  | CHAPTER I. | | Anecdote of Matthew Boulton and George III.—Roger Bacon on steam power—Early inventors, their steam machines and apparatus—Hero of Alexandria, Branca, De Caus—The Marquis of Worcester—His water-works—His imprisonment—His difficulties—The water-commanding engine—His “Century of Inventions”—Obscurity of descriptions of 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 pumps and fire-engines—His privations and death—Dr. Dionysius Papin—His digester—Experiments on the power of steam—His steam-engine—Proposed steamboat—Early schemes of paddle-boats—Blasco Garay—Papin’s model engine and boat—Destroyed by boatmen—Papin’s death | 27–38 | | CHAPTER III. | | Thomas Savery—The Savery family—Savery’s mechanical experiments and contrivances—His paddle-boat—Treatise on ‘Navigation Improved’—Cornish mines and the early pumping machinery—Savery’s “Fire-engine”—Exhibition of his model—Explanations in the ‘Miner’s Friend’—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 of Dartmouth—His study of steam-power—Correspondence with Dr. Hooke of the Royal Society—Newcomen’s experiments—Assisted by John Calley—Newcomen’s atmospheric engine—Newcomen and Calley erect their first engine—Humphrey Potter the turn-cock boy’s contrivance—Engines erected at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Leeds, and Cornwall—Wheal Fortune engine—Mr. William Lemon—Joseph Hornblower—Jonathan Hulls and steam propulsion of ships—His steamboat—Extended use of the Newcomen engines in Cornwall and northern mining counties—Payne, Brindley, and Smeaton, improvers of the steam-engine | 59–76 | | CHAPTER V. | | James Watt, his birthplace and lineage—His grandfather the mathematician—Cartsdyke and Greenock in the last century—James Watt’s father—His multifarious occupations—His mother—Watt’s early years—His fragile constitution—Sent to school—His first visit to Glasgow—His indulgence in storytelling—His boyish ingenuity—His home education—The Stuart rebellion—Watt’s love of scientific pursuits—Sent to Glasgow to learn the trade of mathematical-instrument maker | 77–95 | | CHAPTER VI. | | Glasgow in 1754—The Glasgow tobacco lords—The early clubs, and social habits of the merchants—Watt’s master—Leaves Glasgow, and proceeds to London on horseback—Is placed with a mathematical-instrument maker—His progress in learning the trade—Frugal living in London—Danger from pressgangs—His infirm health—Returns to Scotland—Refused permission to begin business in Glasgow—Gains asylum in the College—His workshop there—Makes musical instruments—His various reading and studies—Intercourse with the professors—Intimate relations of Watt with Robison—Robison’s estimate of Watt | 96–116 | | CHAPTER VII. | | Robison and Watt’s conferences on the power of steam—Dr. Black and latent heat—Watt’s experiments on steam—His apparatus—The college model of the Newcomen engine arrives from London—Watt’s experiments upon it—His difficulties and perseverance—His instrument-making business improves—Takes a partner and opens a shop in the Salt Market—His marriage—Continued experiments on steam—His Sunday walk on Glasgow Green, and his first idea of the condensing engine—His experiments with the model, and successive difficulties—Anecdote of Watt and Robison and the new apparatus—The model engine—Removes to a cellar and erects a working engine—Mechanical and financial difficulties | 118–137 | | CHAPTER VIII. | | Watt’s introduction to Dr. Roebuck—Begins business as surveyor—Surveys canals—Partnership with Roebuck in the engine—Difficulties in constructing the engine—Watt’s visit to Kinneil—A patent determined on—Watt’s despondency—Continues his improvements—Learns German—Correspondence with Dr. Small—Specification of patent lodged—Watt erects a trial engine—The washhouse behind Kinneil—The engine completed—Its defects—Roebuck’s embarrassments—Watt accepts engagement to superintend canal works—Employed in various surveys—Designs Hamilton Bridge—Supplies plans for dock and pier at Port Glasgow 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—The Boulton family—Matthew Boulton begins business—His trade correspondence—His marriage—His love of business—Snow-hill and Soho—Partnership with Fothergill—Aims at excellence in his productions—Emulates Wedgwood—Surpasses French art-manufacturers—His royal and noble patrons—Employs the best artists—Visits of foreigners at Soho—Extension of business—Promotes canals—His vast business—Commercial panic—Boulton’s scientific pursuits | 161–181 |
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