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第77节

industrial biography-第77节

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disastrously ended; the two youths determined to try their fortune in

the country; and with aching hearts they started next morning before

daylight。  Their hopes had been suddenly crushed; their slender funds

were nearly exhausted; and they scarce knew where to turn。  But they

set their faces bravely northward; and pushed along the high road;

through slush and snow; as far as Hertford; which they reached after

nearly eight hours' walking; on the moderate fare during their

journey of a penny roll and a pint of ale each。  Though wet to the

skin; they immediately sought out a master millwright; and applied

for work。  He said he had no job vacant at present; but; seeing their

sorry plight; he had compassion upon them; and said; 〃Though I cannot

give you employment; you seem to be two nice lads;〃 and he concluded

by offering Fairbairn a half…crown。  But his proud spirit revolted at

taking money which he had not earned; and he declined the proffered

gift with thanks; saying he was sorry they could not have work。  He

then turned away from the door; on which his companion; mortified by

his refusal to accept the half…crown at a time when they were reduced

almost to their last penny; broke out in bitter remonstrances and

regrets。  Weary; wet; and disheartened; the two turned into Hertford

churchyard; and rested for a while upon a tombstone; Fairbairn's

companion relieving himself by a good cry; and occasional angry

outbursts of 〃Why didn't you take the half…crown?〃  〃Come; come; man!〃

said Fairbairn; 〃it's of no use crying; cheer up; let's try another

road; something must soon cast up。〃  They rose; and set out again; but

when they reached the bridge; the dispirited youth again broke down;

and; leaning his back against the parapet; said; 〃I winna gang a bit

further; let's get back to London。〃  Against this Fairbairn

remonstrated; saying 〃It's of no use lamenting; we must try what we

can do here; if the worst comes to the worst; we can 'list; you are a

strong chapthey'll soon take you; and as for me; I'll join too; I

think I could fight a bit。〃  After this council of war; the pair

determined to find lodgings in the town for the night; and begin

their search for work anew on the morrow。



Next day; when passing along one of the back streets of Hertford;

they came to a wheelwright's shop; where they made the usual

enquiries。  The wheelwright; said that he did not think there was any

job to be had in the town; but if the two young men pushed on to

Cheshunt; he thought they might find work at a windmill which was

under contract to be finished in three weeks; and where the

millwright wanted hands。  Here was a glimpse of hope at last; and the

strength and spirits of both revived in an instant。  They set out

immediately; walked the seven miles to Cheshunt; succeeded in

obtaining the expected employment; worked at the job a fortnight; and

entered London again with nearly three pounds in their pockets。



Our young millwright at length succeeded in obtaining regular

employment in the metropolis at good wages。  He worked first at

Grundy's Patent Ropery at Shadwell; and afterwards at Mr。 Penn's of

Greenwich; gaining much valuable insight; and sedulously improving

his mind by study in his leisure hours。  Among the acquaintances he

then made was an enthusiastic projector of the name of Hall; who had

taken out one patent for making hemp from bean…stalks; and

contemplated taking out another for effecting spade tillage by steam。

The young engineer was invited to make the requisite model; which he

did; and it cost him both time and money; which the out…at…elbows

projector was unable to repay; and all that came of the project was

the exhibition of the model at the Society of Arts and before the

Board of Agriculture; in whose collection it is probably still to be

found。  Another more successful machine constructed By Mr。 Fairbairn

about the same time was a sausage…chopping machine; which he

contrived and made for a pork…butcher for 33l。  It was the first order

he had ever had on his own account; and; as the machine when made did

its work admirably; he was naturally very proud of it。  The machine

was provided with a fly…wheel and double crank; with connecting rods

which worked a cross head。  It contained a dozen knives crossing each

other at right angles in such a way as to enable them to mince or

divide the meat on a revolving block。  Another part of the apparatus

accomplished the filling of the sausages in a very expert manner; to

the entire satisfaction of the pork…butcher。



As work was scarce in London at the time; and our engineer was bent

on gathering further experience in his trade; he determined to make a

tour in the South of England and South Wales; and set out from London

in April 1813 with 7l。  in his pocket。  After visiting Bath and Frome;

he settled to work for six weeks at Bathgate; after which he

travelled by Bradford and Trowbridge …  always on footto Bristol。

From thence he travelled through South Wales; spending a few days

each at Newport; Llandaff; and Cardiff; where he took ship for

Dublin。  By the time he reached Ireland his means were all but

exhausted; only three…halfpence remaining in his pocket; but; being

young; hopeful; skilful; and industrious; he was light of heart; and

looked cheerfully forward。  The next day he succeeded in finding

employment at Mr。 Robinson's; of the Phoenix Foundry; where he was

put to work at once upon a set of patterns for some nail…machinery。

Mr。 Robinson was a man of spirit and enterprise; and; seeing the

quantities of English machine…made nails imported into Ireland; he

was desirous of giving Irish industry the benefit of the manufacture。

The construction of the nail…making machinery occupied Mr。 Fairbairn

the entire summer; and on its completion he set sail in the month of

October for Liverpool。  It may be added; that; notwithstanding the

expense incurred by Mr。 Robinson in setting up the new

nail…machinery; his workmen threatened him with a strike if he

ventured to use it。  As he could not brave the opposition of the

Unionists; then all…powerful in Dublin; the machinery was never set

to work; the nail…making trade left Ireland; never to return; and the

Irish market was thenceforward supplied entirely with English…made

nails。  The Dublin iron…manufacture was ruined in the same way; not

through any local disadvantages; but solely by the prohibitory

regulations enforced by the workmen of the Trades Unions。



Arrived at Liverpool; after a voyage of two dayswhich was then

considered a fair passageour engineer proceeded to Manchester;

which had already become the principal centre of manufacturing

operations in the North of England。  As we have already seen in the

memoirs of Nasmyth; Roberts; and Whitworth; Manchester offered great

attractions for highly…skilled mechanics; and it was as fortunate for

Manchester as for William Fairbairn himself that he settled down

there as a working millwright in the year 1814; bringing with him no

capital; but an abundance of energy; skill; and practical experience

in his trade。  Afterwards describing the characteristics of the

millwright of that time; Mr; Fairbairn said〃In those days a good

millwright was a man of large resources; he was generally well

educated; and could draw out his own designs and work at the lathe;

he had a knowledge of mill machinery; pumps; and cranes; and could

turn his hand to the bench or the forge with equal adroitness and

facility。  If hard pressed; as was frequently the case in country

places far from towns; he could devise for himself expedients which

enabled him to meet special requirements; and to complete his work

without assistance。  This was the class of men with whom I associated

in early lifeproud of their calling; fertile in resources; and

aware of their value in a country where the industrial arts were

rapidly developing。〃*

 'footnote。。。

Lecture at DerbyUseful Information for Engineers; 2nd series; p。

212。

 。。。'



When William Fairbairn entered Manchester he was twenty…four years of

age; and his hat still 〃covered his family。〃  But; being now pretty

well satiated with his 〃wandetschaft;〃as German tradesmen term

their stage of travelling in search of trade experience;he desired

to settle; and; if fortune favoured him; to marry the object of his

affections; to whom his heart still faithfully turned during all his

wanderings。  He succeeded in finding employment with Mr。 Adam

Parkinson; remaining with him for two years; working as a millwright;

at good wages。  Out of his earnings he saved sufficient to furnish a

two…roomed cottage comfortably; and there we find him fairly

installed with his wife by the end of 1816。  As in the case of most

men of a thoughtful turn; marriage served not only to settle our

engineer; but to stimulate him to more energetic action。  He now began

to aim at taking a higher position; and entertained the ambition of

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