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

JAMES WATT. 189
the inscriptions cannot fail, in the course of a few years, to be con-
siderably injured, if not altogether effaced. Recently great improve-
ments have been effected in this ancient burial-place surrounding
what are now the ruins of the oldest Kirk that remains in the town.
The surface has been in some degree levelled, trees and flowering
shrubs have been planted, the curb-stones, many of which were buried
beneath the soil, have been raised ; —
" The long flat stones
With nettles skirted, and with moss o'ergrown,
That tell in homely phrase who lie below,"
have been brought into their horizontal, and the oblique restored to
their perpendicular positions, — operations in which, it is gratifying to
be able to add, the "Watt tombstones have been particularly attended
to ; and it is hoped that what has been done will tend in some degree
to their conservation. 1
'These improvements were carried out under ful directions of John Gray, Esq., to whose zealous
the superintendence of Mr. Murray, late of the exertions in regard to this and similar public bene-
Koyal Botanic Garden, Glasgow, under the taste- fits, the community stands most deeply indebted.