Having recently, however, through the kindness of M. P. W. Boulton, Esq., of Tew Park, Oxon, been enabled to examine the extensive collection of documents brought from Soho, including the original correspondence between Watt and Small, between Watt and Boulton, and between the latter and his numerous intimate friends and business correspondents, it has appeared to the author that, notwithstanding the valuable publications of Mr. Muirhead, the story of the life of Watt is one that will well bear to be told again, in connexion with the life and labours of Matthew Boulton of Soho. The two men were so intimately related during the most important period of their lives, and their biographies so closely intermingle, that it is almost impossible to separate them. They are therefore treated conjointly in the present volume, under the title of ‘Boulton and Watt,’ the name of the old Soho firm which so long enjoyed a world-wide reputation. But though the name of Boulton takes priority in the title, that of Watt will be found in many respects the most prominent in the narrative.
The MS. papers which have been consulted for the purposes of the present volume are of an unusually complete and varied character. They consist of several thousand documents selected from the tons of business books and correspondence which had accumulated at Soho. The most important were selected and arranged by the late M. Robinson Boulton, Esq., who entertained the highest regard for his father's memory; and, from the character of the collection, the author inclines to the opinion that it must have been made with a view to the preparation and publication of a Life of Matthew Boulton,—which has not, however, until now been undertaken. Thus, among sundry papers endorsed “M. Boulton—Biographical Memoirs,” is found a MS. memoir in the handwriting of James Watt, entitled “Memorandum concerning Mr. Boulton, commencing with my first acquaintance with him,” and another of a similar character, by Mr. James Keir,—both written shortly after Mr. Boulton’s death. Another collection, endorsed “Familiarum Epistolæ et Selectæ, 1755 to 1808,” contains letters received from various distinguished personages in the course of Mr. Boulton’s long and interesting career. The number of original documents is indeed so large, that, but for a rigid exclusion of non-essential matter, these Lives must have expanded into several volumes, instead of being compressed into one. But the author believes labour to be well bestowed in practising the art of condensation, and that the interest of biography gains much by judicious rejection. What Watt said to Murdock as to the production of a machine, holds equally true as to the production of a book,—“It is a great thing,” said Watt, “to know what to do without.”
Besides the memoirs of Boulton and Watt, which occupy the principal places in the following volume, it will also be found to contain memoirs of the other inventors who have at various times laboured at the invention and application of the steam-engine,—of the Marquis of Worcester, Dionysius Papin, Thomas Savery, and Thomas Newcomen. The author has also been enabled to gather from the Boulton papers a memoir of William Murdock, which probably contains all that is likely to be collected respecting that excellent and most ingenious mechanic.
In addition to the essential assistance received from M. P. W. Boulton, Esq., in preparing the present book, without which it would not have been undertaken, the author desires to record his acknowledgments to J. W. Gibson Watt, Esq., for information relative to James Watt;—to Charles Savery, Esq., Clifton, J. T. Savery, Esq., Modbury, Lieutenant-Colonel Yolland, R.E., and Quartermaster Connolly, R.E., for various facts as to the family history and professional career of Thomas Savery, inventor of the “Fire Engine;”—and to Thomas Pemberton, Esq., Heathfield; W. C. Aitkin, Esq., Coventry; George Williamson, Esq., Greenock; the late J. Murdock, Esq., Handsworth; and the late Mr. William Buckle, of the Royal Mint, formerly of Soho,—for various information as to the lives and labours of Boulton and Watt.
In his treatment of the subject, it will be observed that the author has endeavoured, as much as possible, to avoid introducing technical details relating to the steam-engine. Those who desire further information on such points, are referred to the works of Farey, Tredgold, Bourne, Scott Russell, Muirhead (‘Mechanical Inventions of James Watt’), and other technical treatises on the subject, where they will find detailed particulars of the various inventions which are only incidentally referred to in the following pages.
London, October, 1865.
CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Anecdote of Matthew Boulton and George III.—Roger Bacon on steampower—Early inventors, their steam machines and apparatus—Hero ofAlexandria, Branca, De Caus—The Marquis of Worcester—His water-works—Hisimprisonment—His difficulties—The water-commandingengine—His “Century of Inventions”—Obscurity of descriptionsof his steam-engine—Persevering struggles—His later years and death | Page [1–26] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Zeal of the Marchioness of Worcester—Sir Samuel Morland—His pumpsand fire-engines—His privations and death—Dr. Dionysius Papin—Hisdigester—Experiments on the power of steam—His steam-engine—Proposedsteamboat—Early schemes of paddle-boats—Blasco Garay—Papin’smodel engine and boat—Destroyed by boatmen—Papin’s death | [27–38] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Thomas Savery—The Savery family—Savery’s mechanical experimentsand contrivances—His paddle-boat—Treatise on ‘Navigation Improved’—Cornishmines and the early pumping machinery—Savery’s “Fire-engine”—Exhibitionof his model—Explanations in the ‘Miner’sFriend’—The engine tried in Cornwall—Its failure at Broadwaters,Staffordshire—Savery’s later years—His death and testament | [39–58] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Slow progress in invention of the steam-engine—Thomas Newcomen ofDartmouth—His study of steam-power—Correspondence with Dr.Hooke of the Royal Society—Newcomen’s experiments—Assisted byJohn Calley—Newcomen’s atmospheric engine—Newcomen and Calleyerect their first engine—Humphrey Potter the turn-cock boy’s contrivance—Engineserected at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Leeds, and Cornwall—WhealFortune engine—Mr. William Lemon—Joseph Hornblower—JonathanHulls and steam propulsion of ships—His steamboat—Extendeduse of the Newcomen engines in Cornwall and northern miningcounties—Payne, Brindley, and Smeaton, improvers of the steam-engine | [59–76] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| James Watt, his birthplace and lineage—His grandfather the mathematician—Cartsdykeand Greenock in the last century—James Watt’s father—Hismultifarious occupations—His mother—Watt’s early years—Hisfragile constitution—Sent to school—His first visit to Glasgow—Hisindulgence in storytelling—His boyish ingenuity—His home education—TheStuart rebellion—Watt’s love of scientific pursuits—Sent toGlasgow to learn the trade of mathematical-instrument maker | [77–95] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Glasgow in 1754—The Glasgow tobacco lords—The early clubs, and socialhabits of the merchants—Watt’s master—Leaves Glasgow, and proceedsto London on horseback—Is placed with a mathematical-instrumentmaker—His progress in learning the trade—Frugal living inLondon—Danger from pressgangs—His infirm health—Returns toScotland—Refused permission to begin business in Glasgow—Gainsasylum in the College—His workshop there—Makes musical instruments—Hisvarious reading and studies—Intercourse with the professors—Intimaterelations of Watt with Robison—Robison’s estimateof Watt | [96–116] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Robison and Watt’s conferences on the power of steam—Dr. Black and latentheat—Watt’s experiments on steam—His apparatus—The collegemodel of the Newcomen engine arrives from London—Watt’s experimentsupon it—His difficulties and perseverance—His instrument-makingbusiness improves—Takes a partner and opens a shop in theSalt Market—His marriage—Continued experiments on steam—HisSunday walk on Glasgow Green, and his first idea of the condensingengine—His experiments with the model, and successive difficulties—Anecdoteof Watt and Robison and the new apparatus—The model engine—Removesto a cellar and erects a working engine—Mechanical andfinancial difficulties | [118–137] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Watt’s introduction to Dr. Roebuck—Begins business as surveyor—Surveyscanals—Partnership with Roebuck in the engine—Difficulties in constructingthe engine—Watt’s visit to Kinneil—A patent determined on—Watt’sdespondency—Continues his improvements—Learns