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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 brought to him； in which he took even more than his usual interest。 It was a machine which his friend Mr。 Barton； of the Royal Mint； had obtained from France。 It was intended to cut or engrave the steel dies used for stamping coin。 It was a remarkable and interesting specimen of inventive ingenuity。 It copied any object in relief which had been cast in plaster of Paris or brass from the artist's original wax model。 The minutest detail was transferred to soft steel dies with absolute accuracy。 This remarkable machine could copy and cut steel dies either in intaglio or in cameo of any size； and； in short； enabled the mechanic who managed it to transfer the most minute and characteristic touches of the original model to the steel dies for any variety of size of coin。 Nevertheless； the execution of some of the details of the machine were so defective； that after giving the most tempting proof of its capabilities at the Royal Mint； Mr。 Barton found it absolutely necessary to place it in Maudslay's hands； in order to have its details thoroughly overhauled； and made as mechanically perfect as its design and intention merited。
This interesting machine was accordingly brought to the private workshop； and placed in the hands of the leading mechanic； whom I had the pleasure of being associated with； James Sherriff； one of our most skilled workmen。 We were both put to our mettle。 It was a job quite to my taste； and being associated with so skilled a workman as Sherriff； and in constant communication with Mr。 Maudslay； I had every opportunity of bringing my best manipulative ability into action and use while perfecting this beautiful machine。 It is sufficient to say that by our united efforts； by the technical details suggested by Mr。 Maudslay and carried out by us； and by the practical trials made under the superintendence of Mr。 Wyon of the Mint； the apparatus was at length made perfect and performed its duty to the satisfaction of every one concerned。
Mr。 Maudslay had next a pair of 200 horse…power marine e