Manufacturers such as these do not, like Plugson of St. Dolly Undershot, gather up their fortunes and run away, leaving a groat each to their workpeople to drink their healths.  They remain with them from generation to generation.  The best and the noblest amongst them—­the Ashworths of Turton, the Strutts of Derby, the Marshalls of Leeds, the Akroyds of Halifax, the Brooks of Huddersfield, and many others,—­have continued to superintend their works for several generations.  The Strutts were the partners of Arkwright, who was almost the beginner of English manufacture.  In fact, it is only since Arkwright took out his patent for the spinning machine, and Watt took out his patent for the steam engine, that England has become a manufacturing country.

Where would England have been now, but for the energy, enterprise, and public spirit of our manufacturers?  Could agriculture have supported the continuous increase of population?  Is it not more probable that this country would have become overrun by beggars,—­or that property would have been assailed and the constitution upset, as was the case in France,—­but for the extensive and remunerative employment afforded to the labouring classes in the manufacturing districts?  The steam engine has indeed proved the safety-valve of England.  It enabled the kingdom to hold its ground firmly during the continental wars; and but for it, and the industries which it has established, England would probably by this time have sunk to the condition of a third or fourth-rate power.

It is true, the great manufacturers have become wealthy.  But it would certainly have been singular if, with their industry, energy, and powers of organization, they had become poor!  Men of the stamp of the Strutts, Ashworths, Marshalls, and others, do not work for wealth merely, though wealth comes to them.  They have not become great because they were rich, but they have become rich because they were great.  Accumulations of wealth are the result of exceptional industry, organization, and thrift, rather than of exceptional gain.  Adam Smith has said:  “It seldom happens that great fortunes are made by any one regularly-established and well-known branch of business, but in consequence of a long life of industry, frugality, and attention.”

But it is not always so.  For instance, Mr. Lister, of Bradford, after inventing the combing machine,—­or at least combining the inventions of others into a complete combing machine of his own,—­proceeded to invent a machine for using up silk waste (then cast away as useless), spinning it into silk of the finest kind, and by means of the power-loom to weave it into velvet of the best quality.  The attempt had never before been made by any inventor; and it seemed to be of insuperable difficulty.  Mr. Lister had already made a fortune by the success of his combing machine, such as to enable him to retire from business, and live in comfort for the rest of his life.  But, urged by the irrepressible spirit of the inventor,