AN INVENTION OF Engines of Motion LATELY Brought to perfection.
WHEREBY May be dispatched any work now done in ENGLAND or elsewhere, (especially VVorks that require strength and swiftness) either by Wind, Water, Cattel or Men.
AND That with better accomodation, and more profit then by any thing hitherto known and used.
LONDON, Printed by I. C. for Richard Woodnoth next door to the Golden heart, In Leaden-Hall-street. 1651.
A PASSAGE OUT OF THE Lord VERULAN'S Novum Organon, Translated out of Latine.
THe Introduction of Noble Inventions seemeth to be the very chief of all humane actions, which former Ages sufficiently witnessed; in as much as they attributed Divine Honours to such Inventors, whereas they alotted only the Honour or Title of Heroes to the well-deserving in civil Affaires; such as are the Founders of Cities and Empires, Law-makers, the deliverers of their Countrey from long and tedious mischiefs, the suppressions of Tyrannies, and the like. And truly, whosoever shall well scan the matter, he shall find this verdict of the auucients to be very just. For the benefits of new Inventions may extend to all ankind [Page] universally; but the good of civil atchievements can respect but some particular Cantons of men: these latter do not endure above a few ages, the former for ever. Moreover, the Reformation of States in civil affairs for the most part, is not compassed without violence and disturbances: But Inventions make all men happy without either injury or dammage to any one single person. Furthermore, new Inventions are as it were new Creations, and Imitations of Gods own works.
Again, it were good to take notice of the vertue efficacy, and consequences of Inventions, which are scarce more conspicuous in any then in these 3. unknown to to the Auncients, and whose beginnings (although but of late) are obscure and unrenowned, to wit, the Art of Printing, Gunpowder, and the Marriners Needle. For these three have changed the face and state of things throughout the whole world. The first in the matter of Learning, the second in that of War, and the last in Navigation: From whence have followed an innumerable change of things, so that no Empire, no Sect; nor no Constellation seemeth to have had a greater influence upon humane affairs then these Mechanical Inventions have had.
A LETTER TO Mr. Samuel Hartlib, CONCERNING An Invention of Engines of Motion lately brought to perfection.
WHereas by the blessing of God, who only is the giver of every good and perfect gift, while I was searching after that which many far before me in all humane learning have sought, but not yet found, (viz.) a Perpetual Motion or selfmotion, or a lessoning the distance between strength & time; though I say not that I have yet fully obtained the thing it self, yet I have advanced so near it, that already I can with the strength or help of 4. men, do any work which is done in England, whether by wind, water, or horses, as the grinding of Wheat, Rape, or raising of waters: Not by any power or wisdom of mine own, but by Gods assistance, and (I humbly hope after a sort) immediate direction, I have been guided in that search to tread in another path, then ever any other man that I can hear [Page 2] or reade of, did tread before me, yet with so good succes that I have already erected one little Engine or great Model at Lambath, able to give sufficient demonstration to either Artist or any other person, that my Invention is as useful and beneficial (let others say upon proof how much more) as any other way of working hitherto known or used.
Having therefore brought it to the birth, I confess I am pained to be delivered; but want the help of some good Neighbours, or rather the Child being indeed born, and that kind and faithful Office performed by your self, without whose help as the chief Instrument, I could hardly have brought it forth. The next care is for a good Nurse, lest the Infant perish for want of timely nourishment. And this also I hope to obtain by your farther negotiation and assistance, that so this talent may not be hid under a Bushel, but be imparted for the general use of Mankind, & for the comfort of all that Family, to whom this so hopeful an issue doth belong. I must confess ingenuously, that if God as the efficient cause, and your self as his proper Instrument, had not (in a manner alone) supported and encouraged both my spirit & hands from time to time, there would have been little or nothing of it extant at this time, if the undertaking had not quite miscarried, so good a Nurse have you been both to me and it. This (dear Sir) I speak the rather, that I may encourage you through the love of God to every good and laudable purpose, not to grow weary in your mind, notwithstanding that infinite corruption you meet in the wayes of men to stop your course, but to continue still as hitherto you have done in a course of patient well-doing, and to cast your bread upon many waters; for assuredly of this [Page 3] seed you will reap an abundant Harvest in due time, if you faint not; And if this age should not resent so gratefully as they ought, all the labours of your love; which you have, and I know more and more intend to express by the grace of God, for the universal good of the whole Nation: yet Posterity perhaps may, when they shall consider now instrumental you have been not only to contribute to the building of many Colledges of Piety and Learning; but also to set forwards the best meanes, that can be held forth to any industrious or ingenious people, of livelihood and outward riches, by a reformed way of Husbandry: Of which that of saving and multiplying Corn is one of the chief and most substantial parts.
