this volume, more especially that relating to the inventors of tools
and machines, has heretofore existed only in the memories of the
eminent mechanical engineers from whom it has been collected. The
estimable Joshua Field has died since the date at which he
communicated his recollections; and in a few more years many of the
facts which have been caught and are here placed on record would,
probably, in the ordinary course of things, have passed into
oblivion. As it is, the Author feels that there are many gaps yet to
be filled up; but the field of Industrial Biography is a wide one,and
is open to all who will labour in it.


London, October, 1863.

CONTENTS


CHAPTER I.

IRON AND CIVILIZATION.

The South Sea Islanders and iron
Uses of iron for tools
The Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages
Recent discoveries in the beds of the Swiss lakes
Iron the last metal to come into general use, and why
The first iron smelters
Early history of iron in Britain
The Romans
Social importance of the Smith in early times