1 Beetham’s fame and diligence. 3 his marvellous mill. 6 he constructs a mangle which surprises the World. 8 The Princesses visit his museum and praise the curious Machinery. 16 He is mimiced by others. 18 The King grants his royal patent to the Artist. 22 Beetham is recompensed by the nobles and the people.
NOW it came to pass, even towards the close of the eighteenth century, that there lived in the great city which is called London a certain man of the name of Beetham who had many curious inventions.
2 The same mechanic while the world waged war against Albion cultivated with all diligence the arts of Peace in the ways of wisdom.
3 When therefore he saw that his washing mill pleased the people and was daily employed by all throughout the regions of Britain and her colonies.
4 Behold he also constructed another machine more marvellous than the first which is called a Mangle even to this day. 5 Neither adhered he to the old gothic plan of his predecessors but formed it new and surprising in simplicity so that a little maiden could set it in motion.
6 And it came to pass when a great company of ladies and laundresses beheld the infant turn the wheel with wonderful ease and moreover saw the wheel move backwards as well as the way of the wheel whose revolution was always the same and also saw it move as by self instinct.
7 That they cried aloud with one voice saying, great and marvellous is the Mangle of Beetham.
8 And in process of time, the princesses and the nobles accompanied a certain great prince who came from a far country to carry away a royal beauty, even the eldest daughter of the King.
9 And behold as they passed on their way to view the wonders of the great temple of Paul, one of the damsels lifted up her azure eyes and beheld the Museum of Beetham fronting the temple of Dunstan.
10 At that instant the child was turning the wonderful Mill which laved the fine linen clean and white in the twinkling of an eye;