As for the Invention formerly mentioned, of better and more accomodate wayes of grinding, my purpose is not (at present) to enlarge my self therein, nor mention those very many uses for which they are to be fitted; but only to intimate the goodness of these kind of Engines, as they stand compared to other common Mills, by a short measuring scale here inclosed. And so I commend you to Gods favour and blessing, as also my self and the whole business, which is the continued prayer of
A Scale to measure the Vses and profits of my Engine by as it stands compared with others. All commonly known Causes of strong and swift Motion are concluded under these 6. heads. • Springs , • Weights , • Men , • Wind , • Water , and • Horses.
FOr the first, two viz. Springs and Weights, they are rather used for Watches, or Clocks, or Jacks, then for Mill-works, and are therefore not necessary to be taken notice of here.
For the third, viz. Men, they are used for strong Motions often; but those motions are slowe, as craining up of Goods or the like, and as for Mill-works, they are only used for grinding of small quantities of Malt, in those Engines, commonly called Quernes or Hand-Mills, and for turning of grinding-Stones, and for hand-Pumps which make but small riddance.
For the fourth viz. Wind, this is used in great and strong Mill-works, as for the grinding of Corn or Rape, &c. for sawing of Timber, or for draining of drowned Lands, &c. But these Wind-Mills are liable to these Inconveniencies.
First, they are only to be erected upon Hills, or open plains, and therefore not useful in all places.
Secondly, they are not without some danger of being broken, and that not the Sailes only, (which though frequent are mendable) but sometimes to be torn in peeces, yea tumbled quite down by violent and suddain storms, which (though it happen but seldom) yet in respect it may so be, and in respect of the great losse, [Page 5] both of life and goods that necessarily followes, there is sufficient argument to deterre any man from building such Mills where others (lesse hazardous) can be set up. Though not to neglect the use of them, where no other can be had.
Thirdly, such storms and gustie winds, though they alwayes break not the whole Mill nor its sails, yet it often compels it to stand still, or if it go it grinds untowardly, somtimes too high, presently too low, and is apt to heat, &c. And the same makes the deale-boards that are sawed by such Mills so ruffe and shagged, from hence also it is that in drayning works of this nature, the tackling is very apt to break.
Fourthly, Calmes are all the year long, and especially in Summer so frequent, that upon enquiry, I am confident it will appeare that most Wind-Mills stand still above half the year, though not altogether at one time. And for this cause no man will grind at a Windmil, that can as conveniently grind at a Water-Mill; And he may have grist when the wind serves not, or want when the wind serves.
Fifthly, The Cog-wheels in most Wind-Mills are (in the diameter) 8. foot or under (I take the example from one of the best Wind-Mills in Moore-fields, which I think is not much inferiour to any in England) the trundle is at the least two foot, which is 4. to one. Now I have observed in a pretty stiffe gale, that the sailes, and consequently the Cog-wheele hath gone about 8. times in a minute, that is 24. turnes in a minute for the stones: And for the most part of the time they work, it is not much above this rate, which cannot dispatch above 3. bushels in one houre, but a good Mill of mine may grind a quarter.
[Page 6] The 5th. principle of Motion is Water, or the Water-Mills: These also are lyable to some inconveniences.
First, if the foundation be not carefully and skilfully laid▪ all is in danger to be eradicated.
Secondly, if the banks of the dam break, the water runs the wrong way.
Thirdly, in great floods she stirs not.
Fourthly, in droughts in Summer most VVater-Mils want water.
Fifthly, not one of a hundred hath water at any time of the year to serve day and night too, unlesse they go very weakly and so dispatch but little.
Sixtly, he that will erect a VVater-Mill is bound to set it up where Nature hath provided a sufficient streame, and cannot have one elsewhere upon any termes.
