His Promethean Touch

                       

Letter from J.T. Tuffen addressed to “John Mallet Esqre.  No 8 Mincing Lane.”

Heathfield near Birmingham

                                                                       

                                                                        5^th June 1815

My dear Friend

                        Here I am still lingering in this little Eden, reluctant to exchange its calm enjoyments for the feverish bustle of `London.  Indeed were it not for you & a very few other friends I could be content never to visit the Metroplis [sic] again.  When sitting with my friend Mr Watt in his Library, listening to the inexhaustible stores of literature & Science which his rich & copious mind is ever pouring out, with a simplicity & benevolence that renders his condescension doubly grateful, I forget the world & all its cares, and seem to have become the Inhabitant of a better region.  What a privilege, to enjoy, from day to day, the undisturbed society of so extraordinary a man; - the first Philosopher of his Age, & equally distinguished in Literature as in Science;  - to whose philosophical & mechanical Inventions is chiefly owing the unrivalled state of our manufactures & commercial prosperity.  His Promethean Touch has created a new power, that has raised our Country to its present preeminence among the Nations of Europe, which power is extending itself to the uttermost parts of the Earth.  The increased use & varied application of the Steam Engine is quite astonishing, & although my friends at Soho are continually devising means to increase the supply, they cannot keep pace with the demand.  In addition to the daily exportation of their Steam Engines to the East & West Indies, they are now engaged in the execution of Engines & Machinery for Steam Boats to be worked on the rivers of France America [sic].  Indeed it is difficult to say to what purposes, in which great Power is required, their Engines will not be applied, or to what parts of the habitable Globe they will not extend.  The projected enlargement of their Foundry & Buildings will shortly enable them to deliver a Steam Engine per day.  But the difficulty to find out, collect, educate & supply, the quantity of mechanical Intellect necessary for the good conduct & maintenance of such an establishment, is inconceivable, and could only be accomplished by a man equally vigorous in body & mind with its present conductor Mr Jas. Watt Junr.; the entire labour of whose life is devoted to the perfection of this wonderful concern.  By his wise arrangements & judicious Inspection, upwards of 700 workmen, all of their own training, are kept in due subordination & constant employ.  His humane policy too has by various economical regulations extended itself to the preservation of the health, comfort & morals of their Wives & Children.  When I contemplate the beauty & harmony of this System, I tremble for its continuance; Mr Boulton has already retired from all active operation, and important as it may be to Society, it would be folly for my friend Watt, with his fortune, to be always the slave he is at present, especially as his Nephew Mr James Miller, the only male representative of the family is, I fear, dying of a decline, at Madeira.  This incessant occupation at the Foundry having hitherto wholly deprived me of the pleasure of James Watt’s company, I have given up my original intention of accompanying his father & Mrs Watt (who set off tomorrow) to Town, and tho’ with some inconvenience to myself, have yielded to his desire & my own wishes, to pass a week or two at his house ((Thorn Bank near Soho) so that it is probable I shall not be at home before the 20^th of this month. 

            Mt Tytler, a son of Lord Woodhouselee, a very intelligent young man was here on Saturday on his return from a six months tour through France.  .  He says the Military & Peasantry, the latter having been the principal purchasers of National lands, are universally with Bonaparte; the Gentry & Maritime Towns, against him.  He mentioned many curious anecdotes of Bonaparte’s inconsistency of character, & one, of his personal weakness & feeling; On his passage thro’ Provence last year on his way to Elba, he sent for the Prefect of Aix, whom he knew to be much attached to him;  on the Prefect’s arrival at the Town or Village, he saw an Officer in an Austrian Hussar Uniform, whom he did not know, till his voice betrayed the Emperor, who with Tears in his Eyes besought the Prefect’s company & protection to the next Stage to save him from insult & mischief. 

            I long to have a recital in your best manner of the Wonders you have heard from the Italian Traveller, to whom I beg my best respects.  Thank your excellent Sister for her benevolent visit to my sick Sister who was delighted by her kindness.  A swarm of Bees who seem much disposed to settle themselves under my Window, oblige me to conclude myself

                                    Yrs ever truly

                                                            J.T Tuffen

PS.   Direct to me, at Jas. Watt’s Junr. Esqre  Thorn Bank near Soho.  Your letter must be deliver’d in London Street, early on Fridays or Tuesdays, as the box leaves Town an hour earlier than heretofore.  Do tell me what are the Speculations respecting the War.