Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ... Chapter X. miscellaneous matters. Age 51-60. 1840-1849. The autobiography, which has formed the substance of the preceding chapters, extends no further, in any connected shape, than about 1840, when Mr. Fairbairn had completed his fiftieth year. Some notes remain, referring to matters of a later date; but they are fragmentary and incomplete, and can only be made use of as subsidiary explanations. But although, in regard to that portion of his life and work which remains to be chronicled, we lose the benefit of his own interesting and vivid narration, we are fortunately not left altogether without guidance. Mr. Fairbairn was very fond of writing; nothing gave him greater pleasure than to put his ideas on paper; and hence, in regard to the later occupations of his life, there exists a mass of information from his hand, either published or in manuscript, which has served not only to facilitate the task of the biographer, but to render the accounts given authoritative and trustworthy. Between the fiftieth and sixtieth years of Mr. Fairbairn's life he was very active, chiefly in directing the practical work of his two manufactories, in Manchester and in London. A special notice of these establishments will be given in a subsequent chapter. He did not, however, neglect his scientific pursuits, as he wrote, during this period, several important papers for different learned societies, on the strength of cast-iron, on the steam-engine, on the prevention of smoke, &c. &c. In 1841 he was applied to, at the suggestion of the government, to give advice as to the best means of preventing accidents to workpeople in factories by their getting entangled in the machinery. It was considered advisable that mill-owners should be compelled to box or fence off...