Art.

  1 1  |              excitement " that James Watt lived and worked. His genius
  2 1  |             extraordinary fertility. Watt was a member of that band
  3 1  |              maturity in the days of Watt has created the modern world.~
  4 1  |            at Soho where Boulton and Watt were manufacturing their
  5 1  |         Power."' But the power which Watt invented and Boulton sold
  6 1  |           for it was among them that Watt spent the most crucial years
  7 1  |              It was in this way that Watt received his early training.
  8 1  |            the achievements of James Watt himself.~The wheelwright'
  9 1  |      represented pure science. James Watt stood for the craftsman
 10 2  |              century, settled Thomas Watt, the grandfather of the
 11 2  |              It is clear that Thomas Watt not only lived, but throve,
 12 2  |             on his tombstone.~Thomas Watt had two sons, John and James.
 13 2  |         refineries at Glasgow. James Watt the elder prospered in his
 14 2  |            constant friends of James Watt the younger. Like so many
 15 2  |        pictures handed down to us of Watt's schooldays.~Of course
 16 2  |           are sensational stories of Watt's infantile precocity. This
 17 2  |         chief source in this case is Watt's cousin, Mrs. Marion Campbell,
 18 2  |              a piece of chalk. " Mr. Watt," said he, " you ought to
 19 2  |           who give most attention to Watt's childhood, one accepts
 20 2  |           safety. It is certain that Watt was an ingenious child with
 21 2  |          youthful engineers. " James Watt," said his stern aunt, Mrs.
 22 2  |               apparently, that young Watt was experimenting on the
 23 2  |           kettle might have inspired Watt's great invention, is a
 24 2  |          blunder. In the first place Watt's . . . . . inquiries Into
 25 2  |             of the industrial world. Watt's improvements were based
 26 2  |              a dazzling inspiration.~Watt lived at home till he was
 27 2  |              Virginia tobacco ships. Watt seemed to be attracted by
 28 2  |           had finished his schooling Watt worked for a time about
 29 2  |         training that was to be had. Watt asked his father's permission
 30 2  |       history that any member of the Watt family had proposed to cross
 31 2  |            be considered. Apparently Watt's father had either overreached
 32 2  |      accepted, and on 7th June, 1755 Watt mounted his horse to ride
 33 3  |                  CHAPTER THREE~James Watt, Mathematical Instrument
 34 3  |              LONDON. 1632.~ ~IT took Watt twelve days to reach London,
 35 3  |              and had the same rules. Watt, apparently, had not thought
 36 3  |            nearly three weeks before Watt found the man he was looking
 37 3  |             was doing to conscience.~Watt settled down to do seven
 38 3  |          some particular instrument; Watt wanted to learn to make
 39 3  |              was a serious danger to Watt, for, as he was a stranger
 40 3  |         anybody they can get," wrote Watt to his father, " landsmen
 41 3  |            he escaped.~All this time Watt was working much too hard
 42 3  |             the use of reason."~When Watt arrived this transformation
 43 3  |       Professor of Moral Philosophy.~Watt met with much the same difficulties
 44 3  |              indeed as compared with Watt's gimlet, refused him permission
 45 3  |             of his particular craft. Watt was saved by one of those
 46 3  |           him to undertake the work. Watt was delighted to have this
 47 3  |           turning-point in his life. Watt was already a brilliant
 48 3  |             to the University " that Watt gained admission to the
 49 3  |      Anderson, the brother of one of Watt's school friends. Anderson
 50 3  |           than eight years senior to Watt, and provided an excellent
 51 3  |              the younger generation. Watt's workshop was in the inner
 52 3  |                Black had come across Watt when he was at work on Macfarlane'
 53 3  |              that he became aware of Watt's genius. " I found him,"
 54 3  |            and Black's affection for Watt lasted to the end of his
 55 3  |           friend brought him news of Watt's triumph at law over an
 56 3  |            of anything good to Jamie Watt." Watt profited immeasurably
 57 3  |        anything good to Jamie Watt." Watt profited immeasurably from
 58 3  |              had just graduated when Watt arrived in the University.
 59 3  |           him an ideal companion for Watt when his bouts of ill-health
 60 3  |              quickly recognised that Watt was his superior, and always
 61 3  |              first conversation with Watt in his workshop in the College: "
 62 3  |             mortified at finding Mr. Watt so much my superior." They
 63 3  |              training, he could help Watt by testing and analysing "
 64 3  |             and inventive mind." But Watt was the leader, and "was
 65 3  |           obliged to be a follower." Watt had by this time a wide
 66 3  |            any of us, we went to Mr. Watt. He needed only to be prompted;
 67 3  |             in his hands."~Meanwhile Watt's business was growing.
