This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1889 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV. SUMMARIES, COMPARISONS, AND CONCLUSIONS. Having traced the growth of the essentially modern art of machine woolcombing from its first practical inception in the mind of Dr. Cartwright down to its more recent development, and having described the leading principles and features of those woolcombing machines which have contributed most materially to the splendid results of to-day in this special branch of industry, it will be an interesting task to attempt to set forth, by comparisons and conclusions, how the record of woolcombing stands at the present time. The calling of the handcomber long since disappeared from the face of the earth, and after his supercession it only remained for the inventors to fight out their battle for mechanical supremacy. There being so much at stake, there were many competitors for the prize, and, as we have shown, the contest was of long duration, involved the expenditure of many fortunes, was most keenly and vigorously prosecuted, and culminated in an inventive triumph which can only be compared in extent of utility and wealth-creating power with the grand creative efforts of the remarkable men who, by a series of inventions of the highest order, lifted the cotton trade of Lancashire from the rank of a cottage industry to the broader plane of commercial vastness represented by the establishment of the factory system. Some few foresaw that the introduction of machine woolcombing would have the effect of strengthening our hold upon the textile arts, and that although it might for a time increase the pinch of poverty amongst a certain class of workers, the ultimate benefit it would yield to native industrial enterprises and to the community generally would more than counterbalance any temporary...