Thomas Carlyle Quote

Neither had Watt of the Steam engine a heroic origin, any kindred with the princes of this world. The princes of this world were shooting their partridges... While this man with blackened fingers, with grim brow, was searching out, in his workshop, the Fire-secret.

Critical and miscellaneous essays: collected and republished (first time 1839, final 1869) (ed. 1869)