The steam engine familiarly explained and illustrated; with an historical sketch of its invention and progressive improvement; its applications to navigation and railways; with plain maxims for railway speculators. By the Rev. Dionysius Lardner ... With additions and notes by James Renwick ...

88 THE STEAM ENGINE.
Either from want of influence, or the fear of pre udice and
opposition, he did not make known his discovery, or attempt
to secure it by a patent, at that time. -Having adopted the
profession of a land surveyor, his business brought him into
communication with Dr. Roebuck, at that time extensively
engaged in mining speculations, who possessed some command of capital, and was of a very enterprising disposition.
By Roehuck's assistance and countenance, Watt erected an
engine of the new construction at a coal mine on the estate
of the Duke of Hamilton, at Kinneil, near Butrowstoness.
This engine, being a kind of experimental one, was improved
from time to time as circumstances suggested, until it reached
considerable perfection. While it was being erected, Watt,
in conjunction with Roebuck, applied for and obtained a
patent to secure the property in the invention. This patent
was enrolled in 1769, six years after Watt invented the
improved engine.
Watt was now preparing to manufacture the new engines
on an extensive scale, when his partner Roebuck suffered a
considerable loss by the failure of a mining speculation in
which he had engaged, and became involved in embarrassments, so as to be unable to make the pecuniary advances
necessary to carry Watt's designs into execution. Again
disappointed, and harassed by the difficulties which he had
to encounter, Watt was about to relinquish the further prosecution of his plans, when M\\r. Matthew Bolton, a gentleman
who had established a factory at Birmingham a short time
before, made proposals to purchase Dr. Roebuck's share in the
patent, in which he succeeded; and, in 1773, Watt entered
into partnership with Bolton.
His situation was now completely changed. Bolton was
not only a man of extensive capital, but also of considerable
personal influence, and had a disposition which led him,
from taste, to undertakings which were great and (liftcult,
and which he prosecuted with the most unremitting ardency
and spirit. "Mr. Watt," says Playfair, "was studious and