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the morning of May the 26th we set out together； and reached his house in Westminster Road； Lambeth。 It adjoined his factory。 My father knocked at the door。 My own heart beat fast。 Would he be at home？ Would he receive us？ Yes！ he was at home； and we were invited to enter。
Mr。 Maudslay received us in the most kind and frank manner。 After a little conversation my father explained the object of his visit。 〃My son；〃 he said； pointing to me； 〃is very anxious to have the opportunity of acquiring a thorough practical knowledge of mechanical engineering； by serving as an apprentice in some such establishment as yours〃 〃Well；〃 replied Maudslay； 〃I must frankly confess to you that my experience of pupil apprentices has been so unsatisfactory that my partner and myself have determined to discontinue to receive themno matter at what premium。 This was a very painful blow to myself； for it seemed to put an end to my sanguine expectations。
Mr。 Maudslay knew that my father was interested in all matters relating to mechanical engineering； and he courteously invited him to go round the works。 Of course I accompanied them。 The sight of the workshops astonished me。 They excelled all that I had anticipated。 The beautiful machine tools； the silent smooth whirl of the machinery； the active movements of the men； the excellent quality of the work in progress； and the admirable order and management that pervaded the whole establishment； rendered me more tremblingly anxious than ever to obtain some employment there； in however humble a capacity。
Mr。 Maudslay observed the earnest interest which I and my father took in everything going on； and explained the movements of the machinery and the rationale of the proceedings in the most lively and kindly manner。 It was while we were passing from one part of the factory to another that I observed the beautiful steam…engine which gave motion to the tools and machinery of the workshops。 The man who attended it was engaged in cleaning out the ashes from under the boiler furnace； in order to wheel them away to their place outside。 On the spur of the moment I said to Mr。 Maudslay； 〃If you would only permit me to do such a job as that in your service； I should consider myself most fortunate！〃 I shall never forget the keen but kindly look that he gave me。 〃So ；〃 said he； 〃you are one of that sort； are you？〃 I was inwardly delighted at his words。
When our round of the works was concluded； I ventured to say to Mr。 Maudslay that 〃I had brought up with me from Edinburgh some working models of steam…engines and mechanical drawings； and I should feel truly obliged if he would allow me to show them to him？〃 〃By all means；〃 said he； 〃bring them to me tomorrow at twelve o'clock。〃 I need not say how much pleased I was at this permission to exhibit my handiwork； and how anxious I felt as to the result of Mr。 Maudslay's inspection of it。
I carefully unpacked my working model of the steam…engine at the carpenter's shop； and had it conveyed； together with my drawings； on a hand…cart to Mr。 Maudslay's next morning at the appointed hour。 I was allowed to place my work for his inspection in a room next his office and counting…house。 I then called at his residence close by； where he kindly received me in his library。 He asked me to wait until he and his partner； Joshua Field； had inspected my handiwork。
I waited anxiously。 Twenty long minutes passed。 At last he entered the room； and from a lively expression in his countenance I observed in a moment that the great object of my long cherished ambition had been attained！ He expressed； in good round terms； his satisfaction at my practical ability as a workman engineer and mechanical draughtsman。 Then； opening the door which led from his library into his beautiful private workshop； he said； 〃This is where I wish you to work； beside me； as my assistant workman。 From what I have seen there is no need of an apprenticeship in your case。〃
He then proceeded to show me the collection of exquisite tools of all sorts with which his private workshop was stored。 They mostly bore the impress of his own clearheadedness and common…sense。 They were very simple； and quite free from mere traditional forms and arrangements。 At the same time they were perfect for the special purposes for which they had been designed。 The workshop was surrounded with cabinets and drawers； filled with evidences of the master's skill and industry。 Every tool had a purpose。 It had been invented for some special reason。 Sometimes it struck the keynote； as it were； to many of the important contrivances which enable man to obtain a complete mastery over materials。
There were also hung upon the walls； or placed upon shelves； many treasured relics of the first embodiments of his constructive genius。 There were many models explaining； step by step； the gradual progress of his teeming inventions and contrivances。 The workshop was thus quite a historical museum of mechanism。 It exhibited his characteristic qualities in construction。 I afterwards found out that many of the contrivances preserved in his private workshop were treasured as suggestive of some interesting early passage in his useful and active life。 They were kept as relics of his progress towards mechanical perfection。 When he brought them out from time to time； to serve for the execution of some job in hand； he was sure to dilate upon the occasion that led to their production； as well as upon the happy results which had followed their general employment in mechanical engineering。
It was one of his favourite maxims； 〃First； get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish； and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it。〃 Another was 〃Keep a sharp look…out upon your materials； get rid of every pound of material you can do without； put to yourself the question； 'What business has it to be there？ avoid complexities； and make everything as simple as possible。〃 Mr。 Maudslay was full of quaint maxims and remarks； the result of much shrewdness； keen
observation； and great experience。 They were well worthy of being stored up in the mind； like a set of proverbs； full of the life and experience of men。 His thoughts became compressed into pithy expressions exhibiting his force of character and intellect。 His quaint remarks on my first visit to his workshop； and on subsequent occasions； proved to me invaluable guides to 〃right thinking〃 in regard to all matters connected with mechanical structure。
Mr。 Maudslay seemed at once to take me into his confidence。 He treated me in the most kindly mannernot as a workman or an apprentice； but as a friend。 I was an anxious listener to everything that he said； and it gave him pleasure to observe that I understood and valued his conversation。 The greatest treat of all was in store for me。 He showed me his exquisite collection of taps and dies and screw…tackle； which he had made with the utmost care for his own service。 They rested in a succession of drawers near to the bench where he worked。 There was a place for every one； and every one was in its place。 There was a look of tidiness about the collection which was very characteristic of the man。 Order was one of the rul