'I expected to find some office in which inventions were examined
into, and rewarded if found meritorious, but no one could direct me to
such a place. In walking along Finsbury Pavement, I saw written up in
large letters, "So-and-so" (I forget the name), "Undertaker," and the
thought struck me that this must be the place I was in quest of; at any
rate, I thought that a person advertising himself as an "undertaker"
would not refuse to look into my invention with a view of obtaining for
me the sought-for recognition or reward. On entering the place I soon
convinced myself, however, that I came decidedly too soon for the kind
of enterprise here contemplated, and, finding myself confronted with the
proprietor of the establishment, I covered my retreat by what he must
have thought a very lame excuse. By dint of perseverance I found my way
to the patent office of Messrs. Poole and Carpmael, who received me
kindly, and provided me with a letter of introduction to Mr. Elkington.
Armed with this letter, I proceeded to Birmingham, to plead my cause
before your townsman.
'In looking back to that time, I wonder at the patience with which
Mr. Elkington listened to what I had to say, being very young, and
scarcely able to find English words to convey my meaning.
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