Star.
London, England, 1824-07-27 00:00:00

MR. W. 44 T'S MONUMENT.

Wednesday last, a Meeting of the Inhabitants of
Edinburgh was held, to take into consideration the pro.
priety of erecting_ a Monument, in Scotland, to the
memory of Mr. WATT. Mr. COCKBURN, with whom
the idea originated, after complimenting the efforts made
in London to raise a Monument in Westminster Abbey
or St. Paul's to the memory of Hr. Warr, said, there
were two reasons why they should resolve to erect one
to his memory in his own country. "In the first place,"
said Mr. Cockburn, •' because this is his country; I
think, as it is our duty to encourage similar extraoidi-
nary exertions, it is a fortiori correct that we should
endeavour to exhibit to Scotch men, throughout all ages,
what are the ultimate rewards of genius and industry.
I do not like the idea that strangeN, after admiring th!
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 I am not sure but that this reason, more than
the other, has exerted an influence on my mind—l
look not exclusively to the monument of Mr. WATT,
which is to be placed in a situation that is not ac-
cessible to the great body of the people. We have
no right to discuss, and it is the farthest from my
intention to impeach, the system, according to which
the monuments are superintended at Westminster
Ab-
bey and St. Paul's; but we all know that they are only
to be approached upon payment of a sum, which, how-
ever trifling, practically amounts to the total exclusion
of the lower orders from beholding them. And, to my
mind, there is something in the payment of a base,
paltry fee, that is quite inconsistent with those ennobling
feelings with which men ought to muse over the illus-
trious dust which reposes in that great depositary of the
genius,
science, and virtue, of the nation. I am, there-
fore, clear that we should have an open daylight monu-
ment to the memory of Mr. Watt, which can be ex-
plored 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 archi-
tectural edifice. Besides, such an edifice would be
erected at even less expense than if we had recourse to
the finer art of statuary, which could not be rendered
so useful. Another consideration which is connected
with an architectural edifice is, that while it will tend
to perpetuate the memory of this individual, it will con-
tribute to adorn the metropolis of Scotland—to add to
the splendour of that city which it has long been, and
I trust will ever continue to be, our pride and our am-
bition to make the most magnificent and the most
beautiful of the empire. I have alluded to one use to
which such a budding can be applied, and shall venture t. specify
other uses to which It may be converted, and which, I am sum
if the departed spirits could hold any communion with the
trinsacdons of their friends on earth, would, of all others/
meet the liberal and enlightened dad of Warrn—(Apphms).--
Since that man's death, the Osman= has appeared of phils•
sophy struggling to rescue ea mad mie population from that dr
Scadatkill which was the tf exclusively educating theta
ins the. mechanical arts and s at knowledge has been bestowed
upon rite dower orders of about every manufacturing town is the
Kingolpin by the Schools of Arts. These, and similar Instituting!,
tinder- the auspices of person et all parties, said .1 every sect.•-
but all concurring in the wish to devote the lower orders—had
sprung up in every quarter of the hod; but this is not the place
for me to dilate upon the merits of =eh Institutions. The manner
in which that Inadtution is conducted in this city, was, I belic'e
the example and the model of all the rest ; and I ant sure, that if
you combine with an architectural edifice calculated to orsamer4
the dty, the idea of making it a house of instruction to the bra
classes of the population, there could be no application of the
money that would hand down to posterity the name of Watt in a
more interesting manner, or in a manner more consistent with *
principles and character of that liberal and enlightened man."
Resolutions in the spirit of-Mr. Cockburn's speech were magi'
mously agreed to, and a liberal subscription commenced.

The Dachess of ANGOULIME arrived at Rouen 011
Tintraday evening, and is said to byre had a warm reception.
Stephen Strong, the prizefighter, better known
.b 7
the name of Cabbage, was drowned at St.
Marsh, On Thursday last.