WATT. 379 



at a very inconsiderable cost, an extension for any 

 additional period, not exceeding the duration of the 

 original patent.* The expenses of obtaining patents, 

 and especially the grievous burden of having to take 

 out one for each of the three kingdoms, are the 

 principal parts of the grievance which remain to be 

 redressed. 



Notwithstanding the serious drawbacks upon his 

 gains which Watt thus experienced, he was, on the 

 whole, successful in respect of profit, realizing an 

 ample fortune, but which all men wished had been 

 greater, and which, under a more just law, would have 

 been thrice as great. 



We have been contemplating the great achievement 

 of Watt, but it would be a mistake to suppose that the 

 steam-engine is the only monument of his scientific ' 

 genius or his inventive skill. He was the author of 

 the machine in general use for copying letters ; of the 

 method extensively used for heating buildings and 

 hot-houses by steam ; and of an ingenious mechanism 

 for multiplying copies of busts and other sculptures ; 

 but he was also, without any doubt, the person who 

 first discovered the composition of water. At this 



* The course which a patentee ought to pursue if there be 

 no opposition to his claim of extension, is to employ no solicitor 

 and no counsel, but to appear in person before the Judicial Com- 

 mittee, as ray gallant and truly ingenious friend Lord Dundonald 

 (better known as Lord Cochrane) lately did. Their Lordships will 

 always favour such a course, the rather as they thus obtain the 

 advantage of hearing the explanations required from the person best 

 able to give them. In opposed cases professional aid is requisite. 



