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author: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 19:05:40 -0700
committer: Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> 2025-10-14 19:05:40 -0700
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 46879 ***</div>
+
+<p class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.gif" alt="Captain Thomas Savery, The inventor of the steam engine" /></p>
+
+<h2>THE</h2>
+<h1>MINER’S FRIEND;</h1>
+<h4>OR,</h4>
+<!--An Engine-->
+<h1>&#x1D504;&#x1D52B; &#x1D508;&#x1D52B;&#x1D524;&#x1D526;&#x1D52B;&#x1D522;</h1>
+<h4>TO</h4>
+<h1>RAISE WATER BY FIRE,</h1>
+<h2>DESCRIBED.</h2>
+<h3>AND OF THE MANNER OF FIXING IT IN MINES;</h3>
+<h5>WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL OTHER USES IT<br />
+IS APPLICABLE UNTO; AND AN</h5>
+<h4>ANSWER TO THE OBJECTIONS MADE AGAINST IT.</h4>
+<h4>BY</h4>
+<h2>THOMAS SAVERY, Gent.</h2>
+
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+<pre class="center">Pigri est ingenii contentum esse his, quæ ab aliis inventa sunt.
+                                                    SENECA.
+</pre>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill00.gif" alt="illustration title page" /></p>
+
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+
+<h4>LONDON: PRINTED FOR S. CROUCH, AT THE CORNER<br />
+OF POPE’S HEAD-ALLEY IN CORNHILL. 1702.<br />
+&mdash;&mdash;<br />
+Reprinted, 1827.</h4>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>LONDON:<br />
+Printed by W. Clowes.<br />
+Stanford-street</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill03.gif" alt="illustration page 3" /></p>
+
+<h2>TO THE KING.</h2>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+
+
+<p>SIR,<br />
+Your Majesty having been graciously pleased to permit an experiment
+before you at Hampton-court, of a small model of my engine described
+in the following treatise, and at that time to show a seeming
+satisfaction of the power and use of it; and having most graciously
+enabled me, by your royal assent to a patent and act of parliament, to
+pursue and perfect the same. By which your royal encouragement, it
+being now fully completed, and put in practice in your dominions with
+that repeated success and applause, that it is not to be doubted but
+it will be of universal benefit and use to all your Majesty’s
+subjects. Of whom, your Majesty being the universal patron and father,
+all arts and inventions that may promote their good and advantage,
+seem to lay a just and natural claim to your Majesty’s sacred
+protection.</p>
+
+<p>It is upon this consideration I am encouraged, with a profound
+respect, to throw this performance of mine, with the author, at your
+Majesty’s royal feet, most humbly beseeching your Majesty, that, as it
+had birth in your Majesty’s auspicious reign, you will vouchsafe to
+perpetuate it to future ages by the sanction of your royal
+approbation, which is the utmost ambition of,</p>
+
+<pre>
+		May it please your Majesty,
+				Your Majesty’s
+			most humble, most loyal,
+				and most obedient Subject,
+						THOMAS SAVERY.
+</pre>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill04.gif" alt="illustration page 4" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill05.gif" alt="illustration page 5" /></p>
+
+<h2>TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY.</h2>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+
+
+<p>At the request of some of your members, at the weekly meeting, at
+Gresham-college, June the 14th, 1699, I had the honour to work a small
+model of my engine before you, and you were pleased to approve of it.
+Since which I have met with great difficulties and expense, to
+instruct handicraft artificers to form my engine according to my
+design; but my workmen, after so much experience, are become such
+masters of the thing, that they oblige themselves to deliver what
+engines they make me exactly tight and fit for service, and as such I
+dare warrant them to any body that has occasion for them.</p>
+
+<p>Your kindness in countenancing this invention in its first appearance
+in the world, gives me hopes the usefulness of it will make it more
+acceptable to your honourable Society, as they are the most proper
+judges of what advantage it may be to mankind. And it would be
+ungrateful in me not to make use of this opportunity to return you my
+most humble and hearty thanks for the honour and favour you did me in
+approving my design, and publishing it to the world,* which shall be
+always acknowledged by</p>
+
+<pre>
+			Your most obliged
+				and most humble Servant,
+						THOMAS SAVERY.
+
+			* Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 252.
+</pre>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill06.gif" alt="illustration page 6" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill07.gif" alt="illustration page 7" /></p>
+
+<h4>TO THE</h4>
+<h2>GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS</h2>
+<h4>IN THE</h4>
+<h2>MINES OF ENGLAND.</h2>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+
+
+
+
+
+<p>I am very sensible a great many among you do as yet look on my
+invention of raising water by the impellent force of fire, a useless
+sort of a project, that never can answer my designs or pretensions;
+and that it is altogether impossible that such an engine as this can
+be wrought under ground, and succeed in the raising of water, and
+draining your mines, so as to deserve any encouragement from you. I am
+not very fond of lying under the scandal of a bare projector; and,
+therefore, present you here with a draught of my machine, and lay
+before you the uses of it, and leave it to your consideration whether
+it be worth your while to make use of it or no. I can easily give
+grains of allowance for your suspicions, because I know very well what
+miscarriages there have been by people ignorant of what they pretend
+to. These I know have been so frequent, so fair and promising at
+first, but so short of performing what they pretended to, that your
+prudence and discretion will not now suffer you to believe any thing
+without a demonstration, your appetites to new inventions of this
+nature having been balked too often; yet, after all, I must beg you
+not to condemn me, before you have read what I have to say for myself;
+and let not the failures of others prejudice me, or be placed to my
+account. I have often lamented the want of understanding the true
+powers of nature, which misfortune has, of late, put some on making
+such vast engines and machines, both troublesome and expensive, yet of
+no manner of use, inasmuch as the old engines, used many ages past,
+far exceeded them; and I fear, whoever, by the old causes of motion,
+pretends to improvements within this last century, does betray his
+knowledge and judgment; for more than an hundred years since, men and
+horses would raise by engines, then made, as much water as they have
+ever since done, or I believe ever will, or according to the law of
+nature ever can do; and though my thoughts have been long employed
+about water-works, I should never have pretended to any invention of
+that kind, had I not happily found out this new, but yet a much
+stronger and cheaper force or cause of motion, than any before made
+use of. But finding this of rarefaction by fire, the consideration of
+the difficulties the miners and colliers labour under by the frequent
+disorders, cumbersomeness, and in general of water-engines, encouraged
+me to invent engines to work by this new force; that though I was
