched. 
Notwithstanding this, I was refused a license to make experi- 
