ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 261
gratitude of their rude contemporaries, conferred less Important
benefits on mankind than the inventor of our steam-engine*
This will be the fame of Watt with future generations : and it" is
sufficient for his race and his country. But to those to whom he
more immediately belonged^ who lived in his society and enjoyed
his conversation, it is not, perhaps, the character in which he will be
most frequently recalled, most deeply lamented, or even most
highly admired.
Independently of his great attainments in mechanics, Mr Watt
was an extraordinary and in many respects a wonderful man.
Perhaps no individual in his age possessed so much and such varied
and exact information—had read so much, or remembered what he
had read so accurately and well. He had infinite quickness of
apprehension, a prodigious memory, and a certain rectifying and
methodising power of understanding which extracted something
precious out of all that was presented to it. His stores of miscel-
laneous knowledge were immense, and yet less astonishing than the
command he had at all times over them.
There was nothing of effort or impatience, any more than of
pride or levity, in his demeanour. He had in his character the
utmost abhorrence for all sorts of forwardness, parade, and preten*
sions, and never failed to put all such impostures out of counten-
ance* by the manly plainness and honest intrepidity of his language
and deportment.
In his temper and dispositions, he was not only kind and affec-
tionate, but generous, and considerate of the feelings of ail around
him ; and gave the most liberal assistance and encouragement to all
young persons who showed any indications of talent or applied to
him for patronage or advice. His healths which was delicate from
Ms youth upwards, seemed to become firmer as he advanced in
years; and he preserved up almost to the last moment of Ms existence
not only the full command, of his extraordinary intellect, but all the
alacrity of spirit and the social gaiety which had illumined Ms
happiest days. Obituary in the Edinburgh Review, 1819
I Will Lift up Mine Eyes Unfo the Hills
T WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence conieth my help*
•*• My help conieth from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee
will not slumber.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve
thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from
this time forth, for evermore. Psalm 121