8 FOR THE FLAG

Everyone knows that inventors have to contend with
formidable difficultics, especially when they endeavour to
procure the adoption of their devices by ministerial com-
missions. Many well-known examples of this fact exist,
but it is useless to dwell on them, for such transactions
present difficulties inexplicable to the outsider. However,
in the case of Thomas Roch, it may be admitted that, like
those of the majority of his predecessors, his demands
were So excessive, an 1 he rated his new engine at so exor-
bitant a value, that it was almost impossible to treat with
him.

This arose, it must be observed, from his having been
audaciously imposed upon in the matter of preceding
inventions, which had been adopted with most valuable
results. His temper had been soured, and his mind em-
bi.tered, by his failure to obtain the profit legitimately duc
to him; he became distrustful, determined to treat only on
his own terms, however unacceptable to other parties, and
in every case he demanded so considerable a sum of money,
even previous to any tests, that his requirements seemcd
inadmissible.

In the first instance Roch, as a Frenchman, offered the
Fulgurator to France. He. informed the commission
nominated to receive his communication of its purpose.
It was a sort of auto-propulsive engine of quite special
fabrication, charged with an explosive composed of new
substances, which produced its effect only under the action
of a new deflagrator, also of his own invention.

When this engine, however it might have been pro-