UC-NI 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
THE 
 
 CENTURY OF INVENTIONS 
 

 " A practical mathematician, who has quickness to seize a 
 hint, and sagacity to apply it, might avail himself greatly of 
 these scantlings. It is extremely probable, that Savery took 
 from the Marquis the hint of the Steam Engine, for raising 
 water with a power made by fire, which invention alone 
 would entitle the author to immortality." Granger's Biog. 
 Hist. vol. v. p. 278. 
 
 " Here it may not be amiss to recommend to the atten- 
 tion of every mechanic the little work entitled a ' Century of 
 Inventions/ by the Marquis of Worcester, which, on account 
 of the seeming improbability of discovering many things 
 mentioned therein, has been too much neglected ; but when 
 it is considered that some of the contrivances apparently not 
 the least abstruse, have, by close application been found to 
 answer all that the Marquis says of them, and that the first 
 hint of that most powerful machine, the Steam Engine, is 
 given in that work, it is unnecessary to enlarge on the utility 
 of it." Trans, of' the Society of Arts, vol. iii. p. 6. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED BY C. RO WO II Til, I'. I I.I. YAT5U, 
 TKMPLE BAR. 
 
THE 
 
 CENTURY OF INVENTIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MARQUIS OF ^WORCESTER. 
 
 FROM THE ORIGINAL MS. 
 
 HISTORICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES AND 
 A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR. 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES F. PARTINGTON, 
 
 AUTHOR OF A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE STEAM ENGINE, 
 
 AND LECTURER AT THE 
 LONDON, RUSSEL, SURREY, AND METROPOLITAN INSTITUTIONS, 
 
 MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, &c. &c. 
 
 LONDON : 
 JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET. 
 
 MDCCCXXV. 
 
T44 
 
 TO 
 
 DOCTOR GEORGE BIRKBECK, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE LONDON MECHANICS* INSTITUTION 
 
 AND OF THE CHEMICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL 
 
 SOCIETIES, FOUNDER AND PATRON OF THE 
 
 GLASGOW MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, 
 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 As a connecting link in the History 
 of the STEAM ENGINE, I know that your at- 
 tention has been directed to the Marquis of 
 Worcester's CENTURY OF INVENTIONS, and 
 that its merits were duly appreciated by you 
 at a very early period of Life. That these 
 Illustrations of one of the most valuable sci- 
 entific productions of the seventeenth cen- 
 tury, may deserve your favourable notice, 
 
( vi ) 
 
 and prove an acceptable present to the ex- 
 tensive class of Readers which your patriotic 
 exertions are now so rapidly adding to the 
 Scientific World, is the sincere wish of, 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 Your faithful and obliged 
 
 humble Servant, 
 CHARLES F. PARTINGTON. 
 
 London Institution, 
 Feb. 6th, 1825. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 OF 
 
 EDWARD 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR 
 
 OF 
 
 E DWARD 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 
 
 THERE are few persons who have suffered 
 more from party zeal, or gained less from 
 historic candour, than the noble subject of 
 the following brief memoir. Indeed no 
 regular biographer has yet appeared to do 
 justice to his zealous exertions in the cause 
 of his unfortunate but misguided master, or 
 his still more patriotic efforts for the advance- 
 ment of scientific knowledge. All, however, 
 who have in any shape alluded, either to 
 the political principles, religious tenets, or 
 scientific acquirements of the Marquis of 
 Worcester, appear to have been guided 
 
X BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 rather by a spirit of fanatic intolerance, or a 
 wish to clear King Charles from the heavy 
 responsibility which attached to instructions 
 given under his own hand and seal, when 
 the Marquis was employed in Ireland. These 
 then appear to have been the concurring 
 causes, that have so long withheld from the 
 noble Author the veneration his memory so 
 justly merits ; and we now proceed to follow 
 him through his short but active career in 
 public life. 
 
 Edward, sixth earl and second Marquis 
 of Worcester, was born at Ragland near 
 Monmouth ; and his family, who had long 
 been distinguished for the most devoted 
 loyalty, possessed the largest landed estate 
 of any nobleman attached to the British 
 court. His grandfather Edward, fourth Earl 
 of Worcester, enjoyed in a most distin- 
 guished degree the favour of Queen Eliza- 
 beth, and her successor King James. In 
 1593, he was instituted Knight of the Garter, 
 and received a pension of fifteen hundred 
 pounds per annum for life. Sandford de- 
 scribes him as " a great favourer of learning 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. xi 
 
 and good literature :" he died in the 79th 
 year of his age, at Worcester House, in the 
 Strand ; and was buried in Ragland church. 
 
 Henry, the fifth earl, and father of the 
 Marquis, succeeded to the title and estates 
 in 1628: the family revenue derived from 
 those in Monmouthshire alone, at this period 
 amounting to upwards of twenty-thousand 
 pounds per annum. In 1642, the year in 
 which he was created Marquis of Worcester, 
 he raised and supported an army of 1500 
 foot, and near 500 horse-soldiers, which were 
 placed under the command of his son Lord 
 Herbert, the subject of this Memoir. 
 
 During the civil commotions, Charles 
 made several visits to Ragland castle, where 
 he was entertained with the greatest mag- 
 nificence,* and on those occasions particu- 
 larly distinguished the young Lord Herbert. 
 
 * Some idea of the almost REGAL splendour of the 
 noble possessor of Ragland castle at this period, and 
 an interesting picture of baronial manners in the early 
 part of the seventeenth century, may be found in the 
 following authentic document, which has been ac- 
 curately copied from the original MS. 
 
xii BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 On an open rupture taking place between 
 the King and Parliament, his Majesty in- 
 vested Lord Herbert with the command of 
 a large body of troops then raising in his 
 native country, and an opportunity was soon 
 offered for calling his military talents into 
 
 LIST OF THE HOUSEHOLD, &c. 
 
 At eleven o'clock in the forenoon the castle gates 
 were shut, and the tables laid, viz. two in the dining- 
 room, three in the hall, one in Mrs. Watson's apart- 
 ment, where the chaplains eat, (Sir Toby Matthews 
 being the first,) and two in the house-keeper's room, 
 for the ladies women. 
 
 The EARL entered the dining-room attended by his 
 gentlemen. 
 
 As soon as he was seated, Sir Ralph Blackstone, 
 steward of the house, retired. 
 
 The comptroller, Mr. Holland, attended with his 
 staff, as did the sewer, the daily waiters, and many 
 gentlemen's sons, with estates from two to seven hun- 
 dred pounds a year, who were bred up in the castle : 
 and my lady's gentlemen of the chamber. 
 At the first table, sat 
 
 The noble family, and such of the nobility as came 
 there. 
 
 At the second table, in the dining-room, sat 
 
 Knights and honourable gentlemen, attended by 
 footmen. 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. xiH 
 
 action. Prince Rupert, shortly after the 
 battle of Marston Moor, directed his atten- 
 tion towards the Marches of Wales, which 
 awakening the jealousy of the Parliamentary 
 
 In the hall, at the first table, sat 
 
 Sir Ralph Blackstone, Steward The Comptroller. 
 The Secretary The Master of the Horse The Master 
 of the Fish Ponds, my Lord Herbert's preceptor, with 
 such gentlemen as came there under the degree of a 
 knight, attended by footmen, and plentifully served 
 with wine. 
 
 At the second table in the hull, served from my Lord's 
 table, and with other hot meats, sat 
 
 The Sewer, with the gentlemen waiters, and pages, 
 to the number of twenty-four. 
 
 At the third table in the hall, sat 
 
 The Clerk of the Kitchen, with the yeomen, officers 
 of the house, two grooms of the chamber, &c. 
 The other officers of the household, were 
 
 Chief Auditor Clerk of the Accounts Purveyor of 
 the Castle Ushers of the Hall Closet Keeper 
 Gentlemen of the Chapel Keeper of the Records 
 Master of the Wardrobe Master of the Armoury 
 Twelve master Grooms of the Stables, for the War 
 horses Master of the Hounds Master Falconer- 
 Porter and his man two keepers of the Home Park 
 two keepers of the Red deer Park and footmen, grooms, 
 and other menial servants, to the number of one hun- 
 dred and fifty! 
 
XIV BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 General Massey, he by a feigned counter- 
 movement surprised the city of Monmouth, 
 which had always been considered as the key 
 of South Wales, and thus threw the in- 
 habitants of Ragland into the greatest con- 
 fusion and alarm. 
 
 On the first intelligence of the fall of 
 Monmouth reaching the Marquis, he de- 
 spatched Lord Herbert with a considerable 
 body offerees, who joining a troop of cava- 
 liers from Godridge, lodged themselves un- 
 discovered behind a rising ground near that 
 city. A party of about forty men, who 
 volunteered for the occasion, were headed 
 by Lord Herbert, and proceeded to recon- 
 noitre the town. Having climbed an earthen 
 redoubt which had been thrown up by the 
 Parliamentary forces, they passed the ditch 
 and fell upon the guard, who were imme- 
 diately put to the sword, and a few seconds 
 more sufficed for breaking the port-chain 
 and forcing an entry for the horse, who, 
 having by this time joined their brave com- 
 rades, entered the town at full gallop ; sur- 
 rounding the main guard, the whole of whom 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XV 
 
 they took prisoners. The result of this 
 brilliant and chivalrous enterprise was the 
 capture of Colonel Broughton, four captains, 
 as many lieutenants and ensigns, the com- 
 mittee, all the private soldiers, and a con- 
 siderable quantity of arms and ammunition. 
 So signal a display of bravery and devo- 
 tedness to the royal cause in the young 
 cavalier procured from his Majesty the 
 warmest commendations ; and in the month 
 of January, 1644, he had the honour to 
 receive his first commission to negotiate 
 with the Irish Catholics ; while at the same 
 time he was recommended by the king to 
 the Earl of Ormonde, as one whose loyalty 
 might be relied upon. With regard to his 
 Lordship's fitness for this appointment, there 
 can be but one opinion: educated among 
 Catholics, and as such not likely to excite 
 the same suspicions as would naturally attach 
 to any negotiation with their avowed enemy, 
 the Earl of Ormonde, and possessing con- 
 siderable influence at the court of Rome, he 
 seemed peculiarly qualified to fill the office 
 of mediator; and having become popular 
 
Xvi BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 with the people at home by his known libe- 
 rality and patriotism, the appointment was 
 not likely to excite much dissatisfaction on 
 the part of the Puritans. 
 
 The deranged state of his Majesty's affairs, 
 which were now growing desperate from the 
 continued advantages of the rebels in Ire- 
 land, and his still more violent and fanatic 
 subjects at home, rendered it necessary 
 that some sacrifices should be made to con- 
 ciliate the Irish Catholics; as he would 
 thus procure a powerful and efficient force 
 to aid him against the Covenanters. In 
 proof of his anxiety on this subject, there 
 were no less than eight letters written by 
 the king himself, beside those of his secre- 
 taries, pressing for a speedy adjustment of 
 the differences that had so long agitated the 
 sister kingdom. 
 
 The first commission under the great seal 
 was dated the sixth of January, and furnished 
 the Marquis with full power to levy any 
 number of men in Ireland or elsewhere ; to 
 make governors efforts, &c.; and to receive 
 the king's rents. Upon the twelfth of March 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XVH 
 
 following, the Marquis received another 
 commission, equally as extensive as the pre- 
 ceding ; a copy of which is preserved by 
 Rushworth, in his Collections, which we here 
 subjoin. 
 
 " CHARLES R. 
 
 " CHARLES, by the grace of God, of 
 England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, 
 Defender of the Faith, &c., to our trusty 
 and well beloved cousin, EDWARD Earl of 
 Glamorgan, greeting. We, reposing great 
 and especial trust and confidence in your 
 approved wisdom and fidelity, do by these 
 presents, as firmly as under our Great Seal, 
 to all intents and purposes, authorise, and 
 give you power to treat and conclude with 
 the confederate Roman Catholics in our 
 kingdom of Ireland, if upon necessity any 
 be to be conscended unto, wherein our lieu- 
 tenant (the Earl of Ormonde) cannot so well 
 be seen in, as also not fit for us at present 
 publicly to own. Therefore we charge you 
 to proceed according to this our warrant 
 with all possible secrecy ; and for whatso- 
 b 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 ever you shall engage yourself, upon such 
 valuable considerations as you in your judg- 
 ment shall deem fit, we promise, upon the 
 word of a king and a Christian, to ratify and 
 perform, the same that shall be granted by 
 you and under your hand and seal ; the said 
 confederate Catholics having by their supplies 
 testified their zeal to our service : and this 
 shall be in each particular to you a sufficient 
 warrant. 
 
 " Given at our Court at Oxford, under 
 our Signet and Royal Signature, the twelfth 
 of March, in the twentieth year of our reign, 
 sixteen hundred and forty-five."* 
 
 * His lordship was created Earl of Glamorgan a few 
 days prior to his departure for Ireland, and Carte, 
 who in every point in which Charles was concerned, 
 invariably concealed whatever tended to cast a stain 
 on the king's character, and whose gross partiality in 
 this particular instance we shall hereafter more fully 
 notice, has even questioned the propriety of the Mar- 
 quis's assuming the title of Earl of Glamorgan. To 
 support this argument, it is said that his Majesty 
 ordered Secretary Nicholas to acquaint the Earl of 
 Ormonde, " that, the patent for making Lord Herbert 
 Earl of Glamorgan had never passed the great seal ;' ; 
 and the apologist for Charles, anxious to make the most 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XIX 
 
 Who, it may be asked after perusing this 
 document, will be hardy enough to pro- 
 nounce with Hume that " the king was inca- 
 pable of dissimulation?" especially when 
 coupled with his Majesty's subsequent de- 
 claration to both Houses of Parliament ; in 
 which he expressly says, that the Marquis, 
 having made an offer to raise forces in Ire- 
 land and conduct them into England for his 
 service, had a commission to that purpose ; 
 "but then," adds the king, " it was to that 
 purpose only, and not to treat of any thing 
 else without the privity and direction of the 
 Lord Lieutenant." 
 
 What degree of credit ought to be given 
 to the latter part of his Majesty's declara- 
 tion, is pretty plainly shewn by the follow- 
 
 of this equivocation in the king, adduces it as an ob- 
 jection to the authenticity of the Irish commission. 
 Sandford, however, who in an intimate acquaintance 
 with the history of the royal grants was surpassed by 
 none, says, " that there now remains in the signet office 
 a bill, under the royal sign manual at Oxford, if a 
 patent did not thereupon pass the great seal, in order 
 to his creation into the honour of Earl of Glamorgan.' 7 
 
XX BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 ing letter to the papal legate, which fully 
 accords with the instrument we have just 
 quoted of the twelfth of March : 
 
 SIR, 
 
 Hearing of your resolution for Ire- 
 land, we do not doubt but things will go well, 
 and that the good intentions began by means 
 of the last pope, will be accomplished by the 
 present, by your means in our kingdoms of 
 Ireland and England, you joining with our 
 dear cousin the Earl of GLAMORGAN ; with 
 whom whatever you shall resolve we shall 
 think ourselves obliged to, and perform it at 
 his return. His great merits oblige us to 
 this confidence, which we repose in him 
 above all, having known him above twenty 
 years ; during which time, he hath always 
 signally advanced himself in our good esteem, 
 and by all kind of means carried the prize 
 above all our subjects. This being joined 
 to the consideration of his blood, you may 
 well judge of the passion which we have 
 particularly for him, and that nothing shall 
 be wanting on our part to perfect what he 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XXI 
 
 shall oblige himself to in our name, in con- 
 sideration of the favours received by your 
 means. Confide therefore in him : but in 
 the meanwhile, according to the directions 
 we have given him, how important it is that 
 the affair should be kept secret, there is no 
 occasion to persuade you, since you see that 
 the necessity of the thing requires it. This 
 is the first letter which we have ever wrote 
 immediately to any Minister of State of the 
 Pope, hoping it will not be the last; but 
 that after the said earl and you shall have 
 concerted your measures, we shall openly 
 shew ourself, as we have assured him. 
 Your Friend, 
 
 CHARLES R. 
 
 From our Court at Oxford, 
 30th April, 1645. 
 
 The earl's negotiation had hitherto gone 
 on prosperously, and there was good reason 
 to suppose that he would shortly have 
 brought the rebels to a complete concur- 
 rence with his Majesty's views, when a most 
 unexpected accident disconcerted the whole 
 
Xxii BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 of his schemes. An attempt having been 
 made by the Irish upon Kilkenny about the 
 end of October, 1645, in which the titular 
 Archbishop of Tuam had a command; the 
 rebels were beaten and the prelate killed, in 
 whose baggage was found a copy of the 
 treaty which his Lordship had entered into 
 with the confederate Catholics and the pope's 
 nuncio. Of this discovery immediate infor- 
 mation was furnished to the Parliament, 
 then sitting, which had invariably expressed 
 the greatest aversion to any concession being 
 made to the Catholics ; and the matter be- 
 came so public, that the Lords Ormonde 
 and Digby found it necessary to do some- 
 thing towards the vindication of his Majesty's 
 honour, and to preserve appearances with 
 the Parliament. 
 
 The council having met on the twenty- 
 sixth, Lord Digby appeared at the board} 
 and accusing the Earl of Glamorgan of high 
 treason, moved that he should be immedi- 
 ately committed to the castle. On the 
 following day he was examined by a com- 
 mittee of the council, when he exonerated 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. Xxiii 
 
 his Majesty, and requested that the whole 
 blame of the matter might be attributed to 
 him ; as he had consulted with no one on 
 the subject, but the parties with whom he 
 had made the agreement.* 
 
 When the intelligence of his lordship's 
 imprisonment reached Kilkenny, where the 
 supreme council then held their sittings, the 
 Catholics were thrown into the greatest 
 confusion, and some insisted on an imme- 
 diate recourse to arms for his enlargement. 
 These proceedings, however, were soon 
 stayed by the friends of the Earl of Ormonde, 
 and his lordship was shortly afterwards re- 
 
 * There is scarcely to be found on record, a more 
 enthusiastic instance of loyalty and self-devotion than 
 was exhibited by his lordship on this occasion ; for with 
 the damning proofs which he then possessed of his 
 Majesty's complete concurrence and participation in 
 the whole matter, there could not for an instant have 
 been a doubt of his own honourable acquittal. There 
 was also a certain assurance of procuring the favour of 
 the Parliament : who required nothing more than these 
 documents to colour the proceedings they were then 
 meditating, and which, indeed, afterwards formed one 
 of the principal charges against this ill-fated monarch, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 leased on bail. As soon as this was effected 
 he repaired to Kilkenny, in order to expe- 
 dite the embarkation of a force amounting 
 to about three thousand men, which had 
 been raised for the relief of Chester; and, 
 had there been a sufficient co-operation on 
 the part of the general council, they might 
 have sailed time enough to have afforded 
 the most essential service to the royal cause ; 
 but after repeated delays on their part, in- 
 telligence was brought of the loss of that 
 important city; and the Marquis, finding 
 that his further stay in Ireland was attended 
 with considerable hazard to his own life, 
 without any commensurate benefit to his 
 Majesty, resolved on embarking for France, 
 where he was soon after joined by the exiled 
 queen. 
 
 Immediately after his lordship's depar- 
 ture for the continent, the parliamentary 
 forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax appeared 
 before Ragland ; and being refused admis- 
 sion by the venerable old Marquis, their 
 hostile approaches were carried on with 
 great vigour, in spite of repeated sallies from 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XXV 
 
 the fortress. The gallant veteran, however, 
 finding the garrison, which at first consisted 
 of only 800 men, reduced to less than half 
 that number, surrendered on honourable 
 terms on the 17th August. Notwithstand- 
 ing the pledge given by Sir Thomas Fairfax, 
 the conditions of capitulation were most dis- 
 gracefully violated, and the Marquis was 
 committed to the custody of the Black Rod, 
 where he languished till the December 
 following; when he expired in the eighty- 
 fifth year of his age, and was buried in St. 
 George's Chapel at Windsor. 
 
 In the mean time the fortifications of Rag- 
 land were destroyed, and all the timber in 
 the parks was cut down, and sold by the 
 committee of sequestrations. The lead alone 
 that covered the castle was sold for 6,000 
 pounds, and the loss to the family in the 
 house and woods, has been estimated at not 
 less than 100,000 pounds! 
 
 From the destruction of Ragland castle 
 by the Parliamentary forces, till the begin- 
 ning of 1654-, the earl's name scarcely occurs 
 in the political history of those times ; but 
 
XXvi BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 about that period, we find him attached to 
 the suit of Charles II., who then resided at 
 the court of France: and in the following 
 year he was dispatched by the exiled mo- 
 narch to London, for the purpose of pro- 
 curing private intelligence and supplies of 
 money, of which the king was in the greatest 
 need. He was, however, speedily discovered 
 and committed a close prisoner to the Tower, 
 where he remained in captivity for several 
 years. 
 
 Some idea of the state of indigence to 
 which the Marquis was now reduced may 
 be formed from a perusal of the following 
 Letter, directed to the celebrated Colonel 
 Copley, who was, it appears, one of the noble 
 Author's supporters. 
 
 " Dear Friend, 
 
 " I knowe not with what face to 
 desire a curtesie from you, since I have not 
 yet payed you the five pownds, and the 
 mayne businesse soe long protracted, where- 
 by my reallity and kindnesse should with 
 thankefullnesse appearc ; for though the 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XXvii 
 
 least I intende you is to make up the somme 
 allready promised, to a thousand pownds 
 yearly, or a share ammounting to farr more, 
 (which to nominate before the perfection of 
 the woorke were but an individuum vagum, 
 and therefore I deferre it, and vp'on rioe 
 other score,) yet, in this interim, my dis- 
 apointments are soe great, as that I am 
 forced to begge, if you could possible, ey ther 
 to helpe me with tenne pownds to this bearer, 
 or to make vse of the coache, and to goe to 
 Mr. Clerke, and if he could this daye helpe 
 me to fifty pownds, then to paye yourself 
 the five pownds I owe you out of them. 
 Eyther of these will infinitely oblige me. 
 The alderman has taken three days time to 
 consider of it. Pardon the great troubles I 
 give you, which I doubt not but in time to 
 deserve by really appearing 
 
 " Your most thankful friend 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 28th of March, 1656. 
 
 " To my honored friend 
 
 Collonell Christopher Coppley, 
 These." 
 
XXV111 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 On the king's restoration, the Marquis of 
 Worcester was one of the first to congratu- 
 late his Majesty on the happy event, though 
 the situation of the unfortunate nobleman 
 was little bettered by the change ; indeed it 
 appeared but as the signal for new persecu- 
 tions, as one of the earliest public acts of 
 that ungrateful monarch may be character- 
 ized as an invidious attempt to set aside the 
 just claims of his earliest and best friend. 
 
 In 1660 the House of Lords appointed a 
 committee to consider of the validity of a 
 patent granted to the Marquis of Worcester 
 in prejudice to the Peers, upon the first in- 
 timation of which his Lordship sent a mes- 
 senger to the committee then sitting, stating 
 his willingness to surrender it, and it was 
 shortly afterwards presented to the House 
 by his son Lord Herbert. 
 
 In 1663 appeared the first edition of the 
 noble Author's Century of Inventions, and 
 on the 3d of April in the same year, a bill 
 was brought in for granting to him and his 
 successors the whole of the profits that 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. Xxix 
 
 might arise from the use of an engine, de- 
 scribed in the last article in the Century* 
 Of the merits of the Century of Inven- 
 tions as a literary composition but little can 
 with justice be said; whether, however, as 
 a scientific production, it deserves the cha- 
 racter that has been given of it by men more 
 celebrated for their literary attainments, 
 than for scientific knowledge, the reader, 
 after a perusal of the work, will readily de- 
 termine.f 
 
 * Lord Orford describes this bill to have passed on 
 the " simple affirmation of the discovery that he (the 
 Marquis) had made;" but his lordship's palpable want 
 of candour in this statement will be apparent when it 
 is known that there were no less than seven meetings 
 of committees on the subject, composed of some of the 
 most learned men in the house, who, after considerable 
 amendments, finally passed it on the 12th of May. 
 Vide, Journals of the Lords and Commons for 1663-4. 
 
 f A popular author, to one of whose mistatements 
 we alluded in a preceding note, describes the Marquis 
 as " a fantastic projector," and his " Century as an 
 amazing piece of folly." Having however, in the notes 
 appended to this work, fully demonstrated not only 
 the practicability of applying the major part of the in- 
 ventions there described, but the absolute application 
 
XXX BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF 
 
 The Marquis likewise published a work 
 entitled " An Exact and true Definition of the 
 most stupendous Water-commanding Engine, 
 invented by the Right Honourable (and de- 
 servedly to be praised and admired) Edward 
 Somerset Lord Marquis of Worcester, and 
 by his Lordship himself presented to his most 
 excellent Majesty Charles II., our most 
 gracious Sovereign." This was published 
 
 of many of them, though under other names, to some 
 of the most useful purposes of life ; we shall leave it to 
 the public to judge, whether the man who first dis- 
 covered a mode of applying steam as a mechanical agent, 
 an invention alone sufficient to immortalize the age in 
 which he lived, deserves the name of a fantastic pro- 
 jector. 
 
 The second edition of the " Century" was published 
 in 1746; the third in 1767: while the fourth, which 
 may be considered as the best edition, is a reprint from 
 the first, and is furnished with an appendix " containing 
 an Historical Account of the Fire Engine for Raising 
 Water." It is dated Kyo, near Lancaster, June 18, 
 1778. The fifth is a reprint from the Glasgow copy, 
 " by W. Bailey, Proprietor of the Speaking Figure, 
 now showing, by permission of the Right Hon. the 
 Lord Mayor, at No. 42, within Bishopsgate," 1786. 
 The sixth edition was confined to 100 copies, and 
 dated London 1813. 
 
EDWARD MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. XXXI 
 
 in a small quarto volume consisting of only 
 twenty-two pages, and is now become ex- 
 tremely rare. 
 
 His lordship survived the publication of 
 this work but two years ; as he died in retire- 
 ment near London upon the third of April 
 1667. His remains were conveyed with 
 funeral solemnity to the cemetery of the 
 Beaufort family in Ragland church ; where 
 he was interred on Friday the nineteenth of 
 the same month, near the body of his grand- 
 father, Edward Earl of Worcester. The 
 coffin was placed in an arched stone vault, 
 with the following inscription on a brass 
 plate : 
 
 " Depositum Illustrissimi Principis Ed- 
 wardi Marchionis et Comitis Wigorniae, 
 Comitis de Glamorgan, Baronis Herbert de 
 Raglan, Chepstow et Gower, nee non sere- 
 nissimo nuper Domino Regi Carolo primo, 
 Southwallia3 locum tenentis: qui obiit 
 apud Lond. tertio die Aprilis, An. Dom. 
 MDCLXVII." 
 
ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 AND 
 
 OFFICIAL PAPERS, 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PRECEDING MEMOIK 
 
 THE manuscripts from whence the an- 
 nexed documents have been selected, are 
 now in the possession of his Grace the Duke 
 of Beaufort ; and the Editor would be want- 
 ing in justice to another distinguished mem- 
 ber of the same noble family, did he omit to 
 acknowledge the great kindness which he 
 has received from Lord Granville Somerset, 
 who has materially assisted the Editor in 
 illustrating the labours of his very ingenious 
 ancestor. 
 
XXXIV ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 GLAMORGAN 
 
 I heerew th send you the rest of my 
 dispatches for Ireland, whether I praye 
 hasten, time beeing most considerable. I 
 am sensible of the dangers y u will undergoe, 
 and y e greate trouble and expences you must 
 be at, not being able to assiste y w who 
 have already spent aboue a Million of 
 Crowns in my service, neither can I saye 
 more then I well rememb r to have spoke and 
 written to you that allready words could not 
 expresse your merits nor my gratitude: and 
 that next to my wife and children I was most 
 bound to take care of you. whereof I have 
 besides others particularly assured yo r Cosin 
 Biron as a person deare unto you. What 
 I can further thinke at this pnt is to send 
 y w the Blue Ribben, and a Warrant for the 
 Title of Duke of Somerset both w ch accept 
 and make vse of at your discretion, and if 
 you should deferre y e publishing of either 
 for a whyle to avoyde envye, and my being 
 importuned by others yet I promise yo r An- 
 tiquitie for y e one and your Pattent for y e 
 other shall beare Date with the Warrants. 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. XXXV 
 
 And rest assured, if God should crosse me 
 w th your miscarrying I will treate your Sonne 
 as myne owne, and that y 11 labour for a deare 
 freind as well as a thankefull Master when 
 tyme shall afford e meanes to acknowledge, 
 ho'v much I am 
 
 Yo r most assured reall constant 
 and thankfull freind 
 
 Charles R. 
 
