Part 14 (1/2)

I ements which I was quick to take up and appreciate I carried it out with great advantage in my after life It was, to record subjects of conversation by raphic”

memoranda Almost daily, persons of note came to consult with him about machinery On these occasions the consultations took place either with reference to proposed neork, or as to the progress of orders then in hand Occasionally so poas under discussion, or so h and rapid sketches are made on any stray pieces of waste paper that were about, and after the conversation is over the papers are swept away into the waste basket and destroyed

And yet soreat interest and importance for after consultations

To avoid such losses, Mr Field had always placed upon his table a ”talking book” or ”graphic diary” When his visitors called and entered into conversation with him about mechanical es of the book, and entered the brief particulars and date of the conversation, together with the name and address of the visitor So that a conversation, once begun, ain be referred to, and, when the visitor called, the graphic ht be recalled without loss of ties of Mr Field's ”talking books” were inThey contained data that, in future years, supplied valuable evidence in respect to first suggestions of mechanical contrivances, and which sometimes were developed into very i books”

on a shelf in front of his drawing table The back of each volume was marked with the year to which the entries referred, and an index was appended to each A general index book was also placed at the end of the goodly range of these graphic records of his professional life

The coines occupied ust 1831 I had then arrived atfurther as an assistant or a journeyin business for in in a very sratified with my decision Not only so; but he kindly per-lathes in the workshops I knew th at when I had fitted it up it would becoeny of descendants--not only in the direct line, but in planinglathes, and many other rateful farewell of Mr Field and his partners, I set sail for Leith with h in due time In order to proceed with the construction of hton It was at the rear of lass's small foundry, and was only about five minutes' walk fromby 16 feet wide

I removed thither my father's foot-lathe, to which I had previously added an excellent slide-rest ofI also added a ”slow motion,” which enabled reat Maudslay lathe I soon had the latter cosurfaces in theby 1 foot 8 inches wide Arenerally useful tools, and by so itimate descendants crowded about my little workshop, so that I often did not knohich way to turn

[Ih

I had one labourer to drive the wheel which gavelathe; but I was very much in want of so hearty fellow called upon me He had co heard of what I was about, he offered his services When he told ht, and that he could handle the plane and the saell as the chisel and the file, I closed with his a week I liked the young man very much--he was so hearty and cheerful His naenerally called during the twenty years that he remained in my service I obtained another assistant in the person of a young ht into practical engineering I was offered a premium of 50 for twelve ed to take the young eneral principles and practice of engineering The 50 preed thethe tih I found it necessary, however, to take in soular way of business, in order to supplymy proper supply of tools

The chief of these extraneous and, Ia rotary steaine of this sort He was a dangerously enthusiastic man, and entertained the most visionary ideas as to steam power

He was of opinion that his own contrivance was more compact and si power froiven quantity of fuel, than the best stea but an actual proof would satisfy hiently requestedoffer of weekly payine He only required that I should give his invention the benefit of my careful workmanshi+p

He considered that this would be sufficient to substantiate all his enthusiastic expectations I was thus seduced to accept his order

I s, and proceeded with the work At the sah at a retarded pace The weekly payularly made, and I was kept in a sort of financial ease After three ine was finished to the inventor's coave out was coine, the verdict as to consuine Nevertheless, the enthusiastic projector, ”tho' vanquished he would argue still,” insisted that the merits of his contrivance would sooner or later cause it to be a ines As he was pleased with its performances, I had no reason to be dissatisfied I had done my part in the matter, and Mr Steen had done his His punctual weekly payments had assisted me in the completion ofready for starting business on my own account

My choice lay between Liverpool and Manchester I had seen both of these cities while onof the Liverpool and Manchester Railway I now proceeded to visit theain I was fortified with valuable introductions to leading reat kindness and hospitality I have heard a great deal about the ingratitude and selfishness of the world It ood fortune, but I have never experienced either of those unfeeling conditions On the whole I have found a great deal of unselfish kindness as

They have often turned out of their way to do rateful for the unwearied kindness, civility, and generosity of the friends Imy stay in Lancashi+re

It was a question which would be the best place to settle in-- Liverpool or Manchester I had seen striking evidences of the natural aptitude of Lancashi+re workmen for every sort of y while at work I compared them with the workmen whom I had seen in London, and found they of character; their enuity was more inventive I felt assured that in either Liverpool or Manchester--the centres of coy--I could settle doith my liet on, helped by energy, self-reliance, and deter tools was considerable, and that their production would soon becoht be carried on with little expenditure of capital, as the risks were small and the returns were quick I resolved to cultivate that moderate and safe class of mechanical business, at all events at the outset

I first went to Liverpool I presented my letter of introduction to Mr Roscoe, head of the Mersey Steel and Iron Coood advice I called upon Edward Berry, engineer, and also upon William Fawcett, who had received me with soalso the friendly reception which I received froh, and had during that time met with some kindness frorateful effusion; and added his personal introduction, with that ofmen in Liverpool I may mention that Dr Sillar was the son of Burns's ”Brother Poet” Davie, to who the other well-known , an intelligent and enterprising ironfounder He was an extensivepans used in the West Indies He had also given his attention to the introduction of iron into buildings of different sorts Being a man of artistic taste he had even introduced cast-iron into Gothic architecture In order to exhibit, in an impressive form, the uses of his favourite ant church in the northern part of Liverpool

[footnote

So far as I can recollect, the name of the church was St James's

It exhibited a very early introduction of iron as an important eleely introduced into enerally

Cast-iron was introduced, not only in the material parts of the structure, but into the Gothic columns and Gothic tracery of the s, as well as into the lofty and elegant spire Iron was also employed in the external ornamental details, where delicate yet effective decoration was desirable The faner of the church; and the whole details of the building--of which cast-iron formed the principal material-- were executed to his entire satisfaction

[footnote

So far as I can recollect, the name of the church was St James's

It exhibited a very early introduction of iron as an important eleely introduced into enerally

My introduction to Mr Cragg led to an acquaintance, and then to a friendshi+p When the ice was broken which was very soon--he toldfrom the more active part of his business Whether he liked my looks or not I do not know; but, quite unexpectedly, heoffer to enter his works as his successor He had already aht do the same I could only thank him most sincerely for his kindness

But, on carefully thinking the matter over, I declined the proposal

My principal reason was, that the special nature of his foundry work did not quite harmonise with my desire to follow the more strictly ht I had a brighter prospect of success before ainst Did I throay ? The reader will be able to judge froes But to the last

[footnote

Mr Cragg died in 1853, aged 84