the simple instruments used in mechanical drawing." He was, we are told, "a useful man at almost everything "—just the very man after Watt's own heart, and from whom he learned the rudiments of instrument-making, and, probably, many other useful things which he afterwards turned to account.

After about a year spent in this kind of apprenticeship, Watt went to London, desirous to obtain better instruction in an art then little practised in Scotland. For this purpose he placed himself with a mathematical and nautical instrument maker, under whom he acquired ready and orderly methods of despatching business; but, by sitting too near the door of the workshop in winter, he caught a severe cold, the effects of which he continued to feel to an advanced period of life. In consequence of this illness he was soon compelled to return to Glasgow, where he intended to establish himself in business; but not being a burgess, he was looked upon by the corporations of arts and trades as an intruder upon their privileges, and they refused to allow him to set up even the humblest workshop.

The University of Glasgow came to his assistance at this juncture, and gave him permission to establish himself within their precincts, and also honoured him with the appointment of their mathematical instrument maker. This happened about 1757, when he had scarcely attained his twenty-first year. He was now placed in a congenial sphere, and in the course of a few years was employed and befriended by men of

great names, his reputation daily increasing as a diligent and successful cultivator of science. In his profession he showed much ingenuity and skill, and his superior intelligence soon enabled him to form habits of intimacy with the first-rate men of talent at that time in Glasgow. His workshop became a favourite resort of all zealous students and enlightened inquirers into physical science, and was particularly frequented by the pupils of the University. One of these young men (afterwards Professor Robison) expressed the surprise he felt when, on being introduced to Watt, whom he expected to find merely an intelligent workman, he found a philosopher as young as himself, yet willing and able to instruct him or any of the students who might fall into difficulties. In fact, he needed but a sufficient spur to take up and conquer any subject. Without neglecting his business in the daytime, he devoted his nights to various and often profound studies; and however great the difficulties of a subject, provided it were worthy of pursuit, he would follow it out with all the energy of his indefatigable character.

His attention was first specially directed to the subject of the steam-engine in 1763, when he undertook to repair a working model of Newcomen's engine, belonging to the University. During the course of this employment he perceived great deficiencies in the machine itself, which he set himself to remedy, and in the course of his numerous experiments he effected such marvellous results as produced an entire revolu

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tion in the working of these machines, the operation of which was speedily felt in every branch of manufacturing industry, and gave a new impulse to universal trade. Professor Robison has given some interesting details with reference to this subject. He says the model was at first a plaything to Mr. Watt and himself (who was at that time a constant visitor to his workshop), but, like everything else which came into the hands of this acute observer, it soon became a most serious study. Being an exact copy of a real engine, it offered a fair opportunity for experiments, and Mr. Watt made many very curious ones. early perceived that an enormous quantity of steam was wasted, and that the chief improvements the engine was susceptible of must consist in contrivances for increasing its production and diminishing its waste. Professor Robison feeling his mind "fired with the inexhaustible fund of instruction and entertainment' which he beheld opening before him, assiduously attended to the investigations carried on by Mr. Watt, and marked with deep interest his progress. He has given a graphic and amusing sketch of what passed on one occasion :- "About a fortnight after this (in 1765) I came to town, and went to have a chat with Mr. Watt, and to communicate to him some observations I had made. I came into his parlour without ceremony, and found him sitting before the fire, having, lying upon his knee, a little tin cistern, which he was looking at. I entered into conversation on what we had been speaking of at our last meeting-something