 Oxford Feb. 12, 1644. 
 
 Oxford this seconde of January 1644 
 Severall Heades whereupon you our 
 Right trusty and right welbeloved 
 Cosen Edward Earle of Glamorgan 
 may securely proceede in execution 
 of our Commands. 
 
 First you may ingage y r estate, interest 
 and creditt that we will most really and 
 punctually perforate any our promises to the 
 
XXXVI ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 Irish, and as it is necessary to conclude a 
 Peace suddainely, soe whatsoever shall be 
 consented unto by our Lieutenant the Mar- 
 quis of Ormond, We will dye a thousand 
 deaths rather than disannull or breake it, 
 and if vpon necessity any thing be to be 
 condescended unto, and yet the Lord Mar- 
 quis not willing to be scene therein, as not 
 fitt for us at the present publickely to owne, 
 doe you endeavour to supply the same. 
 
 If for the encouragement of the Lord 
 Marquis of Ormond you see it needefull to 
 have the Guarter sent him, or any further 
 favour demonstrated from vs vnto him, we 
 will cause the same to be performed. 
 
 If for the advantage of our service you 
 see fitt to promise any titles, even to the 
 Titles of Earles in eyther of our Kingdomes, 
 vpon notice from you we will cause the same 
 to be performed. 
 
 For the Maintenance of our Army vnder 
 y r Confaund we are gratiously pleased to 
 allowe the Delinquentes estates where you 
 overcome, to be disposed by you, as alsoe 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. XXXVii 
 
 any our revenues in the sayd places, Cus- 
 tomes or other, our profitts, woods and the 
 like w th the contributions. 
 
 Whatever Townes or places of importance 
 you shall thinke fitt to possesse you shall 
 place Com" aunders and Governours therein 
 at y r pleasure. 
 
 Whatever Order we shall sende you (w ch 
 you are only to obey) We give you leave to 
 impart the same to y r Counsill at Warr and 
 if they and you approve not thereof We 
 give you leave to replye, and soe fan shall 
 we be from taking it as a disobedience, that 
 we conf aunde the same. 
 
 At y r returne we will accept of some 
 officers vpon y r reconfendation, to the ende 
 noe obstacle or delay may be in the exe- 
 cution of y 1 desires in order to our service, 
 and our confaunds in that behalfe. 
 
 At y r Returne you shall have y e Confaund 
 of South Wales, Herefordshire, and Glo- 
 cester-shire of the Welsh-side returned to 
 you in as ample manner as before. 
 
 In y r abscence we will not give creditt or 
 
XXXV111 ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 countenance to any thing, w ch may be pre- 
 iudiciall to y r Father, you, or yours 
 C. R. 
 
 HERBERT 
 
 I wonder, you are not yet gone 
 for Ireland ; but since you have stayed all 
 this time, I hope these will ouertake you, 
 whereby you will the more see the great 
 trust and confidence I repose in your integ- 
 rity, of which I have had soe long and soe good 
 experience; commanding yow to deale with 
 all ingenuity and freedome with our Lieu- 
 tenant of Ireland the Marquis of Ormond, 
 and on the word of a King and a Christian I 
 will make good any thing, which our Lieu- 
 tenant shall be induced unto upon your per- 
 suasion : and if you find it fitting, you may 
 privately shew him these, which I intend not 
 as obligatory to him, but to myselfe, and for 
 both your encouragements and warrantise, 
 in whom I repose my cheefest hopes, not 
 having in all my Kingdomes two such sub- 
 jects; whose endeauours joining, I am con- 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. XXXIX 
 
 fident to be soone drawen out of the mire, I 
 am now enforced to wallow in; and then 
 shall I shew my thankfullnesse to you both, 
 and as you have nuer failed mee, soe shall 
 I neuer faile you, but in all things shew how 
 much I am 
 
 Oxforde the 12th 
 of March 1644. 
 
 HERBERT 
 
 I am confident that this honest 
 trusty bearer will give you good satisfaction 
 why I have not in euerie thing done as you 
 desired, the wante of Confidence in you 
 beeing so farre from beeing y e cause thereof 
 that I am euery daye more and more con- 
 firmed in the trust that I have of you, for 
 beleeve me it is not in the power of any to 
 make you suffer in my opinion by ill Offices, 
 but of this and diuers other things I have 
 given so full Instructions that I will saye no 
 more, but that I am 
 
 Yo r most assured constant freind 
 CHARLES R. 
 
 Oxford 26 Feb. 1645. 
 
xl ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 GLAMORGAN 
 
 I am glad to heare that you are 
 gone to Ireland and assure y u that as my 
 selfe is nowyse dishartened by our late mis- 
 fortune so neither this Country; for I could 
 not have expected more from them, then 
 theye have now freely undertaken though I 
 had come hether absolute Victorious w ch 
 makes me hope well of y e neighbouring 
 Sheeres. So that (by y e grace of God) I 
 hope shortly to recover my late losse with 
 aduantage if such succours come to me from 
 that Kingdome w ch I have reason to expect, 
 but the circumstance of time is that of thegreat- 
 est consequence, beeing that which is cheef- 
 liest and earnestliest recommended you by 
 Your most assured reall constant 
 freind 
 
 CHARLES R. 
 
 Her ford 23 June 1645. 
 
 GLAMORGAN 
 
 I have no time nor do you expect 
 that I should make unnecessary repetitions 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. xli 
 
 to you wherefore referring you to Digby for 
 business this is onlie to giue you assurance 
 of my constant freindship to you which con- 
 sidering the generall Defection of common 
 honesty is in a sorte requisite howbeit I 
 knowe y u cannot be but confident of my 
 making good all instructions and promises to 
 you 
 
 Y r most assured constant freind 
 
 CHARLES R. 
 
 Oxford 5 Aprile 1646 
 
 HENRIETTE MARIE R 
 
 Nous henriette Marie de bourbon 
 Regne de la grande Bretagne auons par 
 1'ordre du Roy notre tres honore Seigneur 
 et Mary fait deliurer es mains de notre tres 
 cher et bien ame cousin Edouard Somer 'et 
 Comte et Marquis d Worcester un collier 
 de Rubis contenant dix gros Rubis et cent 
 soixante perles enchassees et confilees en or 
 entre les dits Rubis comme aussy deux gros 
 diamans 1'un appelle Sancy et 1'autre le Por- 
 
xlii ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 tugal, confessans qu'outre les tres grandes de- 
 penses faites par luy, pour le dit Roy notre 
 tres honore Seigneur, il nous a encore fourny 
 trois cens soixante et dix mil liures tournois 
 outre les tres grancls seruices qu'a ce present 
 mesme il nous fait qui sont au moins d'egale 
 consequence, au regard de quoy nous faisons 
 scauoir que le dit collier et Diamans sont 
 totalement pour en disposer par luy soit par 
 uente on engagement, sans que nous, ou 
 aucun en notre nom puisse en faire aucune 
 demande, Rechercher ou troubler aucune 
 personne qui achetera ou prestera argent 
 sur les dits Joyaux cy dessus nommez en 
 temoignage de quoy rious auons Signe et 
 fait mettre notre Seel Royal a cette presente 
 a notre Cour a St Germain en Laye ce 
 Jourdhuy 20 May mil six cens quarente 
 huiet. 
 
 L. S. 
 
 (The Royal Arms.) 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. xliii 
 
 To the Kinges most Exelent Mai iie The 
 humble Petition of all the Deputy 
 Lieutenants Justices of the Peace the 
 Knights fy Burgises for Parliam* 
 setting for the Countie of Monmouth 
 indeede of all the Gentry fy Co- 
 monalty Freehoulders and other in- 
 habitence within the said Countie 
 nemine contradicente but una voce 
 most humbly 
 Sheweth 
 
 That whereas y e Right hon ble our 
 very good Lord the now Earle and Mar- 
 quisse of Worcester after about twenty yeares 
 absence comforteth and honoureth us w th 
 his p r sence to y e great satisfaction of all 
 your Maj ties most loyall & devote d subjects, 
 Wee become most humble petition" to your 
 Gratious and most sacred Maj tie that you 
 wilbe pleased to incuredge his Exelency to 
 make his cheife residance heer, which by 
 longe and suffitient experience wee well 
 know will much conduce to your Maj ties 
 intherest, and seruice, and to the good and 
 great satisfaction not onely of this but of 
 
xliv ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 all y e adjacent Counties, his Lords p having 
 always been a disinterested Governor and 
 freind to us all, as most espetially a most 
 faithfull zealouse and powerfull promoter of 
 seruices to y e Crowne, yett with care and 
 sweetnesse euer shewed towards your Maj ties 
 Loyall subjects, and nowayes partiall to 
 those of his owne perswation and religion, 
 where ever his Excelency hath had command 
 looking but vpon his kings intherest and y e 
 peoples justifiable pretentions neither can 
 his greatest enimies make appeare y e least 
 profe to y fi contrary. 
 
 May itt therefore please yo\ir most Exce- 
 lent Maj tie vpon this our most humble peti- 
 tion suplycat 5 to Joyne his Lords?? with his 
 most deseruing sonne, the Lord Herbert, in 
 the Liuetenancie of this Countie, and wee 
 esteeme it wille soe far from derogateing 
 from my Lord his Sonne who we must hon r 
 that it wilbe an adifon of coumfort and hon r 
 to his LordsPP to have his beloued father 
 Joyned with him, as his Grandfather was 
 with his Father the Lord Privie Scale, that 
 wise and stout Privie counsellor: his Lords? 1 " 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. xlv 
 
 great grandfather and predecessor neither 
 doe wee looke with lesse awfullriesse and 
 respect vpon our now Lord Marquisse of 
 Worcester, if he reside amonghst us in a 
 poore Grange of his then whilst he dwelt in 
 his most sumptuous Castle of Ragland, like 
 a Prince attended, esteemeing his now pouer- 
 tie in respect of his then opulancie, but as a 
 badge of Loyaltie, and as readilie and cheer- 
 fully shall wee obey his commands who our 
 harts attend, as much as then, if Impower d 
 by your Gratious Maj tie to bee our Joynt 
 Lord Lieutenant which hon r and power wee 
 most humbly begg may be againe conferred 
 upon his Excelency. 
 
 And wee shall euer pray, &c. 
 
 May it please y r Grace 
 
 The obiections yow were pleased 
 to make against the owning and subscribing 
 y e Letter to his Ma tie were as I humbly con- 
 ceaue y r Graces resolution not to trouble y c 
 
xlvi ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 King for any money businesse euen in your 
 owne behalfe much lesse in an others, and 
 secondly that as for Creations you had 
 absolutely promised his Ma tie you would not 
 importune him againe, to the furst I answeare 
 that this is to save the Kings Coffirs, since 
 certainely if eyther honor or conscience 
 should take place his Ma tie ought to saue 
 me harmelesse from the six thousand pound 
 Confest and proued to be y e Crownes Debt, 
 soe happyly now vpon his Head by your 
 Graces noe lesse prudent and valerous then 
 dutyfull endeauours blest by Devine Proui- 
 dence neuer intending the ruine of his best 
 deseruing subiects, and y e only promoting of 
 his ribells, which the child unborne may rue 
 if not timely preuented, and as a wise Privye- 
 Counsillor y 1 Graces part is to minde his 
 Ma tie soe of, as not totally to disharten I will 
 not say disgust his good subiects well de- 
 sarueing yet that as far as loyalty and Reli- 
 gion will giue them leaue, and I am sory his 
 Ma tie should bedd a diew to workes of super- 
 ergation and loue in his subiects and most 
 Certinely they are not his best Councellers 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. xlvil 
 
 who aduise him to it, and y r Grace will be 
 most Commendable in douing the Contrery, 
 and at long running the King will loue you 
 best for it, soe that this obiection of y r Grace 
 I humbly conceave to be totally solued. 
 
 As for the seconde y r Graces promise not 
 to speake for any more Creations be pleased 
 to vnderstand it rightly, and you are noe 
 motioner of this, you doe but lay before him 
 my reasonable Petition therein, such as in- 
 deed my Lord Chancellor was pleased to 
 thinke soe fitting as he once vndertook it 
 for me, and I am confident will thanke y r 
 Grace for reuiuing of it and in my Con- 
 science soe will y e King too in graunting of 
 it, for I cannot haue soe meane a thought of 
 his Ma tie but that against the hayre he hath 
 binne forced to bistow honoure to the 
 highest degree upon five member men 
 and vpon irth as subscribed to his father 
 of happy memory his death, and that he 
 will thinke mutch to countinance him who 
 only assisted his late Ma' ie to flye from theyr 
 compulsion of him to agree to such acts as 
 would have lefet him selfe our now Gratious 
 
xlviii ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 King y e sucessior of a title of a King of three 
 Kingdoms but to the substance of noe one 
 of them. It was I furnished his Ma tie with 
 money to goe (to) Theobalds to goe to 
 Yorke when the then Marquis of Hamble- 
 ton refused to pay three hundered pound 
 for his Ma tie at Theobalds only to deliuer 
 him to the Parliament, as he had donne the 
 Earle of Strafford, and to * * * the * * * 
 Parliament, It was I carried him money to 
 sett vp his standard at Yorke, and procured 
 my father to giue the then s r John Byron 
 five thousand pound to rayse the first Regi- 
 ment of Horse, and kept a table for aboue 
 twenty Officers at Yorke, which I vnderhand 
 sent thether to keepe them from takeing 
 Conditions from y e Parliament, and soe were 
 ready to accept his. It was I vittled the towre 
 of London & gaue fiue and twenty hundred 
 pound to y e then Lieutenant s r John Byron 
 my Cosin Germain by my first wifes side. 
 It was I raysed most of the Menne at Edge- 
 hill fight, and after I was betrayed at 
 when soe many Gentlemen of Quality were 
 taken and of twenty fiue thousand men first 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. xlix 
 
 & last by me raysed Eight thousand men 
 disperssed by the Contriuance of such as 
 called themselues y e Kings good subiects, 
 and some of them rewarded for it, they were 
 my men weekely payed without takeing a 
 farthing contribution because the country 
 tottered, who tooke in the forest of Deane, 
 Goodredge Castle, Monmouth, Chepstowe, 
 Carlyon and Cardiff from y e Parliament 
 forces, in w ch and y e Garrison of Ragland I 
 can bring profe of aboue an hundered and 
 fifty thousand pounds expended, and in 
 ready Money first & last to y e Kings owne 
 Purse aboue as much more, and of aboue 
 thirty five thousand Pounds Receaued by 
 my father and me Comunely Armes in forty 
 forty two and forty three I have not now 
 fiue and tw r enty hundered and that clogged 
 well, twenty thousand Pounds Crying Debts 
 that keepe me not only from a competent 
 maintenance but euen from sleepe, I speake 
 not heare of aboue three hundered thow- 
 sands pounds which it hath cost y e Noble- 
 men Knights and Gentlmen which ridd 
 in my Life Guarde for ther comporting 
 d 
 
1 ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 they makeing amongst them aboue three- 
 score thousand Powntis yearly of Land of 
 inheretance and I vpon my interest with 
 seauen Countys had begune an Engagement 
 of above three hundered thousand Pounds 
 yearly land of inhiretance against my returne 
 with men from beyonde the sea in which 
 endeauours my charges have beine vast, 
 besides hazard by sea euen of shipwracke 
 and by Land of deadly encounters, I doe 
 not trouble y r LOP with, but all this being 
 true to a tittle as vpon my word and honour 
 dearer to me then my life I advouche it, I 
 cannot doubt but y r Grace will call for a 
 peane to signe y c Letter, and if you please 
 sende this together with it, and rest assured 
 that if the King refuse my request I will 
 neuer importune you more, nor euer sett my 
 foote into his Ma tics Court againe vnlesse ex- 
 pressly comanded by him for his seruice, 
 otherwise I will only heartyly pray for him 
 but neuer hereafter shall I or any freind of 
 mine engage for him further, then y e simple 
 duty of a Loyall subiect sitting quiettly at 
 home noe ways breake the peace or dis- 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. H 
 
 obying the wholsom lawes of the land, and 
 god seande him better and more able sub- 
 iects to searve his Ma tie then my selfe, wil- 
 linger I am sure he cannot, and I beseeche 
 y r Grace to pardon me if passion hath a 
 little transported me beyonde good man- 
 ners, and lay what pennance you please vpon 
 me soe it tende not to lessen y r Graces be- 
 liefe that I am 
 
 Y 1 Graces 
 Most really denoted freind 
 
 and seruant ever to obey you 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 Dec. 29th, 1665. 
 
 My deare Lord, my heart is yet full 
 froughted and I can say much more for my- 
 selfe, were I not ashamed of giueing y r Grace 
 soe great a trouble with my scribling, which 
 I will thus ende, promising to smoother as 
 long as may be my deplorable condition, and 
 worse vsage, but it will at last fly ouer the 
 whole world to the disheartining of all zelous 
 and Loyall subiects, vnlesse such a true 
 hearted Englishman and fathful seruant as 
 
 a 2 
 
IH ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 y r Grace doe awaken his Ma tie out of the 
 leturgie my eriimies have cast him not to 
 be sensible of what I have done or suffered. 
 Cardinall Mazarine presented me to his King, 
 with these woords " S r who soeuer hath 
 Loyalty or Religion in recommendation must 
 honour this well Borne Person," and Queene 
 Mother now Dowager hath often sayd to 
 have heard her husband say that next to her 
 and his Children he wass bound to take a 
 care of me of whom it may be now verified 
 qui iacet in terra non habet vnde cadet, I am 
 cast to the Ground I can fall noe lower.* 
 
 To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, 
 The most humble Petition of Edward 
 Marquis of Worcester. 
 Sheweth 
 
 That yo r petitioner overwhelmed 
 with the very, very much he hath to say, 
 fearefull too long to detaine y r sacred Ma** 
 therewith from the more serious affaires hum- 
 
 * The above Letter, as appears by the envelope, was 
 directed to his Grace the Duke of Albermarle, 
 
AND OFFICIAL FAPERS. liii 
 
 bly prayeth that you wilbe pleased to refer 
 him to be heard by the Lord high Chan- 
 cellor of England, The Lord privie seale, 
 The Duke of Alnferle, the Earle of Lother- 
 dale, the Lord Arlington, the Lord Ashley, 
 and Mr. Secretary Morris, or to such of 
 them, or other persons, as yo r Ma^ shall 
 thinke fitt, and that vppon their Report yo r 
 Ma fc y will vouchsafe to doe with yo r petitioner, 
 or to yo r petitioner, what they in the peti- 
 tioners behalfe, and congruous to yo r service 
 shall finde reasonable, and consonant with 
 yo r petitioners meritts or demeritts, the peti- 
 tioner most intirely submitting to your will 
 and pleasure, Casting himselfe vppon yo r 
 Ma e y es goodnesse, noe wayes standing vppon 
 his deserts, though really found never soe 
 many not thought of, or hetherto kept from 
 yo r Ma e y es knowledge, your peti r doth not 
 say through envy or malice, since perhaps 
 through ignorance such ignorance notwith- 
 standing as the divines call ignorantia crassa, 
 but whatsoever in quality or number, his 
 services were, they were but due to such a 
 gratious King and Master as yo r 
 
liv ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 Father of happy memory was to yo r peti- 
 tioner, and to yo r incomparable selfe, and 
 therefore acknowledgeth they fall farr shorte 
 of his true loyalty and devotion to either and 
 being once rightly made knowne and p r sented 
 to yo r sacred Maiesty yo r petitioner pro- 
 miseth himselfe noe lesse incouragement for 
 the future from your Ma fc y nor lesse abilities 
 in himselfe to become as useful as formerly, 
 and as disinterresedly to serve you, Neither 
 shall any thing for the future dismaye, or in 
 any kinde deterr, your petitioner, from that 
 his resolution, but from the bottome of his 
 
 heart 
 
 He shall ever pray, &c. 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
 Att y c Court att Hampton Court Jan. 29th 
 
 1666. 
 
 His Ma^ is graciously pleased to referr 
 and reconfend the Peticoner to bee heard 
 by the within named Lords Referrees or to 
 any fower or more of them, and they to give 
 their Report to his Ma^ as soon as conve- 
 niently may bee. 
 
 ARLINGTON. 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPEfcS. Iv 
 
 MADDAM 
 
 I did not thinke I should have had 
 the occation to have troubled you with an 
 other Letter but I am soe little sattisfyed 
 with yours in what I required conscerninge 
 my monyes that I cannot thinke a survilous 
 paper an equal ballance for soe waighty and 
 iust a debt : I confesse I have hard of a new 
 way to pay ould debts but certainly this is 
 the newest, I belieue your Ladiship is one 
 of the first that euer tryd it : itt may bee al a 
 mode, but truely I doe not like the fashion, 
 though itt may bee others doe : To answare 
 your Letter, first for your Religion I medle 
 not with itt It conscerns not mee ; if I have, 
 certainely I have done rather an hon r to itt 
 then an iniury: for I belieu'd soe well of 
 your Religion that itt tought noe man to 
 distroy his faith, Hon r , and Christianety ; 
 which my Lord hath done in his engagement 
 to mee I onely speake of him I pray you 
 Maddam lett mee aske, what is hon r if 
 broken ? tis easely answared noe hon r , what 
 is itt to pretend a faith in Jesus Christ, to be 
 call'd a Christian, and to breake that faith, 
 
Ivi ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 and likewise forfitt that Christianety, he's 
 noe Christian and whereas you say I wronge 
 the memory of the late Kinge (I know 
 not upon what grounds) Maddam you doe 
 mee wronge, I serve the memory of that 
 Royall Martyr, equall to any hee that lives : 
 I pray you did his Ma tie euer engage his 
 faith, hon r , and Christianety, to pay any 
 debts, where in he fail'd; Maddam vnder 
 fauour I must say you doe his incomparable 
 ashes iniury. You likewise tell mee noe 
 gallant pearson wilbeleiue but that my Lord 
 will pay mee when hee hath itt, tis a large 
 extent, and for ought I know may reach to 
 Dooms day ; tis small satisfaction to expect 
 a certaine debt att such an vncertaine pay- 
 ment. Maddam you haue the priueledge 
 of a Woeman in speakinge of my Loyalty, 
 noe man can, nor dare tax itt, for my pub- 
 lishinge any thinge that consoernes your 
 Lord, tis his owne actions that causeth mee 
 to report those truths : You say my Lord 
 hath spent more in his Ma tics seruice than 
 any Protestant, I dare say there has beinc 
 ten thousand loyall faithfull Protestants hath 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. Ivii 
 
 spent as much : where of I am one, for wee 
 have spent, and lost all wee had to our pro- 
 portions, tis as much as hee (the widowes 
 mite will make itt good) and in soe doinge 
 wee did but our dutyes, and wee ought not 
 to obraide the King with itt, tis vnhandsome 
 to expect Sallery for a lawfull duty. Your 
 Ladyship saith that I reported my Lord 
 gaue mee counterfitt plates, I confesse hee 
 gaue mee some plates, and forced them upon 
 mee, hee likewise borrowed them of mee 
 againe, resoluinge to returne them within 
 too dayes, but he hath not restored them to 
 this day, I heare since that my Lord hath 
 sould them : I hope hee will confesse that 
 noe man of Hon r did euer such an action 
 before, allthough he was ready to starue, 
 and for his giuinge mee false plate, I must 
 deny itt for I neuer said itt, but this I did 
 say, that when I was at his Lordsp's house 
 he showed mee some plates, that was not 
 the same that hee had formerly giuen mee 
 for the first was beaten, and the latter was 
 cast, if that was counterfitt, I sayd itt, and 
 that ile iustify. for your friuolous paper, I 
 
Iviii ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 dare say your reconcil'd iudgment doth re- 
 pent the sendinge of itt, I have shewed it to 
 diners of your religion, and they condemne 
 you for itt, likewise the paper, nor can the 
 Kinge of Englande giue you thanks for itt. 
 But his royall Mother beinge a Roman 
 Catholique, my hon r and admiration of her 
 doth silence my penn in answeringe that 
 scandalous paper. 
 
 Your Ladiships humble Servant 
 RICH. HASTINGS. 
 
 Paris Ape 3 
 
 Directed, 
 
 Forr the Right Hon ble the Marchioness 
 of Worcester these 
 
 humbly 
 
 Jesus -f- Mi"a September 6 1670 
 NOBLE MADAM 
 
 The Grace of the Holy-ghost be with you. 
 
 The great esteeme and honour 
 
 w ch I have euer had for your Ladys? hath 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS, lix 
 
 all waise made mee prompt and willing to 
 serve you to the best of my power, without 
 the bias of selfe interest, as your selfe can 
 witnesse ; And because I feare that at pre- 
 sent, your Honour hath noe one, that in the 
 greate concernes, which you have in hand, 
 will tell you the truth, as it often happens to 
 persons of greate quality : I have thought it 
 the part of my Priestly function, and fidelity 
 towards yo r Ho r : (haveing first in my poore 
 prayers, humbly commended it to Aim: God) 
 to represent unto you, that w ch all your 
 friends know to bee true, as well as my selfe, 
 and would be willing that your LadysP should 
 know it likewise. 
 
 Aim: God hath Madam put you into a 
 happy, and flourishing condition, fitt and 
 able to serue God, and to doe much good 
 to your selfe and others ; and your LadysP 
 makes yourselfe unhappy, by seeming not to 
 be contented with your condition but trou- 
 bling your spiritts with many thoughts of 
 attayning to greater dignityes and riches. 
 
 Madam all those that wish you well, are 
 greeued to see your LadysP to bee allready 
 
Ix ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 soe much disturbed & weakened in your 
 iudgment & in danger to loose the right use 
 of your reason, if you doe not tymely endea- 
 uour to preuent it, by ceasing to goe on 
 with such high designes, as you are vppon, 
 which I declare to you, in the faith of a 
 Priest to bee true : The cause of your pre- 
 sent distemper, and of the aforesayd danger, 
 is doubtlesse, that your thoughts and ima- 
 gination are very much fixed on the title of 
 Plantagenet, and of disposing yourselfe for 
 that greate dignity by getting of greate sums 
 of money from the king, to pay your deceased 
 Lords debts, and enriching your selfe by the 
 great Machine and the like. Now Madam 
 how vnproper such undertakings are for 
 your L. and how vnpossible for you to effect 
 them, or any one of them, all your friends 
 can tell you if they please to discover the 
 trueth to you. 
 
 The ill effects that flow from hence are 
 many : as the danger of looseing your health 
 and iudgment by such violent application of 
 your fancies in such high designes and am- 
 bitious desires ; the probability of offending 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. 1x1 
 
 Aim: God and preiudising your owne soule 
 thereby : the advantage you may thereby 
 give to those who desire to make a prey of 
 your fortune, and to rayse themselves by 
 ruining of you : the spending greate sums of 
 money in rich and sumptuous things w ch are 
 not suteable to the gravity of your Ladys? 
 and present condition of Widdow-hoode 
 and mourning for your deceased Lord. 
 
 Although it bee certine, that it is a greate 
 temptation which you are now vnder, and 
 very dangerous and hurtfull both to your 
 temporall and eternall happynesse; yet I 
 confesse that the Devil, to make his sugges- 
 tion the more preualent, doth make vse of 
 some motives that seeme plausible, as of pay- 
 ing your Lords debts, of founding of monas- 
 terys, and the like, and that your Ladys? 
 hath the Kings favour to carry on your 
 designes. But Madam it is certine that 
 the King is offended with your comeing to 
 the Court, and much more with your preten- 
 tion to the title of Plantaginet; and it is dan- 
 gerous to provoke him any farther : And for 
 paying of Debts and founding of Monaste- 
 
Ixii ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 ryes, wee all know that your L. can neuer 
 bee in a better condition to doe it, than now 
 you are ; and as you are not bound to doe 
 such things, so they are not expected from 
 you ; but wee all applaud your pious inclina- 
 tions herein, of w ch you will not loose the 
 merit with Aim: God but our apprehensions 
 are, least you should by your Ladys? 3 inor- 
 dinate designes bring your selfe into such a 
 condition, as not to bee able to helpe your 
 friends nor your selfe. 
 
