an autobiography-第35节
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the mountain beneath。 The town of Dudley lies quite close to the castle； and was doubtless protected by it in ancient times。
The architectural remains are of various degrees of antiquity； and are well worthy of study； as embodying the successive periods which they represent。 Their melancholy grandeur is rendered all the more impressive by the coal and iron works with which they are surrounded the olden type of buildings confronting the modern。 The venerable trees struggle for existence under the destroying influence of sulphurous acid； while the grass is withered and the vegetation everywhere blighted。 I sat down on an elevated part of the ruins； and looked down upon the extensive district； with its roaring and blazing furnaces； the smoke of which blackened the country as far as the eye could reach； and as I watched the decaying trees I thought of the price we had to pay for our vaunted supremacy in the manufacture of iron。 We may fill our purses； but we pay a heavy price for it in the loss of picturesqueness and beauty。 I left the castle with reluctance； and proceeded to inspect the limestone quarries in the neighbourhood。 The limestone has long been worked out from underneath the castle； but not far from it is Wren's Nest Hill； a mountain of limestone。 The wrens have left； but the quarries are there。 The walk to the hill is along green lanes and over quiet fields。 I entered one of the quarries opened out in the sloping precipice； and penetrated as far as the glimmer of sunlight enabled me to see my way。 But the sound of the dripping of water from the root of the cave warned me that I was approaching some deep pool； into which a false step might plunge me。 I therefore kept within the light of day。 An occasional ray of the sun lit up the enormous rock pillars which the quarrymen had left to support the roof。 It was a most impressive sight。
Having emerged from the subterranean cave； I proceeded on my way to Birmingham。 I reached the town in the evening； and found most comfortable quarters。 On the following day I visited some of the factories where processes were carried on in connection with the Birmingham trade。 I saw the mills where sheet brass and copper were rolled for the purpose of being plated with silver。 There was nothing in these processes of novel interest； though I picked up many practical hints。 I could not fail to be attracted by the dexterous and rapid manipulation of the work in hand； even by boys and girls whose quick sight and nimble fingers were educated to a high degree of perfection。 I could have spent a month profitably among the vast variety of small traders in metal； of which Birmingham is the headquarters。 Even in what is called 〃the toy trade；〃 I found a vast amount of skill displayed in the production of goldsmith work； in earrings； brooches； gold chains； rings； beads； and glass eyes for stuffed birds； dolls； and men。
I was especially attracted by Soho； once the famous manufacturing establishment of Boulton and Watt。 Although this was not the birthplace* ＇footnote。。。 The birthplace of the condensing engine of Watt was the workshop in the Glasgow University； where he first contrived and used a separate condenserthe true and vital element in Watt's invention。 The condenser afterwards attained its true effective manhood at Soho The Newcomen engine was in fact a condensing engine； but as the condensation was effected inside the steam cylinder it was a very costly source of power in respect to steam。 Watt's happy idea of condensing in a separate vessel removed the defect。 This was first done in his experimental engine in the Glasgow University workshop； and before he had made the one at Kinniel for Dr。 Roebuck。 。。。＇ of the condensing steam…engine it was the place where it attained its full manhood of efficiency； and became the source and origin of English manufacturing power。 Watt's engine has had a greater influence on the productive arts of mankind than any other that can be named。 Boulton also was a thorough man of business； without whom； perhaps； Watt could never have made his way against the world； or perfected his magnificent invention。 Not less interesting to my mind was the memory of that incomparable mechanic； William Murdoch； a man of indomitable energy； and Watt's right…hand man in the highest practical sense。 Murdoch was the inventor of the first model locomotive； and the inventor of gas for lighting purposes； and yet he always kept himself in the background； for he was excessively modest。 He was happiest when he could best promote the welfare of the great house of Boulton and Watt。 Indeed he was a man whose memory ought to be held in the highest regard by all true engineers and mechanics。
The sight which I obtained of the vast series of workshops of this celebrated establishmentfilled with evidences of the mechanical genius of these master mindsmade me feel that I was indeed on classic ground in regard to everything connected with steam…engine machinery。 Some of the engines designed by Wattthe prototypes of the powerful condensing engines of the present daywere still performing their daily quota of work。 There was 〃Old Bess；〃 a sort of experimental engine； upon which Watt had tried many adaptations and alterations； for the purpose of suiting it for pumping water from coal mines。 There was also the engine with the sun…and…planet motion； an invention of William Murdoch's。 Both of these engines were still at work。
I went through the workshops； where I was specially interested by seeing the action of the machine tools。 There I observed Murdoch's admirable system of transmitting power from one central engine to other small vacuum engines attached to the individual machines they were set to work。 The power was communicated by pipes led from the central air or exhaust pump to small vacuum or atmospheric engines devoted to the driving of each separate machine； thus doing away with all shafting and leather belts； the required speed being kept up or modified at pleasure without in any way interfering with the other machines。 This vacuum method of transmitting power dates from the time of Papin； but until it received the masterly touch of Murdoch it remained a dead contrivance for more than a century。
I concluded my visits to the workshops of Birmingham by calling upon a little known but very ingenious man； whose work I had seen before I left Edinburgh； in a beautifully constructed foot turning…lathe made by John Drain。 I was so much impressed with the exquisite design； execution； and completeness of the lathe； that I made it one of my chief objects to find out John Drain's workshop。 It was with some difficulty that I found him。 He was little known in Birmingham。 His workshops were very small； they consisted of only one or two rooms。 His exquisite lathes were not much in demand。 They found their way chiefly to distant parts of the country； where they were highly esteemed。
I found that he had some exquisitely finished lathes completed and in hand for engraving the steel plates for printing bank notes。 They were provided with the means of producing such intricate ornamental patterns as to defy the utmost skill of the forger。 Perkins had done a good deal in the same way； but Drain's exquisite mechanism enabled his engraving lathes to surpass anything that had before been attempted in the same line。 I believe that Drain's earnest attention to his work； in which he had little or no assistance； undermined his health； and arrested the career of one who； had he lived； would have attained the highest position in his profession。 I shall never forget the rare treat which his fine mechanism afforded me。 Its prominent quality was absolute truth and accuracy in every part。
Having now had enough of the Black Country and of Birmingham workshops； I proceeded towards London。 There were no more manufacturing districts to be visited。 Everything now was to be green lanes； majestic trees； old mansions； venerable castles； and picturesque scenery。 There is no way of seeing a country properly except on foot。 By railway you whiz past and see nothing。 Even by coach the best parts of the scenery are unseen。 〃Shank's naig〃 is the best of all methods； provided you have time。 I had still some days to spare before the conclusion of my holiday。 I therefore desired to see some of the beautiful scenery and objects of antiquarian interest before returning to work。
I made my way across country to Kenilworth。 The weather was fine； and the walk was perfect。 The wayside was bordered by grassy sward。 Wide and irregular margins extended on each side of the road； and noble trees and untrinnned hedges； in their glowing autumnal tint； extended far and wide。 Everything was in the most gloriously neglected and therefore highly picturesque condition。 Here and there old farmhouses and labourers' cottages peeped up from amidst the trees and hedges worthy of the landscape painter's highest skill。
I reached Kenilworth about half an hour before sunset。 I made my way direct to the castle； glorious in its decay。 The fine mellow glow of the setting sun lit up the grand and extensive ruins。 The massive Norman keep stood up with melancholy dignity； and attracted my attention more than any
