34 WATT. 



ments, treating natural philosophy, too, with singular 

 ability and success, nor prevented from acquiring a 

 more extensive and lasting reputation by anything save 

 his premature death. 



While thus occupied and thus befriended by men of 

 great names, his own reputation increased daily as a 

 successful cultivator of natural science. His work- 

 shop became the resort of all zealous students and 

 enlightened inquirers into physical science, and was 

 particularly resorted to by the pupils of the University. 

 Professor Robison tells us that though regarding him- 

 self as a proficient in the mixed mathematics and in 

 experimental philosophy, he was somewhat mortified 

 at finding Watt so greatly his superior in the same 

 favourite departments of study. In truth, it was the 

 ordinary practice to consult him as the oracle upon 

 any difficulty coming in the way of either students or 

 inquirers. His fixed resolution to be deterred by no 

 difficulties was constantly apparent, and one example 

 is given by the Professor. The solution of a problem 

 which occupied Watt and his friends, seemed to re- 

 quire the perusal of Leupold's Theatre of Machines, 

 and as it was written in German, he at once learnt 

 that language in order to consult the book. Another 

 instance of his indomitable perseverance against great 

 difficulties apparently irremovable, though not insuper- 

 able, may be added. He had no ear at all for music : 

 not only was he through life wholly insensible to its 

 charms, but he could never distinguish one note from 

 another; yet he undertook the construction of an organ: 

 and the instrument which he made not only had every 

 mechanical merit from the most ingenious contrivances 

 for conducting and regulating the blasts and the move- 

 ments of the machine, but produced the most admirable 

 harmonic results, so as to delight the best performers. 

 He overcame the difficulties which lay in his way, 

 partly by the phenomenon of the beats of imperfect 

 Gonsor.ances, a theory then little understood, and only 