 Bee pleased Madam now to give mee 
 leave to suggest some waie how the ap- 
 proaching dangers may bee prevented, by 
 changing the objects of your affections, and 
 insteede of temporal!, to seeke after eternall 
 riches, and honors, which your age doth 
 assure you are not far off; for w ch you may 
 dispose yourselfe, before death comes, by 
 retiring into the countrey for some time, 
 from the distractions of the Court, where 
 you may haue the advice and directions of 
 some learned Priest, in whose vertue you 
 may wholey confide, and bee guided by him, 
 for your internall quiet & security. Many 
 
AND OFFICIAL PAPERS. Ixiii 
 
 places may soone be found out, that are fitt 
 for that purpose: At Hammersmith Mrs. 
 Bedingfield a very vertuous & discreete per- 
 son, and of your Ladys ps acquaintance, hath 
 lately taken a faire house & garden, & hath 
 but a small family. In some such place your 
 Ho r might likewise haue the aduice of some 
 well experienced Doctor, for the health of 
 your person, and the benefitt of good ayre 
 and of quietnesse, would much conduce to 
 your health: And soe by Aim. Gods blessing, 
 you may recouer from that most pernicious 
 distemper of bodey and mind, vnto w ch every 
 one seese you to bee very neere approching, 
 and may live many yeares with your owne 
 fortune & dignity in greate honour and hap- 
 pynesse & bee the author of many good 
 workes of piety & Charity to the glory of 
 God & eternall saluation of your owne soule. 
 Thus dear Madam I have ventured to de- 
 clare a great trueth to you, w ch was before 
 a secrett only to your selfe. I know that I 
 run the hazerd of incurring your displeasure, 
 if your Ladys? should not reade the candor 
 of my intentions, w ch in my Letter I intend 
 
Ixiv ORIGINAL LETTERS 
 
 towards you : but my assurance of haveing 
 herein performed a duty w ch I owe to my 
 God, and the hope I have that you will take 
 it well as I intend it, have encouraged mee 
 to doe it, and to subscribe myselfe 
 Honored Madam 
 
 Your humb. Ser. in C. J. 
 
 WALT. TRAVERS. 
 
AND ORIGINAL PAPERS. xV 
 
 The Lord Marquesse of Worcester's 
 ejaculatory and extemporary thanks- 
 giving Prayer, when first ivit/i his 
 corporal eyes, he did see finished a 
 perfect trial of his Water-command- 
 ing Engine, delightful and useful to 
 whomsoever hath in recommendation 
 either knowledge, profit, or pleasure. 
 
 OH ! infinitely omnipotent God ! whose mer- 
 cies are fathomlesse, and whose knowledge 
 is immense, and inexhaustible ; next to my 
 creation and redemption I render thee most 
 humble thanks from the very bottom of my 
 heart and bowels, for thy vouchsafing me, 
 (the meanest in understanding,) an insight in 
 soe great a secret" of nature, beneficent to 
 all mankind, as this my water commanding 
 engine. Suffer me not to be puffed upp, O 
 Lord, by the knowing of it, and many more 
 rare and unheard off, yea unparalleled in- 
 ventions, tryals, and experiments. But hum- 
 ble my haughty heart, by the true knowledge 
 of myne own ignorant, weake, and unworthy 
 
Ixvi ORIGINAL PAPERS. 
 
 nature : proane to all euill, O most mercifull 
 Father my creator, most compassionating 
 Sonne my redeemer, and Holyest of Spiritts, 
 the sanctifier, three diuine persons, and one 
 God, grant me a further concurring grace 
 with fortitude to take hould of thy good- 
 nesse, to the end that whatever I doe, una- 
 nimously and courageously to serve my king 
 and country, to disabuse, rectifie, and con- 
 vert my vndeserved, yet wilfully incredulous 
 enemyes, to reimburse thankfully my cre- 
 ditors, to reimmunerate my benefactors, to 
 reinhearten my distressed family, and with 
 complacence to gratifie my suffering and 
 confiding friends, may, voyde of vanity or 
 selfe ends, be only directed to thy honour 
 and glory everlastingly. Amen. 
 
A 
 
 CENTURY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NAMES AND SCANTLINGS 
 
 OF SUCH 
 
 INVENTIONS, 
 
 As at present I can call to mind to have tried and 
 perfected, which (my former Notes being lost) 
 I have, at the instance of a powerful Friend, 
 endeavoured now in the Year 1G55, to set these 
 down in such a way, as may sufficiently instruct 
 me to put any of them in practice. 
 
 Artis et Nature proles. 
 
TO 
 
 THE KIN G'S 
 
 MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 " SCIRE meum nihil est, nisi me scire 
 hoc sciat alter," saith the poet, and I most 
 justly in order to your Majesty, whose satis- 
 faction is my happiness, and whom to serve 
 is my only aim, placing therein my " summum 
 bonum" in this world : be therefore pleased 
 to cast your gracious eye over this summary 
 collection, and then to pick and choose. I 
 confess, I made it but for the superficial sa- 
 tisfaction of a friend's curiosity, according 
 as it is set down; and if it might now serve 
 
Ixx DEDICATION. 
 
 to give aim to your Majesty how to make 
 use of my poor endeavours, it would crown 
 my thoughts, who am neither covetous nor 
 ambitious, but of deserving your Majesty's 
 favour, upon my own cost and charges, yet, 
 according to the old English proverb, " It is 
 a poor dog not worth whistling after." Let 
 but your Majesty approve, and I will ef- 
 fectually perform to the height of my under- 
 taking : vouchsafe but to command, and with 
 my life and fortune I shall cheerfully obey, 
 and maugre envy, ignorance and malice, 
 ever appear 
 
 Your Majesty's 
 
 Passionately-devoted, or otherwise disin- 
 terested Subject and Servant, 
 
 WORCESTER. 
 
TO 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 THE 
 
 LORDS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL; 
 
 AND TO 
 
 THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, AND BURGESSES 
 OF THE 
 
 HONOURABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS : 
 
 NOW ASSEMBLED IN PARLIAMENT. 
 MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, 
 
 BE not startled if I address to all, 
 and every of you, this Century of Summary 
 Heads of Wonderful Things, even after the 
 dedication of them to his most excellent 
 Majesty, since it is with his most gracious 
 and particular consent, as well as indeed no 
 ways derogating from my duty to his sacred 
 self, but rather in further order unto it, 
 since your Lordships, who are his great 
 
Ixxii DEDICATION. 
 
 Council, and you, Gentlemen, his whole king- 
 dom's Representatives (most worthily wel- 
 come unto him) may fitly receive into your 
 wise and serious considerations, what doth 
 or may publicly concern both his Majesty 
 and his tenderly-beloved people. 
 
 Pardon me, if I say, (my Lords and Gen- 
 tlemen) that it is jointly your parts to digest 
 to his hand, these ensuing particulars, fit- 
 ting them to his palate, and ordering how 
 to reduce them into practice, in a way use- 
 ful and beneficial, both to his Majesty and 
 his kingdom. 
 
 Neither do I esteem it less proper for me 
 to present them to you in order to his Ma- 
 jesty's service, than it is to give into the 
 hands of a faithful and provident steward, 
 whatsoever dainties and provisions are in- 
 tended for the master's diet; the knowing 
 and faithful steward being best able to make 
 use thereof to his master's contentment, 
 and greatest profit, keeping for the morrow 
 whatever should be overplus or needless for 
 the present day, or at least to save some- 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 thing else in lieu thereof. In a word, (my 
 Lords and Gentlemen,) I humbly conceive, 
 this simile not improper, since you are his 
 Majesty's provident stewards, into whose 
 hands I commit myself, with all properties 
 fit to obey you; that is to say, with a heart 
 harbouring no ambition, but an endless aim 
 to serve my King and Country: and if my 
 endeavours prove effectual, (as I am confi- 
 dent they will,) his Majesty shall not only 
 become rich, but his people likewise, as 
 treasurers unto him ; and his peerless Ma- 
 jesty, our King, shall become both beloved 
 at home, and feared abroad ; deeming the 
 riches of a King to consist in the plenty en- 
 joyed by his people. 
 
 And the way to render him to be feared 
 abroad, is to content his people at home, 
 who then with heart and hand are ready to 
 assist him; and whatsoever God blesseth 
 me with to contribute towards the increase 
 of his revenues, in any considerable way, I 
 desire it may be imployed to the use of his 
 people ; that is, for the taking off such taxes 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 or burthens from them as they chiefly groan 
 under, and by a temporary necessity only im- 
 posed on them ; which being thus supplied, 
 will certainly best content the King, and sa- 
 tisfy his people ; which, I dare say, is the 
 continual tend of all your indefatigable pains, 
 and the perfect demonstrations of your zeal 
 to his Majesty, and an evidence that the 
 kingdom's trust is justly and deservedly re- 
 posed in you. And if ever Parliament ac- 
 quitted themselves thereof, it is this of yours, 
 composed of most deserving and qualified 
 persons ; qualified, I say, with your affection 
 to your Prince, and with a tenderness to his 
 people ; with a bountiful heart towards him, 
 yet a frugality in their behalfs. 
 
 Go on therefore chearfully (my Lords and 
 Gentlemen) and not only our gracious King, 
 but the King of Kings will reward you, the 
 prayers of the people will attend you, and 
 his Majesty will with thankful arms embrace 
 you. And be pleased to make use of me 
 and my endeavours to enrich them, not my- 
 self; such being my only request unto you, 
 
DEDICATION. IxXV 
 
 spare me not in what your wisdoms shall 
 find me useful, who do esteem myself not 
 only by the act of the Water-commanding 
 Engine (which so chearfully you have past) 
 sufficiently rewarded, but likewise with cou- 
 rage enabled to do ten times more for the 
 future ; and my debts being paid, and a com- 
 petency to live according to my birth and 
 quality settled, the rest shall I dedicate to 
 the service of our King and Country by your 
 disposals: and esteem me not the more, or 
 rather any more, by what is past, but what's 
 to come; professing really from my heart, 
 that my intentions are to outgo the six or 
 seven hundred thousand pounds already sa- 
 crificed, if countenanced and encouraged by 
 you, ingenuously confessing, that the melan- 
 choly which hath lately seized upon me (the 
 cause whereof none of you but may easily 
 guess) hath, I dare say, retarded more ad- 
 vantages to the public service than modesty 
 will permit me to utter : and now, revived by 
 your promising favours, I shall infallibly be 
 enabled thereunto in the experiments extant, 
 
DEPICATJON. 
 
 and comprised under these heads, practica- 
 ble with my directions by the unparalleled 
 workman both for trust and skill, Caspar 
 KaltofF's hand, who hath been these five and 
 thirty years as in a school under me em- 
 ployed, and still at my disposal, in a place 
 by my great expences made fit for public 
 service, yet lately like to be taken from me, 
 and consequently from the service of King 
 and kingdom, without the least regard of 
 above ten thousand pounds expended by 
 me, and through my zeal to the common 
 good; my zeal, I say, a field large enough 
 for you (my Lords and Gentlemen) to work 
 upon. 
 
 The treasures buried under these heads, 
 both for war, peace, and pleasure, being in- 
 exhaustible; I beseech you pardon me if I 
 say so ; it seems a vanity, but comprehends 
 a truth ; since no good spring but becomes 
 the more plentiful by how much more it is 
 drawn ; and the spinner to weave his web 
 is never stinted, but further inforced. 
 
 The more then that you shall be pleased 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 to make use of my Inventions, the more in- 
 ventive shall you ever find me, one invention 
 begetting still another, and more and more 
 improving my ability to serve my King and 
 you ; and as to my heartiness therein there 
 needs no addition, nor to my readiness a 
 spur. And therefore (my Lords and Gen- 
 tlemen) be pleased to begin, and desist not 
 from commanding me, till I flag in my obe- 
 dience and endeavours to serve my King and 
 Country : 
 
 For certainly you'l find me breathless first t'expire, 
 Before my hands grow weary, or my legs do tire. 
 
 Yet abstracting from any interest of my 
 own, but as a fellow-subject and compatriot 
 will I ever labour in the vineyard, most 
 heartily and readily obeying the least sum- 
 mons from you, by putting faithfully in exe- 
 cution, what your judgments shall think fit 
 to pitch upon amongst this Century of Ex- 
 periments, perhaps dearly purchased by me, 
 but now frankly and gratis offered to you, 
 Since my heart (methinks) cannot be satis- 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 fied in serving my King and Country, if it 
 should cost them any thing: as I confess 
 when I had the honour to be near so obliging 
 a master as his late Majesty of happy memo- 
 ry, who never refused me his ear to any 
 reasonable motion : and as for unreasonable 
 ones, or such as were not fitting for him to 
 grant, I would rather to have died a thou- 
 sand deaths, than ever to have made any 
 one unto him. 
 
 Yet whatever I was so happy as to obtain 
 for any deserving person, my pains, breath 
 and interest imployed therein satisfied me 
 not, unless I likewise satisfied the fees ; but 
 that was in my golden age. 
 
 And even now, though my ability and 
 means are shortened, the world knows why 
 my heart remains still the same ; and be 
 you pleased (my Lords and Gentlemen) to 
 rest most assured, that the very complacency 
 that I shall take in the executing your com- 
 mands, shall be unto me a sufficient and an 
 abundantly-satisfactory reward. 
 
 Vouchsafe therefore to dispose freely of 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 me, and whatever lieth in my power to per- 
 form; first, in order to his Majesty's service; 
 secondly, for the good and advantage of the 
 Kingdom ; thirdly, to all your satisfactions, 
 for particular profit and pleasure to your 
 individual selves, professing that in all and 
 each of the three respects I will ever de- 
 mean myself as it best becomes, 
 
 My Lords and Gentlemen, 
 
 Your most passionately bent fellow sub- 
 ject in his Majesty's service, corn-pa- 
 triot for the public good and advantage, 
 and a most humble Servant to all and 
 every of you, 
 
 WORCESTER, 
 

CONTENTS. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 1. SEALS abundantly significant .... 1 
 
 2. Private and particular to each Owner . 5 
 
 3. A one line Cypher ib. 
 
 4. Reduced to a Point 7 
 
 5. Varied significantly to all the 24 Letters ^ 8 
 
 6. A mute and perfect Discourse by Colours 9 
 
 7. To hold the same by Night . . . . ib. 
 
 8. To level Cannons by Night .... 12 
 
 9. A Ship-destroying Engine ib. 
 
 10. How to be fastened from aloof and under 
 
 Water 13 
 
 11. How to prevent both 14 
 
 12. An unsinkable Ship ib. 
 
 13. False destroying Decks 15 
 
 14. Multiplied Strength in little Room . . 16 
 
 15. A Boat driving against Wind and Tide ib. 
 
 16. A Sea-sailing Fort 17 
 
 17. A pleasant floating Garden . . . 18 
 
 18. An Hour-glass Fountain 20 
 
 19. A Coach-saving Engine 21 
 
 20. A Balance Water- work 22 
 
 21. A Bucket Fountain ...... 23 
 
 f 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 22. An ebbing and flowing River .< . . 24 
 
 23. An ebbing and flowing Castle Clock . 25 
 
 24. A Strength-increasing Spring . . . 26 
 
 25. A double drawing Engine for Weights 27 
 
 26. A to and fro Lever ....'... ib. 
 
 27. A most easy level Draught .... 28 
 
 28. A portable Bridge . . . . . ... ib. 
 
 29. A moveable Fortification 29 
 
 30. A rising Bulwark 30 
 
 31. An approaching Blind 31 
 
 32. An universal Character . . . . . 32 
 
 33. A Needle Alphabet ...... 39 
 
 34. A knotted String Alphabet . . . . ib. 
 
 35. A Fringe Alphabet ...... 40 
 
 36. A Bracelet Alphabet ib. 
 
 37. A pinked Glove Alphabet .... 40 
 
 38. A Sieve Alphabet ib. 
 
 39. A Lanthorn Alphabet ib. 
 
 40. An Alphabet by the Smell . . . . ib. 
 
 41. Ditto Taste ib. 
 
 42. Ditto Touch .... 42 
 
 43. A variation of all and each of these . 43 
 
 44. A Key-Pistol ........ ib. 
 
 45. A most conceited Tinder-box ... 44 
 
 46. An artificial Bird . . 45 
 
 47. An Hour Water Ball ib. 
 
 48. A screwed ascent of Stairs . . . .46 
 
 49. A Tobacco-tongs engine . . . . . 48 
 
CONTENTS. Ixxxiii 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 50. A Pocket-ladder 48 
 
 51. A Rule of Gradation ...... 49 
 
 52. A mystical jangling of Bells * . ib. 
 
 53. An hollowing of a Water Screw ... 51 
 
 54. A transparent Water Screw . ... ib. 
 
 55. A double Water Screw 52 
 
 56. An advantageous change of Centres . 53 
 
 57. A constant Water-flowing and ebbing mo- 
 
 tion 55 
 
 58. An often discharging Pistol .... 57 
 
 59. An especial way for Carabines ... 58 
 
 60. A Flask Charger ib. 
 
 61. A way for Musquets 59 
 
 62. A way for a Harquebus, a Crock . . ib. 
 
 63. For Sakers and Minyons ib. 
 
 64. For the biggest Cannon . . . . . 60 
 
 65. For a whole side of Ship-musquets . , ib. 
 
 66. For guarding several Avenues to a Town 61 
 
 67. For Musque toons on Horseback . . 62 
 
 68. A Fire Water work ib. 
 
 69. .A triangle Key 64 
 
 70. A Rose Key . 65 
 
 71. A square Key with a turning Screw . ib. 
 
 72. An Escutcheon for all Locks . . . . ib. 
 
 73. A transmittible Gallery 67 
 
 74. A conceited Door 68 
 
 75. A Discourse woven on Tape or Ribbon -ib. 
 70. To write in the dark 69 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 No. Page. 
 
 77. A flying Man . . . ..;'..;.. . 69 
 
 78. A continually going Watch . . . . 76 
 
 79. A total locking of Cabinet Boxes . . 78 
 
 80. Light Pistol Barrels ib. 
 
 81. A Comb conveyance for Letters . . . ib. 
 
 82. A Knife, Spoon, or Fork conveyance . 79 
 
 83. A Rasping Mill ib. 
 
 84. An Arithmetical Instrument . . . . ib. 
 
 85. An untoothsome Pear ..'.... 80 
 
 86. An imprisoning Chair ...... 81 
 
 87. A Candle Mould .82 
 
 88. A Coming Engine . 84 
 
 88. A Brazen Head 85 
 
 89. Primero Gloves 89 
 
 90. A Dicing Box ib. 
 
 91. An artificial Ring-horse 90 
 
 92. A Gravel Engine 93 
 
 93. A Ship raising Engine 94 
 
 94. A pocket Engine to open any Door . 95 
 
 95. A double Cross Bow ib. 
 
 96. A way for Sea Banks 96 
 
 97. A perspective Instrument 98 
 
 98. A semi-omnipotent Engine .... 99 
 
 99. A most admirable way to raise Weights ib. 
 
 100. A stupendous Water-work . . . .100 
 
THE 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 CENTURY OF INVENTIONS, 
 
 EXPLAINED AND ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 No. I. 
 
 SEVERAL sorts of seals, some showing by 
 screws, others by gauges, fastening or un- 
 fastening all the marks at once : others, by 
 additional points and imaginary places, pro- 
 portionable to ordinary escutcheons and 
 seals at arms, each way palpably and punc- 
 tually setting down (yet private from all 
 others, but the owner, and by his assent) the 
 day of the month, the day of the week, the 
 month of the year, the year of our Lord, 
 
2 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 the names of the witnesses, and the indivi- 
 dual place where any thing was sealed, 
 though in ten thousand several places, toge- 
 ther with the very number of lines contained 
 in a contract, whereby falsification may be 
 discovered, and manifestly proved, being 
 upon good grounds suspected. 
 
 Upon any of these seals a man may keep 
 accounts of receipts and disbursements, from 
 one farthing to an hundred millions, punc- 
 tually showing each pound, shilling, penny, 
 or farthing. 
 
 By these seals, likewise, any letter, though 
 written but in English, may be read and un- 
 derstood in eight several languages ; and in 
 English itself, to clear contrary and different 
 sense, unknown to any but the correspond- 
 ent, and not to be read or understood by 
 him neither, if opened before it arrive unto 
 him; so that neither threats, nor hopes of 
 reward, can make him reveal the secret, the 
 letter having been intercepted, and first 
 opened by the enemy. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The use of sigili or " autograph seals" is very 
 ancient, indeed we find them mentioned by the 
 prophet Jeremiah (chap. xxii. v. 10); these, 
 however, were invariably engraved on the collets 
 or stones of rings, and it was not till a much 
 later date that hand stamps were applied to that 
 purpose. In England, the first sealed charter 
 extant is that of Edward the Confessor, upon his 
 founding Westminster Abbey; and many of our 
 English kings used them, from an inability to 
 affix any other kind of signature : this indeed is 
 candidly acknowledged by Caedwalla, a Saxon 
 king, who says, at the conclusion of one of his 
 charters, " proprid manu pro ignorantid literarum 
 signum sanctce crucis expressi et subscripsi." 
 
 The nearest approach to a corresponding seal 
 that occurs prior to the sixteenth century, is that 
 described in a decree of Cardinal Otto, who was 
 papal legate in 1237, by which the bishops were 
 to bear on their seals their title, office, dignity, 
 and even their proper names. About this period 
 mottos were likewise generally introduced, but 
 none of those before the publication of the noble 
 author's work were at all adapted for secret cor- 
 respondence ; or, in fact, had they any mode of 
 combining moveable characters in the matrix for 
 the purpose of varying the impression. The prin- 
 ciple upon which those described by the Marquis 
 must have been formed is simply this: a frame 
 similar to those in which seals are generally 
 mounted having been first prepared, a number of 
 moveable circles may be made to slide within each 
 other on one common centre. If three are em- 
 
4 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 ployed, they should be engraved with the nume- 
 rals, the alphabet, and, if intended for secret wri- 
 ting, the third circle may be furnished with any 
 arbitrary signs that may suggest themselves. 
 These, by means of a key, of which both the cor- 
 responding parties must possess a duplicate, may 
 be combined to form the day of the week, month, 
 year, &c. 
 
 It would be found very useful in preventing 
 and detecting the mistakes v which so frequently 
 occur in the delivery of letters, if the seals in com- 
 mon use were provided with at least two of these 
 revolving circles, with the day of the month and 
 hour of the day engraved on their face, parallel 
 to the stone. A particular part of the arms or 
 cipher being used as an index hand, it would then 
 show the precise hour the letter was sent, without 
 the trouble of dating, &c. 
 
 In engraved seals where coats of arms are used, 
 it will be obvious that the seal must be larger 
 than those generally in use, as the circles must 
 be made to revolve round the outer extremity of 
 the stone, and their usefulness will be considera- 
 bly diminished. With regard to the possibility 
 of forming a key by which writing in any lan- 
 guage may be deciphered, we have the following 
 curious anecdote, furnished by the late learned 
 and ingenious Mr. Astle, keeper of His Majesty's 
 Records: he states, on the authority of a noble 
 Lord, deceased, that the late Earl Granville, 
 while Secretary of State, told him, that when he 
 came into office he had his doubts respecting the 
 certainty of deciphering. That he wrote down 
 two or three sentences in the Swedish language, 
 and afterwards put them into such arbitrary 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. O 
 
 marks or characters, as his mind suggested to 
 him ; that he sent the paper to Dr. Willes, who 
 returned it the next day, and informed his lord- 
 ship, that the characters he had sent to him 
 formed certain words, which he had written be- 
 neath the cipher, but that he did not understand 
 the language; and Lord Granville declared, that 
 the words were exactly those which he had first 
 written, before he put them into cipher. 
 
 No. II. 
 
 How ten thousand persons may use these 
 seals to all and every of the purposes afore- 
 said, and yet keep their secrets from any 
 but whom they please. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 As the mode of deciphering inscriptions, dates, 
 &c. formed by these seals, depends on a key, 
 the formation of which is arbitrary, and rest- 
 ing entirely upon the fancy or ingenuity of its 
 composer; it follows, that the smallest variation 
 from the one originally intended for that purpose, 
 will entirely destroy the effect of the proposed 
 combination. 
 
 No. III. 
 A cipher and character so contrived, that 
 
D MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 one line, without returns and circumflexes, 
 stands for each and every one of the twenty- 
 four letters ; and as ready to be made for 
 the one letter as the other. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Of this and the following invention, the noble 
 author has left to the curious in the stenographic 
 art, his own definition; a manuscript, in the 
 Marquis's hand-writing, having been preserved 
 in the Harkian Collection, appended to an original 
 copy of the Century of Inventions, in which he 
 explains the system upon which these two articles 
 are founded. The MS. alluded to is thus enti- 
 tled: " An Explanation of the most exact and 
 most compendious way of Short-hand Writing; 
 and an Example, given by way of Questions and 
 Resolves upon each significant Point, proving how 
 and why it stands for such and such a Letter, in 
 order, alphabetically placed in every page." 
 Eibl. Harl No. 2428. 
 
 The above work is accompanied with engraved 
 brass plates ; and his system, which is simple and 
 easy of attainment, may be thus described: A 
 sheet of paper must first be prepared, with a 
 given number of horizontal rows of small octa- 
 gons, somewhat resembling the chequers on a 
 draft-board. Straight lines are then to be drawn 
 from the centre towards the sides of these squares, 
 in different positions, and of various lengths, for 
 each letter in the alphabet. Thus, A is a short 
 horizontal stroke, made to the right hand, and not 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. t 
 
 touching the side ; E, A, and W, are represented 
 by a similar stroke in the opposite direction, but 
 varying in their lengths. By a similar method 
 the author suggests, in the following article, that 
 we may write with a dot, or single point only, 
 placed in a given situation in the octagon ; vary- 
 ing the position for each letter, as is at present 
 done in music, the paper being prepared with 
 ruled lines, or it may be simplified by the use of 
 coloured inks for the vowels and consonants. 
 
 No. IV. 
 
 This invention refined, and so abbreviated, 
 that a point only showeth distinctly and sig- 
 nificantly any of the twenty-four letters ; 
 and these very points to be made with two 
 pens, so that no time will be lost, but as one 
 finger riseth, the other may make the fol- 
 lowing letter, never clogging the memory 
 with several figures for words, and combina- 
 tions of letters ; which, with ease and void 
 of confusion, are thus speedily and punc- 
 tually, letter for letter, set down by naked 
 and not multiplied points. And nothing can 
 be less than a point, the mathematical defini- 
 tion of it being cujus pars nulla. And of a 
 
8 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 motion, equally as swift as semiquavers or 
 relishes, yet applicable to this manner of 
 writing. 
 
 NOTE. 
 Vide the preceding article. 
 
 No. V. 
 
 A way, by a circular motion, either along 
 a rule or ring-wise, to vary any alphabet, 
 even this of points, so that the self same 
 point, individually placed, without the least 
 additional mark or variation of place, shall 
 stand for all the twenty-four letters, and not 
 for the same letter twice in ten sheets writing ; 
 yet as easily and certainly read and known, 
 as if it stood but for one and the self same 
 letter constantly signified. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The gauge, in this case, must accompany the 
 letter to be deciphered, and, when circular, made 
 to resemble a map-meter. By noticing the number 
 of lines passed over by this instrument, and com- 
 paring the index-hand with the dots, a sufficiently 
 intelligible though certainly complex cipher may 
 be formed. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 No. VI. 
 
 How, at a window, as far as eye can dis- 
 cover black from white, a man may hold 
 discourse with his correspondent, without 
 noise made or noise taken ; being, accord- 
 ing to occasion given and means afforded, 
 ex re natd, and no need of provision before- 
 hand ; though much better if foreseen, and 
 means prepared for it, and a premeditated 
 course taken by mutual consent of parties. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The telegraph, though not generally used in 
 Europe till the commencement of the French 
 revolution, appears to have been well known to 
 the ancients. Polybius describes a method of 
 communication, which was invented by Cleoxe- 
 nus, which answered both by day and night. 
 Kircher and Scott likewise allude to its use ; but 
 the description given by the Marquis is evidently 
 superior to any that had preceded him; and, in- 
 deed, must have nearly resembled that in use at 
 the present period. 
 
 No. VII. 
 
 A way to do it by night as well as by day, 
 though as dark as pitch is black. 
 
10 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The allusion here to a telegraphic communica- 
 tion is likewise sufficiently evident; though it is 
 obvious that, for night signals, it will become ne- 
 cessary to substitute rockets or reflecting lamps 
 for the painted boards. 
 
