436 JAMES WATT. 



with Priestley, Black, De Luc, the engineer Smeaton, 

 Gilbert Hamilton (of Glasgow), and Fry (of Bristol). 



The following is an objection that appears more spe- 

 cious ; it arises from a deep knowledge of the human 

 heart. 



The discovery of the composition of water, advancing 

 step by step with the admirable inventions that are united 

 in the steam-engine, can we suppose that Watt would, 

 from inconsiderateness, or at least without showing any 

 displeasure, allow himself to be despoiled of the honour 

 which it would eternally shed on his name ? 



This reasoning has the defect of erring completely at 

 its very basis. Watt never yielded the share that legiti- 

 mately belonged to him in the discovery of the composi- 

 tion of water. He had his memoir carefully printed in 

 the Philosophical Transactions. A detailed note authen- 

 tically proved the date of the presentation of the various 

 paragraphs of that writing. What could, what ought, a 

 philosopher of Watt's character to do, otherwise than 

 patiently await the day of retribution ? However, a 

 piece of awkwardness on the part of De Luc had well 

 nigh dragged our associate from his forbearance. The 

 Genevese physician, after having warned the illustrious 

 engineer of the inexplicable absence of his name from 

 the first edition of Cavendish's Memoir, and after having 

 described this omission in terms which the high renown 

 of both parties does not allow me to repeat, writes to his 

 friend : " I should almost advise you, considering your 

 position, to extract practical results from your discoveries, 

 for the sake of your purse." 



These words offended Watt's high mind ; he replied : 

 " If I do riot immediately claim my rights, you must im- 

 pute it to an indolence of disposition, which leads me to 