 68 3  |       commercial transactions, which Watt, then as ever afterwards,
 69 3  |          sixteen men at work. It was Watt's reputation as a universal
 70 3  |          often it was taken round to Watt. He was always ready to
 71 3  |          organ, the officers went to Watt. " We imagined that Mr.
 72 3  |                 We imagined that Mr. Watt could do anything; he was
 73 3  |          time the work was completed Watt had made substantial contributions,
 74 3  |              partnership with Craig, Watt had opened a shop in the
 75 3  |        reached in its evolution when Watt turned his attention to
 76 4  |             must now return to James Watt at Glasgow. It was in the
 77 4  |      remembered that Robison said of Watt, " He needed only to be
 78 4  |              control it if produced. Watt, therefore, like his predecessors,
 79 4  |        joints tight."~In later years Watt would never have begun to
 80 4  |          repairs. It was probably at Watt's suggestion that Professor
 81 4  |           the ordinary boilingpoint. Watt carefully worked out a scale
 82 4  |         tried to do this before, but Watt's researches proved that
 83 4  |          appreciate the way in which Watt applied these scientific
 84 4  |         weight driving it out again.~Watt, equipped with new knowledge,
 85 4  |              engineers had done. But Watt was not satisfied. An engine
 86 4  |                When the substance of Watt's great invention is put
 87 4  |            and a cylinder-condenser. Watt, in order to reduce the
 88 4  |           had three.~But technically Watt's claim to the title of
 89 4  |   atmospheric engine." The nature of Watt's improvement led him to
 90 4  |            drive it into the vacuum. Watt set the cylinder, just as
 91 4  |          that eliminated resistance.~Watt's invention led directly
 92 4  |           This was still the case in Watt's first engines. It could
 93 4  |            this point did not escape Watt, but he did not introduce
 94 4  |             of the average engineer; Watt trembled to think what might
 95 4  |             of his riper genius.~But Watt's claim is not a technical
 96 4  |          which it could pay its way. Watt's engine, owing to its superiority
 97 4  |           others deserve the credit. Watt's contributions demanded
 98 4  |              ingenious mechanic. But Watt was a greater scientist
 99 4  |          have solved it in practice. Watt saw it, explored it, and
100 4  |            creating the steam-engine Watt created the science of mechanical
101 5  |              FIVE~The Partnership of Watt and Roebuck~" I know Mammon
102 5  |             all masters." CARLYLE.~ ~WATT came home jubilant from
103 5  |              chat with him. He found Watt in his room contemplating
104 5  |        steam-engine " shop," telling Watt of some new ideas that had
105 5  |              as a sort of partner in Watt's researches. This time
106 5  |             lecturing tone jarred on Watt's excited nerves. " You
107 5  |              through the cracks. But Watt's cylinder must be absolutely
108 5  |             victims. Nevertheless in Watt's day the financing of a
109 5  |      carrying his invention with it.~Watt's best friend in these times
110 5  |           that in spite of his help, Watt was already running heavily
111 5  |        Roebuck was much attracted by Watt, but he was full of caution.
112 5  |              was sound; he bombarded Watt with questions and irritated
113 5  |            with worthless criticism. Watt was by this time satisfied
114 5  |            trying alternatives which Watt knew well were useless.
115 5  |            further disappointment to Watt to find that, when he sent
116 5  |       entered into an agreement with Watt. He undertook to pay his
117 5  |       management had been lifted off Watt's shoulders, leaving him
118 5  |            At the beginning of I 768 Watt was busy with a model which
119 5  |             your present ideas."~But Watt was incorrigible and unrepentant.