 Among the signs for nightly information at a 
 distance, those by fire are extremely common, and 
 have been used by the Chinese, Persians, and 
 other nations, in the remotest times. This spe- 
 cies of communication is affirmed by Diodorus 
 Siculus to have been practised by Medea in her 
 conspiracy with Jason, which carries us back three 
 thousand and seventy years; and although there 
 must be some uncertainty on this question, Pliny, 
 in his " History," lib. vii. cap. 56, says, it origin- 
 ated with Sinon. " Specularem significationem 
 Trojano bello Sinon invenit." This was the sig- 
 nal upon which Sinon agreed to unlock the wooden 
 horse in the siege of Troy, about 1184 years be- 
 fore Christ: 
 
 " Flammas cum regia puppis 
 
 Extulerat." 
 
 Virgil. Mn. lib. ii. 256. 
 
 And, after the taking of Troy, ,<Eschylus relates, 
 that Agamemnon immediately apprized his queen, 
 Clytemnestra, of that event by a similar method ; 
 which, we suppose, must have been done either 
 by men placed at certain distances with lighted 
 torches, which they held up in succession, or by 
 a considerable number of fires on the tops of hills, 
 denoting the simple fact previously agreed on be- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 11 
 
 tween the parties. See Onosander's Strategicus, 
 cap. 25, where this practice is described. 
 
 The fire-signals of the Greeks and Romans are 
 also slightly mentioned by Quintus Curtius, Livy, 
 Caesar, Herodotus, Homer, and Thucydides ; 
 likewise by Vegetius and Frontinus ; but still more 
 in detail by Polybius and ^Eneas Tacticus ; the 
 latter of whom was contemporary with Aristotle, 
 and has left a valuable fragment on the duties of 
 a general, (translated into Latin by Casaubon,) 
 wherein are many curious remarks on the subject 
 of secret correspondence. The Greek signals 
 were much improved by Polybius, who, in his 
 history, (lib. x. cap. 45. p. 296. torn. iii. Lips. 
 1790. edit. Joh. Schweighaeuser,) attributes the 
 invention to Cleomenes and Democritus, or (more 
 correctly) to Cleoxenus and Democlitus, in words 
 thus rendered: " Postrema ratio, cujus auctores 
 sunt Cleoxenus et Democlitus, sed quam nos cor- 
 reximus, certa definitaque est, adeo ut quidquid 
 exortum fuerit negotii, id possis certo facere no- 
 turn." Prior to that period, the information com- 
 municated by torches, flags, smoke, or otherwise, 
 was very limited, and it was requisite to settle 
 beforehand what each signal should mean ; where- 
 as Polybius showed how to correspond alphabeti- 
 cally, and to give or receive any species of intel- 
 ligence, without this previous concert. The plans 
 of ./Eneas Tacticus had never arrived at such per- 
 fection, and were therefore of comparatively small 
 use; though, without doubt, he at least equalled 
 any of his predecessors in the facility of his tele* 
 graphic communications. 
 
12 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. VIII. 
 
 A way how to level and shoot cannon by 
 night as well as by day, and as directly, 
 without a platform or measures taken by 
 day, yet by a plain and infallible rule. 
 
 No. IX. 
 
 An engine, portable in one's pocket, which 
 may be carried and fastened on the inside of 
 the greatest ship, tanquam aliud agens, and, 
 at any appointed minute, though a week 
 after, either of day or night, it shall ir- 
 recoverably sink that ship. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 To prepare this dangerous instrument, it is 
 merely necessary to connect a gun-lock with a 
 common bomb shell, filled in the usual manner, 
 and a small clock attached; which will at any 
 given time discharge the lock, and cause the shell 
 to explode: the tremendous effects of which in 
 the cabin or hold of a vessel may easier be con- 
 ceived than described. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 13 
 
 No. X. 
 
 A way, from a mile off, to dive and fasten 
 a like engine to any ship, so as it may punc- 
 tually work the same effect, either for time 
 or execution. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Mr. Fulton, of the United States, the inventor 
 of the Torpedo, recommends the use of a gun-har- 
 poon for fixing this destructive engine on the side 
 of a ship ; but this plan appears liable to two objec- 
 tions : the resistance that would be offered by the 
 water, should the harpoon be fired from a consi- 
 derable distance ; and the certainty of discovery 
 from the report of the cannon, on a near approach 
 to the hull of the vessel. The methods most eli- 
 gible for this object appear to be, either to let the 
 machine float with the tide, and by striking against 
 the side of the vessel discharge a gun-lock ; or 
 else, by employing a diving-bell, pass beneath the 
 surface of the water. In proof of the practicability 
 of the latter plan, about the time of the attack 
 made by the English at Boulogne, Buonaparte 
 caused a small diving vessel to be made, which, 
 at a preconcerted signal, lowered its masts, yards, 
 &c. ; and by admitting a certain quantity of 
 water sunk it to the required depth ; it was then 
 impelled forward by means of a circular paddle 
 or wheel turned within the vessel, and upon the 
 air becoming foul or exhausted, the vessel was 
 raised to the surface by means of pumps or drop- 
 ping of ballast. It appears more than probable, 
 that this is the species of vessel to which the 
 Marquis alludes. Hook, in his Philosophical Col- 
 lections, No. 2, describes an air-vessel possessing 
 similar properties with the above. 
 
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 No. XI. 
 
 How to prevent and safeguard any ship 
 from such an attempt by day or night. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A safe and easy method of preventing the 
 dreadful consequences attendant on the explosion 
 of this tremendous machine, may be found in the 
 use of a strong net, resembling that used in the 
 salmon fishery ; which must be kept at the re- 
 quired distance from the vessel by floating buoys 
 placed for that purpose. It will also be necessary 
 to fix a bell upon the upper extremity of each 
 buoy, which will, by its ringing on a calm night, 
 discover the approach of any hydrostatic vessel ; 
 and should the weather be stormy, the attempt 
 must end in the destruction of the sub-marine 
 voyagers. 
 
 No. XII. 
 
 A way to make a ship not possible to be 
 sunk, though shot at an hundred times 
 between wind and water by cannon, and 
 should she lose a whole plank, yet, in half 
 an hour's time, should be made as fit to sail 
 
 as before. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Provided the hull of the vessel be composed of 
 a number of small divisions, similar to the life 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 15 
 
 preservers constructed by Mr. Daniel, it will 
 scarcely be possible to sink it, especially if a large 
 sheet, well prepared with oakum, be drawn under 
 the vessel in the event of a fracture occurring, as 
 the pressure of the water on the surface of the 
 vessel will force the canvass into the chasm, and 
 allow of the necessary reparation. The latter 
 method has been adopted in the navy for several 
 years. 
 
 No. XIII. 
 
 How to make such false decks, as in a 
 moment should kill and take prisoners as 
 many as should board the ship, without 
 blowing the real decks up, or destroying 
 them from being reducible ; and, in a quar- 
 ter of an hour's time, should recover their 
 former shape, and to be made fit for any 
 employment without discovering the secret. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 At about six inches from the fixed deck, and 
 supported by cross beams, it will be necessary to 
 raise an artificial one of thin planks, under which 
 must be previously placed a number of small iron 
 boxes, open at the top, and filled with powder, 
 connected with each other by a train. The in- 
 stant this is fired, the upper, or false deck, will 
 blow up en masse, without affecting in the slightest 
 degree the permanent deck beneath. 
 
16 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. XIV. 
 
 How to bring a force to weigh up an an- 
 chor, or to do any forcible exploit in the 
 narrowest or lowest room in any ship, where 
 few hands shall do the work of many ; and 
 many hands applicable to the same force, 
 some standing, others sitting, and, by virtue 
 of their several helps, a great force aug- 
 mented in little room, as effectual as if there 
 were sufficient space to go about with an 
 axle-tree, and work far from the centre. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The application of an endless screw, or worm, 
 appears the most advantageous mode of increasing 
 power in a small space ; and it possesses the ad- 
 ditional advantage of remaining stationary at any 
 point without the assistance of the ratchet and 
 click. 
 
 No. XV. 
 
 A way how to make a boat work itself 
 against wind and tide, yea, both without the 
 help of man or beast ; yet so, that the wind 
 or tide, though directly opposite, shall force 
 the ship or boat against itself; and in no 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 17 
 
 point of the compass, but it shall be as effec- 
 tual as if the wind were in the poop, or the 
 stream actually with the course it is to steer, 
 according to which the oars shall row, and 
 necessary motions work and move towards 
 the desired port, or point of the compass. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A Panemore, or globular wind-mill, erected in 
 the centre of a ship, has been proposed for the 
 turning of two wheels or paddles, placed on the 
 bows, which would thus impel the vessel forward 
 in any required direction. The panemore, which 
 was invented by M. Desquinemare, consists of a 
 kind of globe placed on the top of a mast, on 
 which it always turns round with the wind. In 
 consequence of the ingenious adjustment of the 
 curves which it presents in all its points, the 
 rotary motion is always in the same direction, be 
 that of the wind as it may ; and their utmost vio- 
 lence, instead of being detrimental to its action, 
 only augments its power. The means of the in- 
 strument increasing in a cubical ratio when the 
 wind doubles its velocity ; and by doubling the 
 surface its power is increased eight- fold. 
 
 No. XVI. 
 
 How to make a sea-castle, or fortification, 
 cannon-proof, capable of a thousand men, yet 
 
18 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 sailable at pleasure to defend a passage, or, 
 in an hour's time, to divide itself into three 
 ships, as fit and trimmed to sail as before ; 
 and even whilst it is a fort or castle, they 
 shall be unanimously steered, and effectually 
 be driven by an indifferent strong wind. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Scheffer, in his treatise entitled De Militid Na- 
 vali, describes a vessel of a somewhat similar 
 construction : it was composed of four floating 
 tanks, or parts of vessels, which could at pleasure 
 be joined together by means of bolts. Bomb- 
 proof batteries of prodigious force were used by 
 the Spaniards in their attack on Gibraltar, in 1782. 
 Their upper decks were at an angle of about 
 forty-five degrees, and composed of successive 
 layers of oak-planking and raw hides. These 
 offered an irresistible barrier to the shot and 
 shells commonly used, till General Elliot decided 
 on the application of red-hot balls, which, by 
 burning a passage through the outer layers, 
 quickly communicated to that part of the hold 
 used as a depository for powder, &c., and the 
 consequence was, the entire destruction of this 
 immense flotilla. 
 
 No. XVII. 
 
 How to make upon the Thames a floating 
 garden of pleasure, with trees, flowers, ban- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 19 
 
 queting-houses, and fountains, stews for all 
 kind of fishes, a reserve for snow to keep 
 wine in, delicate bathing places, and the 
 like ; with music made by mills ; and all in 
 the midst of the stream, where it is most 
 rapid. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The most celebrated gardens of this descrip- 
 tion were those made by the Mexicans on the 
 great lake which surrounds the capital ; here they 
 planted trees, and cultivated maize, pepper, and 
 other plants necessary for their support. In pro- 
 gress of time, as these floating fields grew nume- 
 rous from the industry of the people, they formed 
 among them gardens for flowers and other odo- 
 riferous plants, which were employed in the wor- 
 ship of their gods, and which served also for the 
 recreation of the nobles. Every day of the year, 
 at sun-rise, innumerable vessels, laden with va- 
 rious kinds of flowers and herbs, cultivated on the 
 water, arrived by the- canal, at the great market- 
 place of the capital. 
 
 To form their floats, they first plait or twist 
 willows, with roots of marsh plants, and upon 
 this foundation they place the mud and dirt which 
 they draw from the bed of the lake. When the 
 owner of a garden wishes to change his situation, 
 to remove from a disagreeable neighbour, or to 
 come nearer his own family, he gets into his 
 little vessel and tows the plantation after him. 
 
20 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S. 
 
 Vide Nov. His. de Mexico par le Abbe Francesco 
 Saverio Clavigero. 
 
 The floating pleasure bath moored in the River 
 Thames, near Westminster Bridge, is supported 
 by empty casks; and this plan, if assisted by 
 mooring-chains, may be applied to garden^ of any 
 reasonable extent, even in the broadest and most 
 rapid rivers. 
 
 No. XVIII. 
 
 An artificial fountain, to be turned like 
 an hpur-glass, by a child, in the twinkling 
 of an eye, it yet holding great quantities 
 of water, and of force sufficient to make 
 snow, ice, and thunder ; with the chirping 
 and singing of birds, and showing of several 
 shapes and effects, usual to fountains of 
 pleasure. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 That a fountain may be made upon the prin- 
 ciple of an hour-glass, and that when the upper 
 division is exhausted, the lower may be elevated 
 by a crank and lever, the fluid passing through 
 the centre of its axis, we may easily conceive ; but 
 how a fountain of water can produce snow, ice, 
 thunder, and the singing of birds, is a circum- 
 stance not easy to be comprehended. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 21 
 
 No. XIX. 
 
 A little engine, within a coach, whereby 
 a child may stop it, and secure all persons 
 within it, and the coachman himself, though 
 the horses be never so unruly, in full career ; 
 a child being sufficiently capable to unloose 
 them, in what posture soever they should 
 have put themselves, turning never so short ; 
 for a child can do it in the twinkling of an 
 eye. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 There are but few persons who will disallow the 
 utility of .an invention, whose object is to prevent, 
 as much as possible, the frequent and terrible ac- 
 cidents which occur from the present mode of 
 attaching horses to carriages, and other vehicles ; 
 that these might in a great measure be avoided, 
 by the application of the Marquis's invention, and 
 a legislative enactment to secure its adoption, there 
 can be no doubt. 
 
 To accomplish this very desirable object, a bar, 
 of equal length with the axle-tree, to which is 
 fixed the pole and traces ; must be furnished with 
 three iron bolts made to fit a like number of soc- 
 kets in the axle-tree ; and from which, the addi- 
 tional bar may be readily raised, by the application 
 of a common lever : either by the pressure of the 
 driver's foot, or by a string made to communicate 
 with the body of the vehicle. For a chaise the 
 
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 apparatus will be no less simple, with the ex- 
 ception of a small resting bar, or foot, which it 
 will be necessary to discharge by the same lever 
 which sets at liberty the horse, and' by this means 
 prevent the sudden jerk, that must otherwise occur 
 in a two wheeled carriage. 
 
 No. XX. 
 
 How to bring up water balance-wise, so 
 that as little weight or force as will turn a 
 balance, will be only needful, more than the 
 weight of the water within the buckets, which 
 counterpoise and empty themselves one into 
 the other, the uppermost yielding its water 
 (how great a quantity soever it holds) at the 
 same time when the lowermost taketh it in, 
 though it be an hundred fathom high. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 An engine answering the above description may 
 be composed of a series of ladles or buckets, the 
 handles of which being hollow will admit a passage 
 for the water by elevating the bucket end. A 
 number of these, sufficient for the required height, 
 must be fastened in a frame ; each ladle being sus- 
 pended by a fulcrum so balanced that when filled with 
 water, they may remain in equilibrio. The whole of 
 the buckets thus constructed may be connected by 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. %3 
 
 rods passing from the top of the machine to the 
 lowest handle, and the continued series so placed, 
 that the handle of the one bucket will empty itself 
 into the reservoir of the succeeding one, so that 
 by alternately raising and depressing the rods the 
 water is raised to the top of the machine. 
 
 No. XXI. 
 
 How to raise water constantly with two 
 buckets only, day and night, without any 
 other force than its own motion, using not 
 so much as any force, wheel, or sucker, nor 
 more pullies than one, on which the cord or 
 chain rolleth, with a bucket at each end. 
 This, I confess, I have seen and learned of 
 the great mathematician Clavius's Studies 
 at Rome, he having made a present thereof 
 unto a cardinal; and I desire not to own 
 any other man's inventions; but if I set 
 down any, to nominate likewise the inventor. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The construction of an hydraulic engine with 
 powers nearly similar to this, may be thus de- 
 scribed : two buckets of unequal size must be first 
 suspended by a flexible chain turning on a double 
 
% MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 roller or pulley; so that one bucket will be ele- 
 vated to the required height, while the other reaches 
 the level of the water to be raised ; a small stream 
 of water must then be made to communicate with 
 the largest bucket, which will speedily be depressed 
 and descend to the lower level, while the opposite 
 bucket will discharge its contents into a cistern or 
 reservoir at the top of the machine : the larger 
 bucket being likewise emptied by striking against 
 a projecting beam placed there for that purpose. 
 
 Mr. Sarjeant has described a very simple and 
 powerful machine for raising water, nearly similar 
 in point of principle to the above. An engraving 
 of Mr. S.'s engine, together with an account of its 
 construction, is inserted in the Trans, of the Soc. 
 of Arts, vol. xix. p. 255. 
 
 No. XXII. 
 
 To make a river in a garden ebb and flow 
 constantly, though twenty foot over, with a 
 child's force, in some private room, or place 
 out of sight, and a competent distance from 
 it. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The very ingenious canal lock lately invented 
 by Peter Bogaerts, Esq., appears fully calculated 
 for effecting this object. In this lock, which from 
 its simplicity is no less useful than economical, a 
 small portion of water is made to assist in dis- 
 placing several tons of that element, and there is na 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 25 
 
 doubt but a child's force would raise double the 
 quantity of water described by the Marquis. In 
 the model lately exhibited, a weight of seven 
 pounds was made to raise 1 cwt. of water more 
 than four feet in a few seconds. 
 
 No. XXIII. 
 
 To set a clock as within a castle, the water 
 filling the trenches about it; which shall 
 show, by ebbing and flowing, the hours, 
 minutes, and secotids, and all the compre- 
 hensible motions of the heavens, and coun- 
 terlibration of the earth, according to Co- 
 pernicus. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A tide-mill was several years back exhibited 
 in the Museum of that very ingenious mechanic, 
 Mr. G. J. Hawkins ; and a similar prime mover has 
 been suggested for the purpose of winding a clock 
 for a bell signal station on the Northern coast of 
 England. An astronomical machine as described 
 by the Marquis, must be provided with two barrels, 
 each possessing a maintaining power sufficient for 
 the correct performance of the whole. In addition 
 to the line that supports the weight, or maintain- 
 ing power, each barrel must be provided with a 
 revolving pulley resembling those used for old 
 thirty-hour clocks ; with chains passing over their 
 
26 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 axis ; and the chains being attached to large floats 
 of wood will be alternately raised or depressed by 
 the ebbing and flowing of the tide ; and thus in 
 succession wind up the weights which form the 
 maintaining power of the clock. The clepsydrse, 
 or hydraulic clock, was in general use among the 
 ancients, and a stream of water was frequently 
 employed to give motion to planetary machines. 
 
 No. XXIV. 
 
 How to increase the strength of a spring 
 to such a degree as to shoot bombasses 
 and bullets of an hundred pound weight a 
 steeple height, and a quarter of a mile off 
 and more, stone bow-wise, admirable for 
 fire-works and astonishing of besieged cities, 
 when, without warning given by noise, they 
 find themselves so forcibly and dangerously 
 surprised. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The strength of a compound spring formed of 
 two metals may, by the application of heat, be 
 increased to any given power. Rationale. Iron 
 possessing an expansive power of -g 1 ^-, and brass 
 being only g^, the weaker metal will be bent by 
 that whose power of expansion is greater, and the 
 impulse of the spring increased in an equal ratio. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 27 
 
 No. XXV. 
 
 How to make a weight, that cannot take 
 up an hundred pound, and yet shall take up 
 two hundred pounds, and at the self same 
 distance from the centre; and so, propor- 
 tionably, to millions of pounds. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This is indeed paradoxical, and so completely 
 contrary to every established principle or rule in 
 science, that we may fairly set it down among the 
 number of those inventions which, by partaking 
 so highly of the marvellous, have contributed to 
 bring the whole Century into disrepute. 
 
 No. XXVI. 
 
 To raise a weight so well and as forcibly 
 with the drawing back of the lever, as with 
 the thrusting it forwards ; and by that means 
 to lose no time in motion or strength. This 
 I saw in the arsenal at Venice. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The mere application of a crank, such as is used 
 for the foot-lathe, acting upon a drum and fly- 
 
28 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 wheel, with a chain attached to move a second 
 lever or upright sliding bar, will fully effect the 
 object here described. 
 
 No. XXVII. 
 
 A way to remove to and fro huge weights, 
 with a most inconsiderable strength, from 
 place to place. For example : ten ton with 
 ten pounds, and less ; the said ten pounds 
 not to fall lower than it makes the ten ton 
 to advance or retreat upon a level. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A weight attached to an ordinary crane may be 
 moved with the utmost facility; and it is well 
 known that the employment of friction wheels 
 furnishes a ready medium of conveyance for masses 
 of iron and stone of the greatest magnitude. 
 
 No. XXVIII. 
 
 A bridge, portable upon a cart, with six 
 horses, which, in a few hours' time, may be 
 placed over a river half a mile broad, where- 
 on, with much expedition, may be trans- 
 ported, horse, foot, and cannon. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 29 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A portable bridge, or rather ferry boat, calcu- 
 lated for crossing wide and deep rivers, was fre- 
 quently employed in ancient warfare, and is still 
 used for the conveyance of horses and passengers 
 in many parts of Europe. The apparatus for this 
 purpose may readily be attached .to the banks of 
 the most rapid river, as it merely consists in the 
 employment of. two ropes or wires, tightened by 
 means of a winch, on which slide pullies connected 
 with a large floating tank or waggon, that is after- 
 wards intended to be employed as a medium of 
 conveyance. The apparatus being thus prepared, 
 a communication may readily be opened by means 
 of two cords between the opposite banks of the 
 river. 
 
 No. XXIX. 
 
 A portable fortification, able to contain 
 five hundred fighting men, and yet, in six 
 hours' time, may be set up and made cannon 
 proof, upon the side of a river or pass, with 
 cannon mounted upon it, and as complete as 
 a regular fortification, with half-moons and 
 counterscarps. 
 
30 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 It is difficult to attempt an elucidation of this 
 or the following articles ; but the annexed extract 
 from the General Evening Post for 1747 appears 
 to throw some light on No. XXX. 
 
 " On the llth instant, Mr. James Allis was 
 presented to the Royal Society, with a new invented 
 cannon, which charges and discharges both at one 
 time, and twenty times in a minute : he had their 
 thanks, and a handsome present." 
 
 No. XXX. 
 
 A way, in one night's time, to raise a bul- 
 wark, twenty or thirty foot high, cannon 
 proof, and cannon mounted upon it ; with 
 men to overlook, command and batter a 
 town ; for, though it contain but four pieces, 
 they shall be able to discharge two hundred 
 bullets each hour. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Vide the preceding Article. 
 
 Since writing the above, the Editor has been 
 called to witness the effects of highly elastic vapour 
 applied to the propelling of leaden bullets, in an 
 apparatus contrived by Mr. Perkins ; arid these 
 destructive missile engines are capable of dis- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 31 
 
 charging nearly two hundred bullets, in one six- 
 tieth part of- the time described by our author in 
 the present Article. 
 
 No. XXXI. 
 
 A way how safely and speedily to make 
 an approach to a castle or town-wall, and 
 over the very ditch, at noon-day. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A wheel carriage, of sufficient strength to sup- 
 port an heavy iron tower, must first be provided. 
 It may be constructed of thick wrought iron, with 
 door, &c., of the same material, and hung round 
 with sand-bags, through the interstices of which 
 may project from six to eight small guns to protect 
 it from musquetry. The most eligible method of 
 moving the tower appears to be by fixing small 
 handles to the axles of the wheels, which may be 
 turned at pleasure by those within the walls. To 
 prevent any attempt of the enemy w T ho may sally 
 forth to drag the machine within the walls of the 
 town, c., it will be adviseable to arm the wheels 
 with long steel studs, which, when the handles are 
 fastened within, will render it immoveable. 
 
 This tower, though but of little use in modern 
 warfare, appears well adapted for reconnoitring 
 the walls of a fortified town, and, if fixed upon a 
 hollow iron vessel, will possess the further advan- 
 tage of crossing rivers and moats. Nearly similar 
 machines are described by Vitruvius, and other 
 authors who treat on military engineering. 
 
32 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. XXXII. 
 
 How to compose an universal character, 
 methodical and easy to be written, yet intel- 
 ligible in any language ; so that if an Eng- 
 lishman write it in English, a Frenchman, 
 Italian, Spaniard, Irish or Welchman, being 
 scholars, yea, Grecian or Hebritian, shall as 
 perfectly understand it in their own tongue 
 as if they were English, distinguishing the 
 verbs from the nouns, the numbers, tenses, 
 and cases, as properly expressed in their own 
 language as it was written in English. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The great difficulty which the .various con- 
 trivers of a universal character or philosophical 
 language have hitherto had to encounter, from the 
 Marquis of Worcester and Bishop Wilkins down 
 to M. Lodowick, appears to have arisen rather 
 from the difficulty attendant on engaging the 
 several nations to use it, than in inventing the 
 most convenient character. 
 
 The real character of Bishop Wilkins, which 
 there is every reason to suppose strongly resem- 
 bled that of his contemporary the Marquis, was 
 repeatedly recommended by Dr. Hook, who, to 
 engage the world in the study of it, published 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 33 
 
 some curious inventions of his own, tending to its 
 illustration. But the most accurate notice on the 
 history of pasigraphy yet published appeared in 
 the Sped, du Nord for May, 1798. The anony- 
 mous author of this interesting memoir commences 
 by a brief inquiry into the nature and utility of the 
 universal character, and then proceeds with this very 
 just eulogium on our immortal countryman Bacon. 
 It is generally allowed that Lord Bacon of Ve- 
 rulam comprehended nearly the whole circle of 
 human knowledge at the period in which he lived, 
 and foresaw most of the discoveries which have 
 since been made. He laid the foundation of an 
 Encyclopaedia, and was very near discovering vari- 
 ous important philosophical results, such as the 
 weight of the air, &c. If we open his book on the 
 progress of the sciences, we shall find the notion 
 of a pasigraphy in the chapter entitled The Instru- 
 ment of Discourse. " It is possible to invent such 
 signs," says he, " for the communication of our 
 thoughts, that people of different languages may, 
 by this means, understand each other ; and that 
 each may read immediately in his own language, a 
 book which shall be written in another." But Bacon 
 di(J not think of confining this to twelve charac- 
 ters : on the contrary, he requires a great number, 
 at least as many as the number of radical words ; 
 on which head he quotes the example of the Chi- 
 nese ; " and although," adds he, " our alphabet 
 may appear more commodious than this method 
 of w y riting, the thing itself nevertheless is well 
 deserving of attention. The problem relates to 
 the signs by which thoughts may be rendered 
 current ; and, as money may be struck of other 
 
 D 
 
34 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 materials as well as gold and silver, it is possible 
 likewise to discover other signs of things as well 
 as letters and words." 
 
 Des Cartes, in his third letter to father Mer- 
 cennus, discusses the invention of a Frenchman, 
 whom he does not name, but who, by means of a 
 certain language and an artificial writing, pretended 
 to understand all the different idioms. He re- 
 marks on this subject, that it would be very pos- 
 sible to compose a short and convenient grammar, 
 with general signs, which should render all foreign 
 languages intelligible. 
 
 In the year 1661, John Joachim Becher pub- 
 lished a Latin folio, the title of which was " Cha- 
 racters for the Universal Knowledge of Languages : 
 a Stenographic Invention hitherto unheard of." 
 This unheard of invention consists of a method by 
 which a native of any country may make himself 
 understood by all foreigners by writing in his own 
 language, and be enabled also to comprehend what 
 they write in theirs. It was truly at that time a 
 thing unheard of; for Becher, being the first who 
 had given a complete treatise on this art, may be 
 considered as the inventor.* 
 
 He begins his work by a series of highly inte- 
 resting observations upon general grammar, and 
 the fundamental relations of all languages with 
 regard to each other. He gives a learned com- 
 parative table of the relations and harmony of the 
 Latin, the Greek, the Hebrew, the Arabian, the 
 Sclavonian, the French, and the German. This 
 work cannot be too highly esteemed, and assuredly 
 was not unknown to the author of the work Du 
 Monde Primitif. A Latin dictionary then follows, 
 in which every word corresponds with one or 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 35 
 
 more Arabic numeral figures arbitrarily taken. 
 Every number is assumed as distinctive, or de- 
 noting the same word in all languages ; and con- 
 sequently nothing more is required than to com- 
 pose a dictionary for each, similar to that which 
 he has given for the Latin. 
 
 There is likewise a table of declensions and 
 conjugations, which presents certain determinate 
 numbers for all the cases, moods, tenses, or per- 
 sons. By means of this general disposition, when 
 a Frenchman is desirous of writing to a German 
 the following phrase, La guerre est un grand mal 
 (war is a great evil), he seeks in his index, guerre, 
 etre, grand, mal ; and he writes the correspondent 
 numbers, 
 
 13, 33, 67, 68. 
 
