Memorials of the lineage, early life, education and development of the genius of James Watt

17G MEMORIALS OF'
was so remarkable. Fac-similes of some of the documents here
referred to, will be found to be not the least interesting of the illus-
trations of the volume. The first is a plan of the two Reservoirs,
upon a scale of 22 yards to the inch, with calculcations of their
admeasurements. The second draught gives the length of the water-
course, from the burn of Iverton (Overton) to the reservoirs, and
from the Fairy Bridge to the Square, 734 yards ; the third, the
water-course from Ingleston Spring to the Fairy Bridge, 850 yards. 1
The following letter on the subject may be regarded as an example
of Mr. Watt's minuteness and scrupulous accuracy in similar matters
of business : —
" Glasgow, August 13, 1773.
" To Bailie James Donald, Greenock.
" Sir, — Yesterday I received a letter from Mr. Cumming, London,
about the pipes. As he was uncertain what quantities we would
want, he had laid off for us, when he was in the north, 1100 yards
4-inch, and only 1000 yards 3-inch pipes. There was at that time
plenty at the shore, but some ships have been loaded since, and he
cannot be sure that our full quantity can be had ready bored, but his
wrote to have these done with all possible despatch.
" ANSWER TO QUERIES.
" 1st. He thinks that they could not undertake to deliver them in
Clyde.
" 2d. About 30 yards of 4 and 3-inch bore, mixed, will be a load,
which is 50 cube feet.
" 3d. Speymouth is a good natural harbour ; but if the vessels
1 I do not recollect to have heart! of the loca- it is, by a clerical error apparently, written " Ferry
lity here called the " Fairy Bridge," before perus- Bridge." The lower reservoir was bounded, ac-
ing these documents. It seems to have dropped cording to Mr. Watt, by the west wall of Fairy
out of the topography of Greenock. In the feu- Bridge. It must have been situated near the head
contract for the ground required for these works, of the new street now called Lyncdoch Street.