The Rivett Compound Slide Rest was a magnificent piece of work, and so carefully made that only a light touch was needed on the levers to reset any of the angles. In addition, the whole device could be slid off the carriage by slackening just one lever.
The eccentric toolholder was especially well designed and enabled the tool height to be instantly set without the use of spanners or packing pieces.
To modern eyes the unit does lack something in the way of bulk and the micrometer dials were obviously far too small. Later versions were offered with the choice of T slots in the top slide - and the dials were increased in size at least twice.

The Rivett Patent "Slide Rest Milling Attachment" was designed to hold and manipulate work whilst being machined by a cutter held in the headstock spindle. It can be seen mounted in position on the Home Page.