98 
Steam Engine* 
success and merit will always do) an host of Imitators and 
detractors, from whom Messrs. Boulton and Watt, du- 
ring the greater part of the term of their exclusive privi- 
lege, experienced the most harassing and obstinate op- 
position. 
Having given this short history of Mr. Watt’s improve- 
ments we shall proceed to consider the view that Mr. 
G gory and his associate have taken of the same subject. 
Tiiese gentlemen have both animadverted with great se- 
verity, and we think, with very little reason, on the mode 
adopted by Boulton and Watt for describing the force of 
the steam engine by a comparison with the power of hor- 
ses. ‘ What is called,’ say they, ‘ the hord es’ power, is 
^ of so fluctuating and indefinite a nature, that it is perfect- 
‘ iy ridiculous to assume it as a common measure by 
^ which the force of steam engines and other machines 
^ should be appreciated.’ XL pp. 78. 357. 
Now, we are ready to admit, that if nothing more defi- 
nite were said of any engine than that it did the w^ork of a 
certain number of horses, this would not convey an idea 
of its power sufficiently accurate for many of the purposes 
of science. It might, however, be accurate enough for 
many of the purposes of common life. Now, if the thing 
wanted was an approximate and popular standard of com- 
parison, such as might be intelligible to every body, and 
sufficiently exact for ordinary purposes, it is certain, thatf; 
a more convenient expression could not easily be found 
than that which is here referred to. Prior to Mr. Watt’s 
application of the steam engine to produce rotative motion,' 
the great manufactories of the kingdom had their mill| 
work set in motion by the agency of water, of wind^ 
or of horses ; and the latter had, for many years, been al- 
most exclusively employed in the breweries and distille- 
ries of the metropolis. It was therefore natural for one: 
who wished to substitute the power of steam for the pow^ 
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