Invention and discovery [from The Temple anecdotes] by R. and C. Temple |
Common terms and phrases
Abraham Darby afterwards anecdote appears Arkwright astronomer attention balloon became began BENJAMIN HUNTSMAN boat Boulton Bréguet Brunel Burslem cable Cavendish Charles Bell construction cotton Crompton curious Davy discovered discovery electricity employed engine England experiments favourite feet fire fortune frame France French Fulton gentleman glass Greenock Guinand gutta-percha Herschel hundred idea improvements ingenious instrument invention inventor iron JAMES WATT known labour lady lamp letter Lewis Paul light London machine machinery manufacture mechanical ment miles motion needle never night obtained parachute Paris passed patent person philosopher piculs pounds produced purpose railway received remarkable replied Royal Society Salomon de Caus says scientific Sir Humphrey Soho soon spinning steam steam-engine telegraph telescope Thames Tunnel thaumatrope tion took town tube tunnel umbrella vessel watchmaker Watt weaver William Hedley WILLIAM HYDE WOLLASTON wires Wollaston workmen Wylam young
Popular passages
Page 170 - When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business : but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.
Page 170 - A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Page 87 - I have met with many disappointments. I must have sunk under the burthen of them if I had not been supported by the friendship of Dr. Roebuck. I have now brought the engine near a conclusion, yet I am not in idea nearer that rest I wish for than I was four years ago. However, I am resolved to do all I can to carry on this business, and if it does not thrive with me I will lay aside the burthen I cannot carry. Of all things in life there is nothing more foolish than inventing.
Page 188 - April, 1785. This being done, I then condescended to see how other people wove ; and you will guess my astonishment when I compared their easy modes of operation with mine. Availing myself, however, of what I then saw, I made a loom in its general principles nearly as they are now made. But it was not till the year 1787, that I completed my invention, when I took out my last weaving patent, August the 1st of that year."/ Dr.
Page 220 - SIR, I am far from displeased with the proof you have given me of your confidence, and which displays great zeal, power of memory and attention, I am obliged to go out of town, and shall not be settled in town till the end of January. I will then see you at any time you wish. It would gratify me to be of any service to you. I wish it may be in my power. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, H. DAVY.
Page 15 - I have never entered into any controversy in defence of my philosophical opinions ; I leave them to take their chance in the world. If they are right, truth and experience will support them. If wrong, they ought to be refuted and rejected.
Page 186 - Happening to be at Matlock in the summer of 1784, I fell in company with some gentlemen of Manchester, when the conversation turned on Arkwright's spinning machinery. One of the company observed, that as soon as Arkwright's patent expired so many mills would be erected, and so much cotton spun, that hands never could be found to weave it.
Page 63 - O'erlooks the work: the carded wool, he says, Is smoothly lapp'd around those cylinders, Which, gently turning, yield it to yon cirque Of upright spindles, which with rapid whirl Spin out, in long extent, an even twine.
Page 79 - I walked round the room, perfectly regardless of what was said to me. As I recovered my former state of mind, I felt an inclination to communicate the discoveries I had made during the experiment. I endeavoured to recall the ideas, they were feeble and indistinct; one collection of terms, however, presented itself: and with the most intense belief and prophetic manner, I exclaimed to Dr. Kinglake, 'Nothing exists but thoughts! — the universe is composed of impressions, ideas, pleasures and pains.1'...
Page 87 - I find that I am not the same person I was four years ago, when I invented the fire-engine, and foresaw, even before I made a model, almost every circumstance that has since occurred. I was at that time spurred on by the alluring hope of placing myself above want, without being obliged to have much dealing with mankind, to whom I have always been a dupe.