 The sentence might be understood by these four 
 characteristic numbers ; but, to leave no room for 
 ambiguity, he says, Guerre is the nominative case, 
 and finds, as the characteristic of the nominative, 
 the Arabic figure 1 . Est is the third person sin- 
 gular of the indicative mood, present tense, of 
 which the characteristic is 15. To grand, and to 
 mal, belong likewise the figure 1, for the nomina- 
 tive case ; he will therefore write 
 
 13.1 | 33.15 ! 67.1 | 68.1 | 
 
 where the numbers are separated by small vertical 
 bars to prevent confusion. It may easily be con- 
 ceived how, by the inverse method, the German 
 will find in his tables the words denoted by the 
 ciphers, which will form Der krieg ist em grosses 
 uebel. 
 
 This invention of Becher, which is the same 
 thing nearly with regard to language, as algebra 
 
36 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 is to arithmetic, is possessed of considerable sim- 
 plicity, and even a few hours practice will render 
 it easy. A great variety of attempts on this prin- 
 ciple may be found in Sturmius, Essais d' Experi- 
 ences Curieuses. 
 
 In the same year, George Dalgaru, an English- 
 man, published in London a work of which the 
 prolix title is sufficient to show its object. It runs 
 thus, " The Art of Signs, or an Universal Character 
 and Philosophical Language, by Means of which, 
 Men of the most different Idioms may, in the 
 Space of two Weeks, learn to communicate, whe- 
 ther by Word of Mouth or by Writing, all their 
 Thoughts, as clearly as in their Mother Tongue. 
 Besides which, young Persons may therein learn 
 the Principles of Philosophy, and the Practice of 
 true Logic, more speedily and more readily than 
 in the ordinary philosophic Writings." The book 
 of Dalgaru is written in Latin, and Beckman 
 accuses him of extreme pedantry. His characters 
 likewise were ciphers. 
 
 Joachim Frisichius, professor at the Gymnasium 
 at Riga, was employed on a similar attempt, 
 his object being to introduce a natural, rational, 
 and universal language, of which some sheets 
 printed at Thorn in 1681 contain the only speci- 
 men extant. The death of the author interrupted 
 his labours. He purposed to call his new lan- 
 guage Ludovicean, in honour of Louis XIV., under 
 whose patronage he pursued his labours ; a prince 
 whose generosity was extended to the learned of 
 all countries. 
 
 Athanasius Kircher also published a work on 
 this subject, entitled " A New and Universal 
 Polygraphia, deduced from the Art of Combina- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 37 
 
 tion," and by means of which, says Morhoff, (Poly- 
 histor, 1. ii. c. 5.) he who understands one language 
 only may correspond in writing with all the nations 
 of the earth. 
 
 It would perhaps be unjust to pass in silence 
 the little-known work of father Besnier, a Jesuit, 
 who, in a book entitled La Reunion des Langues, ou 
 I Art de les apprendre toutes par une seuk, printed 
 at Paris in 1674, has furnished many important 
 hints for the cultivation of this branch of language. 
 
 The most remarkable work, however, which 
 has been written on this subject, is that for which 
 we are indebted to Bishop Wilkins, the brother- 
 in-law of Cromwell : it is entitled, " An Essay 
 towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Lan- 
 guage, London, 1668." It is divided into four 
 parts: 1st, Considerations on the various lan- 
 guages, their defects and imperfections, from 
 which a philosophic language ought to be exempt. 
 2dly, Philosophical inquiries respecting all the 
 things and notions to which proper names ought 
 to be assigned. Sdly, The organic science of 
 native grammar considered as the necessary means 
 of representing simple ideas in discourse. 4thly, 
 The application of the general rules to every cha- 
 racter and language. Examples, &c. This con- 
 cise outline sufficiently shows the importance of 
 the work. 
 
 In his appendix, the author explains the utility 
 of a method of writing without alphabetic charac- 
 ters, by means of si^ns, which are to be used to 
 denote all the principal ideas, the relative attri- 
 butes being designated by small strokes added at 
 right, acute, or obtuse angles, to the right or left } 
 &c. Of principal or chief ideas he admits but 
 
38 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 forty, under which he ranges all the others, by 
 that means forming a series of categories. His 
 new language is calculated to afford great facility 
 of comprehension, and new openings to the various 
 processes of science. 
 
 After so many attempts, more or less philoso- 
 phical, and of different degrees of perfection, with 
 others probably of which we know nothing, we 
 must not overlook the efforts of the celebrated 
 Leibnitz. His History and Development of a 
 Characteristic Universal Language is very gene- 
 rally known. Leibnitz considered his universal 
 characteristic as the art of inventing and judging. 
 He stated his conviction that an alphabet might 
 be formed, and of this alphabet such words as 
 would afford a language capable of giving mathe- 
 matical precision to all the sciences. " Men may 
 thus acquire," says he, "as it were, a new organ, 
 which would add energy to their moral faculties, 
 as the microscopic lens increases the power of the 
 eye. The compass is not more highly valuable 
 to the navigator, than this philosophical language 
 would be to him who embarks on the sea of reason 
 and experiments, which is now so full of danger." 
 
 In concluding this brief sketch, it may be 
 enough to notice the ingenious method of the Abbe 
 de 1'Epee, who, by means of various gestures, dic- 
 tated to his various deaf and dumb pupils certain 
 discourses, which they wrote with equal readiness 
 in four languages. 
 
 No. XXXIII. 
 
 To write with a needle and thread, white, 
 or any other colour, upon white, or any other 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 39 
 
 colour, so that one stitch shall significantly 
 show any letter, and as readily and as easily 
 show the one letter as the other, and fit for 
 any language. 
 
 NOTE. 
 Vide Article LXXV. 
 
 No. XXXIV. 
 
 To write by a knotted silk string, so that 
 every knot shall signify any letter, with comma, 
 full-point, or interrogation; and as legible 
 as with pen and ink upon white paper. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This very ingenious mode of secret writing is 
 the most simple of any suggested by our author. 
 A silk string of considerable length having been 
 provided, it will be necessary to furnish the per- 
 sons corresponding with a key or graduated gauge, 
 by means of which the writing will be rendered 
 intelligible. Having procured a duplicate or cor- 
 responding gauge it may then be commenced, 
 ^ of an inch being allowed for the first letter, 
 ^ for the second, f for the third, and so on, in 
 equal proportions, through the whole alphabet. 
 Should this arrangement be found to extend the 
 
40 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 line to an inconvenient length, it may be advisable 
 to form a certain number of changes on three 
 different lengths, as in No. LII. ; though the 
 former way is the least difficult. 
 
 No. XXXV. 
 
 The like by the fringe of gloves. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The principle of this and the four following 
 Articles is the same as the preceding, with this 
 difference, that in the first, the letters, or words, 
 are formed by knotting the fringe, to which the 
 gauge is afterwards applied; in the second, and 
 most desirable way, the beads are set to the 
 required distance ; by the third, the gloves are 
 pierced or pricked in rows, according to the divi- 
 sions on the gauge ; and by the fourth and fifth, 
 the rows of parallel holes in a sieve or lantern 
 are stopped at the required distances, and the 
 gauge applied as before. 
 
 No. XXXVI. 
 By stringing of bracelets. 
 
 No. XXXVII. 
 
 By pinked gloves. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 44 
 
 No. XXXVIII. 
 
 By holes in the bottom of a sieve. 
 
 No. XXXIX. 
 
 By a lattin or candlestick lantern. 
 
 No. XL. 
 
 By the smelL 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Pegs of sandal, cedar, and rose woods, may be 
 so varied, that a person writing in the dark will, 
 by the smell, readily distinguish the formation of 
 words and sentences. 
 
 No. XLI. 
 
 By the taste. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 For writing by the taste, it will be necessary to 
 immerse an equal number of the pegs or beads in 
 weak solutions of alum, aloes, common salt, or 
 any other liquid whose taste is sufficiently pungent 
 
42 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 or aromatic, to be distinguished when dry, on ap- 
 plying the tongue to them for that purpose. 
 
 No. XLII. 
 
 By the touch. 
 
 By these three senses, as perfectly, dis- 
 tinctly, and unconfusedly, yea, as readily as 
 by the sight. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This object may be readily attained by the use 
 of raised moveable types and the heavy pressure 
 of an iron pen or mallet. 
 
 A mode of corresponding by the touch has been 
 suggested by M. Haiiy, and by this means the 
 blind have been fully instructed, not only in the 
 rudiments of language, but also in the liberal arts 
 and sciences. M. Haiiy's method of preparing 
 the books, &c., which is simple and easy of attain- 
 ment, is as follows : when the types have been 
 arranged and fixed, a page of very strong paper is 
 moistened, so as to be capable of receiving and 
 retaining impressions, and laid upon the types; 
 and then by the operation of a press or hammer, 
 frequently repeated over the surface, the impres- 
 sion of the type is made to rise on the opposite 
 side of the paper ; and it continues, when dry, not 
 only " obvious to the sight," but to the touch, and is 
 not easily effaced. On the upper side of the paper, 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 43 
 
 the letters appear in their proper position ; and 
 by their sensible elevation above the common sur- 
 face, the blind may easily read them with their 
 fingers. For epistolary correspondence it will be 
 necessary to moisten the paper and use a metal 
 pen. 
 
 No. XLIII. 
 
 How to vary each of these, so that ten 
 thousand may know them, and yet keep the 
 understanding part from any but their cor- 
 respondent. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This may be effected by changing the order 
 of their arrangement, which can only be ascer- 
 tained by a previous examination of a key chosen 
 for that purpose. 
 
 No. XLIV. 
 
 To make a key of a chamber door, which 
 to your sight hath its wards and rose-pipe 
 but paper thick, and yet at pleasure, in a 
 minute of an hour, shall become a perfect 
 pistol, capable to shoot through a breast- 
 plate, commonly of carabine proof, with 
 prime, powder, and fire-lock, undiscoverable 
 in a stranger's hand. 
 
44 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The rose-pipe must in this case be formed like 
 the sliding tubes of a telescope ; that next the 
 wards being furnished with a screw at the inner 
 and capable of holding the whole of them toge- 
 ther. A small quantity of detonating powder 
 being first placed within, the pipe may be readily 
 discharged by tightening of the screw. 
 
 No. XLV. 
 
 How to light a fire and a candle, at what 
 hour of the night one awaketh, without 
 rising or putting one's hand out of bed. 
 And the same thing to be a serviceable pistol 
 at pleasure ; yet, by a stranger, not knowing 
 the secret, seemeth but a dexterous tinder- 
 box. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The pistol tinder-box may readily be made to 
 perform the whole of what is here described. A 
 bell rope attached to the trigger will suffice to 
 elicit fire, which, communicating with a quick-match 
 or fusee, will quickly ignite and produce the re- 
 quired light. If the fire is previously prepared 
 with wood or some other combustible material, and 
 a small quantity of inflammable spirits sprinkled 
 over it, the slightest spark will throw the whole 
 into a blaze. For the latter qualification men- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 45 
 
 tioned by the noble author, a pistol barrel may 
 easily be secreted under the tinder. 
 
 The inflammable air-lamp contrived by Volta 
 possesses similar properties : a stream of hydrogen 
 gas being inflamed by the spark from an electro- 
 phorus. Vide Brande's Manual of Chemistry, vol. i. 
 p. 240. 
 
 No. XLVI. 
 
 How to make an artificial bird to fly which 
 way and as long as one pleaseth, by or against 
 the wind, sometimes chirping, other times 
 hovering, still tending the way it is designed 
 for. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 In the year 1810, two birds were exhibited at 
 the museum of the late Mr. Merlin; these per- 
 formed nearly all the evolutions described by the 
 Author : with this exception, however, that they 
 were supported by fine wires ; and a similar bird 
 was exhibited in London in the year 1786. Vide 
 llth Art. in the Century. 
 
 No. XLVII. 
 
 To make a ball of any metal, which, thrown 
 into a pool or pail of water, shall presently 
 rise from the bottom, and constantly show, 
 
46 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 by the superficies of the water, the hour of 
 the day or night, never rising more out of the 
 water than just to the minute it showeth of 
 each quarter of the hour ; and if by force 
 kept under water, yet the time is not lost, 
 but recovered as soon as it is permitted to 
 rise to the surface of the water. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A metal ball graduated on the surface, in the 
 same manner as the index stem to an hydrometer, 
 with a balance to preserve its equilibrium, must 
 first be exhausted of air, which being effected, the 
 water may be allowed to enter by a small aperture, 
 and it will gradually sink till the vessel is filled : 
 this, if the ball is about 1 2 inches in diameter and 
 the aperture of a proportionate size, will not take 
 place in less than twelve hours. 
 
 No. XLVIII. 
 
 A screwed ascent, instead of stairs, with 
 fit landing places to the best chambers of 
 each story, with back stairs within the noel 
 of it, convenient for servants to pass up and 
 down to the inward rooms of them, unseen 
 and private. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 47 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 It is most probable that the Marquis here al- 
 ludes to the geometrical staircase now in such 
 general use, with the addition of a small flight of 
 stairs in the centre, in lieu of the common handrail, 
 which being surrounded by a partition of boards, 
 would readily serve as a private communication 
 with the upper stories : sufficient space being left 
 between the ceiling and under side of the principal 
 staircase to admit of a passage to the inner rooms. 
 Since writing the above, the Editor has seen a more 
 explicit account of this species of staircase. It oc- 
 curs in " Evelin's Memoirs," vol. i. page 59, and 
 forms part of that learned and amusing author's 
 tour through France in 1644. The following is 
 an extract. " Quitting our barke, we hired horses 
 to Blois, by way of Chambourg, a famous house 
 of y e King's, built by Francis I. in the middle of 
 a solitary parke, full of deere ; the enclosure is a 
 wall. I was particularly desirous of seeing this 
 palace, from the extravagance of the design, espe- 
 cially the stayrecase, mentioned by Palladio. It is 
 said that 1800 workmen were constantly employed 
 in this fabric for twelve yeares ; if so, it is won- 
 derfull that it was not finish'd, it being no greater 
 than divers gentlemen's houses in England, both 
 for roome or circuit. The carvings are very rich 
 and full. The stayrecase is devised w th four en- 
 tries or ascents, which cross one another, so that 
 though four persons meete, they never come in 
 sight, but by small loope-holes, till they land. 
 It consists of 274 steps (as I remember), and 
 
48 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 is an extraordinary worke, but of far greater ex- 
 pense than use or beauty." 
 
 No. XLIX. 
 
 A portable engine, in way of a tobacco- 
 tongs, whereby a man may get over a wall, 
 or get up again, being come down, finding 
 the coast proveth insecure for him. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 It is not very easy to discover to what the noble 
 author here alludes : if by tobacco-tongs, he means 
 a combination of levers such as is used by gardeners, 
 to gather choice fruit or lop the upper boughs of 
 trees, the mode of applying them is extremely 
 easy. A number of short pieces of brass, jointed 
 together, and made to resemble a row of trellis 
 work, may, by distending the joints in an hori- 
 zontal direction, be made to go in the smallest 
 compass ; and again, by closing the arms, the 
 machine will be elevated. An ingenious mechanic 
 has constructed a Jire-escape upon this principle, 
 of which a model is preserved in the Museum of 
 the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. t 
 
 No. L. 
 
 A complete light portable ladder, which 
 taken out of one's pocket, may be by himself 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 49 
 
 fastened an hundred feet high to get up by 
 from the ground. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A number of light brass tubes, each having a 
 socket to receive the end of the preceding joint, 
 may be raised to any given height, and with the 
 assistance of small loops of cord will fully answer 
 the purpose here described. It will be necessary 
 to have a small stud at one end of each joint, with 
 a narrow slit at the end of the following tube to 
 receive it, which being carried on in a right angle 
 for about twice its width, will on being turned 
 round serve as a key to prevent the joints sepa- 
 rating. 
 
 No. LI. 
 
 A rule of gradation, which, with ease and 
 method, reduceth all things to a private 
 correspondence, most useful for secret intel- 
 ligence. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Vide Article V. 
 
 No. LIL 
 
 How to signify words, and a perfect dis- 
 course, by jangling of bells of any parish 
 
50 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 church, or by any musical instrument within 
 hearing, in a seeming way of tuning it, or 
 of an unskilful beginner. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 By varying the order of arrangement, the whole 
 alphabet may readily be rung on three bells ; and 
 these, being formed into sentences by short pauses 
 between each word, will fully serve for distant 
 conversation. For musical instruments, it is 
 merely changing keys for bells, and the same 
 purpose may be answered without the trouble of 
 forming changes upon so small a number of fixed 
 tones. A table is subjoined, by the use of which 
 a combination of three bells is made to express 
 the whole alphabet : 
 
 A represented by 111 O represented by 222 
 
 B ..... 112 P 223 
 
 C 113 Q 231 
 
 D 121 R 232 
 
 E ..... 122 S 233 
 
 F 123 T 311 
 
 G 131 V 312 
 
 H 132 U 313 
 
 I 133 W 321 
 
 K . . . 211 X 322 
 
 L 212 Y 323 
 
 M 213 Z 333 
 
 N . 221 
 

 ENTURY OF INVENTIONS* 51 
 
 No. LIII. 
 
 A way how to make hollow and cover a 
 water-screw, as big and as long as one pleas- 
 eth, in an easy and cheap way, 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A leathern water-pipe, such as is used by the 
 firemen, being nailed in a spiral form round a 
 long circular pole, is the cheapest and most sim- 
 ple method yet discovered of making the Archi- 
 medean screw. 
 
 No. LIV. 
 
 How to make a water-screw tight, and 
 yet transparent, and free from breaking; 
 but so clear, that one may palpably see the 
 water, or any heavy thing, how and why it 
 is mounted by turning. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This may be readily effected either by making 
 a coarse screw in the usual manner, and covering 
 it with horn, or by fitting a spiral tube of glass on 
 a wooden cylinder, and filling up the interstices 
 with wax or any hard cement so as to project 
 
MARQUIS OF WORCESTERS 
 
 beyond the glass tube : this appears the most 
 eligible method, though the former is the most 
 economical. 
 
 M. A. Rochon has likewise proposed a most 
 ingenious substitute for the use of horn in the 
 construction of the Archimedean screw, and other 
 hydraulic instruments. It is formed (like the 
 safety lamp of Sir H. Davy) of a coarse wire 
 gauze which, on being immersed in pure fish- 
 glue or size, forms when varnished a cheap and 
 durable substitute for the use of glass. 
 
 No. LV. 
 
 A double water-screw, the innermost to 
 mount the water, and the outermost for it 
 to descend more in number of threads, and 
 .consequently in quantity of water, though 
 much shorter than the innermost screw, by 
 which the water ascendeth, a most extra- 
 ordinary help for the turning of the screw 
 to make the water rise. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This appears one of those extraordinary slight 
 of hand discoveries in which the noble author is 
 too apt to indulge ; and though we may readily 
 admit that two water-screws may be most ad- 
 vantageously employed in turning of any water- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 53 
 
 wheel, where an abundant supply is found at the 
 top of the machine, it yet requires a greater share 
 of penetration than we choose to take credit for, to 
 discover how a larger quantity of water can de- 
 scend than has been previously raised, or, if so, 
 how the machine could be at all applied to the 
 raising of water. 
 
 No. LVI. 
 
 To provide and make, that all the weights 
 of the descending side of a wheel shall be 
 perpetually farther from the centre than 
 those of the mounting side, and yet equal 
 in number and heft of the one side as the 
 other. A most incredible thing, if not seen, 
 but tried before the late king of happy and 
 glorious memory, in the Tower, by my di- 
 rections ; two extraordinary ambassadors 
 accompanying his Majesty, and the Duke 
 of Richmond, and Duke Hamilton, with 
 most of the court attending him. The 
 wheel was fourteen feet over, and forty 
 weights of fifty pounds a-piece. Sir Wil- 
 liam Belford, then Lieutenant of the Tower, 
 can testify it, with several others. They all 
 saw, that no sooner these great weights 
 
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 passed the diameter line of the upper side, 
 but they hung a foot farther from the centre ; 
 nor no sooner passed the diameter line of 
 the lower side, but they hung a foot nearer. 
 Be pleased to judge the consequence. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The celebrated problem of a self-impelling 
 power, though denied by Huygens and de la Hire, 
 who have attempted to demonstrate its fallacy, 
 has yet been supported by some of the most cele- 
 brated among the ancient as well as modern phi- 
 losophers. Innumerable have been the machines 
 to which the idea of the perpetual motion has given 
 birth ; but the most celebrated among the mo- 
 derns is the Orffyrean wheel. This machine, ac- 
 cording to the description given of it by M. 
 Grsevesande, in his (Eiwres Philosophiqucs, con- 
 sisted of a large circular wheel or drum, twelve 
 feet in diameter, and fourteen inches in depth. 
 It was composed of a number of thin deals, the 
 spaces between which were covered with wax 
 eloth, in order to conceal the interior parts of it. 
 On giving the wheel, which rested on the two 
 extremities of an iron axis, a slight impulse in 
 either direction, its motion was gradually accele- 
 rated ; so that after two or three revolutions it is 
 said to have acquired so great a velocity as to 
 make twenty-five or more turns in a minute : and 
 it appears to have preserved this rapid motion 
 for the space of two months, during which time 
 the Landgrave of Hesse, in whose chamber 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 55 
 
 it was placed to prevent a possibility of collu- 
 sion, kept his own seal on the outer door. At 
 the end of that time it was stopped to prevent 
 the wear of the materials. Grsevesande, who 
 had been an eye-witness to the performance of 
 this machine, examined all the external parts 
 of it, and was convinced that there could not be 
 any communication between it and the adjacent 
 rooms. Orftyreus, however, having been in- 
 formed of the ill-timed curiosity of the professor, 
 and incensed at the refusal of a premium of twenty 
 thousand pounds, which he had made a sine qad 
 non for disclosing the mechanism of its construc- 
 tion, broke the whole apparatus into atoms, and 
 his life was soon after sacrificed to chagrin at his 
 disappointment. The analogy between the Mar- 
 quis's description and the Orffyrean wheel is 
 sufficiently evident ; and the experiment having 
 been made in the "Tower, more than fifty years 
 prior to the attempt of the German mechanic, it 
 is more than probable that the idea was derived 
 from the noble author's work. 
 
 No. LVII. 
 
 An ebbing and flowing water-work in 
 two vessels, into either of which, the water 
 standing at a level, if a globe be cast in, 
 instead of rising, it presently ebbeth, and so 
 remaineth, until a like globe be cast into the 
 other vessel, which the water is no sooner 
 
56 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 sensible of, but that the vessel presently 
 ebbeth, and the other floweth, and so con- 
 tinueth ebbing and flowing, until one or both 
 the globes be taken out, working some little 
 effect besides its own motion, without the 
 help of any man within sight or hearing : 
 but if either of the globes be taken out, 
 with ever so swift or easy a motion, at that 
 instant the ebbing and flowing ceaseth ; for 
 if, during the ebbing, you take out the 
 globe, the water of that vessel presently 
 returneth to flow, and never ebbeth after, 
 until the globe be returned into it, and then 
 the motion beginneth as before. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This invention, which is evidently more a mat- 
 ter of curiosity than of real utility, is no doubt 
 effected upon the principle of an ebbing and flow- 
 ing spring ; the throwing in of the ball, by causing 
 a commensurate rise of the water, fills a syphon, 
 and sets the water-work in motion, but as the 
 effect of this would cease after the two vessels 
 attained an equilibrium, the machine must be 
 assisted by a moving power attached to one or 
 both of the vessels, as the Marquis merely says, 
 that it may be performed " without the help of 
 any man wit kin sight or hearing" 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 57 
 
 No. LVIII. 
 
 How to make a pistol to discharge a dozen 
 times with one loading, and without so much 
 as once new priming requisite ; or to change 
 it out of one hand into the other, or stop 
 one's horse 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 An attentive examination of this and the sub- 
 sequent articles has suggested what appears an 
 improvement of considerable importance in the 
 principle of modern fire-arms. The expense at- 
 tendant on the manufacture of double barrelled, 
 guns, and the inconvenience which arises from 
 their additional weight, have hitherto prevented 
 their coming into general use, though their utility in 
 the field is very generally allowed. An economi- 
 cal gun uniting all the advantages of the one, 
 with the lightness and portability of the other, 
 must therefore be considered as a desideratum of 
 the first importance. To effect this, a common 
 gun barrel must be pierced with the required num- 
 ber of touchholes, at a sufficient distance to allow 
 of an equal number of charges. A detonating 
 magazine guulock may then be made to slide on 
 the lower part of the barrel, with a parallel rat- 
 chet and click to fix precisely opposite the touch- 
 hole to be inflamed. The gun must then be 
 loaded by a graduated ramrod, the powder of 
 each charge being brought opposite its proper 
 
58 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 touchhole. After the first discharge, the cock 
 must be moved back one tooth of the ratchet, 
 and this motion continued till the whole are ex- 
 ploded, each hole being covered successively by 
 a plate attached to the lock. 
 
 No. 60 is evidently performed by filling a cy- 
 lindrical flask, made the same size as the barrel, 
 with the required number of charges and after- 
 wards forcing the whole of them into the barrel. 
 
 Nos. 61 and 67 may be performed by filling 
 a flask previously made to fit the breech of the 
 musket, and forcing forward each successive 
 charge by a screw or lever, in the same manner 
 as the charging is effected in a magazine air-gun. 
 
 No. LIX. 
 
 Another way, as fast and effectual, but 
 more proper for carabines. 
 
 Fide Article LVIII. 
 
 No. LX. 
 
 A way, with a flask appropriated unto it, 
 which will furnish either pistol or carabine 
 with a dozen charges in three minutes' time, 
 to do the whole execution of a dozen shots, 
 as soon as one pleaseth, proportionably. 
 
 Vide Article LVIII. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 59 
 
 No. LXI. 
 
 A third way, and particularly for mus- 
 kets, without taking them from their rests 
 to charge or prime, to a like execution, and 
 as fast as the flask, the musket containing 
 but one charge at a time. 
 
 Fide Article LVIII. 
 
 No. LXII. 
 
 A way for a harquebuss, a crock, or ship 
 musket, six upon a carriage, shooting with 
 such expedition, as, without danger, one 
 may charge, level, and discharge them sixty 
 times in a minute of an hour, two or three 
 together. 
 
 Vide Article LVIII. 
 
 No. LXIII. 
 
 A sixth way, most excellent for sakers T 
 differing from the other, yet as swift. 
 
 Vide Article LVIII. 
 
60 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. LXIV. 
 
 A seventh, tried and approved before the 
 late king (of ever blessed memory), and an 
 hundred lords and commons, in a cannon of 
 eight inches and half a quarter, to shoot 
 bullets of sixty- four pounds weight, and 
 twenty-four pounds of powder, twenty times 
 in six minutes ; so clear from danger, that, 
 after all were discharged, a pound of butter 
 did not melt, being laid upon the cannon 
 britch, nor the green oil discoloured that 
 was first anointed and used between the 
 barrel thereof, and the engine having never 
 in it, nor within six foot, but one charge at 
 a time* 
 
 Vide Article XXIX, 
 
 No. LXV. 
 
 A way that one man, in the cabin, may 
 govern a whole side of ship muskets, to the 
 number (if need require) of two or three 
 thousand shots. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 61 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The plan of this and the following Articles, 
 though not of much practical utility, may yet be 
 acted upon with a certainty of success. The pow- 
 der may be ignited by the means of a powerful 
 electrifying machine made to communicate with 
 each separate piece, and the charging must be 
 performed by conducting wires or rods made to 
 act upon the magazine lever described in Article 
 LVIII. 
 
 Since writing the above, an article has appeared 
 on the subject in one of the French Journals, of 
 which the following is a translation : At two 
 o'clock in the afternoon M. Bouche made an ex- 
 periment in the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, to try 
 the effect of electricity applied to gun batteries. 
 Instead of guns he had fixed about one hundred 
 rockets on long sticks, disposed in the garden. 
 The rockets were all connected by an iron wire, 
 and the same spark produced a spontaneous ex- 
 plosion. The concourse of people was very great, 
 the weather being remarkably fine. This new 
 invention is not intended to increase the destruc- 
 tive powers of those formidable weapons ; but it 
 is expected to afford the means of using them 
 without exposing gunners to the fire of the enemy. 
 
