Anecdote Of James Watt

James Watt, who did so much to make the steam engine of practical use, did not, so far as can be learned, take any deep interest in the subject of steam navigation. Yet ineidentally he did a good deal to advance it. In his oíd age he paid a visit to his native town of Greenock. On the 15th of August, 1812, a small steamboat had begim making regular trips between that place and Glasgow, and gradually the service w as extended to other points, several boats being put into commission. The old engineer went on one of the new vessels to Eothesay and back, the trip then occupying the whole day. Mr. Williamson, in his "Memories of James Watt," tells this story of the voyage: "Mr. Watt entered into conversation with the engineer of the boat, pointing out to him the method of backing the engine. With a foot-rule he demonstrated to him what he meant. Not succeeding, however, he at last, nnder the impulse of the ruling passion, threw off his overcoat, and, putting his tiand to the engine himself, showed the practical application of his lectare. Previously to this the back-stroke of the steamboat engine was either unImown or not generally acted on. The practice was to stop the engine entirely a considerable time beforê the vessel reached the point of mooring in order to allow the gradual and natural diminution of her speed."