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: 
“Tf I do not immediately claim my rights, you must im- 
pute it to an indolence of disposition, which leads me to 
: 
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