James, son of the Chairman of Streets Commission & Bailiff
Chief Citizen (equivalent to Lord Mayor)

The boatman, an ex-gypsy with kerchief on head and large ear-rings, waved to him : his bright-eyed son had already greeted James as he led the plodding horse beneath the bridge - they knew him for he never tired of watching the narrow boats which linked Birmingham to Wolverhampton, bringing coal and iron so cheaply, and taking away Brummagem goods.

At one time - James could recall it - Broad Street always seemed full of packhorse trains, but now one boat and one horse could bring as much (30 tons) as 240 horses at the same speed. Also it meant coal could travel just as fast in winter as in summer, because they were not using the atrocious roads, most of which deteriorated to quagmires in wet weather. There was also a very real possibility of people falling into the deep potholes and drowning.

Most narrow boats had a little cabin where the boatman and his family could sleep at night and make warm drinks during the winter days - a much more comfortable existence than that of the packhorse driver. The boats were far better than the horsepacks for delicate and breakable goods, as they would not be jolted over the ruts and potholes. So, although canals were costly, it was clear to see why many other were being built !

As James stood there, a liveried footman approached. His father had sent for him, knowing where he'd be on a school holiday. He was to join a party visiting Mr Boulton's works at Soho. As Chief Citizen of the manor - though called a town because of its size, it still lacked both council and Member of Parliament - the Bailiff, who was also the Chairman of the Street Commissioners, had been invited to inspect Mr James Watt's steam engine, now installed and ready to work.

James returned home to a fine new stone and brick house on Great Charles Street - the old house and buckle-making workshop in Worcester Street now wholly industrial. He found the carriage waiting and after Father and the other Commissioners got in they set off for St. Philip's Church in Colmore Row where two gentlemen joined them. Contrast the elegant church in its formal square of brick terrace houses with neat iron railings, and wide straight streets of Georgian building with Birmingham to the north with its dirt and noise. The overcrowded Old Town centred on St. Martin's, now looking hideous in a brick case. James liked to go into Old Town but was glad he didn't live there ! As they travelled - down Snow Hill past the former Boulton factory - the Commissioners discussed their plans for further town improvements. Since being appointed five years before, they (and the other 45) had done something towards clearing the streets of rubbish and obstructions, including the Toll-booth, making householders take back frontages which encroached on highways, but much was left - the roads were ill-paved and drainless, and lamps were needed at night.

The Chairman interrupted the talking often to point out such buildings to James as the still unfinished General Hospital, to support which a Music Festival was soon to be held and the new square being built about a church to be called St. Paul's. Soon they were out of the town, passing through a tollgate where the keeper caught the money thrown to him as they passed. Uneven cobbles was replaced by better macadamised Turnpike Road. With so much traffic moving in and out of the town it had been an excellent idea to form Turnpike Trusts to rebuild the old main roads and charge the travellers for their use. It made travel much faster and there was a decline in the number of deaths and serious injuries from broken carriage wheels and falling horses. Hedges were well back from the roads; a reminder of days when a road might be 100 yards or more in width, of impassable mud in winter. A horn sounded, a smart stagecoach approached, flashed by, keeping to schedule within a minute - gate flung wide by the keeper on hearing the horn!

They descended to Hockley Brook which was the Birmingham-Handsworth boundary. Boulton's Soho Hall was on the farther slope. Left turn along lane (Key Hill, Park Road) beside the long Soho Pool which provided water and power for the factory.

The brand new works came into view, elegant front in period style, backed by hollow square of low sheds. Met by Mr. Matthew Boulton, a most courteous, kindly man, with a word for all - he asked James about his progress at King Edward's school, rebuilt some 67 years before.

Introduced his partner, Mr. Watt, who was shy and said little until they went to see the engine. It was a monster - frame of square beams, any amount of rods. pipes and boilers. Mr. Watt seemed to come to life, spoke with enthusiasm about single-action, separate condenser, cylinders, pressures, valves, and horse-power. James nodded with rest, but didn't much understand, however he was fascinated by the smoke, steam and moving machinery.

Mr. Boulton drew him away to look at the water-wheels and explain why he wanted to develop the engine. Soho was powered by water from the Pool, but there was rarely enough - the Brook was small; more machines were being added all the time, so more power was needed. If water, once used, could be pumped up from the tailpool to the headpool, it could be used endlessly, and this the steam-engine could do.

Why not use the engine to turn the wheels directly? No method was then known, of producing rotary action and engine working was not smooth enough anyway (Waterwheels had steady motion.)

The party toured the works (Mr. Watt disappeared), saw not only Mr. Boulton's workers - he knew them all - but the many master craftsmen who hired space and power and machinery from him. Hundreds were at work - soon to be 1,000, making "toy's" which is what buttons, buckles, any small articles using little material but much skill were called. Power came from long spindles with belts down to the lathes, stampers, etc. and the spindles were turned by great water wheels at the ends of the buildings.

Visitors came from all over the world to Soho which was the first large powered factory, where the newest techniques and inventions were in use - it was the start of mass production, with welfare and training given to workers and a concern both for novelty and quality. Mr. Boulton had plans to improve the coinage, and change the reputation of 'Brummagem' wares from Poor to First Class.

James always remembered his visit to Soho. Eight years later, when he was home from Oxford University, he learnt that Mr. Watt had patented his new rotary engine which could work machinery, and went to see it. When he entered his father's business soon afterwards he persuaded him to install a Boulton-Watt engine from the Smethwick factory in his new premises. The firm prospered and expanded along with the town. James was a Commissioner of 40 years' standing when at last Birmingham became a borough : he was too old to stand as a Councillor, but his last years were spent in supporting the new Council in its difficult task of making Birmingham a pleasant place to live in. The industry that had made it wealthy had also made it ugly, dirty and deadly.