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Men of Invention and Industry-Part19_Samuel Smiles(1812-1904)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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mill, worked on the farm, and assisted in the preparation of mill

machinery. In this way he obtained a considerableamount 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

fellow--tall, strong, and handsome--with 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,






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