an autobiography-第48章
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o that it might well be considered； in an Engineering sense； 〃classic ground。〃 。。。＇
I may mention briefly the advantages of the site。 The Bridgewater Canal； which lay along one side of the foundry communicated with every waterway and port in England whilst the railway alongside enabled a communication to be kept up by rail with every part of the country。 The Worsley coal…boats came alongside the wharf； and a cheap and abundant supply of fuel was thus insured。 The railway station was near at hand； and afforded every opportunity for travelling to and from the works； while I was at the same time placed within twenty minutes of Manchester。
Another important point has to be mentioned。 A fine bed of brick…clay lay below the surface of the ground； which supplied the material for bricks。 Thus the entire works may be truly said to have 〃risen out of the ground；〃 for the whole of the buildings rested upon the land from which the clay below was dug and burned into bricks。 Then； below the clay lay a bed of New Red Sandstone rock； which yielded a solid foundation for any superstructure； however lofty or ponderous。
As soon as the preliminary arrangements for the lease of the six acre plot had been made； I proceeded to make working drawings of a temporary timber workshop； as I was anxious to unload the floor of my flat in Dale Street； and to get as much of my machinery as possible speedily removed to Patricroft。 For the purpose of providing the temporary accommodation； I went to Liverpool and purchased a number of logs of New Brunswick pine。 The logs were cut up into planks； battens； and roof…timbers； and were delivered in a few days at the canal wharf in front of my plot。 The building of the workshops rapidly proceeded。 By the aid of some handy active carpenters； superintended by my energetic foreman； Archy Torry； several convenient well…lighted workshops were soon ready for the reception of my machinery。 I had a four horsepower engine； which I had made at Edinburgh； ready to be placed in position； together with the boiler。 This was the first power I employed in starting my new works。
I must return for a moment to the twenty horse…power engine； which had been the proximate cause of my removal from Dale Street。 It was taken to pieces； packed； and sent off to Londonderry。 When I was informed that it was erected and ready for work I proceeded to Ireland to see it begin it's operations。
I may briefly say that the engine gave every satisfaction； and I believe that it continues working to this day。 I had the pleasure of bringing back with me an order for a condensing engine of forty horse…power； required by Mr。 John Munn for giving motion to his new flax mill； then under construction。 I mention this order because the engine was the first important piece of work executed at the Bridgewater Foundry。
This was my first visit to Ireland。 Being so near the Giant's Causeway； I took the opportunity； on my way homewards； of visiting that object of high geologic interest； together with the magnificent basaltic promontory of Fairhead。 I spent a day in clambering up the terrible…looking crags。 In a stratum of red hematite clay； underneath a solid basaltic crag of some sixty feet or more in thickness； I found the charred branches of treesthe remains of some forest that had； at some inconceivably remote period； been destroyed by a vast out…belching flow of molten lava from a deep…seated volcanic store underneath。
I returned to Patricroft； and found the wooden workshops nearly finished。 The machine tools were； for the most part； fixed and ready for use。 In August 1836 the Bridgewater foundry was in complete and efficient action。 The engine ordered at Londonderry was at once put in hand； and the concern was fairly started in its long career of prosperity。 The wooden workshops had been erected upon the grass。 But the sward soon disappeared。 The hum of the driving belts； the whirl of the machinery； the sound of the hammer upon the anvil； gave the place an air of busy activity。 As work increased； workmen increased。 The workshops were enlarged。 Wood gave place to brick。 Cottages for the accommodation of the work…people sprang up in the neighbourhood； and what had once been quiet grassy fields became the centre of a busy population。
＇Image＇ Bridgewater Foundry。 From a sketch by Alexander Nasmyth。
It was a source of vast enjoyment to me； while engaged in the anxious business connected with the establishment of the foundry； to be surrounded with so many objects of rural beauty。 The site of the works being on the west side of Manchester； we had the benefit of breathing pure air during the greater part of the year。 The scenery round about was very attractive。 Exercise was a source of health to the mind as well as the body。 As it was necessary that I should reside as near as possible to the works； I had plenty of opportunities for enjoying the rural scenery of the neighbourhood。 I had the good fortune to become the tenant of a small cottage in the ancient village of Barton； in Cheshire； at the very moderate rental of #15 a year。 The cottage was situated on the banks of the river Irwell； and was only about six minutes' walk from the works at Patricroft。 It suited my moderate domestic arrangements admirably。
The village was surrounded by apple orchards and gardens； and situated in the midst of tranquil rural scenery。 It was a great treat to me； after a long and busy day at the foundry； especially in summer time； to take my leisure walks through the green lanes； and pass the many picturesque old farmhouses and cottages which at that time presented subjects of the most tempting kind for the pencil。 Such quiet summer evening strolls afforded me the opportunity for tranquil thought。 Each day's transactions furnished abundant subjects for consideration。 It was a happy period in my life。 I was hopeful for the future； as everything had so far prospered with me。
When I had got comfortably settled in my cosy little cottage； my dear sister Margaret came from Edinburgh to take charge of my domestic arrangements。 By her bright and cheerful disposition she made the cottage a very happy home。 Although I had neither the means nor the disposition to see much company； I frequently had visits from some of my kind friends in Manchester。 I valued them all the more for my sister's sake； inasmuch as she had come from a bright household in Edinburgh； full of cheerfulness； part of which she transferred to my cottage。
At the same time； it becomes me to say a word or two about the great kindness which I received from my friends and well…wishers at Manchester and the neighbourhood。 Amongst these were the three brothers Grant； Benjamin Hick of Bolton； Edward Lloyd the banker； John Kennedy； and William Fairbairn。 I had not much leisure during the week days； but occasionally on Sunday afternoons my sister and myself enjoyed their cordial hospitality。 In this way I was brought into friendly intercourse with the most intelligent and cultivated persons in Lancashire。 The remembrance of the delightful evenings I spent in their society will ever continue one of the most cherished recollections of my early days in Manchester。
I may mention that one of the principal advantages of the site of my works was its connection with the Liverpool and Manchester Railway； as well as with the Bridgewater Canal。 There was a stone…edged roadway along the latter； where the canal barges might receive and deliver traffic in the most convenient manner。 As the wharfage boundary was the property of the trustees of the Bridgewater Canal； it was necessary to agree with them as to the rates to be charged for the requisite accommodation。 Their agent deferred naming the rent until I had finally settled with Squire Trafford as to the lease of his land； and then； after he supposed he had got me into a cleft stick； he proposed so extravagant a rate that I refused to use the wharf upon his terms。
It happened； fortunately for me； that this agent had involved himself in a Chancery suit with the trustees； which eventually led to his retirement。 The property then merged into the hands of Lord Francis Egerton； heir to the Bridgewater Estates。 The canal was placed
