254 FISHES AND FISHING. 



" And he who lately in a learned freak, 

 Poached every lexicon, and published Greek, 

 Still madly emulous of vulgar praise, 

 From Punch's forehead wrings the dirty bays."* 



William Battie, M.D., bora 1704. Intended for 

 the law, settled at "Oxbridge, in a medical capacity. 

 After, was physician to St. Luke's Hospital, which 

 he resigned in 1764: died, in June, 1776. Buried, 

 Kingston-on-Thames. " Nuga3 Chirurgicse." By 

 W. Wadd, F.R.C.S.L. Nichols and Son, 25, Parlia 

 ment Street, 1824. 



Towage on the Thames by horses is very expensive ; 

 and I suggested the idea, about ten years ago, of 

 towing two or more barges at once, by means of 

 steam ; but for this purpose, I was aware that com 

 mon steam tugs would be objectionable, as the great 

 disturbance of the water by the paddle wheels on 

 their sides, would injure the banks in the upper 

 portions of the river, and I was informed that though 

 the screw had great propelling power, its tractile power 

 was found insufficient. I therefore made drawings 

 of a steam tug with a large wheel in the centre, and 

 made a model of a vessel of the description, with 

 great power, which would answer the purpose, with 

 out any lateral wash affecting the banks, whereby 

 two or more barges could be towed up the river with 

 greater celerity, and at less than half the expense. I 

 * Professional Anecdotes. Knight and Lacey, 1825. 



