The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-10-31
ARlDcemanenus.
lrRos THE LoNpoN coun,Ea.l
MOIRS
OF NJ. BOULTON, ESQUIRE, r. r. S.

: To say merely that the subject of the present
mcnoir was AN ingenious man., would convey TO
The public mind but very slight idea of his rare,
and we may say unrivalled talents. If we wish
20 see h'm in his proper colours, must look
uponshm as a man who has rendered the most
Important services to his country whose happy
improvements have made his name Justly famous
throughout the civilized world and who VIII
be transmitted to pos.crity As one of the most
worthy supporters of the commercial interests of
this country.
Matthew Boxiton, son OF Matthew Boulton, by
Christian, daughter of Mr.. Peers, of Chester,
wasoorn at Birmingham on the Sd of Sept TO- S y
1738, and was principally educated at private
Grammar School, kept by the Rev'd Mr.. Aus.
ted. who officiated at St John's Chapel, DER
tend He learned drawing under Warl.dge, &
mathematics under Cooper. &c. He was above
The middle stature, and well built; exceed
ingiy encoursg ing to modest merit, and fascina-
ting II. his manner and conversation.
So early as the year 1745, Mr.. Boulton inven-
eed and brought 10 great perfection the inlaid
steel buckles, buttons, watch chains, &c Great
quantities of these were exported to France,
from whence they were re purchased with avi
d'ty by the English, asthe ofspring Of French IN
genuity
Mr.. Boulton's mandatory at Birmingham. be.
ing inadequate to his extensive improvements,
and further experiments, he, in 1862. purchased
lease OF the Soho, at Handsworth. in the coun.
sy nf Stafford, distant about two miles at that
time, asbarren heath, on the bleak summit of
which, stood naked hut, the habtat;on of a
warrenner. These extensive tracts of common
were converted by Mr.. 2. into the present superb
nanufactory, which was finished in 1765, at the
expence of 9000l. and in the year 1894 he pur.
shased the tee simple of Soho, and much of the
other adjoining lands. 81.
Impelea by ardent attachment to the arts
and by the patriotic ambition of bringing his IA
vor'te Soho tOper'ection, the ingenious proprietor
soon established seminary of artists, for draw
ing and modelling; and men of genius were
sought for, and literally patronized, which short
iy led to the successful establishment of am ex
tensve mandatory of ornaments, in what the
French call n1olu; and these ornaments not
emily found their way into the apartments of his
majesty, but also into those of the nobility and
surious of this kingdom, France, and the greatest
part of Europe. a.
Finding that the mill which he had erected
Bell infinitely short, even with the aid of horses
OF the force which was necessary for the com
pletion of his vast designs, Mr.. B. in 1767, had
recourse to that masterpiece of human ingenui-
ty, the Steam Engine. This wonderful machipe
was yet III its infancy, and did not at first ansyer
the expectations that had been formed of it, In
!7o9, Mr. Watt of Glasgow, obtained a patent
tor an improvement III the Steam Engine This
induced Mr.. B. to form connections with Mr.
Watt, and invited him to settle at Soho, to which
the latter consented. In 1775, Parliament gran
ted prolongation of the patent for 25 years, &
Messrs. Boulton and Watt entering into a part
nershp, established very extensive manufacto
ry of these Engines at Soho, whence most of the
great mines and manufactures in England con-
tlnue to be supplied, and they now applied TO
almost every mechanical purpose, where great
power is requisite.
Amongst the various applications of the Steam
Engine, that of coming seems to be of conside
rabe importance, as by its powers, all the opera
tions are concentered on the same spot 1t works
O number of coming machines with greater rapi.
dity and exactness, by few boys from - to ID
gears of age, than could be done by great num-
Der OF strong men, without eudangering their fin.
gers, as the machine itself lays the blanks ,,pon
the die perfectly concentrai with it, and when
struck, displaces one piece and replaces another.
The coming mill which was erected in 1888.
and has since been greatly improved, is adapted
90 work eight machines, and each is capable of
striking from 60 to 100 pieses OF money per mi.
nute, the size of guinea, which is equal to be-
sween $4,000 and 10000 per hour,' and at the
same blow, which strikes the face and reverse.
the edge of the piece is also struck, either plain
or with an inscription.
The whole of this expensive and marnifi-
cent apparatus (says Dr. Darwn,) moves with
such superior excellence and cheapness of
workmanship, well as with works of such
powerful machinery, must totally prevent
ciandestine limitations, & in consequence save ma
hylives from the hand of the executioner a cir.
eumstance worthy the attention of great Minis
ecr. IL CIVIC crown was gwen IN Rome for pre-
serving the life of one citizen, Mr. Bouton should
be covered with garland of oak"
About the year 1773, the ingenious art of copy-
ing pictures in oil colours b. 8, mechanical pro.
sass, was invented al Soho and under the pat.
ronage OF tie above Proprietor, was brought to
such degree OF Perfection, to be taken for orr
eiDAis by the most experienced connoisseurs
This art was brought to perfection under the
management ofthe late ingenious Mr.. F. Erin-
ton, who was no less celebrated for his painting
on glass
In 1888, Mr.. Boulton struck piece of gold.
the 81 re OF guinea, as pattern, the letters Of
which were indented instead of a relief and the
head and other devices. although in relief were
pTote cted from wear by flat border, and from
the perfect rotundty of shape, &c. with the aid
OH steel guage, It may, with great ease and GER
teinty, by ascertainlng its specific gravity, be dis
xngusbed from any base metal
Previous to Mr.. Boulton's engagement to sup
ply government With copper pence, in order to
bring his apparatus to perfection, he exercised IL
IN coming silver money for Sierra Leone, aud the
African Company and copper for the East In
dia Company and Bermuda
Various beautiful medals, of superior work
manship to any of the modern money of this coun.
Try, of our celebrated naval and other officers
have, from time To time, been struck here bv
Mr.. Boulton, for the purpose Of employing and
encouraging ingenious artists to revive that
Branch of sculpture.
SsSince the demise of the late Empress Catba-
rine, Mr.. Boulton presented her successor, the
hate Emperor Paul l. with some OF the curious ar.
riclcs OF hu nanufactory, ard in return received
polite letter OF thanks & appreciation, together
x.r,fn ar11. Ill Il. 4