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APPENDIX.
NO. 9.
intimate with the poet Mason, whom he had known
Caroline, that the supposed policy of the step does not seem conclusive.—It is certain, after all, that George IV. on succeeding to power, would not accept the resignation of Mr. Percival, but told him to prosecute his plans, which were based on those of the Pitt administration, in distinction from the ideas and purposes of Mr. Fox, to whose politics he had long been supposed partial: so that this sequel may be allowed to coincide with Mr. Watson's assumption. The transition from this Monarch's encouragement of learning to the munificent contribution, herewith specified, is insensible. A writer not otherwise partial to the memory of George IV.,[subnote 1] launches out thus:—
perhaps there is no one [action] which imparts a greater lustre to the character of George IV. as the patron of genius, than his munificent gift towards the erection of a monument to the memory of James Watt. The incident may appear at the first view as trifling in itself; but a meeting called for the purpose of the erection of a monument to a great benefactor of the human race, is worthy of the most civilized nations.[subnote 2] Such meetings should be held forth as examples to other countries, to awaken amongst those who approach nearest to civilization and generous emulation of true glory and just gratitude. Such meetings impart a new value to the discoveries and the productions of genius; they excite youth-
- ↑ In a work published by Kelly in Paternoster Row. But the Author Is so irregular in his judgment, that, in speaking of lawyers, for instance, he calls them, without exception, human sharks. Not considering that there is the same diversity of good and bad among them as among other men.
- ↑ Granted—but why was no meeting ever called, in this civilized nation, to perpetuate the memory of the first discover of the longitude? the benefit he conferred on mankind was without alloy: whereas, from the multiplied extension of the steam engine, such a necessary of life, as coals, will eventually become, though neither our children, nor our children's children, to the third or fourth generation, may live to see it, of exorbitant price, and beyond the reach of the poor.
