The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-27 00:00:00

MONUMENT to the LATE MIL WATT.

A Meeting of the inhabitants in Edinburg!
was held last week, to take into consideratiot
the propriety of erecting a Monument, in Scot
land, to the memory of Mr. WATT. Mr. Coca
BURN, the'N, with whom idea originated, eXplainel
in the following manner the motives which had
led hiin to suggest it
" I am aware of the efihrts (and most honourable they are to
those who have made them) that have lately been witnessed in
England, to erect a Monument in Westminster Abbey or St.
Paul's, to this distinhmislied man ; and some may imagine that
this'object of ours is inconsistent with the success of that; but I
trust that it will not prove so, and I can safely say that 1 am
certain that there is no such thing in view. Nothing can be
more appropriate or more Irresistibly natural, than that aome
memorial of Mr. Watt should be placed in one of those great
cemeteries of departed national greatness ; and I should think
that Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's would be robbed of their
rights if no such memorial should be erected in either of them.
But there. are two reasons why I think It is perfectly con-
sistent with that object, that we should resolve to erect
a monument to his name in his own country. And in the
first place, because this is his country ; I think, as it is our
duty to encourage similar extraordinary exertions,. it is a
fortiori correct that we should endeavour to exhibit to Scots-
men, tbroughout all ages, what are the ultimate rewards of
genius and industry. I do not like the idea that strangers,
after admiring the works of Watt, should say that they have
traversed his native land, and found no monument to his me.
mory. In the next place—and I confess to you that lam not
sure but that this reason, more than the other, has exerted an
influence on my mind—l look not exclusively to the monument
to discuss, and it is the farthest from my intention to impeach,onfecaelsrs.olteriAttot,thwelgriicelai
tisbottotybejltaic,ectlyeinopale.sittlivateiohna.vtheantoisrigniout
the system according to which the monuments are superintend-
ed at Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's ; but we all know
that they are only to be approached upon payment of a suns,
which, however trifling, practically amounts to the total exclu-
sion of the lower orders from beholding them. And, to my mind
there is something In the payment of tt. base paltry fee, that, is
quite inconsistent with those ennobling feelings with which men
ought to muse over the illustrious dust which reposes in that
great depositary of the genius, science, and virtue of the nation.
I am, therefore, clear that we should have an open daylight
monument to the memory of M r. Watt, which can be explored by
all—that their hearts may be stirred, and their ambition excited,
by the contemplation of such a tribute. The man whose mind
I wish most to awaken is that of the operative mechanic, who
should be able to view this structure as he is walking along the
streets in the dress and with the implements of his calling. It
' is impossible that this object can be attained by any other
means, as I think, than by the erection of an architectural edifice.
Besides, such an edifice would be erected at even less expence
than if we had recourse to the finer art of statuary, which could
not be rendered so useful. Another consideration which is con-
nected with an architectural edifice is, that while it will tend to
perpetuate the memory of this individual, it will contribute
to adorn the metropolis of Scotland—to add to the splendour of
that city which. it long has been, and I trust will ever continue
to be, our pride and our ambition to make the most magnificen,
and most beautiful of the empire. I have alluded to one use to
which such a building can be applied, anti shall venture to ape.
city other uses to winch it may be converted, and which, I am
sure, if the departed spirits could hold any communion with' the
acwwbulyiaisassthiin:tiiteleiesaleiccaorntsTlatinedncLott.
transactions of their friends on earth, would, of all others, meat
the liberal and enlightened mind of Watt. Since that man's
übceaetni nbges them
tbestowed
di in the
eon me.thle
death, the phenomenon has appeared of philosophy struggling
to rescue the mechanic population front that degradation which
knowledgee/cluaively hased
elevate
Arts.fovaoailleopftahret
iles,,agernrhdoerosdef
orders,
en
rdiyi
as
sect
—raurbilug tuano institutions,neevue7yi undernciguian
rtttlhel
eer
lower orders of almost every manufacturing town in the kingdom
p
of the land ; hut this is not the place for me to dilate upon the
merits otsuch institutions. The manner in which that institution
.is conducted in this city, was, I believe, the example and the
model of all the rest; and I ens sure that if you combine with
an architectural edifice calculated to ornament the city, the idea
of making it a house of instruction to the lower classes of the
population, there
.could lie no application of the money that
would hand to posterity the mime of Watt in a more in-
isirip:ceicplVieswanedrechtalr:ofotuhsaitylibaegrraleeandd
wresting meatier, or in a manner more consistent with the
teon,liaghntdennedliiibia:l.l"l
Reaultitions in the spirit of Mr• COCKBURN'S
subscription commenced.

Extract frotn a letter, dated Pernambuco,
June fl Commodore John Taylor is now off this port
blockading it, with his broad pendant flying in the Nethei oy
frigate, having n fine squadron of ten sail, amongst which is
the Paraguay 60-gun frigate, commanded by Captain Nor-
ton. He has an extensive military and civil command, and
lately has received the thanks of his Imperial Majesty, and of
the Brazilian nation, both for his diplomatic and military set-
,vices. He has also been complimented with stars and honours,
and received the thanks of the British consul and merchants,
for his conduct, to the British interests during the blockade of
Pernambuco.. • Lord Cochrane has sailed from Rio, with the
Pedro 1., 74 ; Caroline, 48, and Maria de Gloria, 28, for An.
gola, on the coast of Africa, to destroy two enemy's frigates.
A !offer from Northumberland says, we are
blessed with a continuance of fine and warm weather. The
wheat cropi and corn in general never looked more promising.
Should the present genial weather continue a few weeks, there
will doubtless be secured one of the most abundant harvests.
And what is highly gratifying, accounts from all parts of the
country are equally favourable.
Our market-place is now daily, supplied with
abundance of new potatoes, vegetables, and various kinds of
fruit, at moderate prices. A more abundant season has•sel-
dom been experienced.—( Carlisle Patriot, July 24.)
Extract of a letter, dated Annan, t3d July :
" The warm weather, since the late refreshing rain, has Dm.
sinned a great and striking improVement in the appearance of
the crops, which promise to be abundant in the extreme, with
the exception of late sown barley ; but even that looks better
than was expected. The wheat, oat*, and early barley are in
mottplaces full, and hi some changing colour ; and the large
fields of potatoes exhibit every where the fairest ,prospect of a
most luxuriant crop.