Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 238 Title: Autobiographical Account by James Hall Nasmyth Author(s): Nasmyth, James 1 by James Nasmyth On the ancient Tomb of the Naesmiths in The Grayfriars Church yard there is a very remarkable motto. “Remarkable” as it so perfectly describes and is most appropriate to the History of almost Every individual of the Family Especialy the Branch of the Nasmyths from whence my Father was more immediately descended. The motto in question is as under ARS MIHI VIM CONTRA CELUM . which I translate or render thus art is to me STRENGTH in contending with Fate or “art gives me my strength whereby I contend against Fate 2 workshops situated behind his house at the Grass market Edinburgh These workshops stood in a space of ground between the back of his house and the High wall which separates the Grey Friars Church yard from the Grass market and situated East of the Flight of stairs which form the Main North approach to George Herriots magnificent Hospital — The Last work my great great grandfather was Engaged in was that of building The Fortress of Inversnaid situated at the upper or Northern End of Loch Lomond. This Fortress was designed to accommodate sufficient Troops for the purpose of resisting the frequent inroads of the Highland Robber Clans into the Lowland. The Chief of wh[om] at that time was Rob Roy and his followers This important work Michael Naesmith ventured, in spite of [¿] many whispered warnings, to take the contract for and being a work of considerable importance he, as was usual in works of any great extent and Especialy as in this case situated in a wild uninhabited district, Erected such a temporary habitation for himself and his workmen near the spot as enabled them to reside close to the work at hand. such temporary workmans Residence is I believe in Masonic Language termed “The Boothie” — The work at The Fortress had been considerably advanced during the summer and autumn months of the year 1703 3 Winter had set in when on a dark Snow Storm Night Michael and his men having all retired to rest a knocking at The Boothie door was heard, and to the question “Who's There”? a voice replied “a benighted Traveler overtaken in the storm” and begging for Gods sake to let him have shelter for the night, Michael in the full faith that the travelers tale was Told in good faith arose and unbarred and unbolted the Door, when to his consternation and that of his half awakened men In Rushed Rob Roy along with his armed desperate gang, all hope and chance of resistance was seen to be useless. The Lives of Michael and his men were in the hands of infuriated savages The workmen with the Dirks of Robs men at their throats begged hard for their lives to be spared This was granted on the condition that they should instantly depart, and under oath, promise never again to appear within the Highland border. They ,master & men, had no alternative but to submit to the terms and depart forth with with such scanty clothing as in the rage of their assailants they were allowed but a few moments time to gather about them. They were then marched under armed Escort through the snow and storm through a pathless track to the Highland Border 4 Highland Border and then left with murderous threats that should any of them Ever re appear or in any way proceed with the work Death should attend them — Poor Michael never recovered from the sad cold he had caught in his long dreary retreat in the snow storm from Inversnaid. The Effects of which together with the distress of mind and pecuniary loss he had suffered consequent on the refusal of Government to pay him any thing for such considerable portion of his contract which he had already substantially completed, Ere he and his men were compelled to depart from Inversnaid where the government had undertaken but failed to supply any forces to guard him and his men when engaged in a work so hatefull to the Robber Clans. This great injustice and risk he had continualy [¿]ed altho he had again and again petitioned the government to redress during the progress of the work but without Effect, so the Entire loss fell upon him which together with the distress of mind and failing health totaly incapacitated him from attending to business and terminated in his Death — while sitting at his fire side with his Grandchild on his knee, feeling a Death like faintness come over him he was seen to set the child carefully down at the side of his chair 5 and then fell forward Dead on his hearth stone Thus Ended the life of my Great great granfather Michael Naesmith in1705. aged 53 — his remains rest at the side of the old Family Tomb in the Grey Friars Church yard of which I have given a carefull illustration in an Earlyer portion of this work which in many respects is one of the most remarkable Tombs among the many such that give so interesting a character to this the most remarkable Burying ground in Scotland — All the detail of this sad incident was narrated to me by my Father as a carefully remembered family tradition — My great great grandfathers business was well carried on by his son who being 27 years old at the Death of his father had had ample experience and ability to so do and conduct it with success aided by the well earned reputation accumulated as the result of thorough good and substantial work in the Execution of which my great granfather was well seconded by a staff of most able trustworthy workmen between whome and their master there had grown up kind of Loyal family attachment that had extended from generation to generations. as in these early days 6 There was not either the will or the means for workmen to shift about the country from master to master but settled down with their wives & children in