each, at the special instance of the King of Sardinia "as an acknowledgement of Mr.Harrison's ingenuity, and as some recompense for the time spent by him for the general good of mankind." This grateful attention was all the more praiseworthy, as Sardinia could not in any way be regarded as a great maritime power.
Harrison was now becoming old and feeble.

He had attained the age of seventy-four.

He had spent forty long years in working out his invention.

He was losing his eyesight, and could not afford to wait much longer.

Still he had to wait.
"Full little knowest thou, who hast not tried, What hell it is in suing long to bide; To lose good days, that might be better spent; To waste long nights in pensive discontent; To spend to-day, to be put back to-morrow, To feed on hope, to pine with fear and sorrow." But Harrison had not lost his spirit.