ABSTRACT
The Mule is a compound of the Jenny and the Water Frame, from which circumstance it derives its name, and was invented in 1775, by Samuel Cromp ton, of Bolton-le-Moors. In this machine, the roving passes from the back part through rollers to the spindles, which are placed in front on a moveable frame. As the spindles revolve, this frame recedes from the rollers, somewhat faster than they give out the roving. The first pair of rollers draw the roving from the bob bin, the second pair draw it out and lengthen it, as in the Water Frame, and the pull of the spindles as the frame recedes, stretches it still finer. When a certain quantity of roving is given out, the rollers stop and shut fast the roving, as the clove does in the Jenny, the spindles still continuing to revolve and the frame to recede, drawing out the roving to the fineness required and giving it the necessary twist, the yarn is then wound upon the spindles by returning the
32 frame to its first position. See plate 12. By this gradual extension of the roving it can be drawn much finer than on the Jenny, or Water Frame, which stretch it out at one operation. The Mule was for some years after its invention used only in the dwelling-houses of the spinners, and had, like other inventions, to contend with much prejudice. As an instance of which, it may be mentioned, that when a young man, then a Fustian Master, but now a Magistrate in a populous part of Lancashire, established a factory, his father expressed his ap prehension that his son Richard and his Mules, would all turn out Asses.
