"All this would add 100 per cent. more to the surface of Holland, and at this time it is much wanted, because their settlements abroad are free almost of the mother-country, and they have too many inhabitants for the land at present. I made them plans for carrying the whole into effect, and have closed my agreement with them. "In a few days I shall go to Cornwall, and promised to return again to Holland within a month. I saw Mr. Hall and the engineer of the Dock Company to-day. They are satisfied that the plan for working the cranes is a good one. I am to see them again on Monday next; after which I shall return home, where I hope to see you, to consult you on the best plan for constructing the machines for lifting the water, cutting the canals, and making the dykes. "I remain, Sir, "Your very obedient servant, "RICHARD TREVITHICK." In this mere outline of a life it is impossible to go fully into the merit of Trevithick's plans for doubling the land surface of Holland. A drainage company was formed in London with a board of directors, some of whom thought that a new kind of engine should be invented and patented as a means of excluding others from carrying on similar but competing operations. Trevithick, always ready to invent new things, though never forgetting his experience with old things, instinctively returned to the Dolcoath engines, and recommended them as suitable for the pumping work; but finally a new design was determined on, and Harvey and Co., of Hayle, received orders for the construction, with the greatest possible dispatch, of a pumping engine for Holland. This happening shortly after the writer had been taken from the Bodmin school, he was desired to help in the erection of this engine, and after working-hours made a drawing of its original form. Plate XV. _a_, iron barge; _b_, wood frame supporting pump; _c_, open-top steam-cylinder 3 feet diameter, 8-feet stroke; _d_, piston guide-wheel; _e_, connecting rod; _f_, fly-wheel; _g_, cranked axle working air-pump bucket; _h_, connecting rod for air-pump bucket; _i_, air-pump; _j_, condenser; _k_, steam and exhaust nozzles; _l_, eccentrics working steam and exhaust valves; _m_, steam-pipe; _n_, cylindrical boiler, with internal fire-tube; _o_, external brick flues; _p_, chimney; _q_, feed-pump; _r_, feed-pipe; _s_, cup or rag-wheel; _t_, rag-chain, with iron balls; _u_, pump-barrel, 3 feet diameter; _v_, wheel guiding balls into bottom of pump-barrel; _w_, launder. [Illustration: PLATE 15 TREVITHICK'S CHAIN AND BALL PUMP. London: E. & F. N. Spon, 48, Charing Cross Kell Bro^s. Lith London ]