 No. LXVI. 
 
 A way, that against the several avenues 
 to a fort or castle, one man may charge fifty 
 
02 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 cannons, playing and stopping when he 
 pleaseth, though out of sight of the cannon, 
 
 Vide last Article. 
 
 No. LXVIL 
 
 A rare way likewise for muskettoons, fast- 
 ened to the pommel of the saddle, so that 
 a common trooper cannot miss to charge 
 them, with twenty or thirty bullets at a time, 
 even in full career. 
 
 NOTE BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 When first I gave my thoughts to make guns 
 shoot often, I thought there had been but one 
 only exquisite way inventible ; yet, by several 
 trials, and much charge, I have perfectly tried 
 all these. 
 
 No. LXVIH. 
 
 An admirable and most forcible way to 
 drive up water by fire, not by drawing or 
 sucking it upwards, for that must be, as the 
 philosopher calleth it, infra sphceram ac- 
 tivitatis, which is but at such a distance* 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 63 
 
 But this way hath no bounder, if the vessels 
 be strong enough ; for, I have taken a piece 
 of a whole cannon, whereof the end was 
 burst, and filled it three-quarters full, stop- 
 ping and screwing up the broken end, as 
 also the touchhole ; and making a constant 
 fire under it, within twenty-four hours it 
 burst and made a great crack : so that hav- 
 ing found a way to make my vessels, so that 
 they are strengthened by the force within 
 them, and the one to fill after the other, 
 have seen the water run like a constant foun- 
 tain stream, forty feet high ; one vessel of 
 water, rarefied by fire, driveth up forty of 
 cold water : and a man that tends the work 
 is but to turn two cocks, that one vessel of 
 water being consumed, another begins to 
 force and refill with cold water, and so suc- 
 cessively, the fire being tended and kept 
 constant, which the self-same person may 
 likewise abundantly perform in the interim 
 between the necessity of turning the said 
 
 cocks. 
 
 NOTE. 
 Vide Article C,, to which is prefixed a brief 
 
64 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 historical and descriptive account of that stupen- 
 dous machine, the Steam-engine. 
 
 No. LXIX. 
 
 A way how a little triangle and screwed 
 key shall be capable and strong enough to 
 bolt and unbolt, round about a great chest, 
 an hundred bolts through fifty staples, two 
 in each, with a direct contrary motion, and 
 as many more from both sides and ends, 
 and at the self-same time shall fasten it to 
 the place, beyond a man's natural strength 
 to take it away ; and, in one and the same 
 turn, both locketh and openeth it. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This invention, with its two following modifica- 
 tions, is evidently intended to operate on the prin- 
 ciple of applying a screw for the purpose of forcing 
 die lock bolt, in lieu of using the handle of the 
 key as a lever for that purpose. That this plan 
 might be applied to locks generally, there can be 
 no doubt, and by a similar contrivance the large 
 keys at present in use for outer doors, iron chests, 
 &c. might be advantageously reduced to the size 
 described by the noble author. By employing 
 the escutcheon mentioned in No. LXXII. these 
 locks would be equally safe and much more simple 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 65 
 
 than those in common use. For the latter part 
 of the Article, any ingenious smith may make a 
 lock with an hundred bolts ; and to fasten it to 
 the place, the power of a screw key is abundantly 
 sufficient to force an iron bar through a staple 
 previously fixed in the floors 
 
 No. LXX. 
 
 A key, with a rose-turning pipe, and two 
 roses pierced through endwise; together 
 with several handsomely contrived wards, 
 which may likewise do the same effects. 
 
 No. LXXI. 
 
 A key, perfectly square, with a screw 
 turning within it, and more conceited than 
 either of the rest, and no heavier than the 
 triangle screwed key, and doth the same 
 effects. 
 
 No. LXXII. 
 
 An escutcheon, to be placed before any 
 of these locks with these properties. 
 
 1. The owner (though a woman) may, 
 with her delicate hand, vary the ways of 
 
66 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 coming to open the lock ten millions of times, 
 beyond the knowledge of the smith that 
 made it, or of me who invented it. 
 
 2. If a stranger open it, it setteth an alarm 
 a going, which the stranger cannot stop 
 irom running out ; and, besides, though 
 none should be within hearing, yet it catch- 
 eth his hand, as a trap doth a fox; and 
 though far from maiming him, yet it leaveth 
 such a mark behind it, as will discover him 
 if suspected ; the escutcheon, or lock, plain- 
 ly shewing what money he hath taken out 
 of the box, to a farthing, and how many 
 times opened since the owner had been at it. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The two principal properties of this escutcheon 
 may be readily contrived ; and the first of them 
 has, in fact, been already applied to a very inge- 
 nious padlock, invented by Mr. Marshall, and 
 for which the Society of Arts voted him a reward 
 often guineas. In Mr. M.'s escutcheon the let- 
 ters or figures commonly used in the ring padlock 
 allow an almost endless variety of changes, and 
 the owner may in one minute alter the arrange- 
 ment in such a manner that even the maker would 
 experience as much difficulty to open it, as an 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. G7 
 
 entire stranger to its construction. To render 
 the combination of letters variable, the characters 
 must not be engraved upon the outside of the rol- 
 lers themselves, but upon a thin brass hoop made 
 to fit on its outer surface ; and a spring fastened 
 to the roller, and pressing upon the inside of the 
 hoop, will cause a sufficient degree of friction to 
 make them move together. 
 
 The other part of this invention is equally sim- 
 ple with the preceding. An alarum, such as is 
 attached to a clock, may easily be wound up prior 
 to closing the box ; and the lid provided with a 
 chamfered bolt or staple, capable of effecting its 
 discharge when the box is opened. 
 
 To register the amount of money taken from 
 the box, it will be necessary either to place each 
 distinct piece of money in separate divisions, or 
 to put a number together in one deep recess ca- 
 pable of admitting but one piece to pass at a time. 
 As the pieces are shaken out, they will in their 
 passage raise a lever capable of moving a wheel 
 one division in the passage of each piece. 
 
 The Bank of England have a method somewhat 
 similar for registering the number of notes work- 
 ed from the printing press of that establishment- 
 
 No. LXXIIL 
 
 A transmittable gallery over any ditch or 
 breach in a town-wall, with a blind and pa- 
 rapet, cannon proof. 
 
 F 2 
 
8 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. LXXIV. 
 
 A door, whereof the turning of a key, 
 with the help and motion of the handle, 
 makes the hinges to be of either side, and 
 to open either inward or outward, as one is 
 to enter or to go out, or to open in half. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 By making the handle act on a lever communi- 
 cating with the hinges, they may be raised from 
 their sockets on the required side ; and to open 
 in half, it is merely necessary to joint them in 
 the centre. 
 
 No. LXXV. 
 
 How a tape or riband-weaver may set 
 down a whole discourse, without knowing a 
 letter, or interweaving any thing suspicious 
 of other secret than a new-fashioned riband. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The evident analogy between this Article and 
 No. XXXIII. will be apparent on the slightest 
 view, and in general principle it is similar to Nos. 
 XXXIV. XXXV., &c. It may be performed 
 either by making the stitches of a given length, 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 69 
 
 varying the distance to distinguish the different 
 letters of the alphabet ; or, by any arbitrary shape 
 which may be previously agreed upon by the 
 parties corresponding. These arrangements being 
 made, the silk weaver will have nothing more to 
 do, than set his loom to the required pattern. 
 
 No, LXXVI. 
 
 How to write in the dark, as straight as 
 by day or candle-light. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Two planes of ebony of equal length and 
 breadth, similar to the paraUel ruler, and joined 
 at each end by racks, the side of which being 
 graduated to the width of the line intended will 
 serve as a certain guide, and by the use of this 
 instrument a blind person may write with the 
 greatest accuracy. If ivory tablets or a slate is 
 used, a fine wire drawn with a steel point may 
 be readily felt by the point of the pencil. 
 
 No. LXXVII. 
 
 How to make a man to fly : which I have 
 tried with a little boy of ten years old, in 
 a barn, from one end to the other, on a 
 hay-mow. 
 
70 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Innumerable are the schemes that have been pro- 
 posed by the learned at different periods, to ena- 
 ble man to support himself in the air by the means 
 of artificial wings, c. and some, indeed, of these 
 ingenious contrivances have formed the labours 
 of the most distinguished mechanical geniuses, 
 which are recorded in the early annals of science. 
 
 Bacon, and an Italian priest named Francisco 
 Lana, endeavoured to accomplish it by means of 
 two thin hollow globes, exhausted of air, which 
 being considerably lighter than that fluid, were 
 intended to sustain a chair suspended to their 
 lower extremity, and on which the aeronaut might 
 be seated. But Dr. Hook, in a work published 
 some time after the Prodrome of Lana, plainly 
 showed the fallacy of the attempt, though without 
 in the least attempting to deny the possibility of 
 eventually effecting this object. 
 
 Bishop Wilkins, who was also a disciple of the 
 flying system, describes a species of land-sailing 
 vessels or chariots, which were then commonly 
 used in China : and it is rather a curious fact that 
 a German Count, possessing as much of modesty 
 as the generality of foreign mechanics, has lately 
 given to the public, as his own, an invention which 
 has been known in Europe, and occasionally em- 
 ployed in Asia> for the last four hundred years. 
 
 But of all the plans that have hitherto been de- 
 vised, those only which have mechanic power as 
 their basis appear to have any chance of success. 
 This may be considered as an unerring datum to 
 guide the future experimentalist, the certainty of 
 which is fully demonstrated by a comparison of 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 71 
 
 the powers of the human frame with those of the 
 feathered tribe : for it has been calculated by an 
 ingenious anatomist, that the muscles which move 
 the wings downwards in a bird in many instances, 
 constitute not less than the sixth part of the weight 
 of the whole body ; while those of a man are not 
 one hundredth part so large. By the use of springs, 
 however, wound to a certain degree of tension, 
 prior to embarking upon the intended expedition, 
 and acting upon cranks working the wings, the 
 same power as that possessed by the feathered 
 race may be obtained, and the springs may be 
 readily made to draw more than fifty times their 
 weight. By this means a whalebone, or other 
 light carriage, may be raised, though it would be 
 but for a short time, as it would not be in the 
 power of the aeronaut to wind the springs so 
 quick as the machine would require. 
 
 From this, then, it will be seen that, to produce 
 the effect necessary for this species of navigation, 
 it is only requisite to have a first mover, which 
 will produce more power, in a given time, in pro- 
 portion to its weight, than the animal system of 
 muscles. 
 
 High pressure steam-engines have been made 
 to operate by expansion only, and they, it appears, 
 might be constructed so as to be light enough for 
 this purpose. In that case, however, it will be 
 evident that the usual plan of a large boiler must 
 be given up, and the principle of injecting a pro- 
 per charge of water into a series of tubes, form- 
 ing the cavity of the fire, must be adopted in lieu 
 of it. 
 
 The following estimate will show the probable 
 
72 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 weight of such an engine with its charge for one 
 hour. 
 
 Ibs. 
 
 The engine itself, from 90 to 100 
 
 Weight of inflamed coals in a ") 
 cavity presenting about 4 feet > 25 
 surface of tube 3 
 
 Supply of coal for 1 hour 6 
 
 Water for ditto, allowing steam ~) 
 of one atmosphere to be i-gW r ^2 
 the specific gravity of water ) 
 
 163 
 
 It may at first view appear superfluous to in- 
 quire further relative to a first mover for aerial 
 navigation ; but lightness is of so much value in 
 this instance, that it is proper to notice the proba- 
 bility that exists of using the expansion of air by 
 the sudden combustion of inflammable powders or 
 fluids with great advantage. The French have 
 experimentally shown the great power produced 
 by igniting inflammable fluids in close vessels ; 
 and several years ago, an engine w r as made in this 
 country to work in a similar manner, by the in- 
 flammation of spirit of tar. 
 
 It appears that eighty drops of this fluid raised 
 eight hundred weight to the height of 22 inches ; 
 hence a one-horse power may consume from 10 
 to 12 pounds per hour, and the engine itself need 
 not exceed 50 pounds weight. 
 
 Probably a much cheaper engine of this sort 
 might be produced by gas-light apparatus, and 
 by firing the inflammable air generated, with a 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 73 
 
 due portion of common air, under a piston. Upon 
 some of these principles it is perfectly clear that 
 force can be obtained by a much lighter apparatus 
 than the muscles of animals or birds, and there- 
 fore in such proportion may aerial vehicles be 
 loaded with inactive matter. Even the high pres- 
 sure steam-engine doing the work of six men, 
 and only weighing equal to one, will readily raise 
 five men into the air, but by increasing the mag- 
 nitude of the engine ten, fifty ; or even five hun- 
 dred men may equally well be conveyed. 
 
 Having rendered the accomplishment of this 
 object probable upon the general view of the sub- 
 ject, it will now be necessary to point out the 
 principles of the art itself. The whole problem 
 is confined within these limits, viz. To make a 
 surface support a given weight by the application 
 of power to the resistance of the surrounding at- 
 mosphere. 
 
 Many experiments have been made upon the 
 direct resistance of air by Mr. Robins, Mr. Rouse, 
 Mr. Edgeworth, Mr. Smeaton, and others. The 
 result of Mr. Smeaton's experiments and ob- 
 servations was, that a surface of one square foot 
 met with a resistance of one pound, when it tra- 
 velled perpendicularly to itself through air at a 
 velocity of 21 feet per second. 
 
 Having ascertained this point, had our tables 
 of angular resistance been complete, the size of 
 the surface necessary for any given weight would 
 easily have been determined. Theory, which 
 gives the resistance of a surface opposed to the 
 same current in different angles, to be as the 
 squares of the sine of the angle of incidence, is 
 
74 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 of no use in this case ; as it appears, from the ex- 
 periments of the French Academy, that in acute 
 angles, the resistance varies much more nearly to 
 the direct ratio of the sines, than as the squares 
 of the sines of the angles of incidence. The flight 
 of birds will prove to an attentive observer, that, 
 with a concave wing apparently parallel to the 
 horizontal path of the bird, the same support, 
 and of course resistance, is obtained. And hence 
 it appears that, under extremely acute angles with 
 concave surfaces, the resistance is nearly similar 
 in them all. 
 
 Six degrees was the most acute angle, the re- 
 sistance of which was determined by the valuable 
 experiments of the French Academy ; and it gave 
 ^Q of the resistance, which the same surface would 
 have received from the same current when per- 
 pendicular to itself. Hence then a superficial 
 foot, forming an angle of six degrees with the 
 horizon, would, if carried forward horizontally 
 (as a bird in the act of skimming) with a velocity 
 of 23*6 feet per second, receive a pressure of T 4 ^ 
 of a pound perpendicular to itself. And if we 
 allow the resistance to increase as the square of 
 the velocity, at 27 '3 feet per second it would re- 
 ceive a pressure of one pound. 
 
 The flight of the corvus frugilegus, or rook, du- 
 ring any part of which it can skim at pleasure, is 
 (from an average of many observations) about 34>'5 
 feet per second. The concavity of the wing may 
 account for the greater resistance here received, 
 than the experiments upon plain surfaces would 
 indicate. 
 
 The angle made use of in the crow's wing is 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 75 
 
 much more acute than six degrees : but in the 
 observations that will be grounded upon these 
 data, it may safely be stated that every foot of 
 such curved surface, as will be used in aerial na- 
 vigation, will receive a resistance of one pound, 
 perpendicular to itself, when carried through the 
 air in an angle of six degrees with the line of its 
 path, at a velocity of about 34 or 35 feet per second. 
 The next object is to apply what has been 
 advanced to the theory of aerial navigation ; and 
 the following description will convey a just idea 
 of the best method of effecting it. Suppose a 
 sail to be made of thin cloth, of a firm texture, 
 containing two hundred square feet ; and that 
 the weight of the man and the apparatus is 200 
 pounds. Then if the wind blow with a velocity 
 of 35 feet per second, in a certain direction, at 
 the same time that a cord in that direction sus- 
 tains a tension of 2 libs, from being fixed to the 
 machine, the whole apparatus will be suspended 
 in the air. But it is perfectly indifferent whether 
 the wind blow against the plane, or the plane be 
 propelled by any means against the air with an 
 unequal velocity. Hence, if this machine were 
 drawn forward by the cord under a tension of 
 2 libs, and with a velocity of 35 feet per second, 
 the whole would be suspended in an horizontal 
 path. Now, if, instead of this cord, any other 
 propelling power were generated in the same di- 
 rection, and with the same intensity, an equiva- 
 lent effect would be produced, and aerial naviga- 
 tion accomplished. Vide Bishop Wilkinss Math* 
 Magic. Hook's Philosophical Collections. Sir G 
 Cay ley on Aerial Navigation. 
 
76 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. LXXVIII. 
 
 A watch to go constantly, and yet needs 
 no other winding from the first setting on 
 the cord or chain, unless it be broken, re- 
 quiring no other care from one than to be 
 now and then consulted with, concerning 
 the hour of the day or night ; and if it be 
 laid by a week together, it will not err much ; 
 but the oftener looked upon, the more exact 
 it showeth the time of the day or night. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 For a pocket watch it will be necessary to em- 
 ploy a small balance, with a nut attached to its 
 axis and communicating with the fusee, the con- 
 tinued vibration of which will, by winding the 
 watch, give it nearly all the advantages of a per- 
 petual prime mover. Should the time-piece be 
 placed in a fixed case it will require a communica- 
 tion between the joint of the door and the fusee, 
 and this may likewise be readily applied to the 
 case of a hunting watch. 
 
 Mr. Gout's pedometer not only marks the time, 
 but the number of paces passed over from one 
 place to another : this is accomplished by means 
 of a chain or string passing to the leg of the wearer, 
 or to the wheel of a chariot, which is made to ad- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 77 
 
 vance the index hand one division at each eleva- 
 tion of the foot : thus, on the same dial, exhibiting, 
 at one view, both time and distance. The same 
 pedometer will, by a proper application to the 
 saddle, ascertain every pace a horse takes, and 
 it may be made to change its performance in a 
 second, should the horse in the course of mea- 
 suring go from one pace to another. 
 
 No. LXXIX. 
 
 A way to lock all the boxes of a cabinet 
 (though never so many) at one time, which 
 were, by particular keys appropriated to each 
 lock, opened severally, and independent the 
 one of the other, as much as concerneth the 
 opening of them, and by these means cannot 
 be left open unawares. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 This suggestion, which is both ingenious and 
 useful, might be advantageously adopted in every 
 description of cabinet or chest now in use ; it may 
 be performed either by cranks and wires, or 
 by sliding, bolts and levers communicating with 
 each lock : the latter way, though attended with 
 greater expense, is by far the most durable. 
 
 Another and more simple mode offers itself in 
 
78 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 the use of a series of spring locks, which may be 
 closed by the pressure of the lid, unconnected 
 with any other mechanism. 
 
 No. LXXX. 
 
 How to make a pistol barrel no thicker 
 than a shilling, and yet able to endure a 
 musket proof of powder and bullet. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 It requires no great share of ingenuity to ac- 
 complish this object, as an examination of modern 
 fire-arms will fully testify ; many pocket pistols 
 that are manufactured at the present period, being 
 at least as thin as those described by the noble 
 author. 
 
 No. LXXXI. 
 
 A comb-conveyance carrying of letters 
 without suspicion, the head being opened 
 with a needle screw, drawing a spring to- 
 wards one ; the comb being made but after 
 an usual form, carried in one's pocket. 
 
 NOTE. 
 A pocket comb and portable spoon, as described 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 79 
 
 in this and the following article, with double sides 
 to conceal any letter, paper, &c. are too simple to 
 need a particular description. 
 
 No. LXXXIL 
 
 A knife, spoon, or fork, in an usual port- 
 able case, may have the like conveyances in 
 their handles. 
 
 No. LXXXIII. 
 
 A rasping-mill for hartshorn, whereby a 
 child may do the work of half-a-dozen men, 
 commonly taken up with that work. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 A variety of engines have been invented for 
 this purpose, many of which are capable of effect- 
 ing the saving of labour described by the Marquis, 
 as at that period (1663) the process was usually 
 effected by rubbing the horn or ivory over a com- 
 mon iron grater. 
 
 No. LXXXiy. 
 
 An instrument whereby persons, ignorant 
 in arithmetic, may perfectly observe numera- 
 
80 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 tion and subtraction of all sums and frac- 
 tions. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Sir Samuel Morland has published a detailed 
 account of two instruments of this kind in a tract 
 entitled, The Description and Use of two Arithmetic 
 Instruments, &c. London, 1673. The Roman 
 Abacus and Chinese Swan-pan are also instruments 
 of a like description. 
 
 The Abacus was variously contrived; that chiefly 
 used in European countries was made by drawing 
 any number of parallel lines at pleasure, at a dis- 
 tance from each other, equal to twice the diameter 
 of a calculus or counter. This placed on the 
 lowest line, signified 1 ; on the second, 10; on 
 the third, 100 ; on the fourth, 1000 ; on the fifth, 
 10,000; and so on. In the spaces between the 
 lines, the same counters signified half of what 
 they represented on the next superior line ; viz. 
 in the space between the first and second lines, 5 ; 
 between the second and third, 50 ; between the 
 third and fourth, 500 ; and so on. The abacus 
 was also divided cross-wise into areolce, and by 
 this means subtractions were performed. The 
 calculating instrument of Mr. Babbage is how- 
 ever much superior to any other contrivance yet 
 suggested. 
 
 No. LXXXV. 
 
 A little ball, made in the shape of a plum 
 or pear, which, being dexterously conveyed 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 81 
 
 or forced into a body's mouth, shall present- 
 ly shoot forth such, and so many bolts of 
 each side and at both ends as, without the 
 owner's key, can neither be opened nor filed 
 off, being made of tempered steel, and as 
 effectually locked as an iron chest. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The steel fangs with which this instrument is 
 furnished must, like the bolt of a common latch, 
 be chamfered from the point, so that, on its being 
 inserted within the teeth, the bolts will instanta- 
 neously spring out ; and no power short of the 
 key previously made to fit the wards of the lock 
 will suffice to free those who are thus ensnared. 
 This is evidently one of those discoveries which, 
 though practicable in itself, appears better calcu- 
 lated for swelling the catalogue of the noble Au- 
 thor's inventions, than for any beneficial result 
 likely to accrue to the public from its discovery. 
 
 No. LXXXVI. 
 
 A chair made a-la-mode, and yet a stranger, 
 being persuaded to sit down in it, shall have 
 immediately his arms and thighs locked up, 
 beyond his own power to loosen them. 
 
 NOTE. 
 Chairs of this description are stated to have 
 
82 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 been employed by the monks in the darker ages 
 of Christianity ; and were originally designed for 
 the purpose of entrapping those who, possess- 
 ing more courage, or less of prudence than their 
 neighbours, ventured to penetrate the mysteries 
 of papal seclusion. They were formed like a 
 common arm-chair, and provided with two levers 
 at the extremity of the arms ; and the same num- 
 ber were fixed immediately below the seat. These, 
 on pressing the cushion, were immediately dis- 
 charged like a man-trap : four powerful springs 
 acting on the levers for that purpose ; and so 
 firmly will the occupant of a chair of this de- 
 scription be fixed, that it will take the united force 
 of four or five persons to free the prisoner. A 
 similar chair was exhibited at the Villa Borgfiese, 
 Rome, in 1644 " They shew'd us also a chayre 
 w ch catches any who sitts downe in it so as not to 
 be able to stir out, by certairie springs concealed 
 in the armes and back thereoff which at sitting 
 downe surprizes a man on the suddaine, locking 
 him in by the armes or thighs, after a true tretche- 
 rous Italian guise." Vide Evelyn's Memoirs, vol. i. 
 p. 107. 
 
 No. LXXXVII. 
 
 A brass mould to cast candles, in which 
 a man may make five hundred dozen in a 
 day, and add an ingredient to the tallow, 
 which will make it cheaper, and yet so that 
 the candles shall look whiter and last longer. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 83 
 
 NOTE, 
 
 The usual method of dipping store candles is 
 subject to many objections, though the expense 
 attendant on casting those called moulds has hitherto 
 been an impediment to their general manufacture. 
 A more simple method now offers itself, which is 
 equally advantageous and economical. A quan- 
 tity of drawn tubes being first cut into the given 
 lengths, metal collars must then be soldered on 
 the extremity of each length, with an orifice of 
 sufficient size to allow the tallow and wick to pass 
 through the whole series of tubes. They must 
 then be connected together by a screw cut in each 
 alternate end, and the whole, thus formed, passed 
 through a steam pipe of sufficient size to prevent 
 the tallow chilling in its passage through the 
 moulds. When cold, each joint of the mould 
 must be separately unscrewed and the candles 
 separated by a sharp knife. 
 
 A means of purifying the tallow, and as such, 
 of rendering the candles whiter and more durable, 
 likewise suggests itself in the following simple 
 process. The vat, or copper, containing the melted 
 tallow, must be provided with a shower bath 
 placed immediately over the surface, to which must 
 be attached a reservoir of cold water : this, by the 
 action of a lever, maybe thrown through the grating 
 of the bath, and falling upon the tallow, will, in its 
 passage, carry to the bottom of the vat the whole 
 of the carbonised animal matter and other impu- 
 rities with which it is charged. After allowing a 
 
84 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 few minutes for the lighter fluid to rise, the water 
 may then be drawn off, by a cock placed at the 
 bottom of the vat for that purpose, and the same 
 process repeated till the tallow is fit for use. 
 
 No. LXXXVIII. 
 
 An engine, without the least noise, knock, 
 or use of fire, to coin and stamp lOOlbs. in 
 an hour, by one man. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Antoine Boucher appears to have been the first 
 engraver who used the fly-press for the multiply- 
 ing of metallic impressions from an engraved ma- 
 trix. This ingenious mechanic was employed by 
 Henry the Second of France, and the first money 
 was struck with it in that kingdom about the mid- 
 dle of the sixteenth century ; it was soon^however 
 laid aside on account of the great expense attend- 
 ant on its use, and the old method of striking 
 with the hammer was again resorted to. Queen 
 Elizabeth also had milled money coined in Eng- 
 land about the same period ; but it did not con- 
 tinue for more than ten years; and it was not till 
 1662, that the screw press was finally established 
 in the mint of this kingdom. The accelerated 
 motion of a screw, although possessing many ad- 
 vantages over the old method, does not appear 
 fully to answer the above description, as the noise 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 85 
 
 attendant on its use is certainly very considerable ; 
 it is probable therefore, that the hydrostatic press, 
 or a powerful lever worked by a crank, was in- 
 tended by the noble author as a substitute for 
 this useful machine. 
 
 It appears probable that the insertion of this 
 Article originated in an ignorance of the plan for- 
 merly proposed by Boucher, which appears of all 
 others best adapted for the purpose of coming 
 with rapidity, and which was not at that period 
 acted upon in England ; on the discovery of which 
 the following Article was substituted by the noble 
 author ; and appeared in the first printed edition 
 of the Century. 
 
 No. LXXXVIII. 
 
 How to make a brazen or stone head, in 
 the midst of a great field or garden, so ar- 
 tificial and natural, that though a man speak 
 never so softly, and even whispers into the 
 ear thereof, it will presently open its mouth, 
 and resolve the question in French, Latin, 
 Welsh, Irish, or English, in good terms, ut- 
 tering it out of his mouth, and then shut it 
 until the next question be asked. 
 
86 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Albertus Magnus, a celebrated philosopher of 
 the thirteenth century, is said to have constructed 
 an automaton which not only performed all the 
 apparent motions of life, but absolutely answered 
 questions. It is recorded of Thomas Aquinas, 
 that, having accidentally seen the head, he was so 
 terrified that he broke it in pieces, upon which 
 Albert exclaimed : Periit opus triginta annorum ! 
 Though this appears one of the earliest instances 
 of a speaking automaton constructed by one of 
 the laity, there is no doubt but that the method 
 of conveying answers to various interrogatories, 
 by the agency of concealed pipes or a speaking 
 trumpet, was practised at a very early period. 
 That the impostor Alexander, however, caused 
 his ^Esculapius to speak in this manner is expressly 
 related by Lucan. He took, says this author, 
 instead of a pipe, the gullet of a crane, and trans- 
 mitted the voice through it to the mouth of the 
 statue. But the invention of the invisible girl, 
 which may be considered as an improvement on 
 the oracular responses of the darker ages, infi- 
 nitely surpassed any of those hitherto recorded. 
 
