450 JAMES WATT. 



was born there. The inhabitants have subscribed for a 

 statue of the iUustrious mechanic, to be placed in a fine 

 library, built on a piece of ground generously given by 

 Sir Michael Shaw Stewart ; and there will be gathered 

 the books that the town possessed, and the collection of 

 scientific works that Watt had presented to the towa 

 during his life. This building has already cost 3500^. 

 sterling (upwards of 87,000 frs. of our money), a con- 

 siderable expense for which the liberality of Mr. Watt, 

 Junior, has provided. A grand colossal statue in bronze, 

 on a beautiful granite base, now adorns one of the angles 

 of George's Square, at Glasgow ; proving to all beholders, 

 how much that capital of Scotch industry prides itself in 

 having been the cradle of Watt's discoveries. Finally,* 

 the gates of Westminster Abbey opened at the imposing 

 voice of a host of subscribers ; and a colossal statue of 

 our co-academician, of Carrara marble, a masterpiece of 

 Chantrey's, the pedestal bearing an inscription by Lord 

 Brougham, has become within these few years one of the 

 principal ornaments of the English Pantheon. Doubt- 

 less a little coquetry was necessary to bring together the 

 illustrious names of Watt, Chantrey, and Brougham on 

 the same monument ; but I can see nothing to blame in 

 it : glory to the people who thus seize every opportunity 

 of honouring their great men ! 



This inscription by Lord Brougham, put on the 

 pedestal of the statue of our confrere, appears to us to 

 be worthy of a place in these pages, devoted to the mem- 

 ory of one of the greatest geniuses that ever illustrated 

 science and industry ; we will reproduce it then literally, 

 a translation shall follow : — 



* Two years ago a statue of Watt was erected in Edinburgh. — 

 Translator. 