120 5  |           doctor's house at Kinneil, Watt went on tinkering at his
121 5  |       dealings with a man of genius.~Watt's genius was a tormentor
122 5  |              being built at Kinneil, Watt had to find means to earn
123 5  |            it is yours," he wrote to Watt, " because it is just and
124 5  |            told in any other words." Watt became more and more absorbed
125 5  |           with the trial engine, and Watt's difficulties were increased
126 5  |           appeared, the more readily Watt accepted other kinds of
127 5  |           the expenses of the patent Watt had been forced to borrow
128 5  |            at Kinneil was perishing. Watt had long been prepared for
129 6  |            what will do." HAZLITT.~ ~WATT'S situation was not in reality
130 6  |            and when Roebuck heard of Watt's invention he naturally
131 6  |              aroused, and he invited Watt to come and see him. In
132 6  |            come and see him. In 1767 Watt went, but Boulton was away,
133 6  |           made a great impression on Watt. There was a quality about
134 6  |         Small.~Small was a man after Watt's own heart. He t was an
135 6  |     perception enabled him to fathom Watt's character, to follow,
136 6  |            exactly how much progress Watt had made, where he was certain
137 6  |             so much friction between Watt and those of his colleagues
138 6  |             in those of any other of Watt's correspondents. ~Watt
139 6  |              Watt's correspondents. ~Watt came away from Soho with
140 6  |             was out of sympathy with Watt and did not understand how
141 6  |            under his own protection.~Watt talked over his troubles
142 6  |              in which he reported to Watt the results of his interview
143 6  |       touched on the point that hurt Watt most of all. " The very
144 6  |            Derby.~Boulton's reply to Watt is a masterpiece. The tone
145 6  |            His was the strength that Watt was craving for to lift
146 6  |              for all the world." And Watt knew that it was not an
147 6  |        appreciation of the causes of Watt's distress. While professing
148 6  |       picture which was the ideal of Watt's dreams. " My idea was
149 6  |            diplomacy had its effect. Watt never ceased to long for
150 6  |           financial difficulties and Watt's insistence, made Boulton
151 6  |            days later Small wrote to Watt, " I have only time to say
152 6  |          with Dr. Roebuck." To which Watt replied, " I shake hands
153 6  |            immediate result was that Watt sent drawings of an engine
154 6  |             it was, in order to help Watt. But now the scheme was
155 6  |            left to Boulton. This put Watt in a very delicate position,
156 6  |             ship between Boulton and Watt. In May, 1774 Watt left
157 6  |       Boulton and Watt. In May, 1774 Watt left Glasgow to join Boulton
158 6  |            spirit that had prevented Watt from setting up his shop
159 6  |             his great resources that Watt found in Boulton the ideal
160 6  |         Boulton the ideal associate. Watt needed a sympathetic friend
161 6  |          character, I and understood Watt's longings and anxieties
162 6  |              his unselfish devotion. Watt was often petulant and irritable,
163 6  |   confidences. In ingenuity of mind, Watt was his superior, but Boulton
164 6  |           great men of history.~When Watt came to Soho, work began
165 6  |       Beelzebub." In December, 17742 Watt wrote to his father: "The
166 6  |              one at least had stolen Watt's ideas.~Boulton realised
167 6  |           period during which he and Watt might enjoy a monopoly of
168 6  |        dealing with pirates. He sent Watt up to London to prospect.
169 6  |      loopholes it might contain. But Watt reported that every one
170 6  |          recited that, whereas James Watt had carried out experiments
171 6  |         elapse before the said James Watt can receive an advantage
172 7  |      experiments by bad workmanship, Watt was in terror lest some
173 7  |          iron coffin. Shortly before Watt joined Boulton at Soho Wilkinson
174 7  |             engine was supervised by Watt. When he went to Broseley,
175 7  |      distillery at Stratford-le-Bow.~Watt had been away from Soho
176 7  |           charming woman she is."~Of Watt's second marriage we are
177 7  |           who became the second Mrs. Watt, appears as an obscure and
178 7  |           had been drawn up, but, at Watt's request, Boulton prepared
179 7  |    two-thirds to him and onethird to Watt. Watt was to make all the
180 7  |            him and onethird to Watt. Watt was to make all the drawings
181 7  |            most obvious advantage of Watt's engine over Newcomen's
182 7  |          spot we are at," wrote Mrs. Watt, when staying with her husband
183 7  |           the first to be ready, and Watt went down to Cornwall to
184 7  |             engines fifty years ago. Watt found him pleasant and honest
185 7  |              any work connected with Watt's engine. Watt found the
186 7  |        connected with Watt's engine. Watt found the Cornishmen ill-natured
187 7  |          noise of the engine," wrote Watt, "give universal satisfaction
188 7  |        deeper with their mines."~But Watt was, for a change, unduly
189 7  |           the different parts of Mr. Watt's engines with more accuracy,
190 7  |             to be found when wanted. Watt complained that it was not
191 7  |           its delicate constitution. Watt had at first to do the bulk
192 7  |              But they made mistakes. Watt was the sort of man who
193 7  |        querulous letter arrived from Watt. " Joseph has pursued his
194 7  |            forgiven him. Besides, as Watt reported, " A1though Joseph
195 7  |            he at once won his way to Watt's heart. He then performed
196 7  |           manifestly disappointed if Watt came instead. The mineowners
197 7  |          friendship with Boulton and Watt, but was not put on the
198 7  |            on experiment and provide Watt with a fair reward for his
199 7  |       compared with a common engine. Watt invented an ingenious meter,
200 7  |            to be paid to Boulton and Watt " in recompense for our
201 7  |              from these, Boulton and Watt had received nothing to
202 7  |        Parliament to repeal the Act. Watt was miserable. He had devoted
203 7  |        payments, but this infuriated Watt. To him a bird in the hand
204 7  |           interest. Wiss insisted on Watt's name appearing in the
205 7  |             the engines was unsound. Watt was furious. The terms of
206 7  |           the firm to be gentle with Watt and remember that he was
207 7  |            was a sick man. In truth, Watt was hardly responsible for
208 7  |                so much pain from Mr. Watt's repeated ungenerous behaviour
209 7  |         moment of irritation he told Watt that, if he was dissatisfied,
210 7  |             s accounts himself. This Watt foolishly agreed to do.~
211 7  |                In the following year Watt reported a clear income
212 7  |              once used it to release Watt from his debt to the bankers.
