An Historical And Descriptive Account Of The Steam Engine

This is a book about the history and development of the steam engine. The author, Charles Frederick Partington, lectures on the topic at the London Institution between 1823 and 1830. He is keen to evangelize for the engine and includes detailed and illustrated descriptions of various engines in the book. He also discusses early attempts to mitigate the "smoke and noxious effluvia" that come from the engines' "capacious vomitories."

Though much about his life is uncertain, Charles Frederick Partington is known to have lectured at the London Institution between 1823 and 1830 on a variety of technical topics, and he delivered some of the first lectures specifically designed for young people. He had a particular interest in the steam engine, and this book, reissued here in the first edition of 1822, was one of the earliest overviews of its history and development. A third edition appeared in 1826. Noting the excessive frequency with which 'the faults of any new invention are unjustly magnified, while its real advantages are seldom duly appreciated', the author is keen to act as evangelist. Detailed and illustrated descriptions of various early engines are included, comparing their characteristics and advantages. Also of note are Partington's descriptions of early attempts to mitigate the 'smoke and noxious effluvia which proceed from their capacious vomitories'.