The fact is that about Heslop’s time, and whilst Smeaton was at work effecting improvements in Newcomen’s engines, and whilst Watt, with the experience of those who went before him, was to some extent endeavouring to strike out a course for himself and preparing to eclipse the productions of his predecessors, there were a number of minor geniuses engaged in carrying into effect their own or others suggestions: men whose names are little known in consequence of having been thrust aside by greater or more favoured inventors than themselves. Heslop, Murdock, and Cartwright appear have been among these; also Avery and Sadler, and other local schemers and inventors like the Glazebrooks, the Williamses, and Hornblowers. During the latter half of the last century the inventive faculty, stimulated by what had already been achieved, appears to have been in great activity. The iron-making and mining interests were undergoing great expansion, and men like the Darbys, the Reynoldses, Wilkinsons, Guests, and others, were just then prepared to avail themselves of means which would enable them to clear out the water from their mines, that they might bring up minerals from a greater depth, or add to the force of the blast in their smelting operations; and several of these in return rendered Watt and others great services. Wilkinson gave the order for the first engine Watt made at Soho to blow his furnaces at Broseley, where it was erected and ready for use early in 1776. Watt’s first rotary engine was made for Mr. Reynolds, of Ketley, in 1782, to drive a corn mill. The “Philosophical Transactions,” and Urban’s Magazine seem to have been mediums of correspondence, and the means of communicating so much of the discoveries and inventions of the authors as they deemed fit to the public. We have thirty or more volumes of extracts from original communications in these, commencing about 1736, which Mr. William Reynolds had written out, most of them beautiful, and many remarkable specimens of that ornate style of calligraphy so much cultivated at that time. Also a large folio volume of original drawings and designs, admirably executed. Some by Hornblower, Glazebrook, Sadler, Reynolds, Wilkinson, Banks, Anstice, Chinn, Price, Rogerson, Emerson, Telford, and others. The Hornblowers appear to have trodden closely upon the heels of Watt at one time, and so closely that Watt wrote to Boulton saying, “If they have really found a prize it will ruin us.” We add a list of these drawings, with dates attached. No. 1 is a small steam engine made by James Sadler which was at work on the hill at the Dale in 1792. No. 2 Drawing shews Sadler’s plan of rotary motion, with crank for winding engine, dated, 1793. No. 3 S. Venables’ drawing of Sadler’s engine as it stood when T. Griffiths was putting it up at the Bank 1793. No. 4 Is a plan of Sadler’s engine sent by Dr. Beddows, May, 1793.