We revert for a moment to the progress of Watt’s instrument-making business. The shop in the College was not found to answer, being too far from the principal thoroughfares. If he wanted business he must go nearer to the public, for it was evident that they would not come to him. But to remove to a larger shop, in a more central quarter, involved an expenditure of capital for which he was himself unequal. His father had helped him with money as long as he could, but could do so no longer. Though he was as much respected by his neighbours as ever, he had grown poor by his losses; and, instead of giving help, himself needed it. Watt therefore looked about him for a partner with means, and succeeded in finding one in a Mr. John Craig, in conjunction with whom he opened a retail shop in the Salt-market, nearly opposite St. Andrew’s Street, about the year 1760; removing from thence to Buchanan’s Land, on the north side of the Trongate, a few years later.[76] Watt’s partner was not a mechanic, but he supplied the requisite capital, and attended to the books. The partnership was on the whole successful, as we infer from the increased number of hands employed. At first Watt could execute all his orders himself, and afterwards by the help of a man and a boy; but by the end of 1764, the number of hands employed by the firm had increased to sixteen. [76] The following advertisement in the ‘Glasgow Journal’ of the 1st Dec., 1763, fixes the date of this last removal:-- “James Watt has removed his shop from the Saltmercat to Mr. Buchanan’s land in the Trongate, where he sells all sorts of Mathematical and Musical Instruments, with variety of toys, and other goods.” His improving business brought with it an improving income, and Watt--always a frugal and thrifty man--began to save a little money. He was encouraged to economise by another circumstance--his intended marriage with his cousin, Margaret Miller. In anticipation of this event, he had removed from his rooms in the College to a house in Delftfield Lane--a narrow passage then parallel with York Street, but now converted into the spacious thoroughfare of Watt Street. Having furnished his house in a plain yet comfortable style, he brought home his young wife, and installed her there in July, 1764. The step was one of much importance to his personal wellbeing. Mrs. Watt was of a lively, cheerful temperament; and as Watt himself was of a meditative disposition, prone to melancholy, and a frequent sufferer from nervous headache, her presence at his fireside could not fail to have a beneficial influence upon his health and comfort. [Illustration: WATT’S HOUSE, DELFTFIELD LANE.]