In 1854 I took out a patent for puddling iron by means of steam.

Everything connected with war and warlike exploits is interesting to a boy.

My father was always anxious to give pleasure to his children. Accordingly, he took me one day, as a special treat, to the top of the grand old tower, to see the chimes played.

From a very early period of my life I have derived the highest enjoyment from listening to music, especially to melody, which is to me the most pleasing form of composition.

In order to keep pace with the influx of work I had to take on fresh hands.

OUR history begins before we are born. We represent the hereditary influences of our race, and our ancestors virtually live in us.

Time passed by. I had furnished steam hammers to the principal foundries in England. I had sent them abroad, even to Russia. At length it became known to the Lords of the Admiralty that a new power in forging had been introduced.