Chapter XV
James Nasmyth
Traditional origin of the NaesmythsAlexander Nasmyth the painter, and his familyEarly years of James NasmythThe story of his life told by himselfBecomes a pupil of Henry MaudslayHow he lived and worked in LondonBegins business at ManchesterStory of the invention of the Steam HammerThe important uses of the Hammer in modern engineeringInvents the steam pile-driving machineDesigns a new form of steam-engineOther inventionsHow he “Scotched” a strikeUses of strikesRetirement from businessSkill as a draughtsmanCurious speculations on antiquarian subjectsMr. Nasmyth’s wonderful discoveries in Astronomydescribed by Sir John Herschel