James Nasmyth, Engineer - An Autobiography Book

JAMES NASMYTH; ENGINEER AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY - PREFACE - I HAVE had much pleasure in editing the following hfemoir of my friend Mr. Nasmyth. Some twenty years since in April 1863 when I applied to him for information respecting his mechanical inventions, he replied RIy life presents no striking or remarkable incidents, and would, I fear, prove but a tame narrative. The sphere to which my endeavours have been confined has been of a comparatively quiet order but, vanity apart, I hope I have been able to leave a few marks of my existence behind me in the shape of useful contrivances, which are iu many ways helping on great works of industry. Mr. Nasmyth, nevertheless, kindly furnished me with information respecting himself, as well a. s his former master and instructor, Henry Maudsley of London, for the purpose of being inserted in Industrial Biography, or Ironworkers and Toolmalcers, which was published at the end of 1863. He was of opinion that the outline of his life there presented was sufficiently descriptive of his career as a mechanic and inven tor. During the years that have elapsed since then, Mr. Nasmyth has been prevailed upon by some of his friendsmore especially by Sir John Anderson, late of Woolwich Arsenal-to note down the reminiscences of his life, with an account of his inventions, and to publish them for the benefit of others. He has accordingly spent some of his well-earned leisure during the last two years in writing out his numerous recollections. Having consulted me on the subject, I recommended that they should be published in the form of an Autobiography, and he has willingly gives his consent. Jlr. Nasmyth has furnished me with abundant notes of his busy life, and he has requested me, in preparing them for publication, to make use of the pruning-knife. I hope, however, that in editing the book I have not omitted anything that is likely to be interesting or instructive. I must add that everything has been submitted to his correction and received his final approval. The narrative abundantly illustrates hir. hasrnyths own definition of Engineering namely, common sense alrplied to the use of materials. In his case, common sense has been more especially applied to facilit. ating and perfecting work by means of Machine Tools. Civilisation began with tools and every step in advance has been accomplished through their improvement. Handicraft labour, in bone, stone, or wood, was the first stage in the development of mans power and tools or machines, in iron or steel, are the last and most efticient method of economising it, and enabling him to in telligently direct the active and inert forces of nature. It will be observed that Mr. Nasmyth, on his first start in life, owed much to the influence of his father, who was not only an admirable artist - the founder, as Sir David IVilkie termed him, of the landscape painting school of Scotland -but an excellent mechanic. His bow-andstring roofs and bridges show his original merits as a designer and are sufficient to establish his ability as a mechanical engineer. Indeed, one of Mr. Nasmyths principal objects, in preparing the notes of the following wo,. has been to introduce a Alemorial to the memory of his fath r, to whom he owed so much, and to whom he was so greatly att, ached through life. Hence the numerous references to him, and the illustrations from his works of art, of architecture, as well as of mechanics, given in the early part of the book. I might point out that Mr...