abilities as never to consider any plan of improvement which he
proposed, but only to see it executed with scrupulous exactness; at
the same time, he was so open to reason in all matters, that during a
constant communication of our opinions for upwards of twenty years,
after we had laid them fully before each other we always agreed, and
never had the slightest difference.'

It must be remembered that Smeaton lived before the time when the
genius of Watt had rendered the steam-engine the useful and obedient
servant of man; and consequently that much of the power now furnished
by steam was then supplied by the wind. Hence the mechanics of
windmills was an important study to the engineer, and Smeaton erected
a vast variety of mills in which he turned to useful account the
results of his experiments in 1752 and 1753. His usual habit was to
confirm the conclusions of theory by direct experiment. He also
erected a steam-engine at Ansthorpe, and made experiments thereon to
ascertain the power of Newcomen's engine, which he improved and
brought to a far greater degree of certainty both in its construction
and powers.

During many years the opinion of Smeaton was held in such high esteem,
that no great works were undertaken throughout the kingdom without
first applying to him; he was constantly consulted in parliament, and
was regarded as an ultimate reference on all difficult questions
connected with his profession. It was his constant practice to make
himself fully acquainted with every subject before he would engage in
it, and then his known integrity and lucid powers of description
secured the respect and attention of all. In the courts of law he was
frequently complimented by Lord Mansfield and others for the new light
he threw on difficult subjects.

About the year 1785 Smeaton's health began to decline, and he then
endeavoured to retire from business in order to gain time to publish
an account of his inventions and works. This was one of the wishes
nearest to his heart, for, as he often said, 'he thought he could not
render better service to his country than by doing that.' He had just
completed his account of the Eddystone lighthouse when he was
prevailed on to continue his services as engineer to the trustees for
Ramsgate harbour. The works at Ramsgate were begun in 1749, but had
been conducted with very indifferent success until Smeaton was called
in to superintend them in 1774. He completed the magnificent pier and