The people, being fairly educated by the parish schools, were able to take advantage of these improvements.
Sloth and idleness gradually disappeared, before the energy, activity, and industry which were called into life by the improved communications.
At the same time, active and powerful minds were occupied in extending the domain of knowledge.

Black and Robison, of Glasgow, were the precursors of James Watt, whose invention of the condensing steam-engine was yet to produce a revolution in industrial operations, the like of which had never before been known.

Watt had hit upon his great idea while experimenting with an old Newcomen model which belonged to the University of Glasgow.

He was invited by Mr.Roebuck of Kinneil to make a working steam-engine for the purpose of pumping water from the coal-pits at Boroughstoness; but his progress was stopped by want of capital, as well as by want of experience.

It was not until the brave and generous Matthew Boulton of Birmingham took up the machine, and backed Watt with his capital and his spirit, that Watt's enterprise had the remotest chance of success.