an autobiography-第40章
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power dates from the time of Papin； but until it received the masterly touch of Murdoch it remained a dead contrivance for more than a century。
I concluded my visits to the workshops of Birmingham by calling upon a little known but very ingenious man； whose work I had seen before I left Edinburgh； in a beautifully constructed foot turning…lathe made by John Drain。 I was so much impressed with the exquisite design； execution； and completeness of the lathe； that I made it one of my chief objects to find out John Drain's workshop。 It was with some difficulty that I found him。 He was little known in Birmingham。 His workshops were very small； they consisted of only one or two rooms。 His exquisite lathes were not much in demand。 They found their way chiefly to distant parts of the country； where they were highly esteemed。
I found that he had some exquisitely finished lathes completed and in hand for engraving the steel plates for printing bank notes。 They were provided with the means of producing such intricate ornamental patterns as to defy the utmost skill of the forger。 Perkins had done a good deal in the same way； but Drain's exquisite mechanism enabled his engraving lathes to surpass anything that had before been attempted in the same line。 I believe that Drain's earnest attention to his work； in which he had little or no assistance； undermined his health； and arrested the career of one who； had he lived； would have attained the highest position in his profession。 I shall never forget the rare treat which his fine mechanism afforded me。 Its prominent quality was absolute truth and accuracy in every part。
Having now had enough of the Black Country and of Birmingham workshops； I proceeded towards London。 There were no more manufacturing districts to be visited。 Everything now was to be green lanes； majestic trees； old mansions； venerable castles； and picturesque scenery。 There is no way of seeing a country properly except on foot。 By railway you whiz past and see nothing。 Even by coach the best parts of the scenery are unseen。 〃Shank's naig〃 is the best of all methods； provided you have time。 I had still some days to spare before the conclusion of my holiday。 I therefore desired to see some of the beautiful scenery and objects of antiquarian interest before returning to work。
I made my way across country to Kenilworth。 The weather was fine； and the walk was perfect。 The wayside was bordered by grassy sward。 Wide and irregular margins extended on each side of the road； and noble trees and untrinnned hedges； in their glowing autumnal tint； extended far and wide。 Everything was in the most gloriously neglected and therefore highly picturesque condition。 Here and there old farmhouses and labourers' cottages peeped up from amidst the trees and hedges worthy of the landscape painter's highest skill。
I reached Kenilworth about half an hour before sunset。 I made my way direct to the castle； glorious in its decay。 The fine mellow glow of the setting sun lit up the grand and extensive ruins。 The massive Norman keep stood up with melancholy dignity； and attracted my attention more than any other part of the ruined building。 To me there is an impressiveness in the simple massive dignity of the Norman castles and cathedrals； which no other buildings possess。 There is an expression of terrible earnestness about them。 The last look I had of the Norman keep was grand。 The elevated part was richly tinted with the last glow of the setting sun； while the outline of the buildings beneath was shaded by a dark purply gray。 It was indeed a sight never to be forgotten。 I waited until the sun had descended beneath the horizon； still leaving its glimmer of pink and crimson and gray； and then I betook me to the little inn in the village； where I obtained comfortable quarters for the night。 I visited the ruins again in the morning。 Although the glory of the previous evening had departed； I was much interested in observing the various styles of architecture adopted in different parts of the buildingssome old； some comparatively new。 I found the older more grand and massive； and the newer； of the sixteenth century； wanting in dignity of design； and the workmanship very inferior。 The reign of Shoddy had already begun before Cromwell laid the castle in ruins。
In the course of the day I proceeded to Warwick。 I passed along the same delightful grass…bordered roads； shaded by noble trees。 I reached the grand old town； with its antique buildings and its noble castle so famous in English history。 Leaving the place with reluctance； I left it late in the afternoon to trudge on to Oxford。 But soon after I started the rain began to fall。 It was the first interruption to my walking journey which I had encountered during my three weeks' absence from London。 As it appeared from the dark clouds overhead that a wet night had set in； I took shelter in a wayside inn at a place called Steeple Aston。 My clothes were dripping wet； and after a glass of very hot rum and water I went to bed； and had a sound sleep。 Next morning it was fair and bright。 After a substantial homely breakfast I set out again。 Nature was refreshed by the steady rain of the previous night； and the day was beautiful。 I reached Deddington and stayed there for the night； and early next morning I set out for Oxford。
I was greatly excited by the first sight I had of the crowd of towers and spires of that learned and illustrious city。 Nor were my expectations at all disappointed by a nearer approach to the colleges of Oxford。 After a most interesting visit to the best of the buildings； I took in a； fair idea of the admirable details of this noble city； and left in the afternoon of next day。 I visited； on my way to Thame； the old church of Iffley。 I was attracted to it by the fine old Norman work it contains； which I found most quaint and picturesque。
I slept at Thame for the night； and next day walked to Windsor。 I arrived there at sunset； and had a fine view of the exterior of the castle and the surrounding buildings。 I was； however； much disappointed on examining the architectural details。 In sight of the noble trees about the castle； and the magnificent prospect from the terrace； I saw much that tended to make up for the disgust I felt at the way in which all that was so appropriate and characteristic in so historic a place as Windsor Castle should have been tampered with and rubbed out by the wretched conceit of the worst architects of our worst architectural period。
I left Windsor next morning； and walked direct for London。 My time was up； but not my money。 I had taken eight sovereigns on setting out from London to Liverpool by coach； and I brought one sovereign back with me。 Rather than break into it I walked all the way from Windsor to London without halting for refreshment my entire expenditure during my three weeks' journey was thus seven pounds。
When I look back upon that tour； I feel that I was amply rewarded。 It was throughout delightful and instructive。 The remembrance of it is as clear in my mind now as if I had performed the journey last year instead of fifty years ago。 There are thousands of details that pass before my mind's eye that would take a volume to enunerate。 I brought back a book full of sketches； for graphic memoranda are much better fitted than written words to bring up a host of pleasant recollections and associations。 I came back refreshed for work； and possessed by an anxious desire to press forward in the career of industry which I had set before me to accomplish。
CHAPTER 10。 Begin Business at Manchester
Mr。 Maudslay arrived from Berlin two days after my return to London。 He； too； had enjoyed his holiday。 During his stay in Berlin he had made the friendship of the distinguished Humboldt。 Shenkel； the architect； had been very kind to him； and presented him with a set of drawings and engravings of his great architectural works； which Mr。 Maudslay exhibited to me with much delight。 What he most admired in Shenkel was the great range of his talent in all matters of design； his minute attention to detail； and his fine artistic feeling。
Soon after Mr。 Maudslay's return； a very interesting job was