houses of their own close to their Employers and faithfully followed and attended to the interests of their Employers when they had work at a distance from head quarters My great grandfather Born in the year 1679 died in 1751 and was succeeded by my grandfather Michael Naesmith who thoroughly maintained the well Earned reputation which his predecessors had Established for substantial work. This collection of first class work on architecture which he possessed and which in his time were both rare and costly attest to the carefull regard he had for infusing into his designs and work the best standards of taste of the foreign architects of fame such works consisted of folio Editions of Vetruvius. Paladio and many others treating of both design and Execution My grandfather built several mansions for the nobility and gentry of Scotland. as also several of the most remarkable Houses of the old town and the First of those of the New town of Edinurgh of the former many of the Houses in George Square which still attest by their substantial condition 7 To this day the care with which they are Executed as may be seen in such an apparently trifling detail as the neat and peculiar manner in which the weather action on the mortar joints of the stone work is resisted by the carefull and neat insertion of minute fragments of Basalt at small but regular distances into the mortar of the tombs of the stone work which while they serve to protect the mortar from the action of the weather give at the same time a neat and so far ornamental relief to the otherwise monotonous lines of the mortar. I refer to this apparently trifling detail to show that the builders mind and heart was in his work Even to its utmost minutia — Among the houses built by my Grandfather in George square was the one in which Sir Walter Scott was born — I may also mention that the First house in the New town was built by him namely the one at the North west corner of St Andrews square was built by my grandfather and occupied by David Hume the Historian. Likewise these two more important looking houses in the center of the north side of the same square occupied by the Lord Laing Mason Esqr and the other by the Venerable Dr Hamilton M.D. who made himself a conspicuous character in Edinburgh by his perseverance in wearing a cocked hat. Pigtail and shoebuckles long after such a costume had become obsolete — all the Houses above named 8 which were built more than 110 years ago are in sound condition at the Present time a most satisfactory proof that my Grandfather executed his work in a thoroughly substantial manner Besides the general Excellence of my grandfathers work he took Especial pride in the sound quality of timber work of the interior of the houses built by him as well as the carefull workmanship and high finish given to it In his days the walls of the various appartments were wainscoated that is covered by timber framed in large pannels in the Execution of which the most carefull l[¿] work was requisite Especialy as many of the wainscoat Pannels were of considerable width such as from 3 to 4 feet wide by 6 or 8 feet in height. The joining up of such wide and high panneling required the utmost skill and the very best quality of well seasoned timber which for the most part was bought from Dansick Some times Scotch Fir was used but only when such could be found of sufficient size at hand where the building was being erected. My father has often described to me his being permitted when a boy to accompany my grandfather and his foreman and men to Leith when a ship arrived from the Baltic with best quality of timber and his being present at the assorting of the cargo in my grandfathers wood yard there. Each quality 9 Being carefully assorted and put up in stacks to be thoroughly seasoned and shrunk ere the timber in each stack was used for the purpose for which its quality rendered it most fit Each stack being marked according to its intended purpose such as For Wainscoat Framing “Wainscoat Pannels “Window Frames Door Frames & Door pannels. Great attention was paid to the selection of the timber for Floors which received the most special and carefull attention as to the permanency of the closeness of the joints and flatness of the general surface of the Floor to secure which the best and hardest Baltic Timber was sawn up into narrow strips and so thoroughly seasoned before being laid down that many of the floors of Houses of my grandfathers time are as sound and the Joints as close as the way they left the workmans hand. I am happy to observe that the same carefull attention is again resumed by the best House builders of our day Greatly to the advantage of the carpets as to their durability instead of being soon worn into strips by the careless jointing of the wide flooring boards of unseasoned timbers whose curved up edges soon makes sad [¿] of the carpets. The Hanging of Doors was, my Father told me, a detail which my Grandfather bestowed special attention to so as they should never scrape the floor and be perfectly 10 free in their movement that he used to Ex[¿]t the perfect manner in which his doors were “Hung” by causing them to close by a puff of air from a hand bellows. This was a little bit of Bravado but it showed how much of his individual attention and care he he gave to the Excellent Execution of his work even to the smallest details. he was from all accounts a most thoroughly conscientious Builder and most worthy man one of his most attached friends was the celebrated Dr Cullen whose fame as a Physician is still remembered to this day in Scotland — I have but little record of my Grandmother Except that she was in all respects worthy of her husband and a most carefull good house wife. I have “a sampler” sewed by her