+obliged to encounter the oddest and almost insuperable difficulties, I
+spared neither time, pains, nor money, till I had absolutely conquered
+them. I hope this will, at least, encourage you to read over this
+small treatise I now put into your hands, for the further and more
+particular information of the nature and uses of this engine for
+raising water by the force of fire; after which, I shall patiently
+submit to any judgment you shall please to pass upon me or the
+invention, and may have reason to believe you will not any longer
+suffer your judgments to be imposed on by those, whose profit and
+interest it may seem to be to condemn both right and wrong; I mean
+such who make your common gins, and their friends and acquaintance
+among you; though I am very sure the promotion of the use of this
+engine is their true interest, as I very plainly prove thus:--</p>
+
+<p>The cheaper water is drawn, the more is the miner encouraged to
+adventure; the more the miner adventures, the more pits or shafts must
+be sunk; the more shafts or pits are sunk, the more wood-work will be
+necessarily employed in timbering them, or supporting the sides from
+falling in where the earth is loose; besides windlasses and all other
+utensils of wood used in mines, or the trades depending thereon must
+be more, which, by increasing the carpenters’ trade in general, will
+make them sufficient amends for the loss of a small part of that
+branch of their trade, called gin-making. As for pump-making, that
+part of the trade will be much improved by my engine; for I must use
+board and timber for pipes, and have considerable employment for
+pump-makers and carpenters for timber used about my engine; but shall
+never employ any other person in making pipes, or any other
+carpenter’s work I shall have to do, but the person who was before
+employed in the work, or such as shall be recommended, as a person
+employed in the mines of the country wheresoever I shall fix engines,
+provided they will work as cheap, and fairly, and observe the orders
+and directions given them; for my design is not, in the least, to
+prejudice the artificers, or, indeed, any other sort of people by this
+invention; but, on the contrary, is intended for the benefit and
+advantage of mankind in general, especially the people of my own
+nation; and wherein, you gentlemen concerned in mines, may, if you
+please, reap the greatest profit.</p>
+
+<p>And although I do not question but the plan and draught of my engine
+will be very well and readily understood with many gentlemen, by the
+description here given; yet it will require a longer time in others to
+employ their minds and thoughts more intensely about it, especially
+such as have not been familiar and acquainted with things of this
+kind; but should the engine, to the apprehension of some, seem
+intricate and difficult to be worked, after all the description I have
+given of it in this book, yet I can, and do assure them, that the
+attending and working the engine is so far from being so, that it is
+familiar and easy to be learned by those of the meanest capacity, in a
+very little time; insomuch, that I have boys of thirteen or fourteen
+years of age, who now attend and work it to perfection, and were
+taught to do it in a few days; and I have known some learn to work the
+engine in half an hour. We have a proverb, that interest never lies;
+and I am assured that you gentlemen of the mines and collieries, when
+you have once made this engine familiar in your works, and to
+yourselves and servants; not only the profit, but abundance of other
+advantages and conveniences which you will find to attend your works
+in the use thereof, will create in you a favourable opinion of the
+labours of</p>
+
+<pre>
+			Your real Friend and humble Servant,
+								THOMAS SAVERY.
+
+	<i>London,
+Sept. 22,</i> 1701.
+</pre>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill11.gif" alt="illustration page 11" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill13.gif" alt="illustration page 13" /></p>
+
+<h2>A DESCRIPTION</h2>
+<h4>OF THE</h4>
+<h2>DRAUGHT OF THE ENGINE,</h2>
+<h4>FOR RAISING WATER BY FIRE.</h4>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+
+  <i>a</i>, <i>a</i>, The furnaces.<br />
+  <i>b</i>, B, the two fire-places.<br />
+  <i>c</i>, the funnel or chimney.<br />
+  <i>d</i>, the small boiler.<br />
+  <i>e</i>, the pipe and cock of it.<br />
+  <i>f</i>, the screw that covers and confines its force.<br />
+  <i>g</i>, a small cock, a pipe going within eight inches of its bottom.<br />
+  <i>h</i>, A larger pipe going the same depth.<br />
+  <i>i</i>, a clack on the top of the said pipe.<br />
+  <i>k</i>, a pipe going from the box of the said clack or valve, into the great boiler, about an inch into it.<br />
+  <i>l</i>, the great boiler.<br />
+  <i>m</i>, the screw with the regulator.<br />
+  <i>n</i>, a small cock and pipe going half way down the great boiler.<br />
+  <i>o</i>, O, steam-pipes, one end of each screw to the regulator, and the other ends to the receivers.<br />
+  <i>p</i>, P, the vessels called receivers.<br />
+  <i>q</i>, q, the screws which bring on the pipes and clacks in the front of the engine.<br />
+  <i>r</i>, <i>r</i>, R, R, valves or clack of brass, with screws to open and come at them upon occasion.<br />
+  <i>s</i>, the force-pipe.<br />
+  <i>t</i>, the sucking-pipe.<br />
+  <i>v</i>, a square frame of wood, with holes round its bottom in the water.<br />
+  <i>x</i>, a cistern with a buoy-cock coming from the force-pipe.<br />
+  <i>y</i>, a cock and pipe coming from the bottom of the said cistern.<br />
+  <i>z</i>, the handle of the regulator.<br />
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill14.gif" alt="illustration page 14" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER FIRST.</h2>
+<h4>MANNER OF WORKING THE ENGINE.</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>THE</h4>
+<h3>MANNER OF WORKING THE ENGINE.</h3>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill17.gif" alt="illustration page 17" /></p>
+
+<p>The first thing is to fix the engine in a good double furnace, so
+contrived that the flame of your fire may circulate round and
+encompass your two boilers to the best advantage, as you do coppers
+for brewing. Before you make any fire, unscrew <i>g</i> and <i>n</i>, being the
+two small gauge-pipes and cocks belonging to the two boilers, and at
+the holes, fill <i>l</i>, the great boiler, two-thirds full of water, and
+<i>d</i>, the small boiler, quite full; then screw in the said pipes again
+as fast and light as possible; then light the fire at <i>b</i>. When the
+water in <i>l</i> boils, the handle of the regulator, marked <i>z</i>, must be
+thrust from you as far as it will go, which makes all the steam rising
+from the water in <i>l</i> pass with irresistible force through <i>o</i> into
+<i>p</i>, pushing out all the air before it, through the clack, <i>r</i>, making
+a noise as it goes; and when all is gone out, the bottom of the
+vessel, <i>p</i>, will be very hot; then pull the handle of the regulator
+to you, by which means you stop <i>o</i>, and force your steam through <i>o</i>
+into the <i>p</i>, until that vessel has discharged its air through the
+clack, <i>r</i>, up the force-pipe. In the mean time, by the steam’s
+condensing in the vessel <i>p</i>, a vacuum or emptiness is created, so
+that the water must, and will, necessarily, raise up, through <i>t</i>, the
+sucking-pipe, lifting up the clack, <i>r</i>, and filling the vessel, <i>p</i>.
