ng in Scarborough for a short time, I proceeded to
Glasgow with a letter of introduction to Messrs. J. and G. Thomson,
marine engine builders, who started me on the same wages which I had
received at Stephenson's, namely twenty shillings a week.

I found the banks of the Clyde splendid ground for gaining further
mechanical knowledge. There were the ship and engine works on both
sides of the river, down to Govan; and below there, at Renfrew,
Dumbarton, Port Glasgow, and Greenock--no end of magnificent yards--so
that I had plenty of occupation for my leisure time on Saturday
afternoons. The works of Messrs. Robert Napier and Sons were then at
the top of the tree. The largest Cunard steamers were built and
engined there. Tod and Macgregor were the foremost in screw
steamships--those for the Peninsular and Oriental Company being
splendid models of symmetry and works of art. Some of the fine wooden
paddle-steamers built in Bristol for the Royal Mail Company were sent
round to the Clyde for their machinery. I contrived to board all these
ships from time to time, so as to become well acquainted with their
respective merits and peculiarities.

As an illustration of how contrivances, excellent in principle, but
defective in construction, may be discarded, but again taken up under
more favourable circumstances, I may mention that I saw a Hall's patent
surface-condensor thrown to one side from one of these steamers, the
principal difficulty being in keeping it tight. And yet, in the course
of a very few years, by the simplest possible contrivance--inserting an
indiarubber ring round each end of the tube (Spencer's patent)--surface
condensation in marine engines came into vogue; and there is probably
no ocean-going steamer afloat without it, furnished with every variety
of suitable packings.

After some time, the Messrs. Thomson determined to build their own
vessels, and an experienced naval draughtsman was engaged, to whom I
was "told off" whenever he needed assistance. In the course of time,
more and more of the ship work came in my way. Indeed, I seemed to
obtain the preference. Fortunately for us both, my superior obtained
an appointment of a similar kind on the Tyne, at superior pay, and I
was promoted to his place. The Thomsons had now a very fine
shipbuilding-yard, in full working order, with several large steamers
on the stocks. I was placed in the drawing-office as head draughtsman.
At the same time I had no