WATT. 363 



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 

 himself 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 in- 

 quirers. 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 require 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 

 consonances, a theory then little understood, and only 

 contained in a work at once very profound and very 