+</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time, the vessel, <i>p</i>, being emptied of its air, turn the
+handle of the regulator from you again, and the force is upon the
+surface of the water in <i>p</i>, which surface being only heated by the
+steam, it does not condense it, but the steam gravitates or presses
+with an elastic quality like air; still increasing its elasticity or
+spring, till it counterpoises, or rather exceeds the weight of the
+water ascending in <i>s</i>, the forcing-pipe, out of which, the water in
+<i>p</i> will be immediately discharged when once gotten to the top, which
+takes up some time to recover that power; which having once got, and
+being in work, it is easy for any one that never saw the engine, after
+half an hour’s experience, to keep a constant stream running out the
+full bore of the pipe, <i>s</i>; for, on the outside of the vessel, <i>p</i>,
+you may see how the water goes out, as well as if the vessel were
+transparent; for, as far as the steam continues within the vessel, so
+far is the vessel dry without, and so very hot, as scarce to endure
+the least touch of the hand; but as far as the water is, the said
+vessel will be cold and wet, where any water has fallen on it; which
+cold and moisture vanishes as fast as the steam, in its descent, takes
+place of the water; but if you force all the water out, the steam, or
+a small part thereof, going through <i>r</i>, will rattle the clack, so as
+to give sufficient notice to pall the handle of the regulator to you,
+which, at the same time, begins to force out the water from <i>p</i>,
+without the least alteration of the stream; only, sometimes, the
+stream of water will be somewhat stronger than before, if you pull the
+handle of the regulator before any considerable quantity of steam be
+gone up the clack, <i>r</i>; but it is much better to let none of the steam
+go off, for that is but losing so much strength, and is easily
+prevented, by polling the regulator some little time before the vessel
+forcing is quite emptied. This being done, immediately turn the cock
+or pipe of the cistern, <i>x</i>, on <i>p</i>, so that the water proceeding from
+<i>x</i>, through <i>y</i>, which is never open but when turned on <i>p</i>, or <i>P</i>;
+but when between them, is tight and stanch; I say, the water, falling
+on <i>p</i>, causes, by its coolness, the steam, which had such great force
+just before to its elastic power, to condense, and become a vacuum or
+empty apace, so that the vessel, <i>p</i>, is, by the external pressure of
+the atmosphere, or what is vulgarly called suction, immediately
+refilled, while <i>p</i> is emptying; which being done, you push the handle
+of the regulator from you, and throw the force on <i>p</i>, pulling the
+condensing pipe over <i>p</i>, causing the steam in that vessel to
+condense, so that it fills, while the other empties. The labour of
+turning these two parts of the engine, viz. the regulator and
+water-cock, and attending the fire, being no more than what a boy’s
+strength can perform for a day together, and is as easily learned as
+their driving of a horse in a tub-gin; yet, after all, I would have
+men, and those, too, the most apprehensive, employed in working of the
+engine, supposing them more careful than boys. The difference of this
+charge is not to be mentioned or accounted of, when we consider the
+vast profit which those who use the engine will reap by it.</p>
+
+<p>The ingenious reader will, probably, here object, that the steam being
+the cause of this motion and force, and that steam is but water
+rarefied, the boiler, <i>l</i>, must in some certain time be emptied, so as
+the work of the engine must stop to replenish the boiler, or endanger
+the burning out or melting the bottom of the boiler.</p>
+
+<p>To answer which, please to observe the use of the small boiler, <i>d</i>,
+when it is thought fit by the person tending the engine to replenish
+the great boiler, which requires an hour and a half, or two hours’
+time to the sinking one foot of water; then, I say, by turning the
+cock of the small boiler, <i>e</i>, you cut off all communication between
+<i>s</i>, the great force-pipe, and <i>d</i>, the small boiler, by which means
+<i>d</i> grows immediately hot, by throwing a little fire into <i>b</i>, and the
+water of which boils, and in a very little time it gains more strength
+than the great boiler; for the force of the great boiler being
+perpetually spending and going out, and the other winding up, or
+increasing, it is not long before the force in <i>d</i> exceeds that in
+<i>l</i>, so that the water in <i>d</i> being depressed in <i>d</i> by its own steam
+or vapour, must necessarily rise through the pipe, <i>h</i>, opening the
+clack, <i>i</i>, and so go through the pipe, <i>k</i>, into <i>l</i>, running till
+the surface of the water in <i>d</i> is equal to the bottom of the pit,
+<i>h</i>; then steam and water going together, will, by a noise in the
+clack, <i>i</i>, give sufficient assurance that <i>d</i> has discharged and
+emptied itself into <i>l</i>, to within eight inches of the bottom; and
+inasmuch as, from the top of <i>d</i> to the bottom of its pipe, <i>h</i>, is
+contained about as much water as will replenish <i>l</i>, one foot, so you
+may be certain <i>l</i> is replenished one foot of course; then you open
+the cock, <i>i</i>, and refill <i>d</i> immediately; so that here is a constant
+motion without fear or danger of disorder, or decay, if you would, at
+any time, know if the great boiler, <i>l</i>, be more than half exhausted,
+turn the small cock, <i>n</i>, whose pipe will deliver water, if the water
+be above the level of its bottom, which is half way down the boiler;
+if not, it will deliver steam. So, likewise, will <i>g</i> show you if you
+have more or less than eight inches of water in <i>d</i>, by which means
+nothing but a stupid and wilful neglect, or mischievous design,
+carried on for some hours, can any ways hurt the engine; and if a
+master is suspicious of the design of a servant to do mischief, it is
+easily discovered by those gauge-pipes; for if he come when the engine
+is at work, and find the surface, <i>c</i>, of the water in <i>l</i>, below the
+bottom of the gauge-pipe, <i>n</i>, or the water in <i>d</i> below the bottom of
+<i>g</i>, such a servant deserves correction, though three hours after
+that, the working on would not damage or exhaust the boilers; as that,
+in a word, the clacks being in all water-works always found the better
+the longer they are used, and all the moving parts of our engine being
+of like nature, the furnace being made of Stourbridge, or Windsor
+brick, or fire-stone, I do not see it possible for the engine to decay
+in many years; for the clacks, boxes, and mitre-pipe, regulator, and
+cocks, are all of brass; and the vessels made of the best hammered
+copper, of sufficient thickness to sustain the force of the working
+the engine. In short, the engine is so naturally adapted to perform
+what is required, that even those of the most ordinary and meanest
+capacity may work it for some years without any injury, if not hired
