Richard Wood advertises for a steam engine

The Morning Chronicle of July 24, 1816 carried this advertisement placed by Richard Wood for a steam engine:

 

"PREMISES WANTED, and a STEAM ENGINE - WANTED in London, a STEAM ENGINE and PREMISES, together or separate.  The Engine should be of from six to ten horses power, and the kind and principle should be mentioned;  or persons inclined to erect a Ten-horse Engine, may send their terms.  For the Premises, a Shed or Building about ten yards square (or of that superficies) would be sufficient, but more room would not be objected to;  or merely ground to build on might be taken.  A central situation is desired, and if by the waterside it would be the more eligible - Address A.B. at Mr. Wood's, 15, Queen-street, Cheapside."

 

We do not know whether he ever bought a steam engine, or what its intended use would have been.  In 1816 Richard had only just moved from Queen Street, Cheapside up to Smithfield into the Wynn premises.

 

This was an exciting time in London.  Barker had just opened his spectacular panorama of the Battle of Waterloo in a specially constructed rotunda in Leicester Square.  The paper carried this advertisement on the same page:

 

"Now Open, a magnificent VIEW of the BATTLE of WATERLOO at the Moment of Victory, painted on the largest scale: also the BATTLE of PARIS.  Admittance to each painting, one shilling.  Open from 10 till dusk."