The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-27 00:00:00

SCOTCH' MONUMENT lode LATE MR. WATT

Wednesday, a numerous meeting of the inhabi,ants of Edir
burgh was held at the Waterloo Hotel, pursuaiit to a public
quisition, to consider of Ilia propriety of taking mca,,,rtw fete
erecting a monument in Scothnil to the memory of the late •.
Watt.

Among those present wire. Mr. Brown. acting Chief Ma.7:.t.
and several of the Magistra,es, Lord 1.1.1 in. Sir IViiliaai
not, Mr. Moncrieff. Mr. Jeffrey, Mr. S. Morton, Mr. siviea
iii all about :mu.
Sir 6. WARRENDF.n, Batt., having been called to the(.!
sword that the L•nd Advocate, whom it was intended to
called ro preside. had been prevented by hti..iotwit from atie.dp
111 r. Cot-am: ON said the rneeth.g had hen called

pose of considering the propriety of erecting a monument
land to pet pet nate the ancinory itt Mr. Watt ; and lie was ot
that haling stated thin, he had and almost enough to veer ire t
the object they hail in view. lie, the invention of &esteem me,
.31r. Watt had added to the extent of the resources of I. is it,
ottintry, while he had prodigiously multiplied she muff itt• tf
dividual life. But niuch as we are already indebted to this gen.
it was a matter of absolute certainty that the period of the tide
of his glory was not yet arrived—(Applause.) it was reserved
the time when the Arts should hereafter spread over the
when countries hitherto uncivilised, and even distant ages. 0.,
fee: truly the gratitude they:owed to the country which heti g
birth tow great a practical genius—{(:hens.) It was it fins;
on an occasion of this nature, to forget the p; irate and pereomal
niter of Mr. Watt. There never was a man possessed of sin
heart, of such manners. It seemed as if he had been Cast by I
vidence among a highly manufacturing and commercial tattoo.
a model of whata liberal and useful ri igen in such a country- oel
to be. An effort had been made, which was honourable to I
land, to erect a monument to Mr. Watt, in Westminster Al
or St. Paul's ; and noire might imagine that the present of
would be inconsistent with its success. Ile trusted it %mild
prove an. lie could manic the meeting there was no such thing
view. Ilut there were two reasons, perfectly consistent, why
should resolve to erect a monument in this country—first,
this was his own country, and it was their duty to encourage ',inn
exertions, by *hewing to Scotsmen the ultimate rewards at
genius and industry would meet with. lie did not like the it
that any stranger might traverse Scotland. and hare it in his pose,
to say, that while he found tributes to the genius of Watt mey
where else, he could discover none in his native country. In tt
next place he confessed, and he was not sure that this moon
nut enter more Into his mind titan the other, that he
exclusive monument should be placed M a situation i ble
the great body of the people. There should be an open day-figk
monameat to Mr. Watt, that all hearts might be stirredthy
centemplation, and all minds ...wakened —that it might be WO
the poorest mechanic, while he was walking the streets in his or
nary dens, and with the implements of Ins calling. It wts .
possible that this could be better obtained than by the erection
an architectural edifice; and which could be erected at less raper
than any which could be done by adopting the Mier or deans,
of statuary. lie might allude to the various uses whicn would ,
answered by such a monument; but he would specify MTV push.
cularlytg one to which It might be converted, and which, if the de.
par
had any sympathy with transactions of their friends teal,
would be most acceptable to the liberal and enlightered splits(
Watt. Schools of Arts., and other institutions, under the ausiios
of men of all parties, had sprung up in every corner of the hit.. w
enlighten and elevate the lower orders. This yes not the plait
enter into the merits of these institutions. The School of Arai
our own city was the first that had arisen in the enipire' mad it
the model and principle of similar institutions; and be was sent
they combined an architectural edifice worthy of Watt, and Weds
laced to adorn the city, and which could at the mane time bee
plied to the tuition of the lower orders, nothing could he more,
pvopriate, or would hand down to posterity, in a more intermit
manner, the character and principles of this liberal and popsy
man. (Applause.) If this plan was adopted by the 3leetiog.
Codtbum said that he bad reason to believe, although he did
speak from authoety, that considerable additions to thci rasa
would be received from other 'quarters, and that the funds painted
by the School of Arts would be added • and that thus in the aura
of a single year, sulficient funds might be realised for themes
pletlon of the edifice. lie was informed also by the Lord Pam,
that the city contemplated giving ground for the erection. Mr.
Cockburn amended by proposing resolutions to the above efratt.
The SoLtcyros-Onizanz. row to second the motion. A.

