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nk…offering for the prosperity and success which they had achieved in their new home。 Their well…directed diligence made the valley teem with industry； activity； health； joy； and opulence。 They never forgot the working class from which they had sprung； and as their labours had contributed to their wealth； they spared no expense in providing for the moral； intellectual； and physical interests of their work…people。 Whenever a worthy object was to be achieved； the Brothers Grant were always ready with their hearty and substantial help。 They contributed to found schools； churches； and public buildings； and many a deserving man did they aid with their magnanimous bounty。
I may also mention that they never forgot their first impression of the splendid position of the first Sir Robert Peel's works at Nuttal。 In course of time Sir Robert had； by his skill and enterprise； acquired a large fortune； and desired to retire from business。 By this time the Grant Brothers had succeeded so well that they were enabled to purchase the whole of his works and property in the neighbourhood。 They proceeded to introduce every improvement in the way of machinery and calico printing； and thus greatly added to the quality of their productions。 Their name became associated with everything that was admirable。 They abounded in hospitality and generosity。 In the course of many long years of industry； enterprise； and benevolence； they earned the goodwill of thousands； the gratitude of many； and the respect of all who knew them。 I was only one of many who had cause to remember them with gratefulness。 How could I acknowledge their kindness？ There was one way； it was a very small way； but I will relate it。 Soon after my introduction to the Grants； and before I had brought my tools to Manchester； William invited me to join a gathering of his friends at Ramsbottom。 The church built at his cost had just been finished； and it was to be opened with great eclat on the following Sunday。 He asked me to be his guest； and I accepted his invitation with pleasure。 As it was a very fine day at the end of May； I walked out to Ramsbottom； and enjoyed the scenery of the district。 Here was the scene of the Grant Brothers' industry and prosperity。 I met many enterprising and intelligent men； to whom William Grant introduced me。 I was greatly pleased with the ceremonies connected with the opening of the church。
On the Monday morning William Grant； having seen some specimens of my father's artistic skill as a landscape painter； requested me to convey to him his desire that he should paint two picturesone of Castle Grant； the residence of the chief of the Clan Grant； and the other of Elgin Cathedral。 These places were intimately associated with his early recollections； The brothers had been born in the village adjoining Castle Grant； and Elgin Cathedral was one of the principal old buildings of the north。 My father replied； saying that he would be delighted to execute the pictures for a gentleman who had given me so kindly a reception； but that he had no authentic datano drawings； no engravingsfrom which to paint them； and that he was now too old to visit the places。 I therefore resolved to do what I could to help him to paint the pictures。
As it was necessary that I should go to London before returning to Edinburgh to pack up my machine tools there； I went thither； and after doing my business； I embarked for Dundee by the usual steamer。 I made my way from there； via Perth and Dunkeld； to Inverness； and from thence I proceeded to Elgin。 I made most careful drawings of the remains of that noble cathedral。 I endeavoured to include all that was most beautiful in the building and its surrounding scenery。 I then went on to Castle Grant； through a picturesque and romantic country。 I found the castle amidst its deep forests of pine； larch； elm； and chestnut。 The building consists of a high quadrangular pile of many stories； projecting backwards at each end； and pierced with windows of all shapes and sizes。 I did my best to carry away a graphic sketch of the old castle and its surroundings： and then； with my stock of drawings； I prepared to return to Inverness on foot。 The scenery was grand and beautiful。 The weather was fine； although after mid…day it became very hot。 A thunder storm was evidently approaching。 The sun was obscured by a thunder…cloud； the sky flashed with lightning； and the rain began to pour down。 I was then high up on a wild looking moor； covered with heather and vast boulders。
＇Image＇ An extemporised shower…bath
There was no shelter to be had； for not a house was in sight。 I did not so much mind for my clothes； but I feared very much for my sketches。 Taking advantage of the solitude； I stripped myself； put my sketches under my clothes； and thrust them into a hollow underneath a huge boulder。 I sat myself down on the top of it； and there I had a magnificent shower…bath of warm rain。 I never enjoyed a bath under such romantic circumstances。 The thunder…clouds soon passed over my head； and the sun broke out again cheerily。 When the rain had ceased I took out my clothes and drawings from the hollow； and found them perfectly dry。 I set out again on my long walk to Inverness； and reached it just in time to catch the Caledonian Canal steamer。 While passing down Loch Ness I visited the romantic Fail of Foyers； then through Loch Lochy； past Ben Nevis to Loch Linnhe； Oban； and the Kyles of Bute； to Glasgow； and from thence to Edinburgh。
I had the pleasure of placing in my father's hands the sketches I had made。 He was greatly delighted with them。 They enabled him to set to work with his usual zeal； and in the course of a short time he was able to execute； con amore； the commission of the Brothers Grant。 So soon as I had completed my sketches I wrote to Daniel Grant and informed him of the result of my journey。 He afterwards expressed himself most warmly as to my prompt zeal in obtaining for him authentic pictures of places so dear to the brothers； and so much associated with their earliest and most cherished recollections。
I have already referred to the Brothers Cowper。 They were among my most attached friends at Manchester。 Many of my most pleasant associations are connected with them。 Edward Cowper was one of the most successful mechanics in bringing the printing machine to a state of practical utility。 He was afterwards connected with Mr。 Applegath of London； the mechanical engineer of the Times newspaper* ＇footnote。。。 Mr。 Koeig's machines； first used at the Times office； were patented in 1814。 They were too complicated and expensive； and the inking was too imperfect for general adoption。 They were superseded by Mr。 Edward Cowper's machine； which he invented and patented in 1816。 He afterwards added the inking roller and table to the common press。 The effect of Mr。 Cowper's invention was to improve the quality and speed of printing； and to render literature accessible to millions of readers。 。。。＇ he invented for the proprietors a machine that threw off from 4500 to 5000 impressions in the hour。
In course of time the Brothers Cowper removed the manufacture of their printing machines from London ；to Manchester。