. Beginning as an ordinary mechanic, he applied himself
diligently and conscientiously to his work, and gradually became
trusted. More responsible duties were confided to him, and he strove
to perform them to the best of his power. His industry, skilfulness,
and steady sobriety, soon marked him for promotion, and he rose from
grade to grade until he became Boulton and Watt's most trusted
co-worker and adviser in all their mechanical undertakings of
importance.

Watt himself had little confidence in Scotchmen as mechanics. He told
Sir Waiter Scott that though many of them sought employment at his
works, he could never get any of them to become first-rate workmen.
They might be valuable as clerks and book-keepers, but they had an
insuperable aversion to toiling long at any point of mechanism, so as
to earn the highest wages paid to the workmen.[4] The reason no doubt
was, that the working-people of Scotland were then only in course of
education as practical mechanics; and now that they have had a
century's discipline of work and technical training, the result is
altogether different, as the engine-shops and shipbuilding-yards of the
Clyde abundantly prove. Mechanical power and technical ability are the
result of training, like many other things.

When Boulton engaged Murdock, as we have said, Watt was absent in
Cornwall, looking after the pumping-engines which had been erected at
several of the mines throughout that county. The partnership had only
been in existence for three years, and Watt was still struggling with
the difficulties which he had to surmount in getting the steam engine
into practical use. His health was bad, and he was oppressed with
frightful headaches. He was not the man to fight the selfishness of the
Cornish adventurers. "A little more of this hurrying and vexation," he
said, "will knock me up altogether." Boulton went to his help
occasionally, and gave him hope and courage. And at length William
Murdock, after he had acquired sufficient knowledge of the business,
was able to undertake the principal management of the engines in
Cornwall.

We find that in 1779, when he was only twenty-five years old, he was
placed in this important position. When he went into Cornwall, he gave
himself no rest until he had conquered the defects of the engines, and
put them into thorough working order.

He devoted himself to his duties with a zeal and ability that
completely won Watt's heart. When he ha