按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
The very first order I received was from my friend Edward Tootal。 It was a new metallic piston for the small steam…engine that gave motion to his silk…winding machinery。 It was necessary that it should be done over night； in order that his factory should be at work as usual in the morning。
My faithful Archy and I set to work accordingly。 We removed the old defective piston； and replaced it by a new and improved one； made according to my own ideas of how so important a part of a steam…engine should be constructed。 We conveyed it to Mr。 Tootal's factory over night； and by five o'clock in the morning gave it a preliminary trial to see that everything was in order。 The 〃hands〃 came in at six； and the machine was set to work。 It was no doubt a very small order； but the piston was executed perfectly and satisfactorily。 The result of its easier action； through reduced friction； was soon observable in the smaller consumption of coal。 Mr。 Tootal and his brother were highly pleased at my prompt and careful attention to their little order； and it was the forerunner of better things to come。
Orders soon came in。 My planing machine was soon fully occupied。 When not engaged in executing other work it was employed in planing the flat cast…iron inking tables for printing machines。 These were made in considerable numbers by Messrs。 Wren and Bennett （my landlords） under the personal superintendence of Ebenezer Cowper； brother of the inventor； who； in conjunction with Mr。 Applegath； was the first to produce a really effective newspaper printing machine。 I had many small subsidiary jobs sent to me to execute。 They not only served to keep my machine tools properly employed； but tended in the most effective way to make my work known to some of the best firms in Manchester； who in course of time became my employers。
In order to keep pace with the influx of work I had to take on fresh hands。 I established a smithy down in the cellar flat of the old mill in Dale Street； so that all forge work in iron and steel might be promptly and economically produced on the premises。 There was a small iron foundry belonging to a Mr。 Heath； about three minutes walk from my workshop； where I had all my castings of iron and brass done with promptness； and of excellent quality。 Mr。 Heath very much wanted a more powerful steam…engine to drive his cupola blowing fan。 I had made a steam…engine in Edinburgh and brought it with me。 There it lay in my workshop； where it remained unused； for I was sufficiently supplied with power from the rotating shaft。 Mr。 Heath offered to buy it。 The engine was accordingly removed to his iron foundry； and I received my full quota of value in castings。
Week by week my orders grew； and the flat of the old mill soon assumed a very busy aspect。 By occasionally adding to the number of my lathes； drilling machines； and other engineers' tools； I attracted the attention of employers。 When seen in action they not only facilitated and economised the production of my own work； but became my best advertisements。 Each new tool that I constructed had some feature of novelty about it。 I always endeavoured after greater simplicity and perfectness of workmanship。 I was punctual in all my engagements。 The business proved safe and profitable。 The returns were quick。 Sometimes one…third of the money was paid in advance on receipt of the order； and the balance was paid on delivery at my own premises。 All risk of bad debts was avoided。 Thus I was enabled to carry on my business with a very moderate amount of capital。
My crowded workshop and the active scene it presented； together with the satisfaction my work gave to my employers； induced several persons to offer to enter into partnership with me。 Sometimes it was on their own account； or for a son or relation for whom they desired an opening。 But I fought shy of such proposals。 It was a very riskful affair to admit as partners young men whose character for ability might be very doubtful。 I was therefore satisfied to go on as before。 Besides； I had the kind and disinterested offer of the Brothers Grant； which was always available； though； indeed； I did not need to make use of it。 I had also the good fortune to be honoured by the friendship of Edward Lloyd； the head of the firm of Jones； Lloyd； and Co。 I had some moderate financial transactions with the bank。 Mr。 Lloyd had； no doubt； heard something of my industry and economy。 I never asked him for any accommodation； but on one occasion he invited me into his parlour； not to sweat me； but to give me some most kindly hints and advice as to the conduct of my financial affairs。 He volunteered an offer which I could not but feel proud of。 He said that I should have a credit of #1000 at my service； at the usual bank rate。 He added； 〃As soon as you can； lay by a little capital of your own； and baste it with its own gravy！〃 A receipt which I have carefully followed through life； and I am thankful to say with satisfactory results。
Before I conclude this chapter； let me add something more about my kind friends the Brothers Grant。 It is well that their history should be remembered； as the men who personally knew them will soon be all dead。 The three brothers； William； Daniel； and John Grant； were the sons of a herdsman or cattle…dealer； whose occupation consisted in driving cattle from the far north of Scotland to the rich pastures of Cheshire and Lancashire。 The father was generally accompanied by his three sons； who marched barefoot； as was the custom of the north country lads in those days。 Being shrewd fellows； they observed with interest the thriving looks and well…fed condition of the Lancashire folks。 They were attracted by the print works and cotton mills which lay by the Irwell； as it crept along in its bright and rural valley towards Manchester。 When passing the works of Sir Robert Peel at Nuttal； near Bury； they admired the beauty of the situation。 The thought possessed them that they would like to obtain some employment in the neighbourhood。 They went together in search of a situation。 It is said that when they reached the crown of the hill near Walmsley； from which a beautiful prospect is to be seen； they were in doubt as to the line of road which they should pursue。 To decide their course； a stick was put up； and they agreed to follow the direction in which it should fall。 The stick fell in the direction of Ramsbottom； then a little village in the bottom of the valley； on the river Irwell。 There they went； and found employment。
They were thrifty； economical； and hard…working； and they soon saved money。 Their savings became capital； and they invested it in a little print work。 Their capital grew； and they went on investing it in print works and cotton mills。
They became great capitalists and manufacturers； and by their industry； ability； and integrity； were regarded as among the best men in Lancashire。 As a memorial of the event which enabled them to take up their happy home at Ramsbottom； they caused to be erected at the top of Walmsley Hill a lofty tower； overlooking the valley； as a kind of public thank…offering for the prosperity and success which they had achieved in their new home。 The