Lastly, (although VVater-Mills be of all other the best yet known or used yet) one with the other through England, will not grind above foure bushells in an hour; whereas a good Mil of mine wil (as is aforesaid) grind a quarter or more; therefore hath a manifest advantage of all other Mills, and especially in this, that the profit and charge of mine are present or absent to▪gether, so that no custom or profit, not a penny charge.
The Sixt and last Principle of Motion is the Horse-Mill, (I have heard they use Oxen in the Barbado's) These (though weaker then wind, or VVater-Mills) are the best, for so much as they can do, in respect they may be set up, and made use of almost at all times and places, and are lyable to some defects or inconveniences, though fewer then the other.
[Page 7] First, If any or all the Horses dye or be dangerously sick, the dead horse what ever he cost or was worth, is clearly lost to the Master, and the sick must be supplyed, and maintained idle till recovered.
Secondly, (and this is the only most considerable defect or difference, between mine and this, and that is a great one indred) The horse Mill is absolutely incapable of being carried on to the grinding of Corne or such strong wrks: For, The Brewers Mills (the best or greatest, I mean now used in London) move by the strength of 4 horses under a wheele of 24 foot diameter, which may contain at 4 Inches pitch 216 Cogs, the horses path is not above 18 foot, so that the Cog-wheel over-hangs one further part, these Horse▪ one time with ano [...]her, draw not above 112 pound weight apiece at most, and move (at most) 3 times about in a minute, the whole strength of the 4 is 448. out of which deduct one 4th. part, there remains 336. And 216 Cogs is 648. Cogs at work in a minute, these work upon a stone of 4 foot it may be 4. and a halfe, by a trundle of one foot, or 9 staves at the same pitch, (if of 10 staves it goes stronger but slower) by this account 72 is the respective number of turnes, the stone runs about in a minute.
Note that if this Mill were to grind Wheat with the same stone, it could not move by this trundle, nor with this sterngth, and a larger trundle would not turn the stone so oft in a minute, whereas my Engine prepared for Wheat, will bring at least twice so much strength with the Cogs, yet turne the stone at least 72 times in a minute.
Let this serve as a Scale to measure all other Applications [Page 8] by; for what ever wil hold in grinding Wheat, will hold (to give the advantage to my Engines) much more in any other Application, and particularly for Grinding or squeesing of Sugar-Canes, and raising water; for which last I have an Invention yet to come far above this or any thing hitherto knowne (as I at least) humbly conceave.)
Another Letter to Mr. Samuel Hartlib, concerning the forementioned Invention.
I Here withall present you with a List of some of the Uses or Applications, for which these Engines are fit (for it is very difficult, if not impossible, to name or find them all at the same time) viz.
To grind Malt or hard Corne.
To grind Seed for the making of Oyle.
To grind Colours for Potters, Painters or Glasse-houses.
To grind Bark for Tanners.
To grind Woods for Dyers.
To grind Spices or Snuffe-Tobacco.
To grind Brick, Tile, Stones, or Earth for plaster.
To grind Sugar-Canes.
To draw up Coales, Stones, Ure or the like, or Materialls for great and high buildings.
To draw Wyre.
To draw water from Mines.
To draw water from Meers or Fens.
To draw water to serve Cities, Townes, Castles, &c:
To draw up water to flood dry grounds, or to water grounds.
[Page 9] To draw or hale ships, boats, &c. up Rivers against the stream.
To draw Carts, Wagons, &c. as fast without Cattel.
To draw the Plough without Cattel to the same dispatch if need be.
To brake Hemp, Flax, &c.
To beat Hemp, Flax, &c.
To weigh Anchors with less trouble and sooner.
To spin Cordage, or Cables.
To bolt meale faster and finer.
To saw stone.
To saw Timber.
To pollish any stones, or Mettalls.
To turne any great works in wood, Stone, Mettals, &c. that could hardly be done before.
To file much cheaper in all great works.
To bore Wood, Stone, Mettalls.
To thrash Corne if need be.
To winnow Corne at all times, better, cheaper, &c.
For Paper-Mills, Thread-Mills, Iron-Mills,
Plate-Mills, Cum multis aliis, &c.
Having thus according to your commands given you an accompt in part of these things; give me leave by way of repetition to give you as it wer an abridgement of this whole businesse for a close; that so you may in a closer order review what perfection God hath brought this work unto; to the intent we may the more rejoyce in and admire his goodnesse, & the more admire but lament the dulnesse of this present Age, in which there is so few that will pull their hands out of their bosoms to receive so great blessings. The happy successe of my Endeavours have arrived at this.