German—Correspondencewith Dr. Small—Specification of patent lodged—Watterects a trial engine—The washhouse behind Kinneil—The enginecompleted—Its defects—Roebuck’s embarrassments—Watt acceptsengagement to superintend canal works—Employed in various surveys—DesignsHamilton Bridge—Supplies plans for dock and pier at PortGlasgow and harbour at Ayr—Illness and death of Mrs. Watt—Dr.Roebuck’s ruin—Turning point in Watt’s fortunes | [138–158] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Birmingham in early times—Its industry—Roads—William Hutton—TheBoulton family—Matthew Boulton begins business—His tradecorrespondence—His marriage—His love of business—Snow-hill andSoho—Partnership with Fothergill—Aims at excellence in his productions—EmulatesWedgwood—Surpasses French art-manufacturers—Hisroyal and noble patrons—Employs the best artists—Visits offoreigners at Soho—Extension of business—Promotes canals—His vastbusiness—Commercial panic—Boulton’s scientific pursuits | [161–181] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Water- and horse-power at Soho—Boulton’s correspondence with BenjaminFranklin concerning fire-engine—Boulton’s model—Correspondence withDr. Darwin and Dr. Roebuck—Watt visits Soho—First meeting ofBoulton and Watt—Correspondence of Boulton and Watt, and of Dr.Small and Watt—Dr. Roebuck visits Boulton—Watt’s anxiety forBoulton to join him—Watt’s discouragements—His continued experimentsand their failure—Watt engineer for the Monkland Canal—Commercialpanic—Watt loses employment as canal engineer—Roebuck’sfailure—Terms of proposed partnership between Watt, Small, andBoulton—Roebuck’s share in Watt’s engine transferred to Boulton—Watt’sarrival at Birmingham | [182–198] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Characteristics of Matthew Boulton—Contrast between him and Watt—Boulton’sfriends—Watt’s engine at Soho—Boulton’s views of enginebusiness—The Kinneil engine re-erected at Soho—Works successfully—Inquiriesfor pumping-engines from the mining districts—Proposed extensionof patent by an Act—Watt in London—Death of Dr. Small—Wattinvited to Russia—Application to Parliament for extension ofengine patent—Application opposed—Watt’s arguments—Act obtained—Wattreturns to Birmingham—The manufacture of engines begun—TheWilkinsons—First iron vessel | [199–213] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Watt’s house, Harper’s Hill—First order for engines—Boulton’s activity—TheLondon engineers prophesy the failure of Watt’s engine—Wattrevisits Glasgow—His second marriage—Terms of partnership betweenBoulton and Watt—Orders from Scotland for engines—Boulton pressedwith work and anxiety—Watt returns to Soho with his wife—Orderfor engine for Tingtang and Chacewater mines, Cornwall—Watt andthe Shadwell Waterworks Committee—Stratford-le-Bow engine—Difficultieswith workmen at Soho, and with unskilled enginemen—Expansiveworking | [214–229] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| Inefficiency of the Newcomen pumping-engines—More orders from Cornwall—Wattin Cornwall—United Mines district—Mines drowned—Wattand Jonathan Hornblower—Mrs. Watt’s account of Cornwall—Chacewaterengine finished—Its successful working—Watt’s embarrassmentsand financial difficulties—Boulton’s courage and perseverance, and Fothergill’sdespondency—Fire at Soho—Engine royalty on savings of fuel—Altercationswith adventurers—Watt’s frequent calls for Boulton’s help—Boulton’sharassments—Proceeds to Cornwall—Watt’s return to Birmingham—Hisdespondency—Boulton sustains the firm—Orders forengines from abroad—William Murdock, his excellencies of character andability—First interview with Boulton and engagement—Sent to Cornwall—Hismode of dealing with the captains—Watt’s altercations withthe Cornishmen—His reliance on Boulton—Altercation with Trevithick | [230–260] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| Lieutenant Henderson in Cornwall—Boulton’s financial embarrassmentsincrease—Boulton and Fothergill—The “Soho pictures”—Watt’sletter-copying machine—Boulton pushes the machine—Demand forcopying-presses—More financial difficulties—Watt’s sufferings and melancholy—MoreCornish