+or employed by some base person on purpose to destroy it; for after
+the engine is once fixed, and at work, I may modestly affirm that the
+adventurer, or supervisor of the mine, will be freed from that
+perpetual charge, expense, and trouble of repairs, which all other
+engines ever yet employed in mines for the raising of water, are
+continually liable unto.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill22.gif" alt="illustration page 22" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER SECOND.</h2>
+<h4>OF THE USES THAT THIS ENGINE MAY BE APPLIED UNTO.</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h3>OF THE USES THAT THIS ENGINE</h3>
+<h4>MAY BE APPLIED UNTO.</h4>
+
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill25.gif" alt="illustration page 25" /></p>
+
+<p>It may be supposed that there are few people among us so ignorant, but
+must necessarily know of what value the falls of water are in most
+places, as being applicable to mills, which are made after various
+kinds and forms, according to the different genius and abilities of
+the millwright, for mill-work being in a manner infinitely
+diversified; and had I leisure to comment thereon, and give you an
+account, not only of the vast variety that I have seen and heard of,
+but (when encouraged) what may yet be brought to work by a steady
+stream, and the rotation or circular motion of a water-wheel, it would
+swell these papers to a much larger volume than was at first designed,
+and frustrate my intended brevity. I only just hint this to show what
+use this engine may be put to in working of mills, especially where
+coals are cheap.</p>
+
+
+<p>I have only this to urge, that water, in its fall from any determinate
+height, has simply a force answerable and equal to the force that
+raises it. So that an engine which will raise as much water as two
+horses working together at one time in such a work can do, and for
+which there must be constantly kept ten or twelve horses for doing the
+same, then, I say, such an engine will do the work or labour of ten or
+twelve horses; and whereas this engine may be made large enough to do
+the work required in employing eight, ten, fifteen, or twenty horses
+to be constantly maintained and kept for doing such a work, it will be
+improper to stint or confine its uses and operation in respect of
+water-mills.</p>
+
+<p>2. It may be of great use for palaces, for the nobility’s or
+gentlemen’s houses; for, by a cistern on the top of a house, yoy may,
+with a great deal of ease and little charge, throw what quantity of
+water you have occasion for to the top of any house; which water, in
+its fall, makes you what sorts of fountains you please, and supplies
+any room in the house, and it is of excellent use in case of fire, of
+which more hereafter.</p>
+
+<p>3. Nothing can be more fit for serving cities and towns with water,
+except a crank-work by the force of a river. In the composing such
+sort of engines, I think no person hath excelled the ingenious Mr.
+George Sorocold; but where they are forced to use horses, or any other
+strength, I believe no ingenious person will deny this engine to have
+the preference in all respects, being of more universal use than any
+yet discovered or invented.</p>
+
+<p>4. As for draining fens, marshes, &amp;c. I suppose I need say no more
+than this, that that force which will raise great quantities of water
+a height of above eighty feet, must necessarily deliver a much greater
+quantity at a lesser height; and that it is much cheaper, and every
+way easier, especially where coals are water-borne, to continue the
+discharge of any quantities of water by our engine, than it can be
+done by any horse-engines whatsoever.</p>
+
+<p>5. I believe it may be made very useful to ships, but I dare not
+meddle with that matter, and leave it to the judgment of those who are
+the best judges of maritime affairs.</p>
+
+<p>6. For draining of mines and coal-pits the use of the engine will
+sufficiently recommend itself in raising water so easy and cheap; and
+I do not doubt, but that, in a few years, it will be a means of making
+our mining trade, which is no small part of the wealth of this
+kingdom, double, if not treble to what it now is. And if such vast
+quantities of lead, tin, and coals, are now yearly exported, under the
+difficulties of such an immense charge and pains as the miners, &amp;c.
+are now at to discharge their water, how much more may be hereafter
+exported, when the charge will be very much lessened by the use of
+this engine every way fitted for the use of mines? For the far greater
+part of our richest mines and coal-pits are liable to two grand
+inconveniences, and thereby rendered useless, viz. the irruption and
+excess of subterraneous waters, as not being worth the expense of
+draining them by the great charge of horses, or hand labour. Or,
+secondly, fatal damps, by which many are struck blind, lame, or dead,
+in these subterraneous cavities, if the mine is wanting of a due
+circulation of air. Now, both these inconveniencies are naturally
+remedied by the work of this engine, of raising water by the impellant
+force of fire.</p>
+
+<p>For the water, be the mine ever so deep, each engine working it sixty,
+seventy, or eighty feet high, by applying or setting the engines one
+over another, as shall be showed at large hereafter in the following
+pages, you may, by a sufficient number of engines, keep the bottom of
+any mine dry; and when once you know how large your feeder or spring
+is, it is very easy to know what sized engine, or what number of
+engines will do your business.</p>
+
+<p>The coals used in this engine is of as little value as the coals
+commonly burned on the mouths of the coal-pits are; for an engine of a
+three-inch bore, or thereabout, working the water up sixty feet high,
+requires a fire-place of not above twenty inches deep, and about
+fourteen or fifteen inches wide, which will occasion so small a
+consumption, that in a coal-pit it is of no account, as we have
+experienced. And in all parts of England, where there are mines, coals
+are so cheap, that the charge of them is not to be mentioned, when we
+consider the vast quantity of water raised by the inconsiderable value
+of the coals used and burnt in so small a furnace. What the quantity
+of coals used for one engine in a year is cannot easily be
+ascertained, because of the different nature of the several sorts of
+coals.</p>
+
+<p>As for the cure of damps by this engine, the air perpetually crowding
+into the ash-hole and fire-place, as it is natural for it to do, and
+with a most impetuous force discharged with the smoke at the top of
+the chimney, the contiguous air is successively following it; so that
+not only all steams or vapours whatsoever, that may or can arise, must
+naturally force its way through the fire, and so be discharged at the
+top with the smoke, but this motion of the fire will occasion the
+fresh air to descend from above down all the pits, and every where
+else in the mine, but down the chimney; provided you have a heading
