Part 114

JAMES WATT AND THE STEAM-ENGINE.

James Watt was the great Improver of the steam-engine; but, in truth, as to all that is admirable in its structure, or vast in its utility, he should rather be described as its Inventor. It was by his inventions that its action was so regulated as to make it capable of being applied to the finest and most delicate manufactures, and its power so increased as to set weight and solidity at defiance. By his admirable contrivances it has become a thing stupendous alike for its force and flexibility, for the prodigious power which it can exert, and the ease, precision, and ductility with which this power can be varied, distributed, and applied. The trunk of an elephant, that can pick up a pin or rend an oak, is as nothing to it. It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal before it, draw out without breaking a thread as fine as gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bubble in the air. It can embroider muslin and forge anchors, cut steel into ribbons, and impel loaded vessels against the fury of the winds and waves.

‘in truth’ is better not translated here. Say ‘but in regard to (+in Rücksicht auf+) all that (S. 3, N. 7) refers (+sich beziehen+) to (+auf+) the excellence of its construction and (+wie+) to (+auf+) the variety (+Mannigfaltigkeit+, f.) of its application (+Nutzanwendung+, f.), should he rather (+eigentlich+) be called the Inventor of the same’.

+Wirkung+, f.; in what voice is the verb? Insert the adv. +erst+ after the auxiliary.

as — defiance = as (+um+) to be able to employ it in (+bei+) the making (+Anfertigung+, f.) of the finest and most delicate (+zart+) manufactures (+Fabrikate+), and its power so increased as (+um+) to be able to render resistance (+Widerstand leisten+) to every weight (+Last+, f.) and every solidity (+Festigkeit+, f.). Translate ‘to be able’ by +können+, which need be expressed but once, and must be placed at the very end of the whole period, which, along with the following, is perhaps the most difficult to translate that has yet been given.

+Einrichtungen+; it = the machine; thing, +Werkzeug+, n., after which place the verb ‘become’; alike for, +und zwar dies sowohl wegen ... wie auch+.

rend = tear down.

Say ‘without tearing it’, which place after ‘gossamer’ (+Sommerfäden+).

Insert the prep. +auf+ here.

+Streifen.+

to impel against, +entge´gentreiben+, governing the dat.

Section 143.

JAMES WATT AND THE STEAM-ENGINE.

II.

It would be difficult to estimate the value of the benefits which these inventions have conferred upon this country. There is no branch of industry that has not been indebted to them; and, in all the most material, they have not only widened most magnificently the field of its exertions, but multiplied a thousand-fold the amount of its productions. It was our improved steam-engine, in short, that fought the battles of Europe and sustained and exalted, through the late tremendous contest, the political greatness of our land. It is the same great power which now enables us to pay the interest of our debt, and to maintain the arduous struggle in which we are still engaged (1819) with the skill and capital of countries (S. 16, N. 10) less oppressed with (+von+) taxation.

But these are poor and narrow views of its importance. It has increased indefinitely the mass of human comforts and enjoyments, and rendered cheap and accessible, all over the world, the materials of wealth and prosperity.

I am greatly indebted to you, +ich habe Ihnen vieles zu verdanken+.

Say ‘and in the principal branches’; most magnificently, +auf das großartigste+.

Insert ‘also’ here.

+Kurz+, which place at the head of the period.

through = in.

+fortsetzen+, which rendering will make the relative clause ‘in — engaged’ superfluous.

‘skill’, here = industry.

poor = superficial; narrow, +beschränkt+; of = about.

of human = of our.

+und die Stoffe, welche sonst nur dem Reichtum und dem Wohlstand zugänglich waren, für die ganze Welt billig und erreichbar gemacht.+

Section 144.

JAMES WATT AND THE STEAM-ENGINE.