What a pocket encyclopædia of inventions! from which, as by stealth, Robinson and Buchanan selected the least applicable, declining a suitable steam-engine at a very small cost, rather than pay an engineer for his opinion. [Rough draft.] "CAMBORNE, _April 26th_, 1812. "SIR CHARLES HAWKINS, Bart., "Sir,--I have received yours of the 7th, respecting the small breakwater at St. Ives. As far as I can judge from a rough calculation, I think it an undertaking likely to pay well; but as you wished me not to mention anything about your intentions, and not receiving your orders to make a minute inquiry and estimate, I cannot answer your letter so fully as I should wish, fearing that giving a random and imperfect statement might be apt to lead you into errors, and also make me look simple. If an engineer were employed to survey and estimate after me, every information in my power is at your service; therefore be pleased to state particularly what information you wish, and I will attend to the business and answer your questions as early as possible. "I have received a letter from Sir John Sinclair requesting correct drawings and statements of the thrashing engine to be forwarded to the President of the Board of Agriculture, which I shall attend to. He also says that he has sent my letter to the Navy Board, in hopes that the experiment of propelling vessels by steam may be tried under its sanction and expense. "Perhaps it might be proper to wait the answer of the Navy Board before writing to Mr. Praed about propelling the canal boats. I am very much obliged to you for writing to Captain Gundry, about the Wheal Friendship engine. I expect to have a portable steam-whim and stamps at work at my own expense in a few days, which will prove for itself its utility; that being the only way to introduce new things. I would be very much obliged to you to say if Mr. Halse is to pay me for my past attendance at St. Ives about the breakwater. Enclosed you have a letter to Sir John Sinclair, unsealed for your inspection, which, if you approve of, please to forward. "I remain, Sir, "Your very humble servant, "RICHARD TREVITHICK." Trevithick's skill did not prevent his being reasonably modest, or cause him to be envious of others; neither did his dear-bought experience, that one's own pocket must pay for making public one's own inventions, prevent his again soliciting the assistance of persons of influence, though it does not seem that Mr. Praed helped forward the screw-propeller, or that Sir John Sinclair gave direct help, though he probably made known the high-pressure steam-engine to the marine experimenters on the Clyde. [Rough draft.] "MR. RASTRICK, "CAMBORNE, _December 7th, 1812_.