+drift, or passage from all the shafts or pits in the work, to that
+place where the engine stands; whether the mouth of the said pit and
+chimney be lower or higher than the mouths of any of the rest of the
+pits or shafts in the same work it matters not, for here will be a
+perpetual circulation of the air, and with that swiftness as is hardly
+to be believed. This I have tried and know to be true, so leave the
+ingenious miner to his own judgment, whether, when all the air is in a
+swift motion, that any stagnation of air (which has always been
+adjudged the cause of damps) can happen in any pit.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill29.gif" alt="illustration page 29" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>CHAPTER THIRD.</h2>
+<h4>THE MANNER OF FIXING THE ENGINE FOR WATER-MILLS, PALACES, AND
+GENTLEMEN’S SEATS, AND DRAINING FENS, AND SUPPLYING HOUSES WITH WATER
+IN GENERAL.</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h4>THE</h4>
+<h2>MANNER OF FIXING THE ENGINE</h2>
+<h4>FOR WATER-MILLS, PALACES, AND GENTLEMEN’S SEATS, AND DRAINING FENS,
+AND SUPPLYING HOUSES WITH WATER IN GENERAL.</h4>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill33.gif" alt="illustration page 33" /></p>
+
+<p>1. For mills. The engine must be made and proportioned according to
+the quantity of water required to drive the mill you would make use
+of. Now suppose you would make a mill on a plain place, where you will
+have only a pond, and a small spring of water no bigger than a quill;
+then you must build your mill-house thirty-six feet high, in which you
+may make what motions, and what sort of mills you please. By the side
+of which house without, may be placed your water-wheel of thirty-two,
+thirty-three, or thirty-four feet diameter. For the height of either
+house or wheel I would confine no person too exactly, but I guess that
+a convenient height, and no more than what is common enough. Under the
+wheel I would have a pond, and on the top of the house a cistern of
+wood lined with lead. The engine may be fixed in any corner of the
+mill-house, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two feet, or more, from the
+level of the pond: there two boilers must be fixed, as shown you in
+the draught for fixing the engine; and round each of them it is
+convenient to have a hoop of iron, with straps coming from them to
+rest on the brick-work, to support and strengthen them. Your clacks
+and pipes in the front being supported by wood, and the vessels
+standing on pedestals of wood, it is convenient that the flue, or
+chimney, be so contrived as to draw very sharp, and the flue to
+circulate round both the boilers, so that you may lose no part of your
+strength.</p>
+
+<p>2. For palaces, or the nobility’s or gentlemen’s houses, you may fix
+the engine in any remote or out-room, whose floor is not above twenty
+feet from the level of your water, and you may continue your
+force-pipe to the top of your house, with a convenient cistern to hold
+your water; into which lay the pipes which may convey the water as you
+want it, either for pleasure or common occasions. This way of cisterns
+on the top of your houses or palaces would be of singular use in case
+of fire, as is said before; for in every staircase a pipe may go down
+the corner, or behind the wainscot, so as to be no blemish even to the
+finest of staircases. At every floor there may be a turn-cock with a
+screw. At the utmost end have likewise a small leather pipe, kept well
+oiled in a cupboard, or cavity in your wall, which may not be seen,
+but on the opening some part of the wainscot, or such other
+contrivance as the ingenious builder shall think fit to make use of.
+This pipe of leather must be long enough to reach from the
+landing-place, or stair-head, in all rooms depending thereon. One end
+of this pipe has a screw to fit the cock in the other pipe, and at the
+other end a pipe like the nose of a pair of bellows; so that wherever,
+though under a bed, or the remotest part of any room in the house, the
+fire breaks out, or is discovered, any servant having screwed the pipe
+to the cock, stops the nozle with his thumb till he comes to the place
+where the fire is, when, taking away his thumb, he, by directing the
+nozle to the fire, immediately extinguishes it, which being liable to
+be instantly used, I think a house, palace, &amp;c. that has this
+invention, may be said to be morally out of danger of being destroyed,
+or so far injured as Whitehall and Kensington have been within a few
+years. This command of water must be allowed to be of vast advantage
+to any house whatsoever. Where brewing, washing, &amp;c. is used, the
+copper standing high may be filled as easy as if it stood low, by
+which means the hot liquor may be contrived to go to all your coolers,
+and other vessels, either by a syphon, stop-cock, &amp;c. without the
+hand-labour of pumping or bailing with buckets. But more conveniencies
+than we can at present foresee will be discovered in the use of this
+engine for palaces, houses, &amp;c.</p>
+
+<p>3. For fens, and the like, it is convenient that these engines be made
+very large; for at all small heights a small quantity of fire will
+deliver prodigious quantities of water. For suppose we force but
+thirty feet, and suck twenty feet, if the boiler does but fill the
+vessels, called receivers, with steam strong enough to counterpoise or
+exceed the force of the atmosphere, or spring of the common air, it
+will discharge them at so small a height as thirty feet force in a
+very little time; and the steam having very little force or spring is
+immediately condensed, so that it will presently suck full in one of
+the vessels while the other is discharged. Now, inasmuch as the fire
+being more or less adds nothing to the suction. I think such lifts,
+being seldom above thirty-six feet, or under six feet, all the
+directions further needful for fixing the engine for this use is, in
+all lifts under twenty-four feet, to place your engine so as a little
+above your force-clacks may be the place of the delivery of your water
+into a convenient trough or lander, to be carried off at the most
+proper place for its discharge. If it be any height above twenty-four
+feet, you have nothing to do but to continue the length of your
+force-pipe to the height required. It ought to have a shed or covering
+round it, and to be placed at the lowest place of your fen or bog, as
+other engines designed for that purpose commonly are.</p>
+
+<p>As for fixing the engine in ships, when they may be thought probably
+useful, I question not but we may find conveniency enough for fixing
+them.</p>
+
+<p>In mines and coal-pits the manner of fixing the engines is this; your
+pit being sunk, and a sump, or proper well, or bottom cistern, made to
+receive the water coming from the several feeders or springs.
+Supposing an engine, carrying three and a quarter inch bore, is to be
+fixed to deliver water about seventy feet high, constant running a
+full bore; in such case you make a small room in your shaft or pit,
+which, together with your shaft or pit, is nine feet square every way.
