important investigations and inventions.

Dr. Siemens, like Mr. Bessemer, labored to make iron and steel direct
from the ores. By the invention of his regenerative gas furnace, which
makes the high grade and uniform steel so desirable in the construction
of ships, boilers, and all kinds of machines, Dr. Siemens has rendered
signal service. This visit at Siemens Brothers & Co.'s works was of great
interest, and many valuable ideas were gained.

Several days were next spent in Birmingham, and at the centers of steel
making in northwest England. Birmingham is called the "Toy Shop of the
World" for there almost everything is manufactured from a cambric needle
to a cannon.

Colonel Harris and George Ingram studied the workings of the English
"Saturday half-holiday," which employees earn by working an extra
half-hour on the five previous days. A visit was made to the Tangye Bros.
Engine Works at Soho, near Birmingham, which absorbed the engine works of
Boulton and Watt. It was Boulton who said to Lord Palmerston visiting
Soho, "Sir, we have here for sale what subjects of his Majesty most
seek, viz., Power."

The Tangyes employ thousands of men, manufacturing engines and other
products. Steam engines of all sizes, in enormous quantities are stored,
ready at a moment's notice to be shipped broadcast. It was the invention
of the powerful Tangye jack-screw that finally enabled the famous
engineer Brunel to launch his "Great Eastern" steamship which he had
built on the Thames, and which had settled on her keel.

Today the Tangye Brothers are fond of saying, "We launched the 'Great
Eastern,' and the 'Great Eastern' launched us." One of the Tangye
Brothers took the two Americans through James Watt's old home, and into
his famous garret, where Watt invented the parallel motion and other
parts of the steam engine. So important were Watt's engine inventions
that he alone should have the honor of inventing the modern engine which
has so elevated the race.

George was greatly interested in what the Tangye Brothers were doing for
their employees. Instructive lectures by capable men were given weekly to
their workmen, while they ate their dinners. Medical aid was furnished
free, and in many ways practical assistance was rendered their working
force.

After a most interesting journey among the steel firms, including Bocklow
& Vaughn of Middleborough, John Brown at Sheffield, and others, Reuben
Harris and George crossed over into bus