dated 1743 the Exquisite neatness and precision of the details of which is for Exactness and fineness of the work beyond any thing I have ever met with in such Examples of needle work which has come under my notice. and I am fair to think that some of her faculty for delicate handling has descended to her grandchildren as all of them have been in no small degree distinguished by the nice delicate and dextrous use of the Fing[ures] in respect to the various branches of Fine art for which most of them have left good Record - my Grandfather Michael Naesmith Died in the year 1803 aged 84 11 My granfather Michael Naesmith had two sons The Eldest named, in accordance with family custom, Michael, Born 1754, was intended to succeed his Father in the same line of busines that had been so creditably kept up in Hereditary succession for so many years. my Uncle Michael showed great natural aptitude for the business at first and became a skillful workman Especialy at Joiner-work having besides a clear head for accounts and book keeping he became my granfathers right hand man but a taste for reading books of voyages and travels of which his father had a large collection developed an irrepressible natural desire, that had been dormant in him, for an adventurous life this desire to see the world was unfortunately stimulated by the success of a companion of his who had gone to sea and had realized some substantial results from his ventures in trading with “Foreign parts” an offer to take my uncle along with him on his next voyage proved too tempting and notwithstanding his good prospects at home and his fathers Earnest remonstrances. he determined to set forth and indulge his passion for adventure along with his hitherto successfull companion. after several voyages to the West Indies and other parts of the world which gratified and stimulated his natural taste for adventure and also proved moderately successfull in financial respects 12 his trading ventures met with a sad reverse which caused him to give up commerce and enter the Royal Navy as a pay master or Purser in which service he remained with credit and had a life of rather serious adventure in several of our Naval Engagements his knowledge of accounts enabled him to maintain his position with all due credit for many years as a Naval pay master he was at last Pensioned and rooms granted him as a permanent resident in Greenwich Hospital where he ended an adventurous life in ease and comfort in 1819 aged 65. My Father had great and affectionate regard for him and alwas visited him at Greenwich when he went to London. The sketch of my uncle Michael which I append was made one hot summer day when my father and his brother were out for a stroll on Blackheath. the sketch slight as it is is full of character and was much treasured by my father who made it while his brother was enjoying a nap on a roadside bank near Blackheath in 1811 My father Alexander Naesmyth [¿] was born on the 9th Septr 1758 in his Fathers House in the Grass Market Edinburgh he exhibited early in life a strong natural taste and skill in the use of the pencil in sketching from Nature and also showed equal skill in the use of oil colours so much so It may be well to mention here that previous to my Fathers entering into Allan Ramsays service . he through the excellence of some Drawings and Sketches from Nature which he had executed to show to the Director of a drawing academy that had been established in Edinburgh termed “The Trustees Academy of fine Art” an institution which had been formed and supported by Funds derived from Estates confiscated in the Rebellion of 1715 . 1745 . portion of these revenues were devoted to the encouragement of the art of Damask Linnen weaving and carpet manufacture in Scotland . arts which the flight of French weavers who [under] religious persecution emigrated about that time to Scotland and for whose production the government encouraged to settle in Scotland to which end cottages were built for those weavers and every kindness shown to them. The only condition stipulated was that they the weavers should take Scotch apprentices and teach them the art & mystery of Damask table linnen and such like higher class branches of the weaving art These weavers cottages were chiefly erected at a piece of unoccupied ground near the site of where part of the [nice] town of Edinburgh was afterward built and as most of the French weavers were from Piccardy. that circumstance originated the name of Piccardy place which was given many year afterwards to the fine street of Houses built on the site originally occupied by the weavers cottages — The art [occuring] before named was intended by the Trustees of the Forfeited Estates to encourage the study of the art of Design in its relation to improved Linnen & carpet manufacture and still exists — it was to gain admission to its advantages as a school of art that my father became a candidate for [admission] where he was working as a wash painter such was the [extent] of his Probationary drawings Next he was duly admitted as a student & the Evenings being the time the academy was open so as to suit the arrangements of students [otherwise] [¿] in their various trades in the day time — my father derived vast advantage as a young artist from his attendance at this academy of art — for alltho the stock of casts from the antique and drawings from the works of the old masters was but scanty The masters endeavoured to make up for the want of numbers and variety of examples by causing the pupils to copy over and over again the same original Example till they acquired such satisfactory corrections as to entitle them to a fresh Example Runciman the master was a very painstaking conscientious teacher but rather short and