the difficulties the miners and colliers labour under by the frequent disorders, cumbersomeness, and in general of water-engines, encouraged me to invent engines to work by this new force; that though I was obliged to encounter the oddest and almost insuperable difficulties, I spared neither time, pains, nor money, till I had absolutely conquered them. I hope this will, at least, encourage you to read over this small treatise I now put into your hands, for the further and more particular information of the nature and uses of this engine for raising water by the force of fire; after which, I shall patiently submit to any judgment you shall please to pass upon me or the invention, and may have reason to believe you will not any longer suffer your judgments to be imposed on by those, whose profit and interest it may seem to be to condemn both right and wrong; I mean such who make your common gins, and their friends and acquaintance among you; though I am very sure the promotion of the use of this engine is their true interest, as I very plainly prove thus:-- The cheaper water is drawn, the more is the miner encouraged to adventure; the more the miner adventures, the more pits or shafts must be sunk; the more shafts or pits are sunk, the more wood-work will be necessarily employed in timbering them, or supporting the sides from falling in where the earth is loose; besides windlasses and all other utensils of wood used in mines, or the trades depending thereon must be more, which, by increasing the carpenters’ trade in general, will make them sufficient amends for the loss of a small part of that branch of their trade, called gin-making. As for pump-making, that part of the trade will be much improved by my engine; for I must use board and timber for pipes, and have considerable employment for pump-makers and carpenters for timber used about my engine; but shall never employ any other person in making pipes, or any other carpenter’s work I shall have to do, but the person who was before employed in the work, or such as shall be recommended, as a person employed in the mines of the country wheresoever I shall fix engines, provided they will work as cheap, and fairly, and observe the orders and directions given them; for my design is not, in the least, to prejudice the artificers, or, indeed, any other sort of people by this invention; but, on the contrary, is intended for the benefit and advantage of mankind in general, especially the people of my own nation; and wherein, you gentlemen concerned in mines, may, if you please, reap the greatest profit.