Clement (Joseph), son of a poor weaver, was brought up as a thatcher, but, by utilizing his waste moments in self-education and works of skill, raised himself to a position of great note, giving employment to thirty workmen (1779-1844).
Cobbett learnt grammar in the waste time of his service as a common soldier (1762-1835).
D’Aguesseau, the great French chancellor, observing that Mde. D’Aguesseau always delayed ten or twelve minutes before she came down to dinner, began and completed a learned book of three volumes (large quarto), solely during these “waste minutes.” This work went through several editions (1668-1751).
Etty utilized indefatigably every spare moment he could pick up when a journeyman printer (1787-1849).
Ferguson taught himself astronomy while tending sheep in the service of a Scotch farmer (1710-1776).
Franklin, while working as a journeyman printer, produced his Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain (1706-1790).
Miller (Hugh) taught himself geology while working as a mason (1802-1856).
Paul worked as a tentmaker in intervals of travel and preaching.
⁂ This brief list must be considered only as a hint and heading for enlargement. Henry Cort, William Fairbairn, Fox of Derby, H. Maudslay, David Mushet, Murray of Leeds, J. Nasmyth, J. B. Neilson, Roberts of Manchester, Whitworth, and scores of others will occur to every reader. Indeed, genius for the most part owes its success to the utilization of waste time.
Wastle (William), pseudonym of John Gibson Lockhart, in Blackwood’s Magazine (1794-1854).