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miles distant。 His father's name is； however； associated with
his own in the production of this machine。 Old John Murdock had
a reputation for intelligence and skill of no ordinary kind。
When at Carron ironworks； in 1760； he had a pinton cast after a
pattern which he had prepared。 This is said to have been the
first piece of iron…toothed gearing ever used in mill work。 When
I last saw it； the pinton was placed on the lawn in front of
William Murdock's villa at Handsworth。
The young man helped his father in many ways。 He worked in the
mill； worked on the farm； and assisted in the preparation of mill
machinery。 In this way he obtained a considerable amount of
general technical knowledge。 He even designed and constructed
bridges。 He was employed to build a bridge over the river Nith；
near Dumfries； and it stands there to this day； a solid and
handsome structure。 But he had an ambition to be something more
than a country mason。 He had heard a great deal about the
inventions of James Watt； and he determined to try whether he
could not get 〃a job〃 at the famous manufactory at Soho。 He
accordingly left his native place in the year 1777； in the
twenty…third year of his age； and migrated southward。 He left
plenty of Murdocks behind him。 There was a famous staff in the
family； originally owned by William Murdock's grandfather； which
bore the following inscription： 〃This staff I leave in pedigree
to the oldest Murdock after me； in the parish of Auchenleck；
1745。〃 This staff was lately held by Jean Murdock； daughter of
the late William Murdock； joiner； cousin of the subject of this
biography。
When William arrived at Soho in 1777 he called at the works to
ask for employment。 Watt was then in Cornwall； looking after his
pumping engines； but he saw Boulton； who was usually accessible
to callers of every rank。 In answer to Murdock's enquiry whether
he could have a job； Boulton replied that work was very slack
with them； and that every place was filled up。 During the brief
conversation that took place； the blate young Scotchman； like
most country lads in the presence of strangers； had some
difficulty in knowing what to do with his hands； and
unconsciously kept twirling his hat with them。 Boulton's
attention was attracted to the twirling hat； which seemed to be
of a peculiar make。 It was not a felt hat； nor a cloth hat； nor
a glazed hat： but it seemed to be painted； and composed of some
unusual material。 〃That seems to be a curious sort of hat；〃 said
Boulton； looking at it more closely； 〃what is it made of？〃
〃Timmer； sir；〃 said Murdock； modestly。 〃Timmer？ Do you mean to
say that it is made of wood？〃 〃'Deed it is； sir。〃 〃And pray how
was it made？〃 〃I made it mysel； sir； in a bit laithey of my own
contrivin'。〃 〃Indeed！〃
Boulton looked at the young man again。 He had risen a hundred
degrees in his estimation。 William was a good…looking
fellowtall； strong； and handsomewith an open intelligent
countenance。 Besides； he had been able to turn a hat for himself
with a lathe of his own construction。 This； of itself； was a
sufficient proof that he was a mechanic of no mean skill。
〃Well！〃 said Boulton； at last； 〃I will enquire at the works； and
see if there is anything we can set you to。 Call again； my man。〃
〃Thank you； sir；〃 said Murdock； giving a final twirl to his hat。
Such was the beginning of William Murdock's connection with the
firm of Boulton and Watt。 When he called again he was put upon a
trial job； and then； as he was found satisfactory； he was engaged
for two years at 15s。 a week when at home； 17s。 when in the
country； and 18s。 when in London。 Boulton's engagement of
Murdock was amply justified by the result。 Beginning as an
ordinary mechanic； he applied himself diligently and
conscientiously to his work； and gradually became trusted。 More
responsible duties were confided to him； and he strove to perform
them to the best of his power。 His industry； skilfulness； and
steady sobriety； soon marked him for promotion； and he rose from
grade to grade until he became Boulton and Watt's most trusted
co…worker and adviser in all their mechanical undertakings of
importance。
Watt himself had little confidence in Scotchmen as mechanics。 He
told Sir Waiter Scott that though many of them sought employment
at his works； he could never get any of them to become first…rate
workmen。 They might be valuable as clerks and book…keepers； but
they had an insuperable aversion to toiling long at any point of
mechanism； so as to earn the highest wages paid to the
workmen。＇4＇ The reason no doubt was； that the working…people of
Scotland were then only in course of education as practical
mechanics； and now that they have had a century's discipline of
work and technical training； the result is altogether different；
as the engine…shops and shipbuilding…yards of the Clyde
abundantly prove。 Mechanical power and technical ability are the
result of training； like many other things。
When Boulton engaged Murdock； as we have said； Watt was absent in
Cornwall； looking after the pumping…engines which had been
erected at several of the mines throughout that county。 The
partnership had only been in existence for three years； and Watt
was still struggling with the difficulties which he had to
surmount in getting the steam engine into practical use。 His
health was bad； and he was oppressed with frightful headaches。
He was not the man to fight the selfishness of the Cornish
adventurers。 〃A little more of this hurrying and vexation；〃 he
said； 〃will knock me up altogether。〃 Boulton went to his help
occasionally； and gave him hope and courage。 And at length
William Murdock； after he had acquired sufficient knowledge of
the business； was able to undertake the principal management of
the engines in Cornwall。
We find that in 1779； when he was only twenty…five years old； he
was placed in this important position。 When he went into
Cornwall； he gave himself no rest until he had conquered the
defects of the engines； and put them into thorough working order。
He devoted himself to his duties with a zeal and ability that
completely won Watt's heart。 When he had an important job in
hand； he could scarcely sleep。 One night at his lodgings at
Redruth； the people were disturbed by a strange noise in his
room。 Several heavy blows were heard upon the floor。 They
started from their beds； rushed to Murdock's room； and found him
standing in his shirt； heaving at the bedpost in his sleep；
shouting 〃Now she goes； lads！ now she goes！〃
Murdock became a most popular man with the mine owners。 He also
became friendly with the Cornish workmen and engineers。 Indeed；
he fought his way to their affections。 One day； some half…dozen
of the mining captains came into his engine…room at Chacewater；
and began to bully him。 This he could not stand。 He stript；
selected the biggest； and put himself i