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

194 MEMORIALS OF
mate College associates at Glasgow ; and although, according to the
poet, of a spirit and temper the most widely different from his own,
is always mentioned in terms of the most affectionate admiration and
eulogy. A single allusion to his " generous, liberal, and open-hearted"
friend, in the bard's own words, gives an idea of " this splendid strip-
ling," whose " unparalleled talent for eloquence," and general literary
attainments, formed the boast of the youth of those days at the
northern University : — " With melodious elocution," continues the
poet, " great acuteness in argument, and rich unfailing fluency of dic-
tion, Gregory Watt seemed born to become a great orator ; and, I
have no doubt, would have shone in Parliament, had he not been
carried off by consumption, in his five-and-twentieth year. He was
literally the most beautiful youth I ever saw. When he was only
twenty-two, an eminent English artist — Howard, I think — made his
head the model of a picture of Adam." 1 No wonder if the father of
such a son, even while, with a noble resignation, " expressing his con-
fident hopes that Gregory had changed this mortal state for a far
happier existence," and " as if anxious to avoid all suspicion of his
giving way to excessive sorrow," should still have been conscious,
though not, it w r ould seem, of passionate grief, yet of something akin
to a permanent and settled regret at his earthly loss ! 2
But to return. A letter to the same correspondent illustrates
gracefully some features of Mr. Watt's character often remarked
upon, — his eminent benignity of heart, his considerate remembrance
of relatives and friends, as well as the scrupulous exactitude he
displayed in all affairs of business, however trifling their import or
amount :—
"Heathfield, Feb. 14, 1811.
" My dear Sir, — I blame myself much for not answering your very
1 Life and Letters of Tliomas Campbell, by - Lord Brougham's Lives of Men of Letters
William Beatie, M.D., 1849, vol. i. p. 82. and Science, 1845, p. 384.