Protestant Exiles from France/Volume 2 - Book Third - Chapter 18 - Section VIII
VIII. Fourdrinier.
From the north of France noble refugees bearing the surname of Fourdrinier first settled in Holland. A descendant settled in London during last century, and obtained a good position as a papermaker and wholesale stationer. His son, Henry, born in Lombard Street, on 11th February 1766, was the inventor of the paper-making machine in conjunction with his brother. Although patentees, they were the victims of piratical appropriation perpetrated both in Russia and in England. From the former nation no compensation could be obtained, but the English Parliament, in May 1840, voted £7000 as compensation to Messrs. Fourdrinier. Their expenditure on the invention itself, and in the defence of their rights, had ruined their business as stationers, and had entailed upon them loss, instead of profit, as inventors. They had invented a paper-cutting machine also. The compensation was avowedly inadequate, and in November 1853 the paper trade took steps for providing for Henry Fourdrinier, the surviving patentee, and his two daughters, by annuities. Henry Fourdrinier died on 3rd September 1854, in his eighty-ninth year. On the completion of his eighty-sixth year, his daughter, Harriet had indited this tribute to his worth:—
His form is spare, his hair is white, he has passed that age of fourscore years which the Psalmist so touchingly described; but at present, we rejoice to say, his strength is not labour and sorrow. His walk is active, his eye is bright, his health is good, his spirits buoyant, and his piety firm. He is the delight of his children and his children’s children, the latter of whom, to the number of some twenty-four, make him their friend or their companion. He will talk with the elders or romp with the young ones — drive his daughters out in the carriage or take long walks with his sons — run races with the boys, or dance with the girls — shows hospitality to his friends, does his duty as a master, is a loyal and devoted subject, and makes a capital churchwarden. Many worldly troubles still oppress him, but he bears the yoke as knowing by whom it is laid on.