Page:A Letter on the Subject of the Cause (1797).djvu/21

 former; and I am fully perſuaded were theſe imperfect directions given to any Workman, even of the moſt eminent knowledge in the art of building Engines, they would tend directly to fruſtrate every regular ſtep neceſſary to be taken in the progreſs of ſuch a work.

Had there been but the ſhadow of a guide introduced in this myſterious compoſition, an ingenious mind might have accidentally ſtumbled on the Inventor’s mark; but it is ſo much the contrary, that every adventurer is conſtrained to explore a way for himſelf, and to wrap his cylinder in any warm covering his powers of judgment may ſuggeſt. And it is my firm opinion, that were Engine Builders in general left to puzzle out this ſingle circumſtance, ninety-nine out of every hundred would attempt a different method of accompliſhing the Inventor’s intention: and I am likewiſe as fully convinced, that a like proportion would finally miſs their aim, in ſpite of repeated efforts.

the words which compoſe the Article, reſpecting Condenſation, it does not appear that any jet, or ſtream of cold water, is to be thrown into the cylinder as in common Engines;