He was a good mechanic and a clever draughtsman, besides being intelligent and fearless.
But he had not the necessary money wherewith to proceed to Italy.
His half-brother Thomas, however, was doing well in London, and was willing to help him with the requisite means.

Accordingly, John set out for Italy, not long after the failure of Crotchet.
John Lombe succeeded in getting employment in a silk mill in Piedmont, where the art of silk-throwing was kept a secret.

He was employed as a mechanic, and had thus an opportunity, in course of time, of becoming familiar with the operation of the engine.

Hutton says that he bribed the workmen; but this would have been a dangerous step, and would probably have led to his expulsion, if not to his execution.

Hutton had a great detestation of the first silk factory at Derby, where he was employed when a boy; and everything that he says about it must be taken cum grano salis.