NO. 1.
APPENDIX.
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to determine by experiments, whether some expensive parts of the machinery might not be abridged or totally left out.[1] Still have my requests been
- ↑ He told them distinctly, that having the Timekeeper by him six or eight months, would save him the labour of one year in three. The refusal therefore, when his age is considered (seventy-three) had a brutality in it which the wit of man cannot extenuate; aggravated, if possible, by excluding from their minutes his repeated applications on this most important subject. Thus the ostrich, a simple bird, is said, by hiding its head, to imagine its whole body is concealed.[subnote 1]—The concealment being now done away, leaves an insurmountable memento of reproach to posterity; principally pointed at James, Earl of Morton, P. R. S. the origin of which has been shown. Yet great as the injury was to the individual, it became immeasurably augmented to the public, and was indeed defeating in express terms, the special purposes of their institution, when we learn he wanted "to determine by experiments whether some expensive parts of the machinery might not be abridged, or totally left out." As he was the only person properly qualified to accomplish an object which the general interest loudly called for, it becomes impossible to acquit the majority at the Board either of gross incapacity, or palpable dishonesty. The principal clew to the intrigues this affair is so strongly tainted with may be found in the conduct of the Earl of Morton, who if he was not born, like the Caliph Omar, for the general obstruction of science, yet either from a total want of judgment, or the northern sentiment "none shall provoke me,"[subnote 2] did every thing
vain and obstinate philosopher by experiment, deserved to live on bread and water three or four years.
