and the jenny, with still increasing powers, made its way into common use in spite of all opposition. Two years afterwards the more wonderful invention of Wyatt, which claims a much earlier origin, but which had disappeared, like a river that sinks into a subterraneous channel, now rose again under the fortunate star of Arkwright, claiming yet higher admiration, as founded on princi. ples of more extensive application. Five years later the happy thought of combining the principles of these two inventions, to produce a third, much more efficient than either, struck the mind of Crompton, who, by a perfectly original contrivance, effectedthe union. From twenty spindles this machine was brought, by more finished mechanism, to admit of a hundred spindles, and thus to exercise a Briarean power. Kelly relinquished the toilsome method of turning the machine by hand, and yoked to it the strength of a rapid river. Watt, with the subtler and more potent agency of steam, moved an iron arm that never slackens or tires, which whirls round two thousand spindles in a single machine. Finally, to consummate the wonder, Roberts dismisses the spinner, and leaves the machine to its own infallible guidance. So that at the present time several thousand spindles may be seen in a single room, revolving with inconceivable rapidity, with no hand to urge their progress, or to guide their operations-drawing out, twisting, and winding up as many thousand threads with unfailing precision, indefatigable patience and strength,-a scene as magical to the eye that is not familiar to it, as the effects have been marvellous in augmenting wealth and population. If the thought should cross any`mind, that, after all, the genius of man has been expended in the insignificant object of enabling men better to pick out, arrange, and twist together the fibres of a vegetable wool,-that it is for the performance of this minute operation that so many energies have been exhausted,— so much capital employed, such stupendous structures reared, and so vast a population trained up-we reply: An object is not insignificant because the operation by which it is effected is minute: the first want of men in this life, after food, is clothing, and as this art enables them to supply it far more easily and cheaply than the old methods of manufacturing, and to bring cloths of great elegance and durability within the use of the humble classes, it is an art whose utility is only inferior to that of agriculture. It is almost impossible to over-estimate the importance of these inventions. The Greeks would have elevated their authors among the gods; nor will the enlightened judgment of modern times deny them the place among their fellow men, which is so undeniably their due. 482 ANECDOTES, DESCRIPTIONS, ETC. A Watchmaker's Epitaph. The following professional epitaph is copied from a tombstone in Lidford Churchyard, Devon, England. Here lies in horizontal position George Routleigh, Watch Maker, Integrity was the "Main-spring," Humane, generous, and liberal, Till he had relieved distress. So sincerely "regulated" were all his move ments, That he never "went wrong,' Who did not know Even then he was easily งา He had the Art of disposing his "Time" That his "hours" glided away In hopes of being "taken in Hand” Thoroughly "cleaned,"_" repaired,”—and "set In the World to come |