Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss.: Comprising also a history of the invention and introduction of the steam engineSmiles, Samuel
History
Lives of Boulton and Watt. Principally from the Original Soho Mss.: Comprising also a history of the invention and introduction of the steam engine
[71] Watt seems to have made other organs besides those above
mentioned. Not long since a barrel-organ of his construction
was offered for sale at Glasgow. It was originally in the form
of a table, about three feet square, having no appearance of
a musical instrument externally. At this table, when Watt and
his friends were seated, he would set the concealed mechanism
in action, and surprise them with the production of the music.
It has since been mounted with an organ front and sides, with
gilt pipes. When in proper tune it is of considerable power and
pleasing harmony; and continues orthodox in its psalm tunes,
which range from “Martyrs” to the “Old Hundred.” A correspondent
writes as follows:--“A large organ made and used by Watt when
he had his shop in Glasgow, was disposed of by him, when he
finally left this city. It came into the possession of the late
Mr. Archibald M‘Lellan, coach-builder, Miller Street, Glasgow,
and he had it fitted up in his elegant residence in that fine
old street. I have heard it played by Mr. M‘Lellan. After his
death it was sold, and purchased by Mr. James G. Adam of the
Denny print-works. Mr. Adam died, and the organ was advertised
for sale, in 1864, and purchased for 10_l._, by Adam Sim, Esq.,
of Coulter Mains, in whose possession it now is. Mr. Sim has
authentic documents to prove that this organ was really James
Watt’s.”
The leisure time which Watt did not occupy with miscellaneous work of
this sort, he spent in reading. He did not want for books, as the College
library was near at hand; and the professors as well as students were
willing to lend him from their stores. He was not afraid of solid, heavy,
dry books, provided he could learn something from them. All were alike
welcome; and one of his greatest pleasures was in devouring a novel,
when it fell in his way. He is even said to have occupied himself in
writing tales and verses when he had nothing else to do. As none of his
attempts have been preserved, we cannot offer an opinion upon them; but
it is doubtful whether Watt’s poetry and fiction would display the same
originality and power of invention as his steam-engine. The only youthful
exercises of his which have been preserved are anything but poetical. One
of them, at Heathfield, is a ‘Treatise on Practical Megethometry;’ and
another is a ‘Compendium of Definitions,’ in Latin, by Gerard de Vries,
both written in a neat round hand.
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