the name of a set of works, or manufactory of a variety of hardwares, belonging to the late Mr Boulton, situated on the borders of Staffordshire, within two miles of Birmingham; now so justly celebrated as to deserve a short historical detail.
About 30 years ago the premises consisted of a small mill and a few obscure dwellings. Mr Boulton, in conjunction with Mr Fothergill, then his partner, at an expense of 600l. erected a handsome and extensive edifice, with a view of manufacturing metallic toys. The first productions consisted of buttons, buckles, watch-chains, trinkets, and such other articles as were peculiar to Birmingham. Novelty, taste, and variety, were however always conspicuous; and plated wares, known by the name of Sheffield plate, comprising a great variety of useful and ornamental articles, became another permanent subject of manufacture.
To open channels for the consumption of these commodities, all the northern part of Europe was explored by the mercantile partner Mr Fothergill. A wide and extensive correspondence was thus established, the undertaking became well known, and the manufacturer, by becoming his own merchant, eventually enjoyed a double profit.
Impelled by an ardent attachment to the arts, and by the patriotic ambition of forming his favourite Soho into a fruitful seminary of artists, the proprietor extended his views; and men of taste and talents were now sought for, and liberally patronised. A successful imitation of the French or moufle ornaments, consisting of vases, tripods, candelabra, &c. &c. extended the celebrity of the works. Services of plate and other works in silver, both massive and airy, were added, and an assay office was established in Birmingham.
Mr Watt, the ingenious improver of the steam-engine, was afterwards taken into partnership with Mr Boulton; and they carried on at Soho a manufactory of steam-engines, not less beneficial to the public than lucrative to themselves. This valuable machine, the nature and excellencies of which are described in another place (see STEAM-Engine), Mr Boulton proposed to apply to the operation of coining, and suitable apparatus was erected at a great expence, for the purpose of being employed by government to make a new copper-coinage for the kingdom. Artificers of merit were engaged, and specimens of exquisite delicacy were exhibited; the works were also employed upon highly finished medals and private coins. To enumerate all the productions of this manufactory would be tedious (A).
In a national view, Mr Boulton's undertakings are highly valuable and important. By collecting around him artificers of various descriptions, rival talents have been called forth, and by successive competition have been multiplied to an extent highly beneficial to the public. The manual arts partook of the benefit, and became proportionably improved.
A barren heath has been covered with plenty and population; and Mr Boulton's works, which in their infancy were little-known and attended to, now cover several acres, give employment to more than 600 persons, and are said to be the first of their kind in Europe.