History of’ Mechanical Inventions and Useful Processes. 115 
have struggled so keenly for some speculative improvements in 
our constitution, should have overlooked those palpable en- 
croachments which the administrators of the law have gradually 
made upon rights so highly respected by the law itself, and so 
dearly cherished even under the most despotic institutions *. 
The Society established in London for the encouragement of 
Arts and Manufactures, is the only public establishment which 
has interposed its labours in behalf of mechanical genius ; its 
efforts have been attended with the best effects, and though 
sometimes misdirected, they have always been guided by zeal 
and patriotism. It is deeply to be lamented that Scotland pos- 
sesses no such institution ; and that the profusion of mechanical 
talent which characterises this part of the island, should be thus 
allowed to languish in obscurity. For many years we have had 
occasion to deplore this unprotected state of the useful arts. 
Without a journal, in which inventors could give publicity to 
their views ; without a man of science almost, who would take 
the trouble of assisting them with his opinion and advice ; with- 
out the means even of exhibiting their inventions ; and without 
a fund out of which they could be rewarded, we have seen the 
most ingenious men retire with disgust from the prosecution of 
their inventions, while others, better fitted to struggle against 
neglects and disappointment, have ruined themselves and their 
families by aiming at those speculative advantages which the 
phantom of an exclusive privilege held out to their ambition. 
We trust that individuals of public spirit and influence will give 
their assistance in removing this reproach from our metropolis, 
by the establishment of a Society of Arts, or by some modifica- 
tion of the Board for Manufactures and Fisheries, by which that 
valuable institution may be made to embrace a wider and more 
useful range. 
With the view of promoting as far as we can the advance- 
ment of the useful arts, we have resolved to devote a portion of 
each volume of this Journal to a history of mechanical inven- 
tions and useful processes, and we shall pay every attention to 
* The two Bills now before Parliament for amending the law of patents, and 
securing the rights of inventors, deserve in some shape or other the support of 
every friend of his country. 
H 2 
