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第51节

industrial biography-第51节

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eminent distinction as an inventor; and was a large employer of

skilled labour; he looked back with pride to the forging of his early

days in Woolwich Arsenal。  He used to describe with much gusto; how

the old experienced hands; with whom he was a great favourite; would

crowd about him when forging his 〃Trivets;〃 some of which may to this

day be in use among Woolwich housewives for supporting the

toast…plate before the bright fire against tea time。  This was;

however; entirely contraband work; done 〃on the sly;〃 and strictly

prohibited by the superintending officer; who used kindly to signal

his approach by blowing his nose in a peculiar manner; so that all

forbidden jobs might be put out of the way by the time he entered the

shop。



We have referred to Maudslay's early dexterity in trivet…makinga

circumstance trifling enough in itselffor the purpose of

illustrating the progress which he had made in a branch of his art of

the greatest importance in tool and machine making。  Nothing pleased

him more in his after life than to be set to work upon an unusual

piece of forging; and to overcome; as none could do so cleverly as

he; the difficulties which it presented。  The pride of art was as

strong in him as it must have been in the mediaeval smiths; who

turned out those beautiful pieces of workmanship still regarded as

the pride of our cathedrals and old mansions。  In Maudslay's case; his

dexterity as a smith was eventually directed to machinery; rather

than ornamental work; though; had the latter been his line of labour;

we do not doubt that he would have reached the highest distinction。



The manual skill which our young blacksmith had acquired was such as

to give him considerable reputation in his craft; and he was spoken

of even in the London shops as one of the most dexterous hands in the

trade。  It was this circumstance that shortly after led to his removal

from the smithy in Woolwich Arsenal to a sphere more suitable for the

development of his mechanical ability。



We have already stated in the preceding memoir; that Joseph Bramah

took out the first patent for his lock in 1784; and a second for its

improvement several years later; but notwithstanding the acknowledged

superiority of the new lock over all others; Bramah experienced the

greatest difficulty in getting it manufactured with sufficient

precision; and at such a price as to render it an article of

extensive commerce。  This arose from the generally inferior character

of the workmanship of that day; as well as the clumsiness and

uncertainty of the tools then in use。  Bramah found that even the best

manual dexterity was not to be trusted; and yet it seemed to be his

only resource; for machine…tools of a superior kind had not yet been

invented。  In this dilemma he determined to consult an ingenious old

German artisan; then working with William Moodie; a general

blacksmith in Whitechapel。  This German was reckoned one of the most

ingenious workmen in London at the time。  Bramah had several long

interviews with him; with the object of endeavouring to solve the

difficult problem of how to secure precise workmanship in

lock…making。  But they could not solve it; they saw that without

better tools the difficulty was insuperable; and then Bramah began to

fear that his lock would remain a mere mechanical curiosity; and be

prevented from coming into general use。



He was indeed sorely puzzled what next to do; when one of the

hammermen in Moodie's shop ventured to suggest that there was a young

man in the Woolwich Arsenal smithy; named Maudslay; who was so

ingenious in such matters that 〃nothing bet him;〃 and he recommended

that Mr。 Bramah should have a talk with him upon the subject of his

difficulty。  Maudslay was at once sent for to Bramah's workshop; and

appeared before the lock…maker; a tall; strong; comely young fellow;

then only eighteen years old。  Bramah was almost ashamed to lay his

case before such a mere youth; but necessity constrained him to try

all methods of accomplishing his object; and Maudslay's suggestions

in reply to his statement of the case were so modest; so sensible;

and as the result proved; so practical; that the master was

constrained to admit that the lad before him had an old head though

set on young shoulders。  Bramah decided to adopt the youth's

suggestions; made him a present on the spot; and offered to give him

a job if he was willing to come and work in a town shop。  Maudslay

gladly accepted the offer; and in due time appeared before Bramah to

enter upon his duties。



As Maudslay had served no regular apprenticeship; and was of a very

youthful appearance; the foreman of the shop had considerable doubts

as to his ability to take rank alongside his experienced hands。  But

Maudslay soon set his master's and the foreman's mind at rest。

Pointing to a worn…out vice…bench; he said to Bramah; 〃Perhaps if I

can make that as good as new by six o'clock to…night; it will satisfy

your foreman that I am entitled to rank as a tradesman and take my

place among your men; even though I have not served a seven years'

apprenticeship。〃  There was so much self…reliant ability in the

proposal; which was moreover so reasonable; that it was at once

acceded to。  Off went Maudslay's coat; up went his shirt sleeves; and

to work he set with a will upon the old bench。  The vice…jaws were

re…steeled 〃in no time;〃 filed up; re…cut; all the parts cleaned and

made trim; and set into form again。  By six o'clock; the old vice was

screwed up to its place; its jaws were hardened and 〃let down〃 to

proper temper; and the old bench was made to look so smart and neat

that it threw all the neighbouring benches into the shade!  Bramah and

his foreman came round to see it; while the men of the shop looked

admiringly on。  It was examined and pronounced 〃a first…rate job。〃

This diploma piece of work secured Maudslay's footing; and next

Monday morning he came on as one of the regular hands。



He soon took rank in the shop as a first…class workman。  Loving his

art; he aimed at excellence in it; and succeeded。  For it must be

understood that the handicraftsman whose heart is in his calling;

feels as much honest pride in turning out a piece of thoroughly good

workmanship; as the sculptor or the painter does in executing a

statue or a picture。  In course of time; the most difficult and

delicate jobs came to be entrusted to Maudslay; and nothing gave him

greater pleasure than to be set to work upon an entirely new piece of

machinery。  And thus he rose; naturally and steadily; from hand to

head work。  For his manual dexterity was the least of his gifts。  He

possessed an intuitive power of mechanical analysis and synthesis。  He

had a quick eye to perceive the arrangements requisite to effect

given purposes; and whenever a difficulty arose; his inventive mind

set to work to overcome it。



His fellow…workmen were not slow to recognise his many admirable

qualities; of hand; mind; and heart; and he became not only the

favourite; but the hero of the shop。  Perhaps he owed something to his

fine personal appearance。  Hence on gala…days; when the men turned out

in procession; 〃Harry〃 was usually selected to march at their head

and carry the flag。  His conduct as a son; also; was as admirable as

his qualities as a workman。  His father dying shortly after Maudslay

entered Bramah's concern; he was accustomed to walk down to Woolwich

every Saturday night; and hand over to his mother; for whom he had

the tenderest regard; a considerable share of his week's wages; and

this he continued to do as long as she lived。



Notwithstanding his youth; he was raised from one post to another;

until he was appointed; by unanimous consent; the head foreman of the

works; and was recognised by all who had occasion to do business

there as 〃Bramah's right…hand man。〃  He not only won the heart of his

master; butwhat proved of far greater importance to himhe also

won the heart of his master's pretty housemaid; Sarah Tindel by name;

whom he married; and she went hand…in…hand with him through life; an

admirable 〃help meet;〃 in every way worthy of the noble character of

the great mechanic。  Maudslay was found especially useful by his

master in devising the tools for making his patent locks; and many

were the beautiful contrivances which he invented for the purpose of

ensuring their more accurate and speedy manufacture; with a minimum

degree of labour; and without the need of any large amount of manual

dexterity on the part of the workman。  The lock was so delicate a

machine; that the identity of the several parts of which it was

composed was found to be an absolute necessity。  Mere handicraft;

however skilled; could not secure the requisite precision of

workmanship; nor could the parts be turned out in sufficient quantity

to meet any large demand。  It was therefore requisite to devise

machine…tools which should not blunder; nor turn o

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