MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 129 



jeweller, and by his superior knowledge of busi- 

 ness he greatly augmented that of their joint 

 concern.* Mr. Langlands was of a cheerful, hos- 

 pitable, and charitable disposition, full of stories 

 and anecdotes, and that kind of man who greatly 

 esteemed men of ability, integrity, and industry. 

 These he never forgot when age or infirmities 

 brought them down. He then shook hands with 

 them as he had done before, but his own mostly 

 concealed his token of respect a half-guinea. Mr. 

 Robertson, was also, for many respects, of a 

 similar disposition to his partner. I spent many 

 a cheerful evening in Mr. Langlands' house, in 

 company with others who also partook of his hos- 

 pitable board. The most remarkable of these was 

 Matthew Prior, who had the character of being 

 one of the best mechanics in the kingdom. He 

 was assay master, a musical instrument maker, 

 and a turner, in which last he particularly ex- 

 celled. The many remarkable pieces of dexterous 

 workmanship he had done in that way drew upon 

 him the notice of many gentlemen in the two 

 northern counties, with whom also, as an angler, 

 a sportsman, and a jovial companion, he was a 

 welcome guest. It happened, on some pretence or 

 other, that an attempt was made to take away the 

 assay business from Newcastle, which occasioned 

 Prior to be sent for, to be examined by (I believe) 

 a committee of the House of Commons, as to his 

 ability in conducting that business. The ease, the 

 clearness, as well as the straight-forward way in 

 which he answered all questions excited some sur- 

 prise, as well as approbation. When questioned 



* John Langlands died 10 April, 1783, aged 78, and was buried in 

 St. Nicholas's Church. 



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