A Family Group, being Portraits of the Marquis of Worcester with Margaret his second wife, and their infant daughter Mary. Engraved by J. Cochran.
EDWARD SOMERSET, SECOND MARQUIS OF WORCESTER,
Born about 1601. Died 3rd. April, 1667
WITH MARGARET, HIS SECOND WIFE, WHO DIED 26TH. JULY, 1681, AND THEIR ONLY DAUGHTER MARY, WHO DIED AN INFANT.
Drawn by Henry Dircks, C.E. from the Original of Hanneman in the Collection of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort
THE
LIFE, TIMES,
AND
SCIENTIFIC LABOURS
OF THE SECOND
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.
TO WHICH IS ADDED, A REPRINT OF HIS
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS,
1663,
with a Commentary thereon,
BY
HENRY DIRCKS, ESQ.,
CIVIL ENGINEER, ETC. ETC.
Inventas aut qui vitam excoluÊre per artes.
Quinque sui memores alios fecere merendo.
Virgil.
How few men of genius are there who have not been the victims of misfortune!
Sir Egerton Brydges, Bart.
LONDON:
BERNARD QUARITCH, 15 PICCADILLY.
1865.
Armorial bearings of His Grace the Duke of Beaufort
TO
THE MOST NOBLE
Henry Charles FitzRoy,
DUKE OF BEAUFORT,
MARQUIS AND EARL OF WORCESTER,
EARL OF GLAMORGAN, VISCOUNT GROSMONT,
BARON HERBERT OF CHEPSTOW, RAGLAND, AND GOWER,
BARON BEAUFORT OF CALDECOT CASTLE, AND
BARON DE BATTETCOURT,
ETC. ETC. ETC.
My Lord Duke,
This pre-eminence, due to his high intellectual gifts in constructive ingenuity, distinguishes him not only amongst the illustrious descendants of Plantagenet, but renders it impossible to name his compeer, either among the highest nobility, or the most eminent scientific celebrities of Europe, during the last two centuries. Indeed, it may be justly said, that ancient lineage, noble descent, illustrious titles, even when crowned with all the glories of martial deeds, or senatorial honours, fade into comparative insignificance before the enduring renown, which it is alone the prerogative of original genius to confer on the memory of men remarkable for their discoveries in arts conducive to the elevation of mankind in the scale of being.
The History of Science from the days of Archimedes presents a vast phalanx of men mighty in genius; but foremost in this intellectual group ranks the Marquis of Worcester, the originality, independence, and grandeur of whose mechanical conceptions have acquired a world-wide celebrity; for he it was who first evoked that Titanic power, which, through successive improvements, consequent on the accumulated ingenuity of two hundred years, has given to the present age the modern Steam-engine.
It may be freely conceded that, stupendous as he himself pronounced the parent engine to be, it was, nevertheless, only as the acorn compared to the time-honoured monarch of the forest. Just as the existence of the plant is dependant on that of the seed, so, had the Engine he constructed never existed, we might have been unacquainted even to this day with the mechanical application of steam.
Living at a period when Civil War convulsed this country, and unhappily brought severe suffering on all who were conspicuous for their loyalty, the Marquis of Worcester, in common with the Royalist party, had to succumb to intolerant rulers. For while Cromwell enjoyed an income of £2,500 per annum, derived from a portion of his Lordship’s princely estates, the Protector proudly granted to The Inventor of the Steam Engine, a weekly stipend of Three pounds!
Unfortunately, the Restoration of the monarchy contributed but little to ameliorate his Lordship’s sad condition; while his enthusiasm led him to sacrifice those personal comforts which his declining years would seem to have absolutely required; rather than jeopardize operations depending on his great invention.
In offering for your Grace’s approval this first effort to realize a connected memoir of your Grace’s immortal ancestor, it is unnecessary to dwell on the fact of its matter being chiefly derived from very scattered sources, and often from but fragmentary materials, though in every instance the very best available authorities have been consulted; among which, the unique collection of Manuscripts, so freely and obligingly submitted for the present purpose by your Grace, being given entire, forms the most valuable and interesting portion. I sincerely regret my own insufficiency to do complete justice to this comprehensive labour. The result of my researches, however, may gratify your Grace’s curiosity, and prove interesting in respect to many early family details. And if my own earnestness of purpose, in prosecuting this attempt, does not mislead me, I may venture to hope, that the Memoir will not only meet with your Grace’s favourable reception, but prove, at the same time, acceptable to the general public.
With warm acknowledgments of heart-felt obligation to your Grace, for the exceedingly handsome and liberal manner in which manuscripts and paintings have been placed at my disposal,
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace’s most obliged,
And most humble, obedient servant,
HENRY DIRCKS.
Blackheath, Kent,
January, 1865.
