experiments, which, however, appeared satisfactory. Taking passage
immediately, Mr. Fessenden arrived in London on the 4th of July, 1801,
and waited on Mr. King, then our minister, by whom he was introduced to
Mr. Nicholson, a gentleman of eminent scientific reputation. After
thoroughly examining the invention, Mr. Nicholson gave an opinion
unfavorable to its merits; and the question was soon settled by a letter
from one of the Vermont proprietors to Mr. Fessenden, informing him that
the apparent advantages of the machine had been found altogether
deceptive. In short, Mr. Fessenden had been lured from his profession
and country by as empty a bubble as that of the perpetual motion. Yet
it is creditable both to his ability and energy, that, laying hold of
what was really valuable in Langdon's contrivance; he constructed the
model of a machine for raising water from coal-mines, and other great
depths, by means of what he termed the "renovated pressure of the
atmosphere." On communicating this invention to Mr. Nicholson and other
eminent mechanicians, they acknowledged its originality and ingenuity,
and thought that, in some situations, it might be useful. But the
expenses of a patent in England, the difficulty of obtaining patronage
for such a project, and the uncertainty of the result, were obstacles
too weighty to be overcome. Mr. Fessenden threw aside the scheme, and,
after a two months' residence in London, was preparing to return home,
when a new and characteristic adventure arrested him.

He received a visit, at his lodging in the Strand, from a person whom he
had never before seen, but who introduced himself to his good-will as
being likewise an American. His business was of a nature well
calculated to excite Mr. Fessenden's interest. He produced the model of
an ingenious contrivance for grinding corn. A patent had already been
obtained; and a company, with the lord-mayor of London at its head, was
associated for the construction of mills upon this new principle. The