213 7  |             bankers. Two years later Watt no longer had to draw an
214 7  |        Twenty years had passed since Watt conceived the idea of his
215 8  |           The Triumph of Boulton and Watt~" Pasta. The ships of the
216 8  |              realised was Just under Watt's first engines, of the
217 8  |             increased fourfold since Watt took out his patent.~The
218 8  |          good enough to satisfy even Watt's fastidious taste. It was
219 8  |        driving of factory machinery. Watt, on the contrary, having
220 8  |           one.~It is easy to condemn Watt for lack of enterprise and
221 8  |   steam-power to the factory. But in Watt's days the factory was itself
222 8  |            application of power. But Watt did not anticipate getting
223 8  |       one-tenth of the engines sold.~Watt looked to mining and metallurgy
224 8  |          among the Revelations. When Watt came to Soho, our total
225 8  |      immediate triumph of his engine Watt, in 1780} could not foresee.
226 8  |            in the very year in which Watt took out his first patent,
227 8  |       industry.~The cautious mind of Watt was scornfully distrustful
228 8  |             manufacture of woollens. Watt can be excused for looking
229 8  |       economic history of the world.~Watt had but little conception
230 8  |          machinery, and he persuaded Watt to concentrate his attention
231 8  |           attention on this problem.~Watt had only been deterred by
232 8  |              original patent of 1769 Watt had included a device for
233 8  |            his original steam-wheel, Watt had seen at a colliery an
234 8  |             to have any interest for Watt.~Some years later he saw
235 8  |             apparent success wounded Watt's vanity. He was convinced
236 8  |           application to his engine.~Watt was infuriated by this piece
237 8  |              by William Murdock; but Watt claimed it as an old idea
238 8  |          every stroke of the engine.~Watt now got into his stride,
239 8  |          piston out of the straight.~Watt's solution of this tricky
240 8  |       contemporaries said that " Mr. Watt's Parallel Motion alone
241 8  |             the works of Nature, and Watt felt a thrill of pride as
242 8  |          this prosperity Boulton and Watt could claim a share. They
243 8  |           favour of their attention.~Watt had the honour of explaining
244 8  |        subjects. In 1786 Boulton and Watt proceeded to Paris, at the
245 8  |   magnificent. It was the first time Watt had been treated as a "
246 8  |             time of apparent triumph Watt's letters are full of lamentation.