+As for example, suppose your shaft six feet by four, take three feet
+out of one side, and five out of another perpendicular nine feet,
+making a small floor or platform of boards over that part of the shaft
+which goes down to your sump or bottom cistern, so you have a complete
+room big enough for your engine, where ten or twelve people may stand
+on occasion. This floor may be about eighteen, nineteen, or twenty
+feet from the water, at the lowest you ever will draw the water into
+the sump or bottom cistern. If your ground be loose, it is convenient
+to line this room with brick; if rock, it may support itself. But in
+this the miner’s judgment must direct him. That the engine will stand
+best in the side of the pit where most is dug away, you may see in the
+second figure of the engine, being fixed in a mine. Your pipes, &amp;c.
+must be fixed with cramps of iron, wood, or such materials as are
+convenient, to the side of the pit or shaft, so as to make it stand as
+firm as the very shaft itself. Your furnace must be so contrived, that
+your flame take a turn or two round each of the boilers, which any
+brick-layer used to furnaces can do; it being performed by running a
+row of bricks round them both like a screw or worm, which being
+contiguous to the wall of the furnaces and the boilers, makes it, as
+it were, a worm-funnel round them both; from whence you may continue
+your chimney to the top of your work, which you fasten to the sides of
+your shafts in the corners as you please, either with iron or wood, or
+both, according to the nature of the ground. And wherever you make a
+sudden bend or nook near a right angle in the chimney, have a loose
+brick or stone to take out the soot, if any should settle in such
+place, which in long working it may do.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill38.gif" alt="illustration page 38" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>SEVERAL OBJECTIONS</h2>
+<h4>AGAINST THE</h4>
+<h2>WORKING THIS ENGINE ANSWERED,</h2>
+<h4>IN</h4>
+<h2>A DIALOGUE</h2>
+<h4>BETWEEN A MINER AND THE AUTHOR.</h4>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>A DIALOGUE</h2>
+<h4>BETWEEN A MINER AND THE AUTHOR.</h4>
+<h4>&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;</h4>
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill41.gif" alt="illustration page 41" /></p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . Sir, having been some time concerned in the engines now used
+for drawing water out of our mines, and hearing so much talk of this
+wonderful invention of yours, of raising water by fire, I was very
+desirous to enter into some discourse with you concerning the nature,
+use, and application of your engine, so strangely differing from all
+other engines ever yet invented for our works, and which, you
+positively affirm, will every way tend so much to our advantage in the
+use of them; and I do not doubt of meeting with that plainness,
+freedom, and good humour, that your discourse is generally accompanied
+with. And with the same freedom resolve me in such questions as the
+general sense of us miners may naturally propose to object against the
+use of your engine, especially such of us as are yet ignorant of its
+use and operation, who are more capable to judge of fact, than of the
+nature and power of that force which raises your water.</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . Sir, I am extremely obliged to you for your freedom, and
+shall readily embrace all opportunities to inform and explain to you
+the true use and nature of my engine; and, therefore, desire you, with
+all imaginable freedom, to proceed and ask what questions you please,
+either as to your own thoughts, as well as what has been suggested to
+you by others. And you may be assured of a plain and candid answer to
+all your objections.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . Then, sir, which way will you go to work with your engine to
+clear an old work full of water?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . Why, sir, to deal plainly with you, if your shafts are, or
+may be cut straight, your tub-engines, or chain pumps, may draw forth
+the water. And the charge, in that respect, is not to be accounted
+for, because no mine would be thrown up or neglected but on account of
+the feeders or springs, which being certain, and constantly to be
+carried off winter and summer, the prospect of being likely to
+succeed, makes your mine worth working or emptying within twenty feet
+of the bottom, if ever they were worth sinking, though you work or
+drain by the common way of tubs or chain-pumps. And could the constant
+charge of those engines be afforded, numbers of them will empty and
+keep under any work; but it is the constant charge of carrying off
+what the springs bring in is the chief thing to be considered in the
+business of mines, which constant charge is what we lessen very much
+by this engine of mine.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . What signifies your engine then, sir, if it be not capable of
+sinking or forking an old mine?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . Hold, my good friend, a little patience; I have dealt
+plainly and impartially with you about the use of your old engines:
+and for my engine, it will clear an old work, if full of water, as
+readily as your tub-gins or chain-pumps, provided the shafts are good.
+The method I propose to clear an old mine, if sixty feet deep, and
+full of water, the feeders not above two-inch bore, which is done at a
+very small charge after this manner; <i>viz</i>. I fix my engine on the top
+of the mine, and only suck and deliver a three and a quarter inch
+bore; as soon as we have sunk the water as far as our suction will go,
+which will be some twenty-two, twenty-four, or twenty-six feet deep
+below the surface, there I make a room fit to receive another engine,
+which I fix with his force-pipe to go up to the top of the pit; and
+when I have sunk about twenty-four or twenty-six feet more, then I fix
+a smaller engine of two inches bore, which, sucking twenty, and
+forcing forty, does your work and keeps all safe; or let your small
+engine be kept at work, while you remove the larger engine from the
+top to the middle station, and then you will have occasion for no more
+than two engines, the greatest of which may be removed as soon as the
+smaller is fixed in the lowest or proper station. And that you may be
+convinced of my impartiality, it is my opinion, that in gaining an old
+work, or sinking a new one, you use your old engines of tub or
+chain-pumps: this engine of mine being most proper, when you are come
+fairly to the bottom either of the ore or coal; for then, if you have
+but one lift, one station or engine-room will be sufficient. And by
+having two sumps or bottom cisterns, your water may, in some measure,
+settle in one of them in its passage to the other. So that the miners
+working tolerably clean, and suffering as little dead or loose coal or
+ore as is possible to mix with the water, you may have the water to
+draw only a little discoloured; for you know, as well as I, that
+generally the water coming from mines or coal-pits, while they work by
+the gins now in use, is almost clear water.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . Sir, I thank you for your candour in relation to the clearing
+of an old work. But supposing that our water arises thick and muddy,
+which you know will sometimes happen, what shall we do with your
+engine then?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . What you say, sir, I know to be very true, that sometimes
+you have thick, muddy gravel and nasty water. To prevent which from
+coming into, or offending our pipes, we have a frame of board made
+full of holes round about the bottom of our pipe that receives the
+water, for sluge or fine dirt it will do my engine no injury. Indeed,
+the clearer our water is in our boilers the better it is for our work;
+but for our receivers and their clacks you may clear them as you work
+it from stones, coal, ore, or any other annoyance, though hung in the
+very clack; for by emptying of one or both the receivers of their
+water, you cause the motion, either of suction or force, immediately
+to be so strong, as to clear and blow out all before it to the top of
+the pit; insomuch, that I have found filings of copper, large bits of
+metal, considerable quantities of coal and stone, delivered and thrown
+up with water out of my engine above sixty feet high. However, clear
+water is preferable before the dirty water in the work of mine engine.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But, dear sir, if sixty, seventy, or eighty feet be the
