F represents a cauldron in which steam is generated by the application of a concealed furnace beneath. The tube E and bent arm B are intended to convey the elastic vapour, thus produced, to a revolving ball G, which is connected by a steam-tight joint at B. Two tubes bent to a right angle at A and D, are the only parts open to the air; and as the steam rushes out from these minute apertures, the reaction produces a rotatory motion. The second of these candidates was an Italian philosopher, of considerable eminence, and who, in 1629, published a treatise entitled, "Le Machine, &c." which contained a description of an apparatus for the same purpose.

Brancas's revolving apparatus, as will be seen by reference to the following diagram, was still more simple than that contrived by Hero.

A hollow copper, representing the head of a negro, and filled with water, was furnished with a small tube, and is seen to give motion to a float-wheel, which is impelled by the action of the elastic vapour generated within. The work in which this engine was first described, was published in 1629. It is exceedingly rare, and the

above diagram is accurately copied from an engraving in the possession of Major Colby.

A slight examination of the principle upon which this simple apparatus is constructed, will show that no very considerable force could have been obtained; as the steam passing through the atmosphere in its passage to the wheel, must, to a certain extent at least, be converted into

water.

After the publication of this scheme, which it is probable was never put in practice with any useful effect, nearly thirty years elapsed ere the farther consideration of the above important subject was resumed by the Marquis of Worcester. The mode of employing steam recommended by the Marquis, and which he describes in his " Century of Inventions" to have completely carried into effect, was entirely different from that of his predecessor; and it is evident that the noble author had received no previous hint of Brancas' invention, as he expressly states in another part of the above work, "that he desired not to set down any other mens' inventions;" and if he had in any case acted on them, "to nominate likewise the inventor.*"

*This work was written about the middle of the seventeenth century, and, considered as a description of the united discoveries of one individual, is certainly one of the most extraordinary scientific productions which has yet issued from the press in any age or nation. In addition, however, to its value, as containing the first tangible suggestion for the employment of steam, as an hydraulic and hydrostatic force, it has unquestionably formed the foundation of a large portion of the patent inventions, which make so prominent a feature in the present day. The praiseworthy labours, however, of this indefatigable nobleman, shared the fate which usually attends on projectors; and it was left to the slow though certain march of scientific improvement, to award to his memory a posthumous praise. The Marquis also published a work, entitled, " An exact and true Definition of the most stupendous Water-commanding Engine, invented by the Right Honourable (and deservedly to be praised and admired) Edward Somerset, Lord Marquis of Worcester, and by his Lordship himself presented to his most excellent Majesty Charles the Second, our most gracious Sove

It is said that the Marquis, while confined in the Tower of London, was preparing some food on the fire of his apartment, and the cover having been closely fitted, was, by the expansion of the steam, suddenly forced off and driven up the chimney. This circumstance attracting his attention, led him to a train of thought, which terminated in this important discovery. But no figure has been preserved of his invention; nor, as we have good reason to suppose, any description of the machine he employed, except the sixty-eighth article in the above-mentioned work. We shall content ourselves, therefore, with extracting that article from the noble author's MS. preserved in the British Museum.

"An admirable and most forcible way to drive up water by fire; not by drawing or sucking it upwards, for that must be as the philosophers call it, infra sphæram activitatis, which is but at such a distance. But this way hath no boundary, if the vessels be strong enough; for I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it three quarters full of water, stopping and screwing up the broken end, as also the touch-hole; and making a constant fire under it, within twenty-four hours it burst, and made a great crack; so that having found a way to make my vessels, so that they are strengthened by the force within them, and the one to fill after the other, I have seen the water run like a constant fountain stream, forty feet high; one vessel of water, rarefied by fire, driveth up forty of cold water. And a man that tends the work is but to turn two cocks, that one vessel of water being consumed, another begins to force and refill with

reign." This was published in a small quarto volume of only twentytwo pages, and consists of little more than an enumeration of the won. derful properties of the above engine; and it is certain that he never published any key to the first hint furnished in the Century of Inventions.

cold water, and so successively, the fire being tended and kept constant, which the self-same person may likewise abundantly perform in the interim, between the necessity of turning the said cocks." Vide Harleian MSS. No. 2428.

In 1683, a scheme for raising water by the agency of steam was offered to the notice of Louis XIV. by an ingenious English mechanic, of the name of Morland. He was presented to the French monarch in 1682, and in the course of the following year his apparatus is said to have been actually exhibited at St. Germain's.* The only notice of this plan occurs in the collection of MSS. to which we have already alluded, and forms the latter part of a very beautiful volume, containing about thirty-eight pages, and entitled "Elevation des Eaux, par toute sorte de Machines, réduite a la mésure, au poids, et a la balance. Presentée a sa Majesté tres Chrétienne, par le Chevalier Morland, gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre privée, et maistre des méchaniques du Roy de la Grande Brétaigne, 1683."

Sir Samuel Morland was the son of a baronet of the same name, created by King Charles II. for his zealous services performed during the King's exile. The son was made Magister Mechanicorum by the King in 1681, and was justly celebrated at that period for a number of very ingenious inventions, among which we may enumerate the drum capstan for weighing anchors, the speaking trumpet, and fire engine. The celebrated John Evelyn gives the following account of a visit paid to him at a very late period of his life :

"The Abp. and myselfe went to Hammersmith, to visite Sir Sam. Morland, who was entirely blind, a very mortifying sight. He shewed us his invention of writing, which was very ingenious, also his wooden kalender, which instructed him all by feeling, and other pretty and useful inventions of mills, pumps, &c. and the pump he had erected that serves water to his garden and to passengers, with an inscription, and brings from a filthy part of the Thames neere it a most perfect and pure water. He had newly buried 2007. worth of music books six feet under ground, being, as he said, love songs and vanity. He plays himself psalms and religious hymns on the Theorbo." Diary, Oct. 25th, 1695.

About the year 1684, Sir Samuel purchased a house at Hammersmith, and it appears from the register of that parish, he was buried Jan. 6th, 1696.

The MS. is written upon vellum, richly illuminated, and the part which has reference to the steam engine occupies only four pages, commencing with a separate title, &c. It is also accompanied by a table of the sizes of cylinders, and the amount of water to be raised by a given force of steam. This curious memoir forms an important link in the chain of historical evidence, which tends to prove that the English, though not the actual inventors of the steam engine, were unquestionably the first to apply its stupendous powers to any useful practical purpose; we shall, therefore, offer no apology for presenting it entire to the notice of the reader.

"Les Principes de la nouvelle Force du Feu: inventée par le Chevalier Morland, l'an. 1682, et presentée a son Majesté tres Chrétienne, 1683.

"L'eau etant evaporée par la force de feu, ces vapeurs demandent incontinent une plus grand'espace [environ deux mille fois] que l'eau n'occupoit auparavant, et plus lost que d'etre toujours emprisonnées, feroient crever une piece de canon. Mais etant bien gouvernées selon les regles de la statique et par science réduites la mésure, au poids et a la balance, alors elles portent paisibilement leurs fardeaux, [comme des bons chevaux,] et ainsi servoient elles du grand usage au gendre humain, particulierement pour l'elevation des eaux, selon la table suivante, qui marque les nombres des livres qui pourront etre levées 1800 fois par heure, a six pouces de louée, par de cylindres a moitié remplies d'eau, aussi bien que les divers diametres et profondeurs des dits cylindres."*

* The principles of the new Power of Fire; invented by the Chev. Morland in the year 1682, and presented to his most Christian Majesty, 1683. Water being evaporated by the power of fire, the vapour shortly acquires