Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss. Comprising also a history of the invention and introduction of the steam engine

CHAPTER XV.

Chapter 1576 wordsPublic domain

Watt again visits Cornwall--Rotary motion--The crank-engine at Soho--Theft of the invention--Matthew Washborough--Smeaton and steam-power--Rotary-motion engine--Boulton and Watt’s cares--Evasions of the engine patent--The Hornblowers’ engine--Watt’s new inventions--Boulton’s confidence in the engine--Air-engine--Watt’s fears for the patent--The rotary engine invented--New improvements introduced--The equalising beam--Watt’s ill health and humour--Various expedients for producing circular motion--Murdock’s sun-and-planet motion--Patent taken for the reciprocating expansive engine--Troubles with workmen--Murdock’s efficiency and popularity--Watt’s despondency--The firm’s London agent’s house burnt--Gloomy prospects of the mining trade 285–316