machinery
was ever made. The engine was placed in the museum of King's College
in 1843, enclosed in a glass case, until the year 1862, when it was
removed for a time to the Great Exhibition, where it formed perhaps the
most remarkable and beautifully executed piece of mechanism the
combined result of intellectual and mechanical contrivance--in the
entire collection.[4]

Clement was on various other occasions invited to undertake work
requiring extra skill, which other mechanics were unwilling or unable
to execute. He was thus always full of employment, never being under
the necessity of canvassing for customers. He was almost constantly in
his workshop, in which he took great pride. His dwelling was over the
office in the yard, and it was with difficulty he could be induced to
leave the premises. On one occasion Mr. Brunel of the Great Western
Railway called upon him to ask if he could supply him with a superior
steam-whistle for his locomotives, the whistles which they were using
giving forth very little sound. Clement examined the specimen brought
by Brunel, and pronounced it to be "mere tallow-chandler's work." He
undertook to supply a proper article, and after his usual fashion he
proceeded to contrive a machine or tool for the express purpose of
making steam-whistles. They were made and supplied, and when mounted
on the locomotive the effect was indeed "screaming." They were heard
miles off, and Brunel, delighted, ordered a hundred. But when the bill
came in, it was found that the charge made for them was very high--as
much as 40L. the set. The company demurred at the price,--Brunel
declaring it to be six times more than the price they had before been
paying. "That may be;" rejoined Clement, "but mine are more than six
times better. You ordered a first-rate article, and you must be
content to pay for it." The matter was referred to an arbitrator, who
awarded the full sum claimed. Mr. Weld mentions a similar case of an
order which Clement received from America to make a large screw of
given dimensions "in the best possible manner," and he accordingly
proceeded to make one with the greatest mathematical accuracy. But his
bill amounted to some hundreds of pounds, which completely staggered
the American, who did not calculate on having to pay more than 20L. at
the utmost for the screw. The matter was, however, referred to
arbitrators, who gave their decision, as in the former case, in favour
of the mec