247 8  |         direction of the business on Watt's shoulders. Expansion was
248 8  |             the burden was more than Watt could bear. He groaned under
249 8  |             business was doing well, Watt for the first time was free
250 8  |          hard to get. He appealed to Watt for assistance. But Watt,
251 8  |             Watt for assistance. But Watt, with characteristic caution,
252 8  |          shoulders, that he had paid Watt a regular salary when the
253 8  |            profits began to come in, Watt's action at this crisis
254 8  |        knowledge of the principle of Watt's engines and made use of
255 8  |         achieve this; for in all, as Watt quaintly expressed it, "
256 8  |             Firms ordered engines of Watt's design from these men,
257 8  |              men, and of course paid Watt no dues on them. When the
258 8  |          unsatisfactory, they blamed Watt, and the credit of Soho
259 8  |            circumstances Boulton and Watt decided to put their rights
260 8  |          Hornblower and Maberly. All Watt's old friends, with Robison
261 8  |            it was not till 1799 that Watt could write triumphantly
262 8  |          their operations, but, said Watt, " having become used to
263 8  |           century drew to its close, Watt was in his sixty-fourth
264 9  |            he retired from business, Watt followed the fashion of
265 9  |              aristocracy of England. Watt got to the point of buying
266 9  |          crumbling into decrepitude. Watt's experience was exactly
267 9  |        during this period."~But even Watt was not entirely free from
268 9  |             but that did not satisfy Watt. He invented a " way of
269 9  |              copying machine brought Watt in a steady and most welcome
270 9  |           the house. The second Mrs. Watt was a tyrant with a relentless
271 9  |               entered the room where Watt was sitting, and, even if
272 9  |          lights. " We must go," said Watt, and meekly led his friend
273 9  |              garret was outside Mrs. Watt's jurisdiction, and there
274 9  |             one, of his old friends. Watt, sickly in childhood, nervous
275 9  |              for by himself, but for Watt it snapped a link with those
276 9  |             The principal friends of Watt's middle life are to be
277 9  |             figures of the day. When Watt came to Birmingham he was
278 9  |              meek and humble," wrote Watt to Erasmus Darwin, " perhaps
279 9  |             was keenly interested in Watt's experiments, having himself
280 9  |              and Darwin, and of whom Watt was in his eyes the greatest.
281 9  |          filled by new recruits.~For Watt the first ten years of the
282 9  |             In 1802 Darwin died, and Watt began to feel himself "
283 9  |                I cannot weep," wrote Watt, " but I must ever lament
284 9  |           sorrow. A few months later Watt lost the last remaining
285 9  |       distinguished walk."~Naturally Watt was often consulted on engineering
286 9  |        designs for rotative motions. Watt thanked him, but remarked
287 9  |            to us for engines," wrote Watt, " but we believe we are
288 9  |            intellectual arrogance in Watt's character, which increased
289 9  |             of its predecessors. But Watt knew better than most that
290 9  |              most open to criticism. Watt believed that where he had
291 9  |             his judgment.~To many of Watt's friends locomotion was
292 9  |          suggestion which first drew Watt's attention to the subject
293 9  |             of thy delays." To which Watt replied, " If linendraper
294 9  |            But Moore was a quack and Watt's anxiety subsided. Small
295 9  |           correspondence followed on Watt suggesting the use of a
296 9  | paddle-wheels.~In his patent of 1784 Watt included the specification
297 9  |         already pressing Boulton and Watt to take him into partnership
298 9  |             for a patent on his own, Watt wrote angrily to Boulton,
299 9  |             no hand in its creation.~Watt's attitude towards steam
300 9  |              advances to Boulton and Watt with a view to co-operation.
301 9  |              a view to co-operation. Watt's attitude was haughty and
302 9  |   prominently among their customers.~Watt was perfectly right not
303 9  |           the dog in the manger.~But Watt's faults and failures were
304 9  |         British Isles at the date of Watt's death by the output of
305 9  |          there were others who, like Watt himself, had introduced
306 9  |            the pirates who exploited Watt's ideas without paying for
307 9  |            appeared. More than this, Watt's model became in its turn
308 9  |         upto-date pattern from Soho. Watt would have liked to believe
309 9  |           the tribute that is due to Watt, by multiplying the value
310 9  |             easy for the Victorians. Watt and his successors in the
311 9  |          them.~On August 19th, 1819, Watt passed peacefully away at
312 9  |            be appropriately called a Watt, in honour of that master
313 9  |            mechanical science, James Watt." When the hundredth anniversary
314 9  |     Exhibition. For this purpose the Watt Collection which the Museum
315 9  |              of the retreat in which Watt spent the last peaceful
316 App|   indivisible. Three men, Cavendish, Watt and Lavoisier, have claimed
317 App|              reported his efforts to Watt.~Watt jumped to the conclusion
318 App|        reported his efforts to Watt.~Watt jumped to the conclusion
319 App|            Priestley's) experiments. Watt's letter was not made public,
320 App|             doubt on the theory, and Watt asked that it might be held
321 App|             and making no mention of Watt.~Watt's guess that water
322 App|           making no mention of Watt.~Watt's guess that water is a
323 App|          definite and distinct gas. ~Watt thought that it was his
324 App|              surprised when he heard Watt's theory might be taken
325 App|      experiments without the help of Watt.~ ~