Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber's Note:

In text, italic is denoted by _underscores_ around the word/phrase. The italic markup for single italicised letters (such as pounds and pence symbols and in numbered lists) are deleted for easier reading. Small capitals in the printed works have been transcribed as ALL CAPITALS.

In chemical equations, underscores before bracketed numbers denote a subscript, e.g. CO_{2} (carbon dioxide).

More Transcriber's Notes may be found at the end of this text.

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MECHANISM

The lower illustration shows the Wenzel Sculpturing Machine at work on two blocks of stone ranged one on each side of a model. This machine can make four copies simultaneously from one original. The upper illustration shows the quality of work done by the automatic sculptor.]

THE ROMANCE OF

MODERN MECHANISM

WITH INTERESTING DESCRIPTIONS IN NON-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE OF WONDERFUL
MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL DEVICES AND MARVELLOUSLY DELICATE SCIENTIFIC
INSTRUMENTS, &c., &c.

BY
ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS,
B.A., OXON., F.R.G.S.

AUTHOR OF

"THE ROMANCE OF MODERN INVENTION," "THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MINING,"
"THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING," "THE ROMANCE OF MODERN
EXPLORATION," &c. &c.

WITH THIRTY ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON
SEELEY AND CO. LIMITED
38 GREAT RUSSELL STREET
1910

_UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_

THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE

_Extra Crown 8vo. With many illustrations. 5s. each_

"Splendid volumes."--_The Outlook._

"This series has now won a considerable and well deserved
reputation."--_The Guardian._

"Each volume treats its allotted theme with accuracy, but at the same
time with a charm that will commend itself to readers of all ages.
The root idea is excellent, and it is excellently carried out, with
full illustrations and very prettily designed covers."--_The Daily
Telegraph._

By Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A., B.Sc.

THE ROMANCE OF SAVAGE LIFE
THE ROMANCE OF PLANT LIFE
THE ROMANCE OF EARLY BRITISH LIFE

By EDWARD GILLIAT, M.A.

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN SIEGES

By JOHN LEA, M.A.

THE ROMANCE OF BIRD LIFE

By JOHN LEA, M.A., & H. COUPIN, D.Sc.

THE ROMANCE OF ANIMAL ARTS AND CRAFTS

By SIDNEY WRIGHT

THE ROMANCE OF THE WORLD'S FISHERIES

By the Rev. J. C. LAMBERT, M.A., D.D.

THE ROMANCE OF MISSIONARY HEROISM

By G. FIRTH SCOTT

THE ROMANCE OF POLAR EXPLORATION

By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS, B.A. (Oxon.), F.R.G.S.

THE ROMANCE OF EARLY EXPLORATION
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN EXPLORATION
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MECHANISM
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN INVENTION
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN LOCOMOTION
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MINING

By CHARLES R. GIBSON, A.I.E.E.

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ELECTRICITY
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MANUFACTURE

By EDMUND SELOUS

THE ROMANCE OF THE ANIMAL WORLD
THE ROMANCE OF INSECT LIFE

By AGNES GIBERNE

THE ROMANCE OF THE MIGHTY DEEP

By E. S. GREW, M.A.

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN GEOLOGY

By J. C. PHILIP, D.Sc., Ph.D.

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN CHEMISTRY

SEELEY & CO., LIMITED