+determinate height for raising of water by your engine, how shall we
+use your engine in a mine or pit that requires water to be raised
+three times eighty feet, as you know some of our works do.</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . I heartily thank you, sir, for this last proposal, because I
+have now an opportunity to acquaint you, that the force used in my
+engine is in a manner infinite and unlimited, and will raise your
+water five hundred or one thousand feet high, were any pit so deep;
+and that you could find us a way to procure strength enough to support
+such an immense weight, as a pillar of water a thousand feet high must
+certainly produce. However, to give you an answer, I must entreat you
+to give my engine as kind entertainment and fair quarter as you do to
+your engines now in use: for, I am sure, you are not ignorant of a
+custom used in very deep mines, (in several parts of England,) of
+raising their water by several lifts, from cistern to cistern, to a
+very great height, although some of their lifts may not be above
+twelve, sixteen, or twenty feet a lift at the most. And suppose that
+your engine now in use at twenty feet the lift, and my engine at
+sixty, seventy, or eighty feet, for at any of these lifts we raise a
+full bore of water with much ease, then one lift of my engine at sixty
+feet answers to three lifts of your engines at twenty feet, and also
+to four of your lifts at eighty feet, &amp;c., which you may please to
+take for a sufficient answer to your last objection. I have known, in
+Cornwall, a work with three lifts, of about eighteen feet each lift,
+and carrying a three and a quarter inch bore, that cost forty-two
+shillings per diem, reckoning twenty-four hours the day, for labour,
+besides wear and tear of engines; each pump having four men working
+eight hours, at fourteenpence a man, and the men obliged to rest at
+least one-third part of that time.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . You have, sir, hitherto given me undeniable answers to my
+former objections, for which I thank you; but I fancy I shall puzzle
+you, when I ask you how you will manage your engine to draw up our
+water, where the shafts are not direct, but turn and wind to and fro?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . Sir, this last question is so far from being any hardship
+put upon my engine, that no engine ever yet invented was so naturally
+adapted to work in these crooked shafts as mine is; for let the
+windings or turnings of the shafts be what they will, the
+perpendicular weight of water is all that my engine has to account
+for, and is the same as if it made the figure of a distiller’s worm,
+and went through the straightest pipe imaginable, except a little
+inconsiderable friction of the water against the side of the pipe that
+is crooked, more than is in the straight pipe, which is so small a
+matter, that a very nice judge would hardly be able to distinguish
+whether the crooked or straight pipe carried off most water in the
+working. For the flue that carries the smoke, experience sufficiently
+instructs you, that you may turn and wind it any way you please, and
+that such windings in their drawing most air do rather improve than
+prejudice your flue, as any one experienced in building of furnaces
+can inform you.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . Well, sir, I find that our crooked shafts will not any way
+incommode your engine: but what think you of accommodating your engine
+to the service of the lead mines, whose shafts are many times so
+narrow, that it will be very difficult to get your engine down?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . I perceive, sir, you are yet much a stranger to the nature
+of my engine, which is so furnished with brass screws, and as strong
+as the very metal itself, that you may take it to pieces, and with
+ease put it together again fit to work in a few hours’ time; and so
+contrived, that where a man can well go down, there I can put down my
+engine in several pieces and fix them below, for the greatest boiler
+belonging to my engine is between twenty-four and thirty inches
+diameter, and may, if occasion require, be made yet much narrower and
+deeper. And that if it be difficult to bring the shaft of the mine to
+fit my engine, I can, with much ease, make my engine to fit the shaft
+of any mine.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But will not these brass valves that you speak of in your
+engine, speedily wear out and stop your work?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . No: they cannot fail me; because experience shows us, that
+brass valves improve, rather than grow worse, by twenty or thirty
+years use in any force-work, where constantly worked, and where they
+rise and fall twenty times oftener than my valves will do.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But what think you, sir, if you should meet with such
+corrosive water in some of our mines, as will, in a little time, eat
+through your copper vessels.</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . Truly, sir, this question does a little startle me, because
+I never expected to meet any water of such a corrosive quality in any
+mine: and could I find out a mine, whose water abounds with such acid
+particles, as to destroy or injure the copper vessels of my engine, I
+would drain that mine for nothing but the water I shall take up;
+because the water would be more valuable than any ore (I believe) in
+England. And were there even a tenth part of aquafortis to nine-tenths
+of common water, which is impossible to suppose it should be, I say,
+such a water could have no effect on the coppers, were that water to
+lodge some time in the copper vessels, much less in passing through
+them with that celerity and rapid motion that always accompanies it.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But, sir, will not such a continual fire, as must be kept
+under your boilers, burn them out in two or three months’ time, and
+spoil the work of your engine?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . I can assure you they will not decay in some years, unless
+some fellow be hired or employed on purpose to do it. And should any
+villain be employed to burn, break, or destroy any of the engines now
+used in your works for raising of water, we are then on the same level
+with you in that point. But I will give you one reason why my engines
+will not easily decay, and I am sure that will go further with you
+than all the affirmation I can make. For, first of all, although a
+white heat will melt copper, and a red heat, and sudden cooling it
+again, will scale the copper, yet such a heat as is possible for it to
+have or suffer while water is in the boiler can have no ill effect, or
+cause any alteration in our copper. A friend of mine has coppers used
+in sugar boiling of twenty years’ standing. They may be a small matter
+worn with cleaning on the inside, whereas on the outside there does
+not appear the least visible decay: for as soon as the fire has thrown
+a thin coat of soot on the outside of the boiler, the flame has no
+other effect on it than to cause the water in it to boil.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But we have often combustible vapours in our mines, which
+taking fire from the candles used there, do, by a sudden explosion,
+destroy both the mine and the miner; and therefore I am afraid that
+the fire used in your engine will be very dangerous, and apt to kindle
+those combustibles more than our candles.</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . To answer this objection, I will desire leave to give you my
+notion of those combustibles, which, in short, is this: that when your
+miners come into a close place, where there is no circulation of air
+to carry off the effluvia, or atoms constantly rising like fine dust
+in a powder-mill, they by knocking and working do increase to be very
+numerous, like to those loose particles in a powder-mill. But it is
+the work of some time for those vapours to come to perfection; for I
+have heard several experienced miners say, that it is common to avoid
+the danger of those vapours, by retiring as soon as they see the flame
+of their candles burn longer than ordinary, which may be, discerned
+sometimes long before the air is thick enough of this combustible
+matter to take fire at once, and, like gunpowder, to destroy all. I
+did hear one say, that from an inch and a half, once the flame of his
+candle did gradually increase to two feet long, and yet he escaped.