 This very ingenious apparatus was publicly ex- 
 hibited both at Bristol and in London for a con- 
 siderable period, during which time no discovery 
 was made of its internal mechanism; and it is 
 probable that its construction would have remain- 
 ed a secret to all but the exhibitors, but for the 
 ingenuity of Mr. (now Professor) Millington, who, 
 in a course of Lectures delivered in the winter of 
 1806, explained the manner in which it was per- 
 formed. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 87 
 
 The visible part of the apparatus connected with 
 the invisible girl was thus constructed : first a ma- 
 hogany frame resembling a bedstead, having at 
 the corners four upright posts about five feet high, 
 was united by a cross-rail near the top, and two 
 or more cross-rails near the bottom, to strengthen 
 the frame, which was about four feet square. 
 The frame thus constructed was placed upon the 
 floor, and to the top of each of the four pillars 
 were attached as many strong bent brass wires 
 converging towards the top, where they were se- 
 cured by a crown and other ornaments. From 
 these wires a hollow copper ball was suspended 
 by slight ribbons, so as to cut oflf all possible com- 
 munication with the frame. The globe thus sup- 
 ported was supposed to contain the invisible being, 
 as the voice apparently proceeded from the interior 
 of it : and for this purpose, it was equipped with 
 four trumpets, placed round it in a horizontal 
 direction, and at right angles to each other ; the 
 trumpet mouths coming to within about half an 
 inch of the respective cross-rails of the frame 
 surrounding them. 
 
 When a question was proposed, it was asked 
 from any side of the frame, and spoken into one 
 of the trumpets, and an answer immediately pro- 
 ceeded from the whole of them, so loud as to be 
 distinctly heard by the inquirer, and yet so distant 
 and feeble, that it appeared as if coming from a 
 very diminutive being. In this the whole o f the 
 artifice consisted; and the variations we r e so con- 
 trived that the answer might be returned in several 
 languages, a kiss might be returned, the breath 
 producing the voice was felt, and songs were sung, 
 
88 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 accompanied by the piano-forte, &c. To produce 
 this illusion, the sound was conveyed by a tube, in 
 a manner similar to the old and well known con- 
 trivance of the speaking bust ; the invisible girl only 
 differing in one circumstance; that an artificial 
 echo was produced by means of the trumpets and 
 hollow globe, in consequence of which the sound 
 was completely revers d. 
 
 In the invisible girl the orifice of the tube was in 
 one of the handrails just opposite the mouth of 
 one of the trumpets, the opening being concealed 
 by reeds and other mouldings ; the tube itself, 
 which was about half an inch in diameter, ran 
 through half the handrail, then down one of the 
 corner posts, and from thence under the floor 
 till it reached a large deal case almost similar to 
 an inverted funnel, along the side of which it rose 
 till it came nearly into contact with the ear of the 
 confederate, who with a piano-forte, &c. was 
 concealed in this case. Any question asked by a 
 voice directed into one of the trumpets was im- 
 mediately reflected back from the concave interior 
 surface of the globe to the orifice of the tube, 
 along which it was conveyed so as to be distinctly 
 heard by the person in the deal case, who returned 
 the requisite answer, which appeared to come pre- 
 cisely from the interior of the globe. A small 
 hole closed with glass was likewise left through 
 the deal case and side wall of the apartment, by 
 means of which the concealed person had an op- 
 portunity of observing and commenting upon any 
 circumstance which occurred in the room. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 89 
 
 No. LXXXIX. 
 
 White silk, knotted in the fingers of a pair 
 of white gloves, and so contrived without 
 suspicion, that, playing atprimero at cards, 
 one may, without clogging his memory, keep 
 reckoning of all sixes, sevens, and aces, which 
 he hath discarded, and without foul play. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 That sliding knots or rings may be formed on 
 the fringe of silk or other gloves, by which 
 means a reckoning can be kept, may easily be 
 conceived ; but it is scarcely too much to aver 
 that an undue advantage taken of an Opponent, 
 even at cards, savours very much of foul play, 
 if not absolute cheating. 
 
 No. XC. 
 
 A most dexterous dicing-box, with holes 
 transparent,, after the usual fashion, with a 
 device so dexterous, that with a knock of 
 it against the table, the four good dice are 
 fastened, and it looseneth four false dice, 
 made fit for this purpose. 
 
90 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 There are few who profess the science of cheat- 
 ing at cards or dice, or to be encouragers of those 
 who do; and it may fairly be conceded that 
 there are not two periods in our regal annals, 
 m which this detestable meanness had become 
 fashionable enough to sanction a nobleman in in- 
 scribing to the King and his Parliament a method 
 by which it might be advantageously effected. 
 
 No. XCI. 
 
 An artificial horse, with saddle and capa- 
 risons fit for running at the ring, on which 
 a man being mounted, with his lance in his 
 hand, he can at pleasure make him start, 
 and swiftly to run his career, using the de- 
 cent posture with bon grace, may take the 
 ring as handsomely, and running as swiftly 
 as if he rode upon a barbe. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Any person who is acquainted with the various 
 automaton figures that have been constructed by 
 those celebrated mechanics, Vaucanson, Kempe- 
 len, and Maelzel, will readily admit the possibility 
 of making a horse of this description ; nor should 
 we too readily undervalue those mechanical pur- 
 suits, which, though not of any immediate national 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 91 
 
 advantage, have formed the employment of one 
 of the greatest potentates of modern Europe.* 
 
 The most celebrated of the modern automata 
 were those made by Vaucanson, and which are 
 thus described by Beckman : 
 
 " One of them, which represented a flute-player 
 sitting, performed twelve tunes, and, as we are as- 
 sured, by wind issuing from its mouth into a Ger- 
 man flute, the holes of which it opened and shut 
 with its fingers." 
 
 ".The second was a standing figure, which in 
 like manner played on the Provencal shepherd's 
 pipe, which it held in its left hand, and with the 
 right beat upon a drum." 
 
 " The third was a duck, of the natural size, 
 which moved its wings, exhibited all the gestures 
 of that animal, quacked like a duck, drank water, 
 ate corn, and then, after a little time, let drop 
 behind it something that resembled the excrement 
 of a duck."f 
 
 Of these automata, or rather androides, the flute- 
 player of Vaucanson is the only one of which a 
 correct description has been preserved ; a parti- 
 cular account of its mechanism having been pub- 
 lished in the Memoirs of the French Academy. 
 The figure was about five feet six inches high, 
 and was placed upon an elevated square pedestal. 
 
 * CHARLES V., after his abdication, retired to the monas- 
 tery of St. Justus, in Estramadura, where he amused himself, 
 during the latter period of his life, in the making of auta- 
 matons, in which he was assisted by a very ingenious artist 
 named Turriano. 
 
 t History of Inventions, vol. Hi. p. 326. 
 
92 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 The air entered the body by three separate pipes, 
 into which it was conveyed by nine pairs of bel- 
 lows, which expanded and contracted in regular 
 succession, by means of an axis of steel turned 
 by the machine. The three tubes, which conveyed 
 the air from the bellows, after passing through 
 the lower extremities of the figure, united at the 
 chest; and ascending from thence to the mouth, 
 passed through two artificial lips. Within the 
 cavity of the mouth was a small moveable tongue, 
 which by its motion at proper intervals, admitted 
 or intercepted the air in its passage to the flute. 
 The fingers, lips, and tongue derived their specific 
 movements from a steel cylinder turned by clock- 
 work. The cylinder was divided into fifteen equal 
 parts, which by means of pegs, pressing upon a 
 like number of levers, caused the other extremi- 
 ties to ascend. Seven of these levers directed 
 the fingers, having rods and chains fixed to their 
 ascending extremities ; which, being attached to 
 the fingers, made them to ascend in proportion 
 as the other extremity was pressed down by the 
 motion of the cylinders, and vice versa. Three of 
 the levers served to regulate the ingress of the 
 air, being so contrived as to open and shut, by 
 means of valves, the communication between the 
 lips and reservoir, so that more or less strength 
 might be given, and a higher or lower note pro- 
 duced as occasion required. 
 
 The lips were directed by four similar levers ; 
 one of which opened them to give the air a freer 
 passage ; another contracted them ; a third drew 
 them backward, and the fourth pushed them for- 
 ward. The remaining lever was employed in the 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 93 
 
 direction of the tongue, which by its motion shut 
 or opened the mouth of the flute. The varied 
 and successive motions performed by this ingeni- 
 ous androides, were regulated by a contrivance 
 no less simple than efficacious. The axis of the 
 steel cylinder or barrel was terminated by an end- 
 less screw composed of twelve threads, above 
 which was placed a small arm of copper, with a 
 steel stud made to fit the threads of the worm, 
 which, by its vertical motion, was continually 
 pushed forward. Hence, if a lever was moved, 
 by a peg placed on the cylinder, in any one revo- 
 lution, it could not be moved by the same peg in 
 the succeeding revolution in consequence of the 
 lateral motion communicated by the w r orm. By 
 this means the size of the barrel was considerably 
 reduced ; and the statue not only poured forth a 
 varied selection of instrumental harmony, but ex- 
 hibited all the evolutions of the most graceful 
 performer. 
 
 No. XCII. 
 
 A screw, made like a water-screw, but the 
 bottom made of iron-plate spadewise, which, 
 at the side of a boat, emptieth the mud of 
 a pond, or raiseth gravel. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The Archimedean screw, though hitherto only 
 applied ,to the raising of water, appears to be 
 
94 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 equally applicable to many other purposes ; as the 
 procuring of sand from pits, taking dry goods of 
 small dimensions from carts or barges, clearing 
 rivers, &c. though in that case it will be necessary 
 to make the lower end of the machine in a conical 
 form, gradually increasing the size of the orifice 
 from the point to its upper extremity, in order to 
 prevent the materials from clogging the screw, 
 which would otherwise occur. 
 
 The dredging macltine worked by a steam-en- 
 gine, and employed in the Thames for a similar 
 purpose, is well known. 
 
 No. XCIII. 
 
 An engine, whereby one man may take 
 out of the water a ship of five hundred tons, 
 so that it may be caulked, trimmed, and re- 
 paired, without need of the usual way of 
 stocks, and as easily let it down again. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Beckman, in his History of Inventions, says, 
 that a machine of this description was invented 
 by a citizen of Amsterdam, in the year 1C90, and 
 was by him called the water camel. It consisted 
 of two half ships, and on the deck of each were 
 placed horizontal windlasses from which proceeded 
 ropes made to pass under the keel of the vessel 
 intended to be raised. The two sides of the 
 camel having been sunk by the admission of wa- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 95 
 
 ter, the ropes were drawn tight, and the pumps 
 being put in motion, the vessel was gradually 
 raised to the surface. It appears to have been 
 principally employed in crossing the bar of the 
 Zuyderzee. 
 
 No. XCIV. 
 
 A little engine, portable in one's pocket, 
 which placed to any door, without any noise, 
 but on crack, openeth any door or gate. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The simple engine called a Jack, used for the 
 purpose of raising great weights, with small ma- 
 nual exertion, appears to be admirably calculated 
 for this purpose ; and its even uniform motion is 
 evidently described by the noble author. 
 
 Ramelli has also given a description of several 
 very curious instruments for the same purpose. 
 Vide Artificiose Machini, p. 255, &c. 
 
 No. XCV. 
 
 A double cross-bow, neat, handsome, and 
 strong, to shoot two arrows, either together, 
 or one after the other so immediately, that 
 a deer cannot run two steps, but, if he miss 
 
96 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 of one arrow, he may be reached with the 
 other, whether the deer run forward, side- 
 ward, or start backward* 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The cross-bow, though long since superseded 
 in point of general utility by the invention of fire- 
 arms, might still be found a useful auxiliary in 
 the sports of the field, and as such, it has been 
 thought advisable to notice what appears to be 
 the plan on which this instrument must be con- 
 structed. To fire two arrows in immediate suc- 
 cession, it will be necessary either to attach a se- 
 cond bow to the under side of the stock, which, 
 after discharging one arrow, may immediately 
 be reversed, and the second fired. Or, where a 
 bow of sufficient length is used, the string may 
 communicate the required degree of impetus to 
 two arrows in succession, a stud being previously 
 prepared for its reception, about half-way down 
 the stock, from which it may readily be liberated 
 for the second discharge. 
 
 No. XCVI. 
 
 rt A way to make a sea-bank so firm and 
 geometrically strong, that a stream can have 
 no power over it ; excellent likewise to save 
 the pillar of a bridge, being far cheaper and 
 stronger than stone walls. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 97 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The break-water erected by Mr. Rennie at Ply- 
 mouth is, in its results, precisely what the noble 
 author has here described. The plan of its con- 
 struction is this : a mass of stone in blocks, of 
 about three feet in diameter, is thrown promis- 
 cuously into the sea, and left to find their own base, 
 the extremity of which is generally about seventy 
 yards. This sea-wall has been carried about 
 eight hundred fathoms in length, and the total 
 expense attendant on its erection is estimated at 
 1, 150,000. In 1766, Mr. Smeaton also applied 
 loose stones to strengthen the middle piers of 
 London bridge, which was the means of preserving 
 that venerable structure from the almost certain 
 ruin which threatened it. 
 
 But the most economical sea-bank yet con- 
 structed was executed at Rye, in 1804, under 
 the superintendence of the Rev. Daniel Pape, cu- 
 rate of that place. 
 
 The dam or bank was formed in its lower part 
 in two parallel ridges close to each other, like 
 the double roof of a house, which were covered 
 over, first with straw, and then with hazel faggots 
 about thirteen feet long ; and the whole was then 
 pinned down with piles, which were united to each 
 other at their heads by pieces put across the 
 direction of the faggots. When this bank was 
 completed, Mr. Pape formed another bank, on 
 the top of the preceding, by filling up the in- 
 terval between the two ridges, and covering the 
 whole in the manner above described. All this 
 was accomplished in one tide, and when completed 
 it fully answered the purpose for which it was 
 intended. 
 
98 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. XCVII. 
 
 An instrument, whereby an ignorant per- 
 son may take any thing in perspective, as 
 justly, and more so than the most skilful 
 painter can do by the eye. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 Vitruvius is the first author who directly treats 
 on this branch of the fine arts, though there can 
 be no doubt but the ancients fully understood its 
 most essential rules, which they must have prac- 
 tised at a very early period in the decoration of 
 their theatres. Vitruvius, in the proem to his se- 
 venth book, informs us, that Agatharchus of Athens 
 noticed the subject, when preparing a tragic scene 
 for a play exhibited by ^Eschylus : but the prin- 
 ciples of the art were more distinctly taught by 
 Democritus and Anaxagoras, the disciples of the 
 former painter. 
 
 Pietro del Borgo, early in the fourteenth century, 
 constructed a very ingenious machine, which was 
 afterwards employed by Albert Durer for the 
 above purpose. It consisted of a transparent ta- 
 blet, through which the object being viewed from 
 a small aperture, the artist contrived to trace the 
 images which the various rays of light emitted 
 from them would make upon it. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson has also described a machine 
 for this purpose, the invention of which he ascribes 
 to Dr. Bevis. But the most simple and efficient 
 instrument yet discovered for large objects is 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 99 
 
 the camera obscura and camera lucida ; both of 
 which fully answer the description given by the 
 noble author. 
 
 No. XCVIII. 
 
 An engine, so contrived, that working the 
 primum mobile forward or backward, upward 
 or downward, circularly or cornerwise, to 
 and fro, straight, upright or downright, yet 
 the pretended operation continueth and ad- 
 vanceth ; none of the motions above men- 
 tioned, hindering, much less stopping the 
 other ; but unanimously, and with harmony 
 agreeing, they all augment and contribute 
 strength unto the intended work and opera- 
 tion; and therefore I call this a semi-om- 
 nipotent engine, and do intend that a model 
 thereof be buried with me. 
 
 No. XCIX. 
 
 How to make one pound weight to raise 
 an hundred as high as one pound falleth, 
 and yet the hundred pounds descending doth 
 what nothing less than one hundred pounds 
 can effect. 
 
 Ji 2 
 
100 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 No. C. 
 
 Upon so potent a help as these two 
 last mentioned inventions, a water-work is, 
 by many years' experience and labour, so 
 advantageously by me contrived, that a 
 child's force bringeth up, an hundred feet 
 high, an incredible quantity of water, even 
 two feet diameter. And I may boldly 
 call it, the most stupendous work in the 
 whole world: not only with little charge to 
 drain all sorts of mines, and furnish cities 
 with water, though never so high seated, 
 as well to keep them sweet, running through 
 several streets, and so performing the work 
 of scavengers, as well as furnishing the in- 
 habitants with sufficient water for their pri- 
 vate occasions : but likewise supplying the 
 rivers with sufficient to maintain and make 
 navigable from town to town, and for the 
 bettering of lands all the way it runs ; with 
 many more advantageous, and yet greater ef- 
 fects of profit, admiration, and consequence : 
 so that deservedly I deem this invention to 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 101 
 
 crown my labours, to reward my expenses, 
 and make my thoughts acquiesce in way of 
 further inventions. This making up the 
 whole Century, and preventing any further 
 trouble to the reader for the present, mean- 
 ing to leave to posterity a book, wherein, 
 under each of these heads, the means to 
 put in execution and visible trial all and 
 every of these inventions, with the shape 
 and form of all things belonging to them, 
 shall be printed by brass plates. Besides 
 many omitted, and some of three sorts wil- 
 lingly not set down, as not fit to be di- 
 vulged, lest ill use may be made thereof, 
 but to show that such things are also within 
 my knowledge, I will here in myne owne 
 cypher sett down one of each, not to be con- 
 cealed when duty and affection obligeth me. 
 
 In bonum publicum, et ad majorem Dei gloriam. 
 
 NOTE. 
 
 The three last inventions may justly be con- 
 sidered as the most important of the whole " Cen- 
 tury," and when united with the C8th article, they 
 appear to suggest nearly all the data essential for 
 
102 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 the construction of a modern steam-engine. The 
 noble author has furnished us with what he calls 
 a " definition" of this engine; and although it is 
 written in the same vague and empirical style, 
 which characterises a large portion of his Inven- 
 tions, it may yet be considered as affording addi- 
 tional proofs of the above important fact. 
 
 The Marquis's " definition" is exceedingly rare, 
 as the only copy known to be extant is preserved 
 in the British Museum. It is printed on a single 
 sheet without date, and appears to have been 
 written for the purpose of procuring subscriptions 
 in aid of a Water Company, then about to be 
 established. 
 
 " A stupendous, or a water-commanding en- 
 gine, boundless for height, or quantity, requiring 
 no external, nor even additional help or force to 
 be set, or continued in motion, but what intrinsi- 
 cally is afforded from its own operation, nor yet 
 the twentieth part thereof. And the engine con- 
 sis teth of the following particulars: 
 
 ' A perfect counterpoise, for what quantity 
 soever of water. 
 
 * A perfect countervail, for what height soever 
 it is to be brought unto. 
 
 ' A primum mobile, commanding both height 
 and quantity, regulator- wise. 
 
 ' A vicegerent or countervail, supplying the 
 place, and performing the full force of man, wind, 
 beast, or mill. 
 
 ' A helm or stern, with bit and reins, where- 
 with any child may guide, order, and control the 
 whole operation. 
 
 ' A particular magazine for water, according 
 to the intended quantity, or height of water. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 103 
 
 ' An aqueduct, capable of any intended quan- 
 tity or height of water. 
 
 ' A place for the original fountain or river to 
 run into, and naturally of its own accord incor- 
 porate itself with the rising water, and at the 
 very bottom of the aqueduct, though never so 
 big or high. 
 
 ' By divine providence, and heavenly inspira- 
 tion, this is my stupendous water-commanding 
 engine, boundless for height and quantity. 
 
 ' Whosoever is master of weight, is master of 
 force ; whosoever is master of water, is master 
 of both : and consequently to him all forcible ac- 
 tions and atchievements are easie.' 
 
 It may now be adviseable to trace the history 
 of the steam-engine through some of its earlier 
 modifications ; and we shall find that, although 
 the present form of this stupendous machine al- 
 most deserves the title of an invention, yet that 
 many steps have been taken, and much labour 
 and much ingenuity expended, before it was 
 brought to that point from which the more mo- 
 dern improvements may be said to have begun. 
 And whilst we admire the genius of those who 
 have perfected the application of a mighty power, 
 let us not refuse the tribute of praise to those, 
 who first pointed out that such a power existed. 
 
104 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 The first apparatus of this description, of which 
 any authentic account has been preserved, was 
 suggested by Hero of Alexandria, and consisted 
 of a vessel F in which steam was generated by 
 the application of external heat. The ball G was 
 supplied with the elastic vapour thus procured, 
 by means of the bent pipe E B, a steam tight joint 
 being provided for that purpose. Two tubes 
 bent to a right angle at A and D, are the only 
 parts open to the air, and as the steam rushes 
 out from very minute apertures, a rotatory mo- 
 tion is produced. An account of this apparatus 
 is preserved in Hero's Spiritalia, published by the 
 Jesuits in 1693 ; and a copy of this highly curious 
 work, with a Latin translation prefixed, is now 
 in the Library of the London Institution. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 105 
 
 A modification of Hero's apparatus is repre- 
 sented beneath : 
 
 It was constructed by Mr. Styles for the use 
 of the Editor in his public lectures. The circular 
 tube a is in this case supported by the upright 
 pillar c d; and the flame of alcohol in the trough , 
 by generating high pressure steam, which rushes 
 from the apertures e, produces a rotatory motion. 
 
106 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 Brancas's revolving apparatus, as will be seen 
 by reference to the diagram in the preceding page, 
 was still more simple than that contrived by Hero. 
 A copper vessel filled with water, (in the original 
 figure made in the form of an ornamental head,) 
 was furnished with a pipe c, through which the 
 steam was propelled, and striking against the 
 vanes of the float wheel d, readily gave motion 
 to a pestle and mortar, which was employed in 
 the alchemist's laboratory. 
 
 The only w r ork in which a description of this 
 engine has been preserved, was published in 1629 ; 
 it is exceedingly rare, and the above diagram is 
 engraved from a copy in the possession of Major 
 Colby. 
 
 A slight examination of the principle upon 
 which this simple apparatus is constructed, will 
 shew that no very considerable force could have 
 been obtained ; as the steam passing through the 
 atmosphere in its passage to the wheel, must, to 
 a certain extent at least, be converted into water. 
 
 After the publication of the work by Brancas, 
 more than thirty years elapsed ere the publication 
 of the Marquis's " Century" recalled the attention 
 of the scientific world to this important subject; 
 and this invention, which he states as having been 
 completely carried into effect, was evidently very 
 different from that of his predecessors. 
 
 It is said that the Marquis, while confined in 
 the Tower of London, was preparing some food 
 in his apartment, and the cover of the vessel, 
 having been closely fitted, was, by the expansion 
 of the steam, suddenly forced off and driven up 
 the chimney. This circumstance attracting his 
 attention, led him to a train of thought, which 
 terminated in the completion of his " water-corn- 
 

 CENTURY OF INVENTIONS, 
 
 107 
 
 manding engine."* Of the Marquis's invention no 
 record has been preserved beyond the articles to 
 which we have already alluded in the present 
 work : and in the absence of other data, the Editor 
 readily introduces Professor Millington's design 
 for an engine on similar principles ; and which, 
 with a few alterations, might be made available 
 for the purposes recommended by our author. 
 
 * Vide Historical and Descriptive Account of the Steam- 
 engine, by C. F. Partington, p. 6. 
 
108 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 In this diagram, g represents a strong and close 
 vessel or boiler to contain water, set in brick work 
 like a common copper, with a fire-place r under- 
 neath it, having a chimney s. The boiler thus con- 
 structed, is intended to afford the means of pro- 
 ducing steam : and if we conceive two casks or 
 strong hollow vessels of any form to be placed 
 under the surface of the water, near the boiler, 
 as at t and v, and that each of these vessels has a 
 valve opening into it in its lower part as u u, and 
 two pipes w ?, proceeding from the upper part of 
 the vessels to the top of the steam boiler q, while 
 two other pipes x x proceed from the lower parts 
 of these vessels into a cistern y, forty feet above 
 the level of the water ; an apparatus thus con- 
 structed will nearly form the water-commanding 
 engine, for if the vessels t and v are both filled 
 with water by the valves u u, and the cock z be 
 opened after the steam has accumulated in the 
 boiler, the elastic fluid thus generated will instantly 
 rush down into the vessel t, and when the sur- 
 face of the water is heated expel the whole of 
 its contents up the pipe a x, into the cistern jy, 
 where it will be retained by a valve opening up- 
 wards in any part of that pipe, as at' a. This done, 
 the cock z must be shut, and after permitting the 
 steam to accumulate for a short time, that at b 
 must be opened, and the steam will rush into 
 the vessel v and perform a similar office, c be- 
 ing the valve to prevent the return of the water. 
 When the steam is shut off from the vessel t, the 
 
 elastic fluid which had previously been introduced 
 
 rill be condensed by 
 media round it, and thus a vacuum will be pro- 
 
 to expel the water, will be condensed by the cold 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 109 
 
 duced in the vessel t, consequently a part of the 
 water in which it is immersed will rush into it by 
 the valve u, and occupy the whole internal cavity, 
 thus putting it in a state of preparation for a se- 
 cond opening of the cock z, by which its contents 
 will be again discharged into the cistern y, and so 
 of the two vessels alternately ; for while v is emp- 
 tying, t will be filling, and vice versa, which agrees 
 with the Marquis's account when he says, " that 
 the man is but to turn two cocks, that one ves- 
 sel of water being consumed, another begins to 
 force," &c. 
 
 The above suggestion for an engine capable of 
 raising water may be still further improved by 
 adding a suction pipe to the valves u u, and the 
 pressure of the atmosphere will increase the work- 
 ing power of the engine more than thirty feet : 
 and should a less height be required, the forcing 
 pipe may be shortened in a proportionate degree : 
 indeed this fact was attended to by the next per- 
 son who claims the honour of having invented the 
 steam-engine, to which it may now be adviseable 
 to direct the reader's attention, 
 
110 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 The engine suggested by Savery for the pur- 
 pose of raising water, consisted of a boiler a fur- 
 nished with a safety valve v. The steam-vessel r 
 was connected with the well H, by a suction pipe 
 n ; and when water was to be raised the vessel r 
 was filled with steam, which rushing in, soon ex- 
 pelled the air : when that was completely effected, 
 the communication with the boiler was closed, 
 and the steam condensed, which diminishing its 
 bulk, formed a vacuous space within the vessel ; 
 the pressure of the atmosphere then operating 
 upon the surface of the water in the well, drove 
 it up the pipe. In this form of the apparatus, the 
 inventor was seldom able to raise water more than 
 thirty feet : and when a greater altitude was requir- 
 ed, it was effected by the impellent force of high 
 pressure steam. This was accomplished by the as- 
 cending pipe k, which was sometimes carried sixty 
 feet higher than the steam-vessel s ; and a refer- 
 ence to the great expansive force of steam will 
 show that this operation must be attended with 
 considerable danger. After condensing the steam 
 and filling the vessel r with water, a new supply 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. Ill 
 
 of steam was then introduced, which pressing on 
 the surface of the water, drove it up the pipe k ; 
 and it will be evident that the pressure on the 
 internal surface of the boiler must be propor- 
 tioned to the height of the column of water thus 
 raised by the steam. 
 
 The principal objection to this form of the en- 
 gine arises from the great consumption of fuel, 
 a considerable portion of the caloric employed in 
 the generation of the steam being absorbed in 
 heating the new surface of cold water last raised 
 from the well ; and where great heights are 
 required, there appears no mode of completely 
 obviating this objection. Should it, however, be 
 required merely to raise water about thirty feet, 
 there are few contrivances more economical or 
 better adapted for general use. 
 
 While speaking of Savery's apparatus it may 
 be adviseable to notice the very ingenious adap- 
 tation of the same principle to the construction of 
 a gas engine, by Mr. Brown. In the latter case 
 a vacuum is formed by the introduction of an in- 
 flamed jet of carburetted hydrogen gas, which 
 consumes the oxygen, and rarefies the nitrogen, 
 by the increase of temperature which ensues. 
 The vacuum thus produced is much more perfect 
 than would at first view have been supposed, from 
 the nature of the process resorted to by the pa- 
 tentee ; but the economy of employing carburet- 
 ted hydrogen gas as a substitute for condensible 
 vapour is still somewhat problematic.* 
 
 * Since writing the above, the Editor has seen a report 
 on Mr. Brown's engine by Professor Millington, in which it 
 is distinctly stated that the apparatus is fully adapted to the 
 purpose for which it is intended. 
 