cfere;titidewes due to the memory of Mr. W att, Void% oak,
i , first to have proceeded from Sentinnd itself. He did la
mean to indulge in any national viarty, nor did he wish to eq.
rivalry, ex:ept it was the rivalry of genial. Ile wished to he,
forth to the meclumics end aznzans of Scotland the exsayistf
Mr. Watt, atruggling in early life agairst difficulties romb ess,
thank God, couM not be espai•meed by (ha meanest sad the lows
among them. Who could eontemplate the course of the min
vessel which brought together ant:most distant puts of the wall.
and raided so muds to our demesne comforts, without thinking e'
the beautiful description of the poet—
flow &grimily her gallant course she goes!
• • • •
She walks the waters like a thing cflife,
creal4roveyromfa.ritrogrgebestbes:emeemtammedritai dare the elements to strife.
es
onel °ntbo of the
ewe ghcndLunsisbhol showed
.ow:idboAfrtimhe Ltt
httPhemiecuriafthecomesdpention7b4dmi;
the (origin' market, and the wealth and the glory of OR &Os
penned about to fall at the feet of our less wealthy and mar
easeful neighbours. The genie's of Mr. Watt had eahgswdker
difficulties, mod be found in our wealth the means ofevernmehm,
all those difScialtim, cad overpowering competition.. it was vidtt
feeling of namtisac)pndt sad violence; in Scot sat res.tie
that Ile stated, that at this paled, a
workmen
o lair Pans
to We nis the hetemetion of
patience was manifested at the regress of seance and mathreary.
Althatei hundreds and thousands were ;brown out of eroplornant,
yet weitad never seen in Scotland those scenes of own. .4kr
'occurred in England and which, though they all deplona,they
must excuse, front the ignorance of theme who indulged in dm.
It had generally been the lot of great men, with wbois the grsoat
discoveries had originated, that they seldom whammed their as
eras. With Mr. Watt it had been different. He had just lied,
witness a new and vast continent added to the field of commas
emerged from the bondage, he would tot say of tyranny, hie a
ignorance, and which English genius, Indust''', and anterrin.
aseerned to be securing for the interests elite antaueree.
Mr. L. Bosse a said he had taken a part in tie meeting is
of the London subscription, and had had the homer to be mod
on the Committee, but he trusted that the two objects were Ars
way inconsistent. He then stated, that since the first inatitutios,
the School of Arts, the directors had resolved to by by part of
funds placed at their disposal by the liberality of the publie.
ultimately providing proper accommodation foe the initial:a
and he was authorised by the directors to say, that if the moat•
don was approved of, this sum, which amounted to 6001. would
applied to the purposes of the meeting.
(in the resolution, which includes in its objects the belay
being appropriated to the accommodation of the Schuol of dr.
beteg read,
Mr. CRAIG said he would be the last person that would wire
throw any difficulty in the way of the meeting. but he =Mu
that Edinburgh did not appear to him to be to any reaped a ire,'
place for a monument to Mr. Watt. In Edinburgh there rre.„
mechat is ; and whether they considered the small nunher
would be gratified, or the advantages which would be obairel
Edinbur'h,, was not the plate where a tenement was to have E'
effect. In the west of Sanland, the Lumber of
, very great. Mr. Watt, though he was not born in Glasgow,
!long lived there. It was there where he studied—there whet'
: made those inventions which had made his name famous over tS
world. In Glasgow they had derived more benefits front his kat-
' Lions and it was there where they might expect the subscrilnel
to be'more liberal. The School of Arts was a monument to I ail•
ferent person (Mr. Homer), and could be a monument to to r.ler
I person, but would be as bestial and as booourable as any rim-
merit could be. He would pnapuse that they should defer thr
eision on this point, and to resolve simply to erect a monamres'
I Scotland—leaving for after consideration, where the morrow:
was to be placed, and of what nature it was to be. At he 4,
time, if the meeting should be of a different opinion, he amid:
quiesce in the general sentiment.
Mr. COCK/Max said be had the best reason to believe, t 114.•
.
had been determined by the people et Glasgow. irliateler sit
burgh ini,tht do, that they should have a monument for due'
selves. The meetire had, •therefore, no alters: rive Mem gee
with their own plans.
The SonretToa.(le XERA 1., in concurring with what the Er
Gentleman had said, would lust remind tittle Glasgow triel:!4.'ll
seven cities toutended for Lei .g the birth-plsce of Homer :
they could not agree on the roam, they each erected a rsgetas•
to bis meotory.
The resolutions were then tarried iv acclamation.
A letter from Belfast status that the Marquis of Ler2o'
Jerry, anxious to render his tenantry on the Mour:
art estate contented and happy, has reduced tile rer.ul,
Ileis small farms from Loa. to Lis. per acre; and is exiirr.
ill 2; also a crisich rabic stun in repairing Hit:. •
with a view to introduce a system of ckatilines4 and Cl',
fort, which cannot fail to emit; ibute materially to the h=a"
of the itunattx.
Saturday beirg Election Saturday, the young gtr::et
of Eton College bad their atimil regatta on the 106
lAbout six o'clock they left IVithisor litidize, and precis t
to Suey Hall where they partie; of a cold oiliatior•
half after tight they re tirrai n a hailirant disp!3m
fireworks took place. The bands of the -.!1
Life (Wards and the 3a Regiment of le,q w.re CO
water, and played the whole el the time t.) a mere r,tr:r
oats arc fashionable e.mipaity than we ever receaar
have witnessed on a similar occasion.
A very great natural curiosity is at present to be rte's
the lands of Orchard. Parish of triohe. occupied
James Thomson. Early in the Spring a peer 17..`
the Pinkie :pecks, thitteen years old, vut forth aI.
bet of young shoots as usual ; and the curiosity is, ,
several of these young twigs are Ixarimt
longest measures 1.; inches, and has three jw-ars, the tart
of 'illicit will stand a comparison with the sycrace ca•
treat; and the other two, though lair fruit, arc rather •
The tree has been exarirtied by upwards of twenty Or'
owed orchard-keepers, ail of wht m express.sl astesi
meat at the circumstance, and deed: re I that tllei
never seen any thing similar.—Glo,gow raper.

