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rument was set with respect to the axis of the cylindrical bars revolving under its incisive action。
The spiral groove； thus generated； was deepened to the required extent by a suitable and pointed hard steel tool firmly held in the jaws of an adjustable slide made for the purpose； as part and parcel of the bed of the machine。 In the case of square…threaded screws being required； a square…pointed tool was employed in place of the V or angle…threaded tool。 And in order to generate or produce right hand or left hand screws； all that was necessary was to set the knife…edged instrument to a right or left hand inclination in respect to the axis of the cylindrical bar at the outset of the operation。
This beautiful and truly original contrivance became； in the hands of its inventor； the parent of a vast progeny of perfect screws； whose descendants； whether legitimate or not； are to be found in every workshop throughout the world； wherever first…class machinery is constructed。 The production of perfect screws was one of Maudslay's highest ambitions and his principal technical achievement。 It was a type of his invaluable faculty of solving the most difficult problems by the most direct and simple methods。
It was by the same method that he produced the Guide screw。 His screw…cutting lathe was moved by combination wheels； and by its means he could； by the one Guide screw； obtain screws of every variety of pitch and diameter。 As an illustration of its complete accuracy I may mention that by its means a screw of five feet in length and two inches in diameter was cut with fifty threads to the inch； the Nut to fit on to it being twelve inches long； and containing six hundred threads！ This screw was principally used for dividing scales for astronomical and other metrical purposes of the highest class。 By its means divisions were produced with such minuteness that they could only be made visual by a microscope。
This screw was sent for exhibition to the Society of Arts。 It is still preserved with the utmost care at the Lambeth Works amongst the many admirable specimens of Henry Maudslay's inventive genius and delicate handiwork。 Every skilled mechanic must thoroughly enjoy the sight of it； especially when he knows that it was not produced by an exceptional tool； but by the machine that was daily employed in the ordinary work of the factory。
I must not； however； omit to say that I took an early opportunity of presenting Brougham's letter of introduction to Faraday at the Royal Institution。 I was received most cordially by that noble…minded man； whose face beamed with goodness and kindness。 After some pleasant conversation he said he would call upon me at Maudslay's； whom he knew very well。 Not long after Faraday called； and found me working beside Maudslay in his beautiful little workshop。 A vice had been fitted up for me at the bench where he himself daily worked。 Faraday expressed himself as delighted to find me in so enviable a position。 He congratulated me on my special good fortune in having the inestimable advantage of being associated as assistant workman with one of the greatest mechanical engineers of the day。
Mr。 Maudslay offered to conduct Faraday through his workshops； and I was permitted to accompany them。 I was much impressed with the intelligent conversation of Faraday； as well as with the quickness he exhibited in appreciating not only the general excellence of the design and execution of the works in progress； but his capacity for entering into the technical details of the composite tools and machinery which he saw during his progress through the place。 This most pleasant and memorable meeting with the great philosopher initiated a friendship which I had the good fortune to continue until the close of his life。
It was； of course； an immense advantage for me to be so intimately associated with Mr。 Maudslay in carrying on his experimental work。 I was not； however； his apprentice； but his assistant workman。 It was necessary； therefore； in his opinion； that I should receive some remuneration for my services。 Accordingly； at the conclusion of my first week in his service； he desired me to go to his chief cashier and arrange with him for receiving whatever amount of weekly wages I might consider satisfactory。 I went to the counting…house and had an interview with Mr。 Young the cashier； a most worthy man* ＇footnote。。。 I may mention that he was brother to Dr。 Thomas Young； the celebrated natural philosopher。 。。。＇ Knowing as I did the great advantages of my situation； and having a very modest notion of my own worthiness to occupy it； I said； in answer to Mr。 Young's question as to the amount of wages I desired； that 〃if he did not think ten shillings a week too much I could do well enough with that。〃 〃Very well〃 said he；〃let it be so〃 And he handed me over half a sovereign！
I had determined； after I obtained a situation； not to cost my father another shilling。 I knew how many calls he had upon him； at a time when he had his own numerous household to maintain。 I therefore resolved； now that I had begun life on my own resources； to maintain myself； and to help him rather than be helped any longer。 Thus the first half…sovereign I received from Mr。 Young was a great event in my life。 It was the first wages； as such； that I had ever received。 I well remember the high satisfaction I felt as I carried it home to my lodgings； and all the more so as I was quite certain that I could； by strict economy and good management； contrive to make this weekly sum of ten shillings meet all my current expenses。
I had already saved the sum of #20； which I placed in the bank as a deposit account。 It was the residue of the sale of some of my model steam…engines at Edinburgh。 My readers will remember that I brought with me a model steam…engine to show to Mr。 Maudslay as a specimen of my handiwork。 It had gained for me the situation that I desired； and I was now willing to dispose of it。 I found a purchaser in Mr。 Watkins； optician at Charing Cross； who supplied such apparatus to lecturers at Mechanics' Institutions。 He gave me #35 for the model； and I added the sum to my deposit account。 This little fund was quite sufficient to meet any expenses beyond those of a current weekly nature。
＇Image＇ My cooking stove* ＇footnote。。。 I have this handy apparatus by me still； and to prove its possession of its full original efficiency I recently set it in action after its rest of fifty years； and found that it yielded results quite equal to my grateful remembrance of its past services。 。。。＇
But I was resolved that my wages alone should maintain me in food and lodging。 I therefore directed my attention to economical living。 I found that a moderate dinner at an eating…house would cost move than I could afford to spend。 In order to keep within my weekly income I bought the raw materials and cooked them in my own way and to my own taste。 I set to and made a drawing of a very simple； compact； and handy cooking apparatus。 I took the drawing to a tinsmith near at hand； and in two days I had it in full operation。 The apparatus cost ten shillings； including the lamp。 As it contributed in no small degree to enable me