112 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 To more fully understand the nature of Mr. 
 Brown's engine, it may be better to revert to a 
 diagram, which will sufficiently explain its gene- 
 ral principles. 
 
 In the above view, the cylinders c and d, are 
 the vessels in which a vacuum is alternately ef- 
 fected ; g i g and h j h are two pipes, leading into 
 the lower cylinders x x, shewn in the next page, 
 from which the water rises along those pipes to 
 fill the vacuum cylinders alternately. The water 
 thus supplied is discharged through the pipes B 
 into the tank or trough z, where it falls upon the 
 overshot water-wheel, and, by the rotatory motion 
 thus produced, gives power to such machinery as 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 113 
 
 may be connected to it. The water runs from 
 the wheel along a case surrounding the lower 
 half, into a reservoir t?, from which the lower 
 cylinders x x, are alternately supplied. 
 
 The gas is supplied to the cylinders by the 
 pipes k k k, which must be, of course, attached to 
 a gasometer, or some other reservoir of gas. The 
 gas also passes along the small pipe / / (which 
 communicates also with the gasometer), and being 
 lighted at both ends of that pipe, is kept con- 
 stantly burning in order to ignite the gas within 
 the cylinders. 
 
 The gas being admitted along the pipe fc, the 
 flame from the pipe / is now freely communicated 
 to the gas in the cylinder, through the orifice, by 
 the opening of the sliding valve s, which is raised 
 by the arm r, lifted by the rod o by means of the 
 beam. 
 
 The water in the reservoir v passing down one 
 of the pipes w, into one of the lower cylinders x, 
 causes the float y in that cylinder, to rise, and, 
 pushing up the rod o, raises the end b of the 
 beam, which, of course, draws up with it the cap 
 f, and forces down the cap e of the other cy- 
 linder c. 
 
114 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 The alternate action of each cylinder is pro- 
 duced by chains and rods, attached to a glass or 
 iron vessel p, more than half filled with mercury, 
 and turning upon a pivot ; each end receives its 
 movements of elevation and depression from the 
 rise and fall of the projecting arms q, by the ac- 
 tion of the beam above ; the mercury within 
 flowing to the lower end, giving an impetus, and 
 thus regulating the supply of gas to the cylinders, 
 and the movement of the slide in the trough v. 
 By this action the water from the reservoir flows 
 down the pipe w, into the vessel x, and produces 
 the elevation of the float y and the rod n, and 
 raises the cap e by the ascent of the beam at a. 
 
 The motion thus produced in one part of the 
 machinery, operates upon the corresponding 
 parts on the other side, and hence a correspond- 
 ing motion is obtained : the slider in the trough v, 
 moved by the action of the mercurial tube p, being 
 removed from its position, allows the water to 
 fall into the other pipe w ; and, as it ascends, 
 suffers the float y to descend, and rising into the 
 main cylinder, then lifts again the beam at b, and 
 its connexions, and forces down the cap e on the 
 top of the other cylinder. 
 
 When the vacuum is produced in the cylinders, 
 the air must be admitted to allow the water to be 
 discharged, and the caps to be raised : this is 
 effected by a sliding valve in the air-pipe m m, 
 acted upon by chains t t, attached to the floats 
 in the reservoir, and as motion is given to them, 
 the valve is made to fly backwards and forwards, 
 so as to allow the free admission of atmospheric 
 air. 
 
 Chains u u, with suspended weights, open the 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 115 
 
 cocks in the pipe k k, and produce the alternate 
 flow of the gas, and regulate and modify its sup- 
 ply. In the pipes g i g, and h j h, are clacks to 
 prevent the return of the water, when the air is 
 admitted into the cylinders. 
 
 A piston may be worked as is above described, 
 with the machinery attached ; but it may also be 
 worked in a distinct vessel so as to communicate 
 with several cylinders, arid, consequently, several 
 pistons may work at the same time, the air and 
 vacuum valves being opened and closed by similar 
 means to those adapted to work the induction and 
 eduction valves of steam-engines. 
 
 The atmospheric engine comes next in order, 
 and its claim to practical utility is of a very early 
 date. 
 
 The cylinder 6, is in this engine placed over a 
 boiler , and if we suppose the piston p made to 
 i 2 
 
116 MARQUIS or WORCESTER'S 
 
 fit air-tight, it will be evident, that it must be dri- 
 ven up by the action of the steam beneath, should 
 a sufficient supply of heat be applied ; when this 
 is effected, the condensible vapour may be reduced 
 to its original bulk, by the introduction of water 
 from the cistern i. In the working engine how- 
 ever, the ascent of the piston is effected by the 
 action of the lever e g, acting on the fulcrum f. 
 To the end g of this lever or working beam is 
 attached the pump-rod h, and it will be evident 
 that whenever that preponderates over the piston 
 p, that the latter must be drawn up. On the re- 
 admission of the steam, a new supply of conden- 
 sing water is introduced by turning the cock /, 
 and the pressure of the atmosphere above the 
 piston being unbalanced by any resistance be- 
 neath, the end e is again depressed, and the 
 pump-rod again elevated. The pipe g is em- 
 ployed to carry off the condensing water, which 
 would otherwise accumulate within the cylinder ; 
 and the small forcing pump, with its rod v s, sup- 
 plies the condensing cistern , by the pipe t. 
 
 At the beginning of the last century, the at- 
 mospheric engine had made considerable progress 
 in the mining districts, and in 1718, the patentees 
 agreed to erect an engine for the owners of a 
 colliery, in the county of Durham, where several 
 hundred horses had previously been employed. 
 Mr. Henry Beighton, who was engaged as an 
 agent in this concern, materially improved the 
 engine by making it self-acting, and divesting it 
 of nearly all the complicated machinery, which 
 had been previously employed for that purpose. 
 
 A very simple and at the same time ingenious 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 117 
 
 mode of illustrating the operations of an atmos- 
 pheric steam-engine will be found in the annexed 
 apparatus, suggested by Professor Brande, and 
 employed in his lectures at the London Institu- 
 tion. 
 
 The glass tube and bulb b is shewn with its 
 piston a, the rod being hollow and closed by a 
 screw c. If steam be generated by the spirit 
 lamp d, the air will speedily be expelled, and 
 after this is effected, the screw c may be closed, 
 and a working stroke produced by artificial con- 
 densation. 
 
 We come now to a new and distinct era in the 
 history of this important invention, and in noticing 
 the labours of Mr. Watt, we may almost speak 
 
118 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 of his engine as the gigantic offspring of a hand 
 giving birth to an automaton, no less powerful 
 than that of the fabled enchanters of the olden 
 time. 
 
 Mr. Watt's first great improvement in the en- 
 gine of Newcomen may be best understood by 
 reference to the annexed diagram, in which a re- 
 presents the cylinder, and b its plug or piston 
 made to fit air-tight. The pipe d is furnished 
 with a stop-cock, by means of which the elastic 
 vapour is occasionally admitted, A similar pipe, 
 furnished with a stop- cock aty, passes from the 
 other side of the cylinder, and enters the vessel g ; 
 e being the reservoir to contain water. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 119 
 
 If we now suppose the piston at the bottom of 
 the cylinder, and steam admitted by the pipe d, 
 its expansive force will elevate the piston, and 
 when the air is expelled, the whole internal cavity 
 of the tube will be filled with condensible vapour. 
 On closing the steam-cock, and opening that con- 
 nected with the vessel g, a portion of the vapour 
 will immediately expand itself, and coming in 
 contact with the cold sides of the vessel, a por- 
 tion of its heat must be absorbed by the water 
 at e. A new portion of steam then descends, 
 and is also condensed, and indeed the same pro- 
 cess continues till the whole of the steam is drawn 
 from the tube. A vacuum being thus formed, 
 the pressure of the atmosphere will preponderate, 
 and the piston rod be depressed to the bottom of 
 the tube. On closing the stop-cocky, a new 
 supply of steam may be admitted by the other 
 pipe, and after raising the piston, the process of 
 condensation may be readily repeated. 
 
 The advantages that arise from this mode of 
 forming a vacuum are very considerable, not the 
 least important of which, is a saving of nearly 
 half the fuel. 
 
 In the old engine, the condensing water must 
 reduce the temperature of the internal surface of 
 the cylinder to that of the atmosphere, before a 
 vacuum could be produced, and when the con- 
 densing water was applied more sparingly, the 
 elastic vapour remaining in the cylinder was found 
 to materially reduce the pressure of the air ope- 
 rating above. From this it will be seen that the 
 great advantage of Mr. Watt's apparatus consists 
 in performing the condensation in a separate ves- 
 
120 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 sel, so that the cylinder is always preserved at 
 the temperature of boiling water. 
 
 Having thus produced a vacuum without the 
 intervention of condensing water beneath the pis- 
 ton, Mr. Watt's next improvement consisted in 
 closing the top of the cylinder, so that the piston- 
 rod worked through an air-tight hole in the centre 
 of the cap ; and to ensure the necessary pressure 
 within the cylinder, steam w r ith an elastic force 
 greater than that of the atmosphere was admitted 
 above the piston. The atmospheric engine of 
 Neweomen was thus converted into a steam-en- 
 gine, and its power was easily regulated. 
 
 A cylinder and piston constructed on the most 
 improved principles may now be examined. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 121 
 
 In the annexed diagram, the cylinder A is fur- 
 nished with a steam-tight piston, the rod of which 
 is supposed to be connected with the working 
 beam. B represents the pipe which admits the 
 steam from the boiler, the quantity being regu- 
 lated by the throttle valve c, and the elastic va- 
 pour is now passing through the box d d, so that 
 it enters beneath the piston. At the same instant 
 of time, a communication is formed through the 
 aperture m n to the pipe p, which leads to the 
 condenser. When the piston reaches the top of 
 the cylinder, the sliding bridge or valve has its 
 direction changed, so that the pipe r, and conse- 
 quently the bottom of the cylinder, is connected 
 with the condenser, while a passage is opened from 
 the pipe m n to the steam box. Thus a commu- 
 nication is alternately made between the top and 
 bottom of the piston. 
 
 The slide-valve represented above is not inva- 
 riably employed in the double-acting engines, and 
 we frequently find the annexed contrivance re- 
 sorted to, in some of the best engines. 
 
 E^i^v^^^-SjS^^s^S^-i 
 
 The pipe 14 represents the passage to the cy- 
 
122 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 linder, and a communication is now opened with 
 the steam chamber g. The raised valve is per- 
 forated and a similar valve beneath closed by the 
 rod which passes through it. On closing the 
 valve g, the lower valve h is opened, and a free 
 passage between the condensing pipe beneath and 
 the upper part of the cylinder is the result. If 
 we now suppose a similar double valve placed at 
 the bottom of the cylinder, it will easily be seen 
 that an effect similar to that described in the 
 sliding valve will be produced. 
 
 The speed of the engine is regulated by a very 
 ingenious contrivance introduced by Mr. Watt, 
 called the governor, and represented beneath. 
 
 The balls i i are supported by the bent levers 
 hf, and as they are made to revolve with the fly 
 wheel axis, by means of a band passing round the 
 pulley c, any increase in the speed of the engine 
 will cause the balls to diverge. The moment this 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 123 
 
 takes place, the shorter arm of the lever n is de- 
 pressed, and as the extremity I is connected with 
 the steam-pipe by the throttle valve, the supply 
 of steam must of necessity be diminished, and 
 the speed of the engine reduced. 
 
 As the working power of the engine depends 
 very materially on the accurate fitting of the pis- 
 ton, it may be adviseable to examine some of the 
 modes of effecting this important object. 
 
 Mr. Smeaton, who greatly improved the at- 
 mospheric engine, coated the under side of the 
 piston with elm or beech planks about two inches 
 thick ; the wooden bottom being screwed to the 
 iron with a double thickness of flannel and tar, to 
 exclude the air between the iron and the wood. 
 By the adoption of this improvement, its property 
 of conducting heat was reduced, and the wood 
 having been previously jointed, with the grain 
 radiating in all directions from the centre, was 
 not liable to expand by the heated steam. This 
 piston was kept air-tight by a small stream of 
 water continually falling on its upper surface ; 
 but in Mr. Watt's engine he was compelled to 
 make the piston fit tight without any other media 
 than the oil that was employed to lubricate it. 
 
 The piston is now cast with a projecting rim 
 at bottom, which is fitted as accurately as pos- 
 sible ; the part above the rim being about four 
 inches less than the cylinder, thus leaving a cir- 
 cular groove for the hemp which forms the pack- 
 ing. To keep this in its place, a lid or cover is 
 put over the top of the piston, with a projection 
 which enters into the circular groove for the 
 packing, and pressing upon it, the plate is forced 
 
124< MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 down by screws, which work into the body 
 of the piston. By this means the packing is 
 made to fill the internal part of the cylinder with 
 tolerable accuracy, and thus prevents for a time 
 any steam passing between the piston and the 
 cylinder. When, however, by continued working, 
 the packing ceases to fit, it occasions a waste of 
 steam, to remedy which, the cylinder cap must be 
 removed, and as this is attended with a consider- 
 able degree of trouble to the engine-man, it is 
 seldom attended to till a considerable loss of 
 power has arisen. There are two improvements 
 on the piston, by which this inconvenience is to a 
 certain extent obviated. 
 
 In the first, by Mr. Woolfs, each of the screws 
 is furnished with a wheel or nut, and these are 
 all connected together by means of a central 
 wheel, working loose upon the piston-rod in such 
 a manner, that if any one of the screws be turned, 
 a similar motion is given to the remainder. 
 
 In a piston thus constructed, there is little dif- 
 ficulty in drawing down the packing, by applying 
 a key to the square head of the projecting screw, 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 125 
 
 employed to communicate with the rest: the 
 key-hole being afterwards closed by a cap. 
 
 The second contrivance is by Mr. Barton, a 
 diagram of which, accompanied by a piston as it 
 is usually constructed, is shewn beneath. 
 
 In the first piston, the screws i i are made to 
 compress the packing h h, by acting upon the 
 plate n n, the piston-rod r being firmly attached 
 by the nut c. 
 
 In one of the modifications of Barton's piston, 
 on the contrary, the packing is dispensed with, as 
 the flexible springs t t t press upon the wedges 
 c c c, and expand the intermediate plates. A 
 break-joint is readily formed, by making the se- 
 ries of plates double ; the second set of plates 
 falling upon the spaces which occur between the 
 first row. 
 
 The action of the high pressure engine depends 
 upon the great elastic force acquired by steam, 
 when exposed to the action of heat at very high 
 temperatures. It may indeed be considered as a 
 return to the principle of Brancas and the Mar- 
 quis of Worcester, as in this engine no condensing 
 water is necessary ; and it acts merely by the 
 elastic or repellant force of steam. In the high 
 
126 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER S 
 
 pressure engine, the condenser is taken away ; 
 and the steam, instead of being converted into 
 water by artificial cold in a close vessel, is allowed 
 to escape into the atmosphere from one side of 
 the piston, while it is acting forcibly on the other. 
 The advantages of the high pressure engine 
 over that used with a condenser, are cheapness in 
 construction, and a saving of the whole expense 
 attendant on procuring a sufficient supply of con- 
 densing water, which in some cases is an object 
 of considerable importance. 
 
 In the annexed section, the piston B passes 
 through an air-tight stuffing box, and the steam 
 is entering beneath it, by the four-way cock E. 
 If we now suppose the piston at the top of the 
 cylinder, a new arrangement of the communicating 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 127 
 
 pipe takes place, as the steam which was beneath 
 escapes, while a fresh supply enters above. The 
 four-way cock may be best explained by a section 
 in the opposite direction. Two pipes are seen at 
 the lower extremity of the cock, which communi- 
 cate with the upper and under sides of the piston. 
 The aperture D opens to the air, while the pipe 
 C serves for the admission of steam from the 
 boiler. 
 
128 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 We have now to notice the double cylinder en- 
 gine constructed by Woolfs, which will be found, 
 by reference to the diagram in the preceding page, 
 to consist of a high pressure cylinder, connected 
 with a condensing apparatus. 
 
 A and B represent the two cylinders, in the 
 larger of which the steam is allowed to expand 
 itself, after passing from the high pressure cylin- 
 der B. The steam, which in the first instance is 
 of considerable elasticity, is admitted to the cy- 
 linder B, by the tube and valve E, and entering 
 the cylinder above its piston, impels it to the 
 bottom. When this is effected, a communication 
 is opened between the upper part of the cylinder 
 B, and the under side of the cylinder A. The 
 communication between the cylinder B and the 
 steam-pipe E, is now reversed, and the steam is 
 made to press on the under side of the piston B, 
 a communication being at the same time formed 
 between the upper part of the cylinder A, and the 
 pipe leading to the condenser which is seen be- 
 neath. So that if we suppose the two pistons 
 connected by means of their rods with one end 
 of an ordinary working beam, the upward and 
 downward strokes of each will be performed at 
 the same time. We have hitherto considered 
 the steam as passing direct from the boiler to the 
 cylinder B ; this, however, is in reality effected by 
 a more circuitous route, as it is in the first instance 
 admitted to the steam-case of the larger cylinder 
 by the pipe c, and passing round a similar case, 
 encircling the cylinder B, it is then made to enter 
 at E. The pipe at D is merely intended to form 
 a communication for carrying back to the boiler 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 129 
 
 any water that may be produced by condensation 
 in the steam-case, before the engine arrives at a 
 proper temperature for working. 
 
 Having thus briefly examined the nature of 
 Mr. Woolf 's engine, it may now be advisable to 
 revert to the boiler, by which he proposes to gene- 
 rate steam of sufficient elasticity for the use of 
 the small cylinder, which requires elastic vapour 
 of great expansive force. The boiler, represented 
 by the diagram beneath, consists of a series of 
 tubes, of cast-iron, connected by screw-bolts with 
 the under side of a larger vessel A A, communi- 
 cating with the engine. The upper boiler is fur- 
 nished with four, and in some cases, with five 
 apertures ; the first of which is intended for the 
 admission of water, to supply the waste which 
 continually arises from evaporation. The safety 
 valves, man-hole, and water-pipe are also shewn. 
 
130 
 
 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 The mode of setting this boiler is also of con- 
 siderable importance, as it is advisable to give a 
 long and waving course to the chimney. 
 
 the 
 
 boiler, while 
 
 passage of 
 
 A still represents the principal 
 figures 1,2, 3, c. indicate the 
 the flame and heated air ; a section of the chim- 
 ney being shewn at o. 
 
 The steel-yard safety-valve which was employ- 
 ed in all the early engines is simple, and the na- 
 ture of its construction may readily be understood. 
 A represents a portion of the upper part of the 
 boiler ; B the safety-valve or plug made to fit air- 
 tight on the valve-seat beneath ; c the lever 
 working on its axis at D, and furnished with a 
 moveable weight E, adjusted to balance the pres- 
 sure of steam within the boiler. 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 131 
 
 When steam of great elasticity is required, the 
 weight is placed at the extremity of the lever, 
 and as such, acts with greater force on the safety- 
 valve, than when removed to a point nearer to 
 the axis on which it revolves : so that should low 
 pressure steam, or that which has a less expan- 
 sive force, be required, it will only be necessary 
 to remove it nearer towards the axis on which it 
 turns. 
 
 The lever and balance-ball safety valve al- 
 ready described, appear but little calculated for 
 those engines in which high pressure steam is 
 employed, as the engine-man, in an over anxious 
 zeal for the full performance of the machinery 
 confided to his care, has been frequently known 
 to increase the internal pressure of a large boiler 
 many thousand pounds beyond the resistance to 
 which it was originally proved. To prevent a 
 recurrence of those accidents, which first drew 
 the attention of the legislature to this important 
 part of the engine, it appears advisable to inclose 
 the safety-valve in an iron case, of which a sec- 
 tion is annexed. 
 
 The valve B in this case rests upon a conical 
 seat in the boiler A, and is furnished with a series 
 of small moveable plates lettered c, which are 
 K 2 
 
132 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 employed to increase or diminish the entire weight 
 of the safety-valve, the whole being covered by 
 the box D; and as this is pierced with a number 
 of small holes, the steam readily escapes when the 
 expansive force exceeds the resistance offered by 
 the loaded valve. 
 
 The patent revolving wheel invented by Mr. 
 Masterman, appears to promise the best results 
 of any rotatory engine yet invented, the friction 
 being much less than in any other apparatus in 
 which steam is employed as a prime mover. In 
 this engine, Mr. Masterman proposes to employ 
 water, or the fluid metal mercury as the immedi- 
 ate agent, which he effects by inclosing it in the 
 tubular rim of a large wheel, furnished with valves 
 opening in one direction. This wheel, as is shewn 
 in the opposite diagram, is made to revolve on a 
 hollow axis connected with the steam boiler. The 
 arms or spokes which radiate from the axis are 
 also hollow ; and on the admission of steam from 
 the boiler, it is conducted through the arm imme- 
 . diately opposite, and entering the rim of the wheel, 
 comes in contact with, and presses against the 
 column of water beneath and the closed valve 
 above the arm. The water being previously 
 heated to the boiling point, no condensation en- 
 sues, but the whole weight of water, which was 
 previously balanced in two columns of equal 
 height, is driven, by the pressure of the steam, to 
 the side opposite to that at which the elastic 
 vapour entered, and that side of the wheel will 
 necessarily preponderate. If this process be re- 
 peated, the steam being allowed to blow through 
 each radiating arm in succession, a continuous 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 133 
 
 rotatory motion will be produced. Should it be 
 advisable to employ steam of less elasticity, a 
 condenser may be added, and that too without 
 materially increasing the expense. 
 
 The application of steam-engines to the propel- 
 ling of carriages on the public road, has hitherto 
 been considered as a refinement in mechanics, 
 rather to be wished for than a matter of reason- 
 able expectation. The locomotive engine was first 
 employed for this purpose by Messrs. Trevithick 
 and Vivian, in 1802 ; and it found a ready intro- 
 duction to the mining districts where rail-roads 
 are general. In some cases, five, six, and even 
 ten waggons laden with coal are dragged up an 
 inclined plane by means of these vehicles ; and of 
 
134 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 course impelled by a high pressure engine, from 
 the utter impossibility of carrying condensing 
 water in a moveable vehicle. 
 
 An engine of four horses' power, employed by 
 Mr. Blenkinsop, impelled a carriage lightly loaded 
 on a rail-road at the rate of ten miles an hour, 
 and when connected with thirty coal waggons, 
 each weighing more than three tons, its average 
 rate was about one-third of that pace. 
 
 When the locomotive engine was first tried, it 
 was found difficult to produce a sufficient degree 
 of re-action between the wheels and the tract 
 road ; so that the wheels turned round without 
 propelling the vehicle. This inconvenience was, 
 however, obviated by Mr. Blenkinsop, who, when 
 he adopted the locomotive engine, took up the 
 common rails, on one side of the whole length of 
 the road, and replaced them by a series of racks, 
 or rails, furnished with large teeth. The impel- 
 ling wheel of the engine was made to act in these 
 teeth, so that it continued to work in a rack 
 which insured a sufficient degree of re-action. 
 
 From the great weight of an ordinary locomotive 
 engine as well as the construction of its impelling 
 wheel, it must be evident that the employment of 
 this species of prime mover on the public roads 
 would be in the highest degree destructive ; and 
 as such that its use will for some years to come 
 be partially confined to the mining districts, in 
 which the greatest facilities are offered for its 
 general adoption. Indeed, we find in one neigh- 
 bourhood alone, and within a space of less than 
 thirty square miles, more than twenty miles of 
 road admirably adapted for this species of con- 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 135 
 
 veyance ; and it is a well known fact, that there 
 are many situations in which iron rail-roads 
 might be advantageously employed, in which it 
 would be quite impossible to open a navigable 
 canal. In illustration of the above fact, it may be 
 proper to state, that a company, with a large 
 capital, is now forming for the express purpose 
 of facilitating the conveyance of goods by locomo- 
 tive engines. 
 
 The mode of applying the steam-engine to the 
 purposes of navigation is equally simple with its 
 employment in our manufactures. 
 
 Tt is generally supposed that the steam-boat is 
 of very recent invention ; on the contrary, how- 
 ever, the possibility of employing steam as a prime 
 mover in the propelling of vessels was suggested 
 as far back as the reign of Charles I. 
 
 In one of the old tracts preserved in the library 
 of the London Institution there is a very curious 
 representation of a steam-boat, constructed by an 
 engineer of the name of Hulls. And this indi- 
 vidual, now so little known, was undoubtedly the 
 first who applied a steam-engine to the purpose 
 of navigation. 
 
 To impel a vessel by this means, two paddle 
 wheels, like those used in an under-shot water- 
 wheel, are connected by means of a long axis and 
 crank, with the working beam of the steam-en- 
 gine ; and if this motion is not found sufficiently 
 rapid, a wheel and pinion are added, which, 
 although it decreases the effective power of the 
 engine, yet increases the velocity of the paddle 
 wheels. 
 
 To illustrate the great advantages possessed 
 
136 MARQUIS OF WORCESTER'S 
 
 by the steam-engine, even in its rudest state, 
 over every other species of prime mover yet enu- 
 merated, it may now be advisable to examine its 
 effective force when employed in the working of 
 pumps. It has been found that one hundred 
 weight of coals burned in an engine on the old 
 construction, would raise at least twenty thousand 
 cubic feet of water twenty-four feet high ; an en- 
 gine with a twenty-four inch cylinder doing the 
 work of seventy-four horses. An engine on Capt. 
 Savery's plan, constructed by Mr. Keir, has been 
 found to raise nearly three millions of pounds of 
 water, and Mr. Watt's engine, upwards of thirty 
 millions of pounds the same height. 
 
 To the mining interests this valuable present 
 of science to the arts has been peculiarly accept- 
 able ; as a large portion of our now most pro- 
 ductive mineral districts must long ere this have 
 been abandoned, had not the steam-engine been 
 employed as an active auxiliary in those stu- 
 pendous works. In the draining of fens and 
 marsh lands, this machine is in the highest degree 
 valuable ; and in England, particularly, it might 
 be rendered still more generally useful. In 
 practice it has been ascertained that an engine of 
 six-horse power will drain more than eight thou- 
 sand acres, raising the water six feet in height ; 
 whilst the cost of an engine for this species of 
 work, including the pumps, will not exceed seven 
 hundred pounds. This is more than ten wind- 
 mills could perform, at an annual expenditure of 
 several hundred pounds ; while, in the former 
 case, the outgoings will not exceed one hundred 
 and fifty pounds per annum. To the mariner 
 
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 137 
 
 also, the steam-engine offers advantages of a no 
 less important and novel nature than those which 
 have already been described. By its use he is 
 enabled to traverse the waters both against wind 
 and tide, with nearly as much certainty, and, as 
 the machinery is now constructed, with much less 
 danger, than by the most eligible road convey- 
 ance. It too frequently, however, happens that 
 the faults of any new invention are unjustly mag- 
 nified, while its real advantages are seldom duly 
 appreciated ; and this axiom has been fully veri- 
 fied, in the clamour so unjustly raised against the 
 application of the steam-engine to nautical pur- 
 poses. Accidents are now, however, but of rare 
 occurrence ; and it is more than probable, that 
 the great improvements which have been made 
 in the boiler and safety-valve will effectually se- 
 cure these parts of the engine from a recurrence 
 of such tremendous explosions as characterised 
 the first introduction of steam navigation. And, 
 lastly, the political economist must hail with the 
 most heartfelt gratification, the introduction of so 
 able and efficient a substitute for animal labour 
 as the steam-engine. For it has been calculated 
 that there are at least ten thousand of these ma- 
 chines at the present time at work in Great 
 Britain, performing a labour more than equal to 
 that of two hundred thousand horses, which, if 
 fed in the ordinary way, would require above one 
 million acres of land for subsistence ; and this is 
 capable of supplying the necessaries of life to more 
 than fifteen hundred thousand human beings.* 
 
 * Vide Historical Account of the Steam-engine, by C. F. 
 Partington. 
 
 L 
 
138 CENTURY OF INVENTIONS. 
 
 An ingenious foreigner, who lately visited 
 England, has published an estimate of the me- 
 chanical force set in action by the steam-engines 
 of this country. 
 
 He supposes that the great pyramid of Egypt 
 required for its erection the labour of more than 
 10,000 men for 20 years: but if it were re- 
 quired again to raise the atones from the quarries, 
 and place them at their present height, the action 
 of the steam-engines of England, which are ma- 
 naged at most by 36,000 men, would be sufficient 
 to produce the same effect in 18 hours. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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