Page:A Letter on the Subject of the Cause (1797).djvu/45

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[ 38 ]

Seventhly, I come to what is called condenſers.

On this part of the ſubject I am almoſt puzzled what to ſay. From the Specification I can ſay nothing; from the Engines, I learn they have been made in all forms, and that by changing about, and mixing the knowledge of every perſon in his way for twenty years at leaſt, Mr. Watt has been taught what is the real fact, and what they confeſſed to be ſo on the late trial, namely, that no Condenſers are neceſſary. But that which Newcomen calls the eduction pipe, and in which the condenſation is performed by a jet of cold water, anſwers the ſame purpoſe equally well.

Then it appears, my Lord, that twenty years exerciſe of the ſuperior abilities of Mr. Watt, with the help of all he could gain from the knowledge and practice of other men; and the aſſiſtance he received through the ſpace of ſix years more from profeſſor Robinſon, Dr. Roebuck, Mr. Cummings, and no doubt many others, eminent in the theory and practice of the arts, was only to prove what I ſaid, before they acknowledged it, that all condenſers do more harm than good; and that when men of better judgement have

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