Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-09-15

At No. 81 Pulteney street lived Sir
Williams Watson, the natural philoso-
pher, who introduced Sir W. lIerschel
| TO the king and the scientific world. In
| 1866 the latter removed from Yorkshire
to Bath, where he lived at No. New
| King street. lie was for long time
organist at the Octagon Chapel and
| leader of the orchestra Mt the public
assembly rooms. At length a simple
telescope, only two feet in length, fell
into his hands. He was at once filled
with intense enthusiasm for astronomi-
cal research, but dismayod at the
London price Of a larger glass, he de-
termined TO construct one with his own
hands. Telescopes of seven, of eight,
of ten and finally of twenty feet focal
distance finally crowned his efforts, and
the primary planet Uranus was dis
covered by him at this old house in
New King street on March 10, 1881; |
and it is pretty picture ones fancy |
makes of the faithful sister sharing in
all the night watches of her brother |
with pencil in hand and eager eyes
upon the clock.
Among the noted people Of the stage
who have made more sparkling and
mellow the memories of Bath were
Sarah Siddons, luin, the inimltable
"Fastatf," the elder Macrcady, John
kemble, FOote and Garrlck II was
here that bluff old DR.. johnson, who
profcssed profound contempt for
actors surprised the world with one of
the neatest compliments eyer paid to an
actor. Mrs. Siddons called upon him
in his apartments in the Pelican Inn.
There was some confusion incident
upon Frank, the servant, not being able
to Immediately furnish Mrs. Siddons
with chair, whereupon Dr. johnson
/ instantly remarked "Nou see, madam,
i that wherever you go there are no seats
. to he got -
/ Macroady's presence here is embalmed
in more savage but no less witty re
# ioindcr The "IOhn DDres" and port
!, OF the Pelican Inn had been two power.
r full for an actor who was supporting
# him 81 lago." An amateur was neces-
I sariiy supplied. Maarenay's agony was
4 intense. On returning TO Bath some
! months later as n visitor h. the baths the
"a mournful "lagO" who had supported
4 him sought renewal Of the great
= actors acquaintance. 81 had the honor
" Of PLAYING "lagu'' to your "Othello' at
Il the Theatre Royal don't you remember
In me, sir2" Remember you, sir; remem-
# Der your" Numbered citrate tragedian.
,r "llow shall | ever forget YOU"
N John kemblc while visitor at Bath,
N and when bestowing farthng on Il
rs heGgar gave to literature this imperlsh-
4 able satire upon the parsimony OF the
III nobility: "Friend,' he said with the
!. dignity Of a Corolanus, 1--WE give but
seldom, but when we do give, we give
~ like princes
~ Garrick wrote some Of his finest
is satires at Bath The great mimic
i Foote, was nearly always to be found ii
: his company, sheridan, VIXEN but 0
M youth Of 20, was one of thu lions Of
he Bath. He wrote and contributed tht
eli same to Il sort Of literary "fair Of Par
IN nasSus" instituted by Lady Miller s.
ba admirably described to us by IIorac,
nj Walpole, those exquisite stan2as begin
he ming,
as Dry be that tear, my gentlest love;n
and Gainsborough' celebrated painting
he Of sheridan, was also done in this city
mi Qun lived longer in Bath than an,
B n other of his profession When tn
Tor famous comedian for the last tim
III played "FalstatT' and retired from til
WA stage, in 1853, he came to Bath to pas
OH Ills remaining days because, It's he sale
for he did not know 4 better place for a
~. Old cock 10 roost in lie lived for /
,nr wears, and died, in his lodgings t
his Chesterfield house, Pierrepont stree
arr and in the north aisle Of tic choir {
ipr Bath Abbey is a marble tablet with
the striking likeness Of the great comedian
Ing Underneath is a mask and Ii dugg,
hin representing comedy and tragedy and
characteristic cpitaph by Garrick, IL
his closing lines Of which are:
ezra H., N,,r,,'. i.,,,,;v,t ,,,1,,tl I,,.o,.or -,