CCRIOUR BET.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PREss.
JULY 26.

Mr. EDITOR—I End in an ohl number of the London
for September 1103, the following article,
ember !he beail of Domestic Occurrence
NE PTV. vl NE I 4.--On Thuradry • pini.itlerahle waver, on a cir.
convince is ravel as extraordinary, was dot-twined between too
gentlemen in the city ; the bcu erne in proportion of five t h three.
thA son persons or fine, ore horst-bd.*. uss..l earriazn of fiery
j:srrip4iors, di.l rent past and repast fatilgule.hill 'Wala the lames
d two seal dart that a fterua.a. Six tellers wh r. appointed, and on
(retitle tip the monbpra. the odds hail cicurly lint, it appearing
that 3,47,5 Ferran had par over the at*: e-att ution.-1 spot villain
the fist.' Owe.
As this bet took place nearly fitly years arn, it would
be a curious subject of another bet at this period, when the'
potulation of London, its commerce, soil consequently its
ll
feurlatitsengers, hackney-coaches. stages, cans. carriages.'
and vehicles of every description, have in the interval
iseetat'd to such a prodigious extent. The decision of
sigh a wager at this day, would be a subject of consider-
able interest, vi well as curiosity.
I am, Sir, yours. tee.
ONE OF TIIE FANCY.

OF rniescßrixe BOOKI
DEPRED:ITIONS OF WORMS AND SECTIA.
- -

There is a very small insect that in the month of Au-
gust lays its eggs in books, and vpecially n
those leaves
rear the cover. From these eggs proceed a sort of mites,
very like those bred in cheese, which change their state!
and become beetles, and when the time of transformation
approaches. they endeavonr to get air, and cat their way
through tiTtheihave gained the extremity of the book.
To give these mites a disrelish for books, the paste which
the binders make use of, and which is supposed chiefly to
attract them, has often been mingled with bitter substances,
as wormwood, coloquintida, &c. without any success.
!Mineral salts, to which all insects have an aversion, afford
the only remedy. The salt called arcanum duplicatum,
allure and vitriol, arc proper for this purpose. By min-
gling therefore a small quantity of any of these mineral!
salts in the paste, books will be effectually preserved from
the attacks of all sorts of worms and insects.
M. Prediger, in his Instructioris to Bookbinders, printed
at Leipsic, hi the German language, in 1741, says, that if
binders were to make their piste of starch instead of flour,
worms would not touch this books. Ile also directs pul
allum, mixed with a little fine pepper, to be strewed
between the bookiind the cover, and also upon the shelves
of the library • and for the more effectual preservation of
the books in libraries, he advises rubbing the books well,
is the months of March, July, and Septtnnber, with a
woollen cloth dipped in powdered allum. And it were to
b- wished that for the future all boukbiuders would make
their paste in the manner recommended, but I would not
advise depending upon starch without any admixture of
mieeral salts.
It Is remarkable, that worms seldom attack books printed
on Ettlish made paper.