James Nasmyth, Engineer The Life of John Duncan, Scotch Weaver and Botanist, with Sketches of his Friends and Notices of his Times

Abstract

WE do not know in what particular direction Dr. Smiles has exercised his editorial functions in the charming autobiography of Mr. Nasmyth. The “pruning-knife” which the latter advised him to use freely was surely not needed; the inventor of the steam-hammer gossips so delightfully about himself that we should have been glad had he gone on to a much greater length. On the other hand it is a pity that Mr. Jolly had not obtained the services of some judicious editorial pruner. He himself has evidently not had the leisure to write briefly, and his book is therefore a somewhat heterogeneous collection of materials much in want of rearrangement and cutting down.

James Nasmyth, Engineer.

An Autobiography. Edited by Samuel Smiles (London: Murray, 1883.)

The Life of John Duncan, Scotch Weaver and Botanist, with Sketches of his Friends and Notices of his Times.

By William Jolly. (London: Kegan Paul and Co., 1883.)