engines wanted—Engine-dues—Boulton cheersWatt—Mining adventurers’ meetings—Boulton and Watt take shares—Themines—Boulton organises the mining business—Boulton’s house atCosgarne, Cornwall—Mrs. Watt describes her husband’s miseries andweakness—The engine patent threatened by the Cornish men—Watt onpatent right—The Birmingham Copper Company—Boulton improvesengine-boilers by introducing tubes—His MSS. and drawings concerningmechanical and scientific experiments—His indefatigable industry | [261–284] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| Watt again visits Cornwall—Rotary motion—The crank-engine at Soho—Theftof the invention—Matthew Washborough—Smeaton and steam-power—Rotary-motionengine—Boulton and Watt’s cares—Evasionsof the engine patent—The Hornblowers’ engine—Watt’s new inventions—Boulton’sconfidence in the engine—Air-engine—Watt’s fears forthe patent—The rotary engine invented—New improvements introduced—Theequalising beam—Watt’s ill health and humour—Variousexpedients for producing circular motion—Murdock’s sun-and-planetmotion—Patent taken for the reciprocating expansive engine—Troubleswith workmen—Murdock’s efficiency and popularity—Watt’s despondency—Thefirm’s London agent’s house burnt—Gloomy prospects of themining trade | [285–316] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Financial position of the firm—Rotary engines for mills—Boulton’s battleswith the Cornish adventurers—His life in Cornwall—Murdock and theminers—The Hornblowers’ engine at Radstoke—Watt at Bristol—MajorTucker—Steam mills—Rotary motion applied—The first rotativeengines—Pumping-engines for the Fens—Boulton’s health fails—Hevisits Scotland, Carron ironworks, Lord Dundonald—His extensive correspondence—Grumblingin Cornwall—Concessions to the miners—Pressof work at Soho—Watt’s invention of the parallel motion and thegovernor—Murdock’s model locomotive—Boulton’s praise of Murdock—Morepumping-engines wanted—Boulton’s affection for his children—Letterto his son—His scientific recreations—Domestic enjoyment atCosgarne | [317–341] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Boulton’s action in commercial politics—His interview with Pitt—Agitationagainst Pitt’s commercial policy—The “Irish resolutions”—Watt onfree commerce—Is opposed to political agitation—Combination againstpatents—Fluctuations in the business at Soho—Engine orders fromvarious quarters—The Cornish copper-miners—The Copper Companyformed, and Boulton’s part in it—Riots in Cornwall—Boulton’s lifethreatened—The esteem in which he was held in Cornwall—His intimacywith the Quakers—The Albion Mill scheme—The double-acting enginesfor the mill—Ill-success of the undertaking—Albion Mill burnt down—Demandfor rotative engines—Want of skill and misconduct of workmen—Wedgwood’sadvice to Watt—Speculativeness of Boulton—Hisembarrassments—Watt’s caution in investing—Boulton’s health fails—Hisdepressed spirits—Generosity to Watt | [342–366] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| Friends of Boulton and Watt—The Lunar Society—Provincial scientificsocieties—Distinguished associates of the Lunar Society—Dr. Darwin—Dr.Priestley, his gifts and accomplishments—Josiah Wedgwood—Meetingsand discussions of the Lunar Society—Dr. Priestley’s speculationsand experiments—Composition of water, Watt and Cavendish—Bleachingby chlorine—Sun-pictures—Saint-Fond at Birmingham, hisdescriptions of Watt and Priestley—Decline of the Lunar Society | [367–385] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] | |
| Increasing debasement of the coinage—Punishments for counterfeiting—Birminghamcoiners—Boulton refuses orders for base money—Executesa contract for coin for the East India Company—Applies the steam-engineto coining—Improves the coining apparatus—Political action in relationto base coin—Strikes model coins for inspection of the Privy Council—Opposedby the Mint authorities—Presents model coins to the king—Executescoinage orders for foreign governments—His success—Medalling—Descriptionof the Soho mint—Large consumption of copper in coining—Threatenedattack on Soho by a mob—Boulton executes the newcopper coinage for Great Britain—Erects the new Government Mint onTower Hill, and mints for foreign countries—Watt’s estimate of Boulton’simprovements in coining | [386–399] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] | |
