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hines had to be stopped and the rollers readjusted； and sometimes many yards of calico had been spoiled before this could be done。
These difficulties were now entirely removed。 When all was adjusted； the attendant of the print…machine had only to open gradually the steam admission valve of his engine； and allow it to work the machine gently at its first off…go； and when all was seen to be acting in perfect concert； to open the valve further and allow the machine to go at full speed。 The same practice was adopted in slowing off the machine； so as to allow the attendant to scrutinise the pattern and the position of the work； or in stopping the machine altogether。 So satisfactory were the results of the application of this mode of driving calico printing machines； that it was adopted for the like processes as applied to other textile fabrics； and it is now； I believe； universally applied at home as well as abroad。 I may also add that the waste steam； as it issued from the engine after performing its mechanical duty there； was utilised in a most effective manner by heating a series of steam…tight cylinders； over which the printed cloth travelled as it issued from the printing machine； when it was speedily and effectively dried。 In these various improvements in calico printing I was most ably seconded by Mr。 Joseph Lese； of Manchester； whose practical acquaintance with all that related to that department of industry rendered him of the greatest service。 There was no 〃Invention；〃 so to speak； in this almost obvious application of the steam…engine to calico…printing。 It required merely the faculty of observation； and the application of means to ends。 The main feature of the system； it will be observed； was in enabling the superintendent of each machine to have perfect control over it；to set it in motion and to regulate its speed without the slightest jerk or shock to its intricate mechanism。 In this sense the arrangement was of great commercial value。
I had another opportunity of introducing my small engine system into the Government Arsenal at Woolwich。 In 1847 the attention of the Board of Ordnance was； directed to the inadequacy of the equipment of the workshops there。 The mechanical arrangements； the machine tools； and other appliances； were found insufficient for the economical production of the apparatus of modern warfare。 The Board did me the honour to call upon me to advise with them； and also with the heads of departments at the arsenal。 Sir Thomas Hastings； then head of the Ordnance； requested me to accompany him at the first inspection。 I made a careful survey of all the workshops； and although the machinery was very interesting as examples of the old and primitive methods of producing war material； I found that it was better fitted for a Museum of Technical Antiquity than for practical use in these days of rapid mechanical progress。 Everything was certainly far behind the arrangements which I had observed in foreign arsenals。 The immediate result of my inspection of the workshops and the processes conducted within them was； that I recommended the introduction of machine tools specially adapted to economise labour； as well as to perfect the rapid production of war material。 In this I was heartily supported by the heads of the various departments。 After several conferences with them； as well as with Sir Thomas Hastings； it was arranged that a large extension of the workshop space should be provided。 I was so fortunate as to make a happy suggestion on this head。 It was； that by a very small comparative outlay nearly double the workshop area might be providedby covering in with light iron roofs the long wide roadway spaces that divided the parallel ranges of workshops from each other。
This plan was at once adopted。 Messrs。 Fox and Henderson； the well…known railway roofing contractors； were entrusted with the order； and in a very short time the arsenal was provided with a noble set of light and airy workshops； giving ample accommodation for present requirements； as well as surplus space for many years to come。 In order to supply steam power to each of these beautiful workshops； and for working the various machines placed within them； I reverted to my favourite system of small separate steam…engines。 This was adopted； and the costly ranges of shafting that would otherwise have been necessary were entirely dispensed with。
A series of machine tools of the most improved modern construction； specially adapted for the various classes of work carried on in the arsenal； together with improved ranges of smiths' forge hearths； blown by an air blast supplied by fans of the best construction； and a suitable supply of small hand steam hammers； completed the arrangements； and quite a new era in the forge work of the arsenal was begun。 I showed the managers and the workmen the docile powers of the steam hammer； in producing in a few minutes； by the aid of dies； many forms in wrought…iron that had heretofore occupied hours of the most skilful smiths； and that； too； in much more perfect truth and exactitude。 Both masters and men were delighted with the result： and as such precise and often complex forms of wrought…iron work were frequently required by hundreds at a time for the equipment of naval gun carriages and other purposes； it was seen that the steam hammer must henceforward operate as a powerful auxiliary in the productions of the arsenal。
In the introduction of all these improvements I received the frank and cordial encouragement of the chief officers of the Board of Ordnance and Admiralty。 My suggestions were zealously carried out by Colonel J。 N。 Colquhoun； then head of the chief mechanical department of the Ordnance works at Woolwich。 He was one of the most clear…headed and intelligent men I have ever met with。 He had in a special degree that happy power of inspiring his zeal and energy into all who worked under his superintendence； whether foremen or workmen。 A wonderfully sympathetic effect is produced when the directing head of the establishment is possessed of the valuable faculty of cheerful and well…directed energy。 It works like an electric thrill； and soon pervades the whole department。 I may also mention General Dundas； director of the Royal Gun…Factory； and General Hardinge； head of the Royal Laboratories。* ＇footnote。。。 The term 〃Laboratory〃 may appear an odd word to use in connection with machinery and mechanical operations。 Yet its original signification was quite appropriate； inasmuch as it related to the preparation of explosive substances； such as shells； rockets； fusees； cartridges； and percussion caps； where chemistry was as much concerned as mechanism in producing the required results。 。。。＇
This latter department included all processes connected with explosives。 It was superintended by Captain Boxer； an officer of the highest talent and energy； who brought everything under his control to the highest pitch of excellence。 I must also add a most important person； my old and much esteemed friend John Anderson； then general director of the Machinery of the arsenal。 He was an admirable mechanic； a man of clear practical good sense and judgment； and he eventually raised himself t