"The application of this improved steam-engine at Soho, to raise and return the water, extended the powers of the water-mill; which induced Mr. Boulton to rebuild it a second time, upon a much larger scale; and several engines were afterwards erected at Soho for other purposes, by which the manufactory was greatly extended, the source of mechanical power being thus unlimited.

"Amongst the various applications of the steam-engine, that of coining seems to be of considerable importance, as by its powers all the operations are concentred on the same spot; such as rolling the cakes of copper hot into sheets; 2dly, fine-rolling the same cold in steel polished rollers; 3dly, cutting out the blank pieces of coin, which is done with greater ease and rapidity by girls than could possibly be done by strong men ; 4thly, the steam-engine also performs other operations, such as shaking the coin in bags; and, 5thly, it works a number of coining machines, with greater rapidity and exactness, by a few boys of twelve or fourteen years of age, than could be done by a great number of strong men, without endangering their fingers, as the machine itself lays the blanks upon the die perfectly concentral with it, and when struck displaces one piece and replaces another.

"The coining-mill, which was erected in 1788, and has since been greatly improved, is adapted to work eight machines, and each is capable of striking from seventy to eighty-four pieces of money per minute, the size of a guinea, whien

is equal to between 30,000 and 40,000 per hour; and at the same blow which strikes the two faces, the edge of the piece is also struck, either plain or with an inscription upon it, and thus every piece becomes perfectly round, and of equal diameter; which is not the case with any other national money ever put into circulation.

"Such a coining-mill, erected in the national mint, would, in cases of emergency, be able to coin all the bullion in the bank of England, at a short notice, without the necesity of putting dollars, or other foreign coin, into circulation; and by erecting double the number of presses a double quantity may be coined.

"It is worthy observation, that the ground of the silver moncy coined by this machine has a much finer and blacker polish than the money coined by the common apparatus.

"In consequence of Mr. Boulton's money being perfectly round, and of equal diamoter, he proposed the following coincidence between money, weights, and measures, in the copper coin, part of which he hath lately executed for the British government; viz. a two-penny piece to weigh two ounces; and fifteen of them to measure two feet, when laid flat in a straight line: one penny piece to weigh one ounce; and seventeen of them to measure two feet: a half-penny to weigh half an ounce; and ten of them to measure one foot: a farthing to weigh a quarter of an ounce; and twelve to measure one foot. This plan of coincidence was prevented from being put into execution by the sudden advance of the price of copper.

"In the year 1788 Mr. Boulton struck a piece of gold, the size of a guinea,

a guinea, as a pattern (similar to those in copper); the letters were indented instead of in relief; and the head, and other devices (although in relief), were protected from wear by a broad flat border; and, from the perfect rotundity of shape, &c. with the aid of a steel gage it may, with great ease and certainty, by ascertaining its specific gravity, be distinguished from any base metal. Previous to Mr. Boulton's engagement to supply government with copper pence, in order to bring his apparatus to the greatest perfection, he exercised it in coining silver money for Sierra Leona and the African company, and copper for the East-India company and Bermudas. Various beautiful medals of our celebrated naval and other officers, &c. have likewise been struck here from time to time, by Mr. Boulton; for the purpose of employing and encouraging ingenious artists to revive that branch of sculpture, which had been upon the decline in this kingdom since the death of Symons, in the reign of Charles II.

In order to obtain the desired degree of perfection in the manufactory of steam-engines, Messrs. Boulton and Watt found it necessary to erect and establish an ironfoundery for that purpose; and they have accordingly, in partner ship with their sons (to whose activity, genius, and judgment, it must be attributed that this great work was begun and finished in the course of three winter months), erected, at a convenient distance and contiguous to the same stream, at Smethwick, a great and complete manu factory and foundery, into which a branch from the Birmingham canal enters; and thereby the coals, pig-iren, bricks, sand, &c. are brought, and their engines, or other

heavy goods, are transported in boats to every part of the kingdom, there being a wet-dock within their walls for four boats to lie.

"The plan of this work being well digested and settled previous to laying the first stone, the whole is thereby rendered more complete than such works as generally arise gradually from disjointed ideas. And, from the great experience of the proprietors, they have applied the power of steam to the boring of cylinders, pumps, &c.; to drilling, to turning, to blowing their melting furnaces, and whatever tends to abridge human labour, and obtain accuracy; for, by the superiority of all their tools, they are enabled to attain expedition and perfection in a higher degree than heretofore.

"In a national view, Mr. Boulton's undertakings are highly valuable and important. By collecting around him artists of various descriptions, rival talents have been called forth, and by successive competition have been multiplied to an extent highly beneficial to the public. A barren heath has been covered with plenty and population; and these works, which in their infancy were little known and attended to, now cover several acres, give employment to more than 600 persons, and are said to be the first of their kind in Europe.

Every precaution has been always taken, and in the most judicious manner, by the proprietors, to diminish the poor's levies, and keep their numerous workmen from becoming troublesome to the parish, &c. One great instance of which is a long-established society for the sick and lame, &c. for the better management of which are printed, on a large sheet,

"Rules

Rules for conducting the Insurance Society belonging to the Soho Manufactory.

"These consist of twenty-five articles: some of which are these: "I. That every person employed in the Soho manufactory shall be a member of this society, who can earn from 2s. 6d. per week, or upwards.

"II. Each member shall pay to the treasure-box, agreeable to the following table, which is divided into eight parts; viz. the member who is set down at 2s. 6d. per week shall pay one half-penny per week; 5s. one penny; and so on, in like proportion, to 20s. four pence; and none to exceed that

sum.

"VI. If any member is sick, lame, and incapable of work, he shall receive, after three days' notice to the committee, as follows, during his illness; viz. if he pays in the box, for 2s. 6d. he shall receive two shillings per week; and for 58. four shillings; and so on in like proportion, &c.

"The rules of this manufactory have certainly been productive of the most laudable and salutary effects. And, besides the great attention to cleanliness and wholesome air, &c. this manufactory has always been distinguished for its order and good behaviour, and

particularly during the great riots at Birmingham.

"No expense has been spared to render these works uniform and handsome in architecture, as well as neat and commodious. The same liberal spirit and taste has the great and worthy proprietor gradually excrcised in the adjoining gardens, groves, and pleasuregrounds, which, at the same time that they form an agreeable separation from his own residence, render Soho a much admired scene of picturesque beauty. Wandering through these secluded walks, or on the banks of the several fine lakes and water-falls which adorn them, we may here enjoy the sweets of solitude and retirement, as if far distant from the busy hum of men.

"In scenes like these the studious and philosophic mind occasionally finds a most agreeable and salutary asylum.

"That the poet has likewise felt their influence appears by the following tribute to the memory of a departed friend:

"At the termination of the walk beyond the cottage, in the secluded grove, where nothing intrudes upon the eye but the new church at Birmingham, where Dr. Small was buried, is erected a tribute to his memory, on which are the following elegant lines by Dr. Darwin:

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