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

198 MEMORIALS OF
of the remembrance of his townsmen, and of whom a slight notice
ought not to be here out of jalace. 1 To great benevolence of disposi-
tion, a feature very prominent in the character of the old gentleman,
Mr. Buchanan added many superior qualifications for his office. He
was among the last of what might be called " the teachers of the old
school" of Greenock. And yet, even as such, he may now be admit-
ted to have been far in advance of his times, both in the theory and
practice of what is now so deservedly prominent and increasingly
important a science or art, — that of tuition. There was much about
the man and his whole modus operandi, to attract the observation of
one so attentive as Mr. Watt. His class-rooms were in one point of
view, in fact, a kind of incipient school of design, where, on particular
da} T s, not only were the principles of mechanics popularly communi-
cated, but admirable instructions were given in the various branches
of drawing, etching, ornamental design, &c. In these departments of
useful mechanical art,=-branches of school instruction in those days
not much attended to in Scotland, and, even now, far less cultivated
with us than they deserve to be, or than they are with our Con-
tinental neighbours, particularly in France, — he was indefatigably
zealous, always on the alert to discover talent, and to foster invention
and skill in the youth brought within his influence. 2 And in these
efforts, it should be added, he was remarkably successful ; more than
one of his old pupils having since risen to high places as artists, whose
names, appended to the etchings and engravings of some of our
1 His son, Dr. Robert Buchanan, late Master under specified regulations, for the encourage-
of the Mathematical School, and now Rector of ment of native talent, particularly of ingenuity in
the Academy, more than inherits his father's various branches of the mechanical arts. It were
scientific tastes and endowments, as well as his greatly to be desired that this excellent purpose
spirit and success as an instructor of youth. were resumed by the Club, it being difficult to
2 It is long since the Watt Club had engraved conceive any more legitimate way in which it
for itself the die of a beautifully executed Medal- might exercise its functions, or make its influence
lion of James Watt, the object being, to have felt usefully in the most important section of this
at its disposal a Medai. which it might award community.