When the publishers asked me to write the Life of Watt, I declined,stating that my thoughts were upon other matters. This settled thequestion, as I supposed, but in this I was mistaken. Why shouldn't Iwrite the Life of the maker of the steam-engine, out of which I had madefortune? Besides, I knew little of the history of the Steam Engine andof Watt himself, and the surest way to obtain knowledge was to complywith the publisher's highly complimentary request. In short, the subjectwould not down, and finally, I was compelled to write again, tellingthem that the idea haunted me, and if they still desired me to undertakeit, I should do so with my heart in the task.
I now know about the steam-engine, and have also had revealed to me oneof the finest characters that ever graced the earth. For all this I amdeeply grateful to the publishers.
I am indebted to friends, Messrs. Angus Sinclair and Edward R. Cooper,for editing my notes upon Scientific and Mechanical points.
The result is this volume. If the public, in reading, have one tithe ofthe pleasure I have had in writing it, I shall be amply rewarded.
The Author.
Childhood and Youth
James Watt, born in Greenock, January 19, 1736, had the advantage, sohighly prized in Scotland, of being of good kith and kin. He had indeedc