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engine。 Hutton says that he bribed the workmen； but this would
have been a dangerous step； and would probably have led to his
expulsion； if not to his execution。 Hutton had a great
detestation of the first silk factory at Derby； where he was
employed when a boy； and everything that he says about it must be
taken cum grano salis。 When the subject of renewing the patent
was before Parliament in 1731； Mr。 Perry； who supported the
petition of Sir Thomas Lombe； said that 〃the art had been kept so
secret in Piedmont； that no other nation could ever yet come at
the invention； and that Sir Thomas and his brother resolved to
make an attempt for the bringing of this invention into their own
country。 They knew that there would be great difficulty and
danger in the undertaking； because the king of Sardinia had made
it death for any man to discover this invention； or attempt to
carry it out of his dominions。 The petitioner's brother；
however； resolved to venture his person for the benefit and
advantage of his native country； and Sir Thomas was resolved to
venture his money； and to furnish his brother with whatever sums
should be necessary for executing so bold and so generous a
design。 His brother went accordingly over to Italy； and after a
long stay and a great expense in that country； he found means to
see this engine so often； and to pry into the nature of it so
narrowly； that he made himself master of the whole invention and
of all the different parts and motions belonging to it。〃
John Lombe was absent from England for several years。 While
occupied with his investigations and making his drawings； it is
said that it began to be rumoured that the Englishman was prying
into the secret of the silk mill； and that he had to fly for his
life。 However this may be； he got on board an English ship； and
returned to England in safety。 He brought two Italian workmen
with him； accustomed to the secrets of the silk trade。 He
arrived in London in 1716； when； after conferring with his
brother； a specification was prepared and a patent for the
organzining of raw silk was taken out in 1718。 The patent was
granted for fourteen years。
In the meantime； John Lombe arranged with the Corporation of the
town of Derby for taking a lease of the island or swamp on the
river Derwent； at a ground rental of 8L。 a year。 The island；
which was well situated for water…power； was 500 feet long and 52
feet wide。 Arrangements were at once made for erecting a silk
mill thereon； the first large factory in England。 It was
constructed entirely at the expense of his brother Thomas。 While
the building was in progress； John Lombe hired various rooms in
Derby； and particularly the Town Hall； where he erected temporary
engines turned by hand； and gave employment to a large number of
poor people。
At length； after about three years' labour； the great silk mill
was completed。 It was founded upon huge piles of oak； from 16 to
20 feet long； driven into the swamp close to each other by an
engine made for the purpose。 The building was five stories high；
contained eight large apartments； and had no fewer than 468
windows。 The Lombes must have had great confidence in their
speculation； as the building and the great engine for making the
organzine silk； together with the other fittings； cost them about
30；000L。
One effect of the working of the mill was greatly to reduce the
price of the thrown…silk； and to bring it below the cost of the
Italian production。 The King of Sardinia； having heard of the
success of the Lombe's undertaking； prohibited the exportation of
Piedmontese raw silk； which interrupted the course of their
prosperity； until means were taken to find a renewed supply
elsewhere。
And now comes the tragic part of the story； for which Mr。 Hutton；
the author of the 'History of Derby；' is responsible。 As he
worked in the silk mill when a boy； from 1730 to 1737； he
doubtless heard it from the mill…hands； and there may be some
truth in it； though mixed with a little romance。 It is this：…
Hutton says of John Lombe； that he 〃had not pursued this
lucrative commerce more than three or four years when the
Italians； who felt the effects from their want of trade；
determined his destruction； and hoped that that of his works
would follow。 An artful woman came over in the character of a
friend； associated with the parties； and assisted in the
business。 She attempted to gain both the Italian workmen； and
succeeded with one。 By these two slow poison was supposed； and
perhaps justly； to have been administered to John Lombe； who
lingered two or three years in agony； and departed。 The Italian
ran away to his own country； and Madam was interrogated； but
nothing transpired； except what strengthened suspicion。〃 A
strange story； if true。
Of the funeral； Hutton says： 〃John Lombe's was the most superb
ever known in Derby。 A man of peaceable deportment； who had
brought a beneficial manufactory into the place； employed the
poor； and at advanced wages； could not fail meeting with respect；
and his melancholy end with pity。 Exclusive of the gentlemen who
attended； all the people concerned in the works were invited。
The procession marched in pairs； and extended the length of Full
Street； the market…place； and Iron…gate； so that when the corpse
entered All Saints； at St。 Mary's Gate； the last couple left the
house of the deceased； at the corner of Silk…mill Lane。〃
Thus John Lombe died and was buried at the early age of
twenty…nine； and Thomas； the capitalist； continued the owner of
the Derby silk mill。 Hutton erroneously states that William
succeeded； and that he shot himself。 The Lombes had no brother
of the name of William； and this part of Hutton's story is a
romance。
The affairs of the Derby silk mill went on prosperously。 Enough
thrown silk was manufactured to supply the trade； and the weaving
of silk became a thriving business。 Indeed； English silk began
to have a European reputation。 In olden times it was said that
〃the stranger buys of the Englishman the case of the fox for a
groat； and sells him the tail again for a shilling。〃 But now the
matter was reversed； and the saying was； 〃The Englishman buys
silk of the stranger for twenty marks； and sells him the same
again for one hundred pounds。〃
But the patent was about to expire。 It had been granted for only
fourteen years； and a long time had elapsed before the engine
could be put in operation； and the organzine manufactured。 It
was the only engine in the kingdom。 Joshua Gee； writing in 1731；
says： 〃As we have but one Water Engine in the kingdom for
throwing silk； if that should be destroyed by fire or any other
accident； it would make the continuance of throwing fine silk
very precarious； and it is very much to be doubted whether all
the men now living in the kingdom could make another。〃 Gee
accordingly recommended that three or four more should be e