Me. W. Keddie on the Early History and Proceedings of the Society. 1 03 



Mr. Jolin Napier, uncle of Mr. Robert Napier of Shandon, and father 

 of Mr. David Napier of Blackwall ; Mr. James Dunlop, of Clyde Iron 

 Works; Mr. Willian^ Kelly, cotton spinner; Mr. Henry Houldsworth, 

 cotton spinner; Mr. Eobertson Buchanan, civil engineer, inventor of 

 the patent steam-boat paddle called the " feathering paddle," and author 

 of works on the Teetlu of Wlieels, the Heatiiig of Buildings, &c. ; Mr. 

 John Geddes, of the Verreville Glass Works, the famous Colonel Geddes 

 of the Lanarkshire Local Militia ; Mr. Charles Tennant, the discoverer 

 of the bleaching powder, and founder of the St. RoUox Chemical Works ; 

 Dr. James Towers, Professor of Midwifery in the University of Glas- 

 gow. Amongst the early members were Dr. James Watt, a medical 

 practitioner and Baptist preacher, who became an indefatigable contri- 

 butor to the proceedings ; Mr. Matthew Park, mason, father of the late 

 Mr. Patric Park, the sculptor; Dr. Corkindale, the eminent physician ; 

 Dr. Andrew Ure, the Chemist, author of the Dictionary of Arts and 

 Mamfactures, &c. ; Dr. Scott, surgeon-dentist, the Odontist of the 

 Nodes A oihrosiance, in which he is represented as singing the celebrated 

 lament for Captain Patoun. Mr. Robert Hastie, father of the present 

 Secretary, was also one of the earlier members of the Society, in the 

 affairs of which he took an active share till his death, in 1827, having 

 for six years occupied the President's chair. In his entertaining work, 

 Glasgoiv and its Clubs, Dr. Strang notices Mr. Robert Hastie's long 

 and useful connection with the Society, observing that '' his knowledge 

 of mechanics and mathematics was extensive and pi-actical. His con- 

 versation was instructive, his manners mild and affectionate, and his 

 address unaffected and modest. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of 

 the Society in life, and his memory is endeared by the recollection of 

 his intellectual and moral qualities." Mr. James Denholm, author of 

 Tfie History of Glasgow, joined the Society at an early period. INIr. 



When erecting Stirling Bridge, he consented to a deduction of £2,000 from his estimate, 

 for the privilege of getting his own waj' with the coffer-dams. Instead of a separate dam 

 for each pier, he constructed in the centre of the river an embankment of two rough stone 

 walls, with puddle between, and from each end there was a similar work continued to the 

 side.s. He then pumped out the whole area, excavated, and founded half the piers at once 

 on the north side. When this was completed, he turned the end walls to the south, and 

 completed the operation. Great saving was thus effected ; and it was tlie first time he 

 enjoyed the support of trustees against the engineer. "(So the bridge is well built, we 

 don't care how," said the trustees of Stirling Bridge. Mr. llathieson also built piers and 

 harbours at Port-Glasgow, Kirkcudbright, Port-Nessock, Stranraer, North Queensferrv, 

 Leith (part of the extension, the best paying job, he used to say, which he ever got, 

 although his estimate was j£l 7,000 against £29,000, the estimate of the next competitor). 

 Mr. Mathieson's enterprising labours extended into the railway period, he having built 

 numerous railway bridges connected with contracts on tlie Greenock, Edinburgh and 

 Glasgow, Xorth British, and Kdinburgh, Perth, and Dundee lines. 