irritable in temper . and on one such occasion my father who had completed his eighth copy from a chalk drawing of the celebrated Lacoon group of statu[ary] — ventured to remonstrate with his master on being kept so long on one subject. Runciman testily told him he should have a new subject and then he [pressed] the original chalk drawing from the copy stand which my father hoped was to make way for a fresh subject but to his disgust Runciman forthwith p[¿]ed up the same drawing . but up side down! with the peremptory order copy that sir. such a form and mode of giving a pupil a fresh subject might have driven the student desperate But [wholly] d[iver]ted my father set to work and e[¿]ted to correct a copy as when it was inverted to the right natural position and compared with the original in its natural position it stood the test of [¿] examination so perfectly as to draw forth the admiration of his master and was hung up as a Triumph of the art of Copying in the Class room of the academy with a note Runciman appended to explain the circumstances of the production 13 that he was at his own Earnest desire bound apprentice to the Chief Coach Builder in Edinburgh. (Chrighton, if I remember Right,? was his name) as a Coach Painter Especialy in that department of Coach painting in which artistic taste and skill was requisite namely in decorating the Pannels of the Highest class of Carriages which his master made for the Nobility and Gentry of Scotland, By painting on the pannels their Coats of Arms and Crests [¿]. In this artistic branch of the Coach Building business my Father took great delight as it introduced him to the practical detail of an artists occupation both as respects carefull drawing and also painting in oil color He made such rapid progress toward Excellence in this his first introduction to artistic work that he had the gratification of being Entrusted with the Execution of the very first class of such Heraldic art, which at the Period refered to, namely Coats of Arms with “Supporters” and Crests with the family mottos which were an indispensable Embelishment to carriages made for the Nobility and Gentry, of that time, no class of practice in the use and handling of the materials of pictorial fine art could have been more suited to give and cultivate that union of care with freedom of handling and precision of touch as such an occupation as my Father was fortunate to secure The Coach Builder to whom my Father was apprenticed happened Among many ammusing recollections of adventures my Father had during his early life in London when he was in the service of Allan Ramsay there is one that I cannot resist the temptation to narrate as it illustrates a happy faculty he possessed throughout his life namely “Resourcefullness” — He had made an Engagement with a sweetheart of his to treat her to an evening at Ranelah Gardens which were then the chief Evening resort of all the Bucks and Gay folks of the period — as “full Dress” was was imperative at Ranelah Gardens and long striped silk stockings were “the correct thing” for young bucks to appear in on such occasions. My father happened to be possessed of only one pair and as he desired them to look as well as possible on so special an occasion he had made shift to wash them himself in his Lodging room and hung them up to dry at the fire, alas he hung them too close to the fire and they got so singed and so burnt as to be totally useless . in his sad perplexity as to how to get out of this provoking Dilema of the loss of what was so essential and important a portion of his Toilet . a happy, and most original, thought occured to him, namely to have recourse to his art as a painter and having some water colours White and Black paint at hand he set to work with it and painted his leggs with Black and White strips with such neatness and skill that in a short time the water colour paint drying on his legs rapidly he completed his toilet and issued forth to his sweetheart and Proceeded to Ranelah in perfect trim and had the gratification to note the envious glances of some of his companions who were struck with the perfect fit of his [long] silk stockings. he never however “let on” to them how and by what means he acquired such perfect fitting Hose. but enjoyed exceedingly his triumph over what, but for this happy exercise of his art and of his no less happy faculty of Resourcefullness, would have been a mortifying misfortune — My father used to narrate this incident with great delight as it appeared to have made a lasting impression on his memory and he used to quote it as an instance of what he held to be the true receipt for “success in life” never to let a difficulty beat you but “get the upper hand of it” somehow! many an instance of this valuable faculty I have noted in him in various passages and occupations in such portion of his life as I was Eye witness to 14 to be an intimate friend of Allan Ramsey son of the Author of the well known poem “The Gentle Shepard”, this Allan Ramsay son of the Poet was Court-Painter to George the Third, when on a visit to his native city, Edinburgh. he went to pay his respects to his old Friend the Coach Builder at his work shops, on that occasion happening to see my Father then a lad 16 years old busy painting a coat of arms on the door pannel of a Noblemans carriage he was so struck with the true artistic style in which my Father was executing his work that he formed a strong desire to have him transferred into his, Ramseys service to asist him in the subordinate on Dress parts of the court or Diplomatic portraits in the execution of which he had almost continual employment, after much persuasion backed by a considerable premium paid to his friend the Coach Builder he agreed to transfer my