I hope the result of this meeting will be even to improve upon that suggestion of Lord Bacon, which has been noticed by Sir James Mackintosh.

I hope, that to inventors like Mr. Watt, we shall have no separate gallery appropriated in which we may perpetuate their fame; but that the same dome which now covers the monuments of the warrior, and of the poet, and of the statesman, of those whom I must consider concordes animæ, will protect also the memorials which a grateful nation may raise to the men who have perfected the arts of civilised life, and have thus done lasting honour to their country.

The Resolution was then put by the noble Chairman, and carried unanimously.

THE EARL OF ABERDEEN.-My Lord and Gentlemen, in moving this Resolution, which has been placed in my hands, it would ill become me to attempt to add to the eulogy which you have already heard on the distinguished individual whose genius and talents we have met this day to acknowledge. That eulogy has been pronounced by those whose praises are well calculated to confer honour, even upon him whose name does honour to his country. I feel in common with them, although I can but ill express that intense admiraation which the bare recollection of those discoveries must excite, which have rendered us familiar with a power before nearly unknown, and which have taught us to wield, almost at will, perhaps the mightiest instrument ever intrusted to the hands of I feel, too, that in erecting a Monument to

man.

P

his memory, placed, as it may be, among the memorials of kings, and heroes, and statesmen, and philosophers, that it will be then in its proper place; and most in its proper place, if in the midst of those who have been most distinguished by their usefulness to mankind, and by the spotless integrity of their lives.

Gentlemen, it is obvious that, in order to carry your intentions into full effect, it will be necessary to commit the management of this work to persons qualified, by their acquirements and knowledge, to superintend its execution in such a manner as may do justice to your enthusiasm and to the object in view. I beg therefore to move,

"That a Committee (of which you will hear the names hereafter) be appointed for this purpose."

MR. FRANKLAND LEWIS.-I am aware that the honour of being called upon to second this resolution has been conferred upon me for no other reason, than because I had the good fortune to be acquainted with Mr. Watt in private life. I rise therefore under impressions which I am sure must be deeply felt by all those around me who were his personal friends, and which incline me rather to express the delight and satisfaction with which I have listened to the just eulogies which have been pronounced upon his name, than to attempt to add to them by any feeble words of my own. It would indeed be a gratifying duty to dwell on his excellent qualities, and the benefits which he has conferred on mankind; and if I could at this moment be induced to do so, I might be encouraged in the

attempt by the recollection of the peculiar mildness of manner and benevolence of disposition which distinguished that lamented individual, and prevented persons of inferior capacities from being overwhelmed in their communications with him, by the extent of his knowledge and the superiority of his mind. There is nothing more true in what has been said of him to-day, than that they who have looked at Mr. Watt only in the light of a philosopher and an inventor, know in reality but a small portion of the worth and excellence with which he was adorned: amongst other qualities, he was distinguished by an intense power of thought, which was alike upon all the various subjects to which his extended studies and cultivated taste were constantly applying it. I perceive, however, that I am falling into needless repetition, and will content myself with bearing my testimony to the perfect accuracy of that admirable record of his character, for which we are indebted to the pen of Mr. Jeffrey. It must to many persons have appeared to be a flattering eulogy; it is, in fact, no more than a plain, unexaggerated statement.

With this consciousness of Mr. Watt's merits, and of the benefits he had conferred on mankind, it had occurred to many persons towards the close of his life, that the public had been slow in acknowledging the services he had rendered; and I myself, in common with others, more than once openly expressed my wishes, that some mark of public gratitude might be bestowed on him in his lifetime. That this object was not effected, is attributable

It

rather to the circumstances of the times, than to a tardiness in recognizing Mr. Watt's services. must not be forgotten, that Mr. Watt did not long survive that protracted and eventful contest, in which this country was for so many years engaged with the disturber of the peace of Europe; and, whilst that contest lasted, the attention of the public was directed, and its honours chiefly bestowed, on those who were struggling, at the hazard of their lives, to extend the glory and to secure the liberties of their country. That contest, however, has been fortunately closed. Our attention is now turned to pacific objects, and, in contemplating the gratifying spectacle which this country now affords; its peaceful, orderly, and hourly increasing industry, the effects and example of which are felt in the remotest corners of the habitable globe-who is there who does not see, that for the power which sets all this in motion we are indebted to the discoveries of Watt? It is to this period, therefore, and to the present circumstances of the country, that the due estimation of his services must necessarily belong.

The Committee, whose names are about to be read, will have the grateful task of preparing a Monument which may, if possible, be worthy of his fame. They will, no doubt, succeed in executing a work alike honourable to the feelings, and creditable to the taste of the country. It will, however, be rather a testimony of our admiration, and a tribute of our gratitude, than a means of prolonging his memory: the hands of man cannot

construct a monument so durable as the name of Watt.

LORD LIVERPOOL.-Before proposing this Resolution, I wish to state that I hold in my hand a letter from Mr. Canning, in which that right honourable gentleman regrets that he is unable to attend, owing to a press of public business; and states his cordial approbation of the purpose of the meeting, and his desire of giving it every effect.

The Resolution being then put by the noble Chairman, was carried unanimously.

MR. WEDGEWOOD.-My Lord Liverpool, and Gentlemen, I am perfectly aware that I have no sort of claim to present myself to your notice, except that of having been selected in the course of the arrangements usual on such occasions, to make a motion; and I shall not trespass upon your time by entering upon the subject before the meeting, because, by so doing, I could only weaken the effect of what you have heard. I beg leave, however, to express the pleasure that I feel in being the organ, as the temporary representative of the body to which I belong, the manufacturers of Great Britain, of conveying to your Lordship their thanks for the honour your Lordship has done them, in presiding this day on an occasion so interesting to them; and I trust I may be farther allowed to indulge myself, in the expression of my personal gratitude, and my respect and admiration for the great man whose memory we are met to celebrate :—I move

"That the thanks of this meeting be given to