I carefully unpacked my working model of the steam-engine at the carpenter’s shop, and had it conveyed, together with my drawings, on a hand-cart to Mr Maudslay’s next morning at the appointed hour. I was allowed to place my work for his inspection in a room next his office and counting-house. I then called at his residence close by, where he kindly received me in his library. He asked me to wait until he and his partner, Joshua Field, had inspected my handiwork.
I waited anxiously. Twenty long minutes passed. At last he entered the room, and from a lively expression in his countenance I observed in a moment that the great object of my long cherished ambition had been attained! He expressed, in good round terms, his satisfaction at my practical ability as a workman engineer and mechanical draughtsman. Then, opening the door which led from his library into his beautiful private workshop, he said, “This is where I wish you to work, beside me, as my assistant workman. From what I have seen there is no need of an apprenticeship in your case.”*
* A week later, Maudslay told James to visit Mr Young, his chief cashier, and name his own wages. Having (as he wrote) a very exalted opinion of Maudslay’s, and a very humble opinion of himself, James tentatively suggested ten shillings, equivalent to about £46 today: see Meauring Worth. Mr Young at once handed it over in the form of a gold half sovereign. Nasmyth did not repent of his modest demand, but enjoyed the challenge of living off this meagre sum without help from his father. Nevertheless, when he took on his own assistant in 1831 he awarded him fifteen shillings a week, and after founding his Bridgewater works in Manchester in 1836 he prided himself on paying all his men top wages. See ‘Never Let Your Men Look Over the Hedge’.