| Prosperity of Soho—Relaxed strain upon Boulton and Watt—Watt’spleasure tours—His interview with the king at Windsor—MatthewRobinson Boulton, and James Watt, jun., join their fathers in the business—Theircharacter and attainments—Boulton and young Watt—YoungBoulton’s return from Paris—The French revolution—The Birminghamriots—Priestley’s house destroyed—Unpopularity of the “Philosophers”—YoungWatt and the Jacobins—Watt’s flight from Paris—Denouncedby Burke—Mr. Watt’s fear for his son’s safety—The sons join theirfathers in partnership—Important services of the young partners—Evasionof engine-dues, resistance of the Cornish mining companies—Legalproceedings and favourable judgments—Progress of the enginebusiness—William Murdock—His valuable services—His engineimprovements—Return to Soho—Invents gas-lighting—Winsor’swonderful schemes—Murdock’s various inventions—Substitute forisinglass, his idea of power wasted in streets, atmospheric railway, &c.—Hisdeath | [400–433] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] | |
| First attempts to construct steamboats—All attempts fail until Watt’s condensingengine invented—The locomotive of Watt and Murdock—WilliamSymington—His model locomotive—Symington at Edinburgh—Steam-enginefor canal-boats proposed by Symington—Miller’s paddle-boats—Symington,Miller, and Taylor co-operate to produce a steamboat—SirJohn Dalrymple’s inquiries of Boulton on the same subject—Boulton’sreply—Symington’s engine finished and fitted in Miller’s boat—Successfulexperiment—Symington makes another engine, further experiments—Millerapplies to Boulton and Watt to join speculation—Watt’s reply—Symington’sengine for the ‘Charlotte Dundas’—Symington’s successfrustrated—Fulton and Bell inspect the ‘Charlotte Dundas’—Fulton’ssteamboat on the Seine—His ‘Nautilus’—His application to JamesWatt, jun.—Boulton’s caution, his letter to Lord Hawkesbury—Fultonorders an engine from Soho for the ‘Clermont’—Its success—HenryBell’s steamboat ‘Comet’—Development of steam-navigation—Firstrendered practicable through Watt’s inventions | [434–455] |
| [CHAPTER XXII.] | |
| Watt withdraws from Soho—Boulton continues his interest in business—Hispatent for raising water—The burglary at Soho—Sir Walter Scottand Boulton—Watt in retirement—Search for investments—Purchasesland—Makes a foreign tour—Death of Mrs. Keir—Painful bereavements—Deathof Dr. Black—Deaths of members of the Lunar Society—Watt’sfamily bereavements—Watt’s studies on the inhalation of gas—GregoryWatt, his brilliant talents—His friendship with HumphryDavy—His excursions and tours—His scientific pursuits—His illnessand death—Davy on Gregory’s death—Death of Professor Robison—Watt’sestimate of Robison—Boulton’s last days, his death and funeral—Hischaracter—Opinions of his contemporaries, Boswell and others,concerning him—Attachment of the workmen—His Mutual AssuranceSociety for the workmen—His powers of organisation—His businessqualities—His strength, courage, and perseverance in fighting the battleof the steam-engine—Watt’s estimate of Boulton—Boulton’s generosity | [456–487] |
| [CHAPTER XXIII.] | |
| Watt’s closing years—His pursuits—His machine for copying statuary—Medallionsof his friends—His garret workshop—Mrs. Watt’s rule overher husband—Tenacious retention of his faculties—Is consulted by theGlasgow Waterworks Company—His visits to Cheltenham and otherplaces—Growth and improvement of Glasgow—Watt’s interview withthe brothers Hart—His conversational powers—Sir Walter Scott’s panegyricon Watt—His extensive and varied knowledge—His anecdotal powers—Fondnessfor novels—Description of him by visitors at Heathfield—Hislast improvements in the sculpture-copying machine—His last illnessand peaceful death—Monumental honours—Lord Brougham’s inscription—Hisqualities and genius—His modesty—His close observation—Factsand theory—Watt and Smeaton compared—Universal applicationof the steam-engine—Conclusion | [488–514] |
| [Index] | [515] |