an autobiography-第24节
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〃giants in those days。〃 This grand style of armour was in use from the time of the Conquest； and was most effective in the way of protection； as it was fitted by its flexibility to give full play to the energetic action of the wearer。 It was infinitely superior to the senseless plate…armour that was used； at a subsequent period； to encase soldiers like lobsters。 The chain…armour I saw at Carron left a deep impression on my mind。 I never see a bit of it； or of its representation in the figures on our grand tombs of the thirteenth century； but I think of my first sight of it at Carron and of the tremendous conflict at Bannockburn。
Remembering； also； the impressive sight of the picturesque fire…lit halls； and the terrible…looking； cumbrous machinery which I first beheld on a grand scale at Carron； I have often regretted that some of our artists do not follow up the example set them by that admirable painter； Wright of Derby； and treat us to the pictures of some of our great ironworks。 They not only abound with the elements of the picturesque in its highest sense； but also set forth the glory of the useful arts in such a way as would worthily call forth the highest power of our artists。
To return to my life at Edinburgh。 I was now seventeen years old。 I had acquired a considerable amount of practical knowledge as to the use and handling of mechanical tools； and I desired to turn it to some account。 I was able to construct working models of steam…engines and other apparatus required for the illustration of mechanical subjects。 I began with making a small working steam engine for the purpose of grinding the oil…colours used by my father in his artistic work。 The result was quite satisfactory。 Many persons came to see my active little steam…engine at work； and they were so pleased with it that I received several orders for small workshop engines； and also for some models of steam…engines to illustrate the subjects taught at Mechanics' Institutions。
＇Image＇ Sectional model of condensing steam…engine。 By James Nasmyth
I contrived a sectional model of a complete condensing steam…engine of the beam and parallel motion construction。 The model； as seen from one side； exhibited every external detail in full and due action when the flywheel was moved round by hand； while； on the other or sectional side； every detail of the interior was seen； with the steam…valves and air…pump； as well as the motion of the piston in the cylinder； with the construction of the piston and the stuffing box； together with the slide…valve and steam passages； all in due position and relative movement。
The first of these sectional models of the steam…engine was made for the Edinburgh School of Arts； where its uses in instructing mechanics and others in the application of steam were highly appreciated。 The second was made for Professor Leslie； of the Edinburgh University； for use in his lectures on Natural Philosophy。 The professor had； at his own private cost； provided a complete and excellent set of apparatus； which； for excellent workmanship and admirable utility； had never； I believe； been provided for the service of any university。 He was so pleased with my addition to his class…room apparatus； that； besides expressing his great thanks for my services； he most handsomely presented me with a free ticket to his Natural Philosophy class as a regular student； so long as it suited me to make use of his instruction。 But far beyond this； as a reward for my earnest endeavours to satisfy this truly great philosopher； was the kindly manner in which he on all occasions communicated to me conversationally his original and masterly views on the great fundamental principles of Natural Philosophy especially as regarded the principles of Dynamics and the Philosophy of Mechanics。 The clear views which he communicated in his conversation； as well as in his admirable lectures； vividly illustrated by the experiments which he had originated； proved of great advantage to me； and I had every reason to consider his friendship and his teaching as amongst the most important elements in my future success as a practical engineer。
Having referred to the Edinburgh School of Arts； I feel it necessary to say something about the origin of that excellent institution。 A committee of the most distinguished citizens of Edinburgh was formed for the purpose of instituting a college in which working men and mechanics might possess the advantages of instruction in the principles on which their various occupations were conducted。 Among the committee were Leonard Horner； Francis Jeffrey； Henry Cockburn； John Murray of Henderland； Alexander Bryson； James Mline； John Miller； the Lord Provost； and various members of the Council。 Their efforts succeeded； and the institution was founded。 The classes were opened in 1821； in which year I became a student。
In order to supply the students； who were chiefly young men of the working class； with sound instruction in the various branches of science； the lectures were delivered and the classes were superintended by men of established ability in their several departments。 This course was regularly pursued from its fundamental and elementary principles to the highest point of scientific instruction。 The consecutive lectures and examinations extended； as in the University； from October to May in each year's session。 It was； in fact； our first technical college。 In these later days when so many of our so…called Mechanics' Institutes are merely cheap reading…clubs for the middle classes； and the lectures are delivered for the most part merely for a pleasant evening' s amusement； it seems to me that we have greatly departed from the original design with which Mechanics' Institutions were founded。
As the Edinburgh School of Arts was intended for the benefit of mechanics； the lectures and classes were held in the evening after the day's work was over。 The lectures on chemistry were given by Dr。 Fyfe an excellent man。 His clearness of style； his successful experiments； and the careful and graphic method by which he carried his students from the first fundamental principles to the highest points of chemical science； attracted a crowded and attentive audience。 Not less interesting were the lectures on Mechanical Philosophy； which in my time were delivered by Dr。 Lees and Mr。Buchanan。 The class of Geometry and Mathematics was equally well conducted； though the attendance was not so great。
The building which the directors had secured for the lecture…hall and class…rooms of the institution was situated at the lower end of Niddry Street； nearly under the great arch of the South Bridge。 It had been built about a hundred years before； and was formerly used by an association of amateur musicians； who gave periodical concerts of vocal and instrumental music。 The orchestra was now converted into a noble lecture table； with accommodation for any amount of apparatus that might be required for the purposes of illustration。 The seats were arranged in the body of the hall in concentric segments； with the lecture table as their centre。 In an alcove fight opposite the lecturer might often be seen the directors of the institution Jeffrey； Horner； Murray； and otherswho took every opportunity of dignifying by their presence this noble gathering of earnest and intelligent working men。
A library of scientific books was soon added to the institution； by purchases or by gifts。 Such was the eagerness to have a chance of getting the book you wanted that I remember standing on many occasions for some time amidst a number of applicants awaiting the opening of the door on an evening library night。 It was as crowded as if I had been standing at the gallery door of the theatre on a night when some distinguished star from London was about to make his appearance。 There was the same eagerness to get a good place in the lecture…room； as near to the lecture table as possible； especially on the chemistry nights。
I continued my regular attendance at this admirable institution from 1821 to 1826。 I am glad to find that it still continues in active operation。 In November 1880 the number of students attending the Edinburgh School of Arts amounted to two thousand five hundred！ I have been led to this prolix account of the beginning of the institution by the feeling that I owe a deep debt of gratitude to it； and because of the instructive and intellectually enjoyable evenings which I spent there； in fitting myself for entering upon the practical work of my life。
The successful establishment of the Edinburgh School of Arts had a considerable effect throughout the country。 Similar institutions were established； lectures were delivered； and the necessary illustrations were acquiredabove all； the working models of the steam…engine。 There was quite a run upon me for supplying them。 My third working model was made to the order of Robert Bald； for the purpose of being presented to the Alloa Mechanics' Institute； the fourth was manufactured for Mr。 G。 Buchanan； who lectured on mechanical subjects throughout the country； and the fifth was supplied to a Mr。 Offley； an English gentleman who took a fancy for the model when he came to purchase some of my father's works。
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