To choose the best ground, or fittest for the then present purpose, which if it be already good and rich enough, 'tis well; but if not, To know not only all the Common sorts of Dung, Manures, or Composts, [Page 10] with their Common uses, but divers others perhaps of better use, and a distinct and better use of those already known (in a word) so as that out of any twenty Acres in England, that lyes together, and is in any degree of goodnesse, to take right good and sufficient Compost for that 20. Acres, and that from generation to generation, & that in such a sort that the ground shall be continually rather improved and of more profit thereby, if the owners will themselves; and also to the great ease of many parts of England, where their tillage Lands lye far from home; To make two loads of Dung or other Compost more effectuall then ten is now. This Land thus chosen and soyled, to plough after a better and more advantageous manner, with cattel, or if need be, to plough or dig wi [...]hout cattel as cheap, and as fast as now, (this is more advantage to the Publique then the Private, though no losse to any.) To sow, or rather to set or plant in a way so much superiour and more advantageous then the common way as is hard to beleeve. This Land thus sowed, set, or planted, to manage the Crop when above ground yet more to a double advantage by wayes not formerly known or hardly thought on.
The Crop thus come up to be inned, and preserved till thrashed with more safety; and if Barely, &c. being malted to dry better and far cheaper, if hard c [...]rne to grind by virtue of the Engines or Mills abovesaid, if Rape-seed or the like to grind and make into oyle, if Hemp or Flax, &c. to brake and beat, &c. And for Corn, to thrash if need be, with lesse charge and more expedition far, but this I will never consent to make common till I perceive that there is other wayes actually on foot to set the poore on work, or that we want hands to dispatch our necessary businesse.
[Page 11] The Corn however thrasht to winnow great quantities without staying for the wind as some doe, or without taking a whole family from all other imployments as others doe, and without those many losses, charges, inconveniences that attend this businesse too commonly throughout England, yet shal the corn be cleaner drest by much: and that so seasonably to answer your own desires, which is very often frustrated in the usefull way, especially where there is great quantities: The charge to every great Corne-Master will not be great to erect or prepare, but the benefit much more then he himselfe thinkes of, or will easily beleeve till experience hath indeared him to it; for a tast, consider what advantage it will be (after preparation made) to keep your corne in the chaffe, free from Hogs or Hens, or two-legged or foure-handed Thieves, &c. free from the danger of heating or growing as long as you please, and at an hours warning to make purely cleane as little or as much as you please, without any more then one person engaged, except for very great quantities, and then but two at most, and that but for a while; from hence we can for a need draw it without cattell into the field to sowe, or into the Market to sel; and so this double invention never forsakes the good husband, till his hands be quit of it till next year, or for ever.
And if any ground be over-flowed against the owners will, or to his hurt, the Engine is ready to dresse it and lay it dry; or if too dry by nature to flood it; or if too dry by accident, that is by drought, to water it, morning or evening as there is cause with more ease, lesse charge, and a more regular way by farre, then any Garden is watred, so shall thy Crop flourish [Page 12] when thy neighbours (that takes not the same course) shal fade away. And in ground that affords any Coale-pits, or other deep Mines, it will take them up with more ease, speed, and lesse charge; or if you build a stately house, the Engine will much facilitate the work both in respect of time and charge.
Finally, By the blessing of the same God, there are begotten by the same Father Industry, and conceived by the same Mother Ingenuity, some other off-springs of no small or lesse use; in order to the preservation of the Lives and Estates of very many thousands; from or in the most common and eminent dangers, and to perswade and prevaile with the Sea also, to disclose and impart her treasury whether her own naturally, or that of which she hath robbed us.
But first let us see what kind entertainment the world will give to these before any others shew themselves. If the Land be converted to pasture for Sheep, the Engine will full the cloath.
If for a dayry, it will churn the cream into butter.
If to feed or breed cattell, it will grind bark that tans the skins.
And if for planting and nourishing of Timber, the same Engine will saw it to great gaine and advantage.
Thus you see there is so neere an allyance between these two Inventions, and both so agree to assist and reward the good Husband, that there is no essentiall part of Husbandry, wherein they do not naturally assist each other more or lesse. I remaine alwayes