fathers indentures to Ramsey my father being delighted with the change of employment as besides the being transferred to London! a more advantageous opportunity for a young artist with True love of art could not have come to him as Ramseys occupation as portrait painter afforded my father the finest opportunity to advance in his art even when his assistance was at first confined to the dress and subordinate parts of Ramseys pictures add to which the fact that Ramsey had a [noble] collection of drawings The reference to Resourcefullness a a Faculty which my father held to be one of the most Effective as a means of getting on in the world. he used to narrate an ammusing instance of it which happened when he was a Boy and playing with two of his school companions — These Boys were the sons of a Dr Erskin one of the ministers of the High Kirk of Edinburgh and held in the highest respect by his townsmen — The two Boys his sons had in their play been throwing stones one of which went through the window of a Neighbours House. and as the servant saw who had done this Mischief she immediately opened the window and called out “Very weel Maister Erskin. I'l tell your Father who it was that Broke the windae”. Such instant and clear detection was certain to be followed by most severe punishment from their Father. So on the spur of the moment the culprit turned round to his Brother and in a loud and laughing manner called out in her hearing. E! K[eis]t! She thinks we are The Boddy Erskins sons! Such an Expression of Entire and absolute Irreverance as to term The Revd Dr Erskin “The Boddy Erskin” could not possibly” The servant thought ‘proceed from the son of one so revered as Dr Erskin so she closed the window convinced that she had made a mistake as to the Identity of the culprit . who taking advantage of the [unusual] Dust he had thrown in her [face] escaped speedily from the scene of the mischief. and also from the otherwise [inevitable] severe consequences — Trifling as no doubt this little anneckdote is . my Father delighted to narrate it as one instance of speedy artfull resourcefullness which he said was wonderfuly carried out in after life by the culprit who at the Siege of Seringapatam by a masterly dressing of the same faculty succeeded in leading a forlorn [¿] attack through one of the Breaches in the walls of Seringapatam and brought his men safely and triumphantly through the very jaws of certain Death and by his heroic act in no small degree contributed to the success of that most terrible conflict and as General Erskin he used to narrate with great glee this early triumphant Escape from a then to him terrible danger. I fear none but Scotchmen can understand the full Extent of the utter disrespectfullness conveyed by the expression “The Boddy Erskin” as applied to one of the most revered ministers of the Scottch Kirk and that by a son of so Revered a Father as Doctor Erskin! 15 and Engravings from the Works of most of the great masters of Pictorial art and to which Ramsey afforded him free access to study and copy from during his leisure hours a high privilege from which my father derived great advantage as he had the benefit of Ramseys critical remarks on them as well My father remained in Ramseys service till 1778 when he returned to Edinburgh to Practice the Profession of Portrait painter on his own account carrying with him the kindest good wishes and recommendations of his late master whose warmest friendship he retained to the end of Ramseys life — The artistic treatment of my fathers portraits and the excellent likenesses he produced of his sitters soon obtained for him abundant employment. his portraits were generaly full length but of a small or, cabinet, size and most frequently consisted of family groups with the figures about from 12 to 14 inches high and were so treated as if in conversation on subject of family interest with children and their favourite Dogs introduced and represented in enjoying some favourite view from the parlour or grounds with more care and attention given to the landscape background than was usual with the ordinary run of Portraits the admiration which his employers expressed with the result of his artistic labours was almost equaly divided between the Excellence of his Likenesses and the beauty of his Landscape Back grounds . this latter fact led to important results in after years as I shall refer to presently — Among my fathers many employers was Patrick Miller Esqr of DalswintonDumfriesshire 16 Whose portrait as well as that of several members of his family my Father was employed to paint soon after his return from London —This employment led to the establishment of a most warm personal friendship between Miller and my Father . The result not only of the high satisfaction my fathers artistic work gave him, but also, from the similarity of their views and opinions on most subjects but especialy in regard to mechanical ones, for which both of them had a strong natural taste. Miller having ammassed a large fortune as a Banker in Edinburgh and as is often the case with successful energetic men he devoted some of the spare activity of his mind not only to improved systems of farming which he carried into most successful practice on his estate at Dalswinton. but having also given much of his attention to Naval affairs, especialy in regard to the improvement of the Guns of our Navy, he being also one of the largest shareholders in the celebrated Carron Iron works near Stirling that circumstance afforded him every facility for experimenting with and producing new guns em[¿]ding his improvements in them and testing them by actual practice at the Carron Iron works. The result was the justly celebrated “Carronade” a name he gave to his improved