+Which makes it very plain, that stagnation of air is the sole cause of
+this inconvenience in mines, which may be totally prevented by a pipe
+going from the ash-pit of our furnace to any part of the mine liable
+to stagnation. For the air will press with great violence through the
+pipe into the fire, before the combustible matter can be ready to do
+any hurt, and passing through the fire, make way for fresh air to
+descend in the room of it. So that our fire, instead of blowing up of
+your works, is the best means that can be used to prevent so fatal an
+accident; and will likewise carry off all unwholesome vapours, damps,
+or steams, which may proceed from corruption of air, by stagnations or
+vapours arising from any poisonous earth or mineral.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . This notion of yours carries reason and demonstration along
+with it, which pleases me wonderfully. But, sir, is not your price too
+great for these engines of yours?</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . By what I shall offer to you, as to my price, I am sure to
+have you a friend to me and my engine for ever. For I must tell you,
+that I would never have sent my engine into the world, if it would not
+raise your water with more ease and conveniency to you and your
+servants, and also much cheaper than any other engine ever used in
+your works, without which I could never propose any advantage to
+myself by it. And to convince you of the truth of my assertion, I dare
+undertake the engine shall raise you as much water for eightpence, as
+will cost you a shilling to raise the like with your old engines in
+coal-pits. By this one article the miner will save one-third part of
+his former charge, which is thirty-three pounds six shillings and
+eightpence saved out of every hundred pounds. A brave estate gained in
+one year out of such great works, where three, six, or it may be eight
+thousand pounds per annum is expended for clearing their mines of
+water only, besides the charge and repair of gins, engines, horses, &amp;c.
+I hope you will not now account my engines dear under such
+conditions as I now offer; but if I should, with you, suppose my
+engine proportionably dear, or as dear as the engines you now use for
+drawing up your water, which is impossible, my engine will be
+preferable before yours in many respects, insomuch, as mine prevents
+your damps, and the evil effect of them: and as it will be my interest
+to allow those that first set my engine at work considerable
+advantages, so I hope I may assure myself of due encouragement from
+the ingenious, who are ever studious to promote all inventions useful
+and beneficial to the public; for they must conclude, that an engine
+which for some time has daily employed the best artificers to work on
+it, was not to be brought forth in one day: and to bring it to that
+perfection you now find it, must have cost me and my friends not a
+little money to make the workmen capable of their work with that
+certainty and exactness they now do. And for working the engine any
+person may have his servant taught it, it being to be learnt in a very
+short time by one of an ordinary capacity.</p>
+
+<p><i>Miner</i> . But there are people who pretend to do great things in the
+improvement of engines to work by hand or horses, the hope and
+expectation of which has hindered some of us in our work and tired
+others, so as to make them out of love with all engines, and almost
+with the trade of mining. And though I wish the contrary, I fear this
+may prove some hinderance to the promoting your interest.</p>
+
+<p><i>Author</i> . True, sir, I own that time out of mind there have been
+mountebanks and impostors in all faculties who pretend to great
+things, but do perform nothing effectually. And it would be hard if
+that should be drawn into consequence, that because some are knaves,
+therefore none are honest. I know the notions of the perpetual motion,
+or self-moving engine, and many such like whims are pretended to by
+designing men, and believed by ignorant ones: but the judicious man,
+who considers the laws of motion, knows it is an infallible rule, that
+whatsoever matter is to be removed upward, must have a force superior
+to the weight to be lifted up, if its motion be required as swift as
+the motion of the moving cause; if slower, proportionably less
+strength will do; if swifter, then the moving cause, as men’s hands,
+horses, or dead weight, then must the strength of the moving cause be
+increased proportionably, or no motion can be produced. And the
+experience of ages shows us this to be a most sure rule, allowing for
+friction, which is larger, the more wheels or parts an engine
+consisteth of; and, of consequence, the fewer parts or wheels an
+engine consisteth of the easier it works; so that by barely looking
+on a pump, if it has more parts or wheels than the common crank-work,
+you may conclude it worse; if a chain-work or tub-work the same. So
+that all that can be expected is, to make those go easier than they
+are now made to go by ingenious workmen expert in making them. And if
+you try how small a matter will move those engines when not loaded
+with water, you will find the friction so small as not worth any
+mending, could it be done, especially the tub-gin, whose friction
+increases the least in being loaded of any; but the others are vastly
+increased by the leathers of their suckers being forced broader, and
+rubbing with much greater force against the barrel they work in,
+according to the height the pipes are raised.</p>
+
+<p>And I hope, when it is considered how far this engine of mine differs
+from the bare pretensions of ignorant or designing men, and that any
+persons may see what my engine will perform before they contract for
+it, there will be found no ground for the least suspicion in any
+person concerned to employ them in mines; but, to the contrary, afford
+us a generous encouragement in a business so conducive to the
+increasing the mining trade, and thereby enrich themselves and the
+nation, and increase the king’s revenue.</p>
+
+<p>I could heartily wish all miners, for their own as well as their
+country’s interest, were good mechanics, and truly understood the
+nature, use, and application of all kinds of engines; for, I am sure,
+those that do will be my best friends, without expecting that horses,
+or men, or any other strength, can or will do more than what nature
+and the laws of motion has allowed them.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><img class="ill" src="images/ill53.gif" alt="illustration page 53" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center"><img src="images/figure_1.gif" alt="Thomas Savery I" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center"><img src="images/figure_2.gif" alt="Thomas Savery II" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center"><img src="images/figure_3.gif" alt="Thomas Savery III" /></p>
+
+<hr />
+<p class="center"><img src="images/figure_4.gif" alt="Thomas Savery IV" /></p>
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 46879 ***</div>
+</body>
+
+</html>
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 19:05:40 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 19:05:40 -0700
commit	db1bba823d853fabe820c8033de25c44aa648d94 (patch)
tree	18d885d63d95de7d0768dd025c3d1f3dc5d953ed /46879-h