German composition

Section 142 James Watt and the Steam-Engine. I.

James Watt was the great Improver of the steam-engine; but, in truth⁠1, as to all that is admirable in its structure, or vast in its utility, he should rather be described as its Inventor. It was by his inventions that its action⁠2 was so regulated as⁠3 to make it capable of being applied to the finest and most delicate manufactures, and its power so increased as to set weight and solidity at defiance. By his admirable contrivances⁠4 it has become a thing stupendous alike for its force and flexibility, for the prodigious power which it can exert, and the ease, precision, and ductility with which this power can be varied, distributed, and applied. The trunk of an elephant, that can pick up a pin or rend⁠5 an oak, is as nothing to it. It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal before it, draw out without⁠6 breaking a thread as fine as gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bubble in the air. It can embroider⁠7 muslin and forge anchors, cut steel into ribbons⁠8, and impel⁠9 loaded vessels against the fury of the winds and waves.

Notes

1 ‘in truth’ is better not translated here. Say ‘but in regard to (in Rücksicht auf) all that (S. 3, N. 7) refers (sich beziehen) to (auf) the excellence of its construction and (wie) to (auf) the variety (Mannigfaltigkeit, f.) of its application (Nutzanwendung, f.), should he rather (eigentlich) be called the Inventor of the same’.

2 Wirkung, f.; in what voice is the verb? Insert the adv. erst after the auxiliary.

3 as — defiance = as (um) to be able to employ it in (bei) the making (Anfertigung, f.) of the finest and most delicate (zart) manufactures (Fabrikate), and its power so increased as (um) to be able to render resistance (Widerstand leisten) to every weight (Last, f.) and every solidity (Festigkeit, f.). Translate ‘to be able’ by können, which need be expressed but once, and must be placed at the very end of the whole period, which, along with the following, is perhaps the most difficult to translate that has yet been given.

4 Einrichtungen; it = the machine; thing, Werkzeug, n., after which place the verb ‘become’; alike for, und zwar dies sowohl wegen... wie auch.

5 rend = tear down.

6 Say ‘without tearing it’, which place after ‘gossamer’ (Sommerfäden).

7 Insert the prep. auf here.

8 Streifen.

9 to impel against, entge´gentreiben, governing the dat.