[Footnote 16: The extent of the saving in fuel may be judged from this: that for three engines erected at Chacewater mine in Cornwall, it was agreed by the proprietors that they would compound for the patent third at 2400_l._ per annum; so that the whole saving must have exceeded 7200_l._ per annum.]
Notwithstanding the manifest superiority of these engines over the old atmospheric engines; yet such were the influence of prejudice and the dislike of what is new, that Watt found great difficulties in getting them into general use. The comparative first cost also probably operated against them; for it was necessary that all the parts should be executed with great accuracy, which entailed proportionally increased expense. In many instances they felt themselves obliged to induce the proprietors of the old atmospheric engines to replace them by the new ones, by allowing them in exchange an exorbitant price for the old engines; and in some cases they were induced to erect engines at their own expense, upon an agreement that they should only be paid if the engines were found to fulfil the expectations, and brought the advantages which they promised. It appeared since, that Bolton and Watt had actually expended a sum of nearly 50,000_l._ on these engines before they began to receive any return. When we contemplate the immense advantages which the commercial interests of the country have gained by the improvements in the steam engine, we cannot but look back with disgust at the influence of that fatal prejudice which opposes the progress of improvement under the pretence of resisting innovation. It would be a problem of curious calculation to determine what would have been lost to the resources of this country, if chance had not united the genius of such a man as Watt with the spirit, enterprise, and capital, of such a man as Bolton! The result would reflect little credit on those who think novelty alone a sufficient reason for opposition.
The Single-Acting Engine unfit to impel Machinery. -- Various contrivances to adapt it to this purpose. -- Double-Cylinder. -- Double-Acting Cylinder. -- Various mode of connecting the Piston with the Beam. -- Rack and Sector. -- Double Chain. -- Parallel Motion. -- Crank. -- Sun and Planet Motion. -- Fly Wheel. -- Governor.