The man who, while he looked on the expensive machine, thanked his stars that he had more wisdom than to waste his money on such idle schemes, changed the expression of his features as the boat moved from the wharf and gained her speed, and his complacent expression gradually softened into one of wonder. The jeers of the ignorant, who had neither sense nor feeling to suppress their contemptuous ridicule and rude jokes, were silenced for a moment by a vulgar astonishment, which deprived them of the power of utterance, till the triumph of genius extorted from the incredulous multitude which crowded the shores, shouts and acclamations of congratulation and applause. In February, 1809, he took out his first patent. In 1811 and 1812, he built two steam ferry boats for crossing the Hudson; he contrived also a very ingenious floating dock for the reception of those boats. In 1813, he obtained a patent for a sub-marine battery. Conceiving the plan of a steam man-of-war, the government, in March 1814, appropriated $320,000 for constructing it, and appointed him the engineer. In about four months, she was launched with the name of Fulton the First; but before this frigate was finished, Fulton had paid the debt of nature. * * * * * The population of Great Britain for the last ten years shows an average annual increase of 230,000. The population of London has increased 27 per cent. within fifteen years. * * * * * Within the last 16 years, 612 steamboats have been built in Pittsburg--besides 31 the present year. * * * * * INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME II.