Boy Inventors

borne of the most important inventions have been the work of mere boys. The invention of the valve motion to the steam engine was made by a boy. Watts left the enginc in a very iücomplete condition, from the iact that hc had no way to open or close the valves, except by means of' levers operated by the hand. He set up a largo enjrine at one of the mines, and a boy was fnred to work these valve levets ; although this was not hard work, yct it required bis constant attention. As he was working these levers, he saw that parts of the engino moved in the right dircetion, and at the exact time that he had to open or close tho valves. lic procured a strong cord, made one end tast to the proper 'part of the engine, and the other end to (he valve lever ; the boy had the satisfaction of seeng the engine move off with perfect regularity of motion. A short time after the toreman carne around and found the boy playmg marbles at the door. Looking at the engwic he soon saw the ingnuity of the boy, and also the advantages of o grcat an invention. Mr. Watts then carriel Oul the boy a inventivc genius in a practical iorm, and made the steam agine a perfeot automatic working machine. The power-loouj is the iovention of i tarmer boy who had never teen or heard of sneft a thing. He whittlcd one out with lusjackknife, and after he had got it all done, he showed it to his father, who at