Section 143. James Watt and the Steam-Engine. II

It would be difficult to estimate the value of the benefits which these inventions have conferred upon this country. There is no branch of industry that has not been indebted⁠ to them; and⁠, in all the most material, they have not only widened most magnificently the field of its exertions, but⁠ multiplied a thousand-fold the amount of its productions. It was our improved steam-engine, in short⁠, that fought the battles of Europe and sustained and exalted, through⁠ the late tremendous contest, the political greatness of our land. It is the same great power which now enables us to pay the interest of our debt, and to maintain⁠ the arduous struggle in which we are still engaged (1819) with the skill⁠ and capital of countries (S. 16, N. 10) less oppressed with (von) taxation.

But these are poor⁠ and narrow views of its importance. It has increased indefinitely the mass of⁠ human comforts and enjoyments, and⁠ rendered cheap and accessible, all over the world, the materials of wealth and prosperity.

I am greatly indebted to you, ich habe Ihnen vieles zu verdanken.

Say ‘and in the principal branches’; most magnificently, auf das großartigste.

Insert ‘also’ here.

Kurz, which place at the head of the period.

through = in.

fortsetzen, which rendering will make the relative clause ‘in — engaged’ superfluous.

‘skill’, here = industry.

poor = superficial; narrow, beschränkt; of = about.

of human = of our.

und die Stoffe, welche sonst nur dem Reichtum und dem Wohlstand zugänglich waren, für die ganze Welt billig und erreichbar gemacht.