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

JAMES WATT. 197
daughter and family. Please remember me also to Mr. Love and
Bailie Barclay.
" Miss M'Gregor "will inform you of Mrs. Watt's and my health,
which, though not perfect, is perhaps better than we have a right to
expect at our age.
" Mrs. Watt joins me in best wishes to you, Miss Walkinshaw, and
other friends, and I remain, my dear Sir, your sincere friend,
" James Watt."
One of Mr. Watt's last visits to his friends in Scotland took place in
the year 1815. Interested as he was known to be in all matters relat-
ing to the improvement of the mechanical arts, and ever accessible to
applications for opinion or counsel in such subjects, his advice was
frequently solicited, and as promptly placed at the disposal of the
inquirer, in regard to all kinds of devices, whether these were of real,
or, as was more generally the case, of merely ion dly imagined utility.
Even in cases of this nature, were there but some fair display of
invention or ingenuity to recommend them, Mr. Watt never seemed to
think of any condescension being exercised on his part, or of the
subject of reference being unworthy of at least some particular notice,
— a notice which was always expressed in terms of equal frankness
and candour, and, wherever it was possible, in a manner favourable to
the applicant, and accompanied with valuable hints for its alteration
or improvement.
It was on the occasion of this visit, and during his sojourn in Glas-
gow, that an intelligent and ingenious individual addressed an applica-
tion to the philosopher, in regard to the merits of a clock or machine
of intricate and peculiar construction, which it was proposed to erect
at the Custom-house of Greenock. The writer of the communication
in question was the late Mr. Colin Buchanan, master of the mathema-
tical school of Greenock, — a man in numerous respects well deserving