gun out of compliment to the works where it was first produced and supplied in the highest perfection to our navy for nearly a century after. the vastly superior Handiness of these short guns which were capable of being loaded and fired nearly twice as fast as the long small bore guns that till then had been the guns of the Service and the Tremendous effect of the rapidly repeated Broadsides fired from these handy Carronades rendered them deservedly the favourites in the service and in no small degree 17 degree contributed to the achievement of some of our most decisive naval victories owing to the great ease and rapidity with which these Carnades “Carronades” were loaded and fired a property of vast importance in action and due to their Shortness and general great Handiness as compared with the long small bore guns that had hitherto been in general use in the Navy. Another of Millers most favorite subjects was the application of mechanical subsitutes for wind or tide in the manoeuvering of ships of war. The important results which about that time had issued from the adoption of Clerk of Eldins system of “Breaking the Line” by the departure from the old orthodox system of meeting enemys Ships “in Line” and under the discharge of mutual broadsides leaving the chance of victory to those who could best withstand running the terrible gauntlet of a series of successive Broadsides. Clerks system, consisted of a sudden departure from one continuous line in our ships when near those of the enemy and of so manoeuvering our ships as to bring them athwart the line of those of the enemy, thus throwing them into confusion and so dealing with each of the enemys ships in a manner singly with the best chance of “raking them”. this system of Clerks had been tried with such successfull results that the subject took such hold of Millers mind that he set his will to work with all his natural earnestness to contrive some mechanical means such as would be capable to control the movement of ships of war independent of wind, calm, or tidal action. It was while this Idea 18 of Millers was chiefly engaging his attention that my father happened to meet frequently with him aiding him with his skill as a draughtsman in making out his designs for Vessels to be propelled by Paddle wheels set in motion by Capstans worked by the crew, Miller being no draughtsman my fathers skill in that respect was most valuable to him and all the men so as the subject was one in which he felt the most lively and earnest interest especialy as it brought into action the strong natural taste and aptitude which my father had for all matters connected with mechanical construction In Millers Idea of Paddle wheel war ships he designed them with Twin or double Hulls so as by placing the paddle wheels in the space between the Hulls the paddle wheels in that position be better protected from the force of the waves and, in action, more secure from risk of injury from shot. the double Hull structure he also imagined might allow the vessel to rest ,or so to speak, sit down, on a shallow sandy beach where such might happen to afford a safe resting place between tides — I append a copy of an original sketch which my father made of one of these double Hulled paddle wheel vessels which Miller had built at Leith and with which he made many successfull and remarkable trial trips and experiments When first sketched out before the vessel was built, the stern had rather an unsightly or un ship shape appearance so my father had recourse to his artistic taste and made out a design for 19 the stern of this vessel which judging from the sketch of the vessel which he made while she was beached comfortably on the sands at Leith, was by no means devoid of ellegance in which respect it was Enhanced by an alegorical picture which my father designed and painted on it. The subject being Britania Instructing the four great Nations of the world in the art of Naval Construction! I refer to this more particularly to show the warm hearted zealous interest my father took in his friend Millers pursuits a feeling which endeared him to Miller and led to [¿] that made theirs [¿] my fathers welfare in after life. The great fatigue and Exhaustion which the crew suffered in any long continued Experimental run with these capstan [¿], paddle wheel, vessels, soon satisfied Miller that he must look for some other power than manual labor, to give motion to his paddle wheels. Many discussions on this subject took place and on one such occasion a Mr Taylor who acted as tutor to Mr Millers sons who took a most lively interest in Millers Experiments and was generally present at their “venture to suggest” the employment of a steam engine as the source of the required power, in place of manual labor, Miller at first was alarmed at the mention of “a Steam Engine and its Furnace on board of a war ship” but further argument and reflection induced him to view the proposal with favor which was confirmed when Taylor took him to see the model of e steam Engine which a clever young 20 young man named William Symington employed at The Lead mines in Lanarkshire had made and which had a contrivance of his for converting the straight up and down motion of the piston Rod into a continuous circular or rotary movement. Miller was so much pleased with what he saw of this model steam engine that he determined to have a small steam engine and suitable Boiler forthwith made under the superintendence of Symington and Taylor, and at the same time ordered the construction of a double Hull pleasure boat to be proceeded with and placed on the Lake at Dalswinton Having suitable paddle wheels to the [¿]ing of which the engines he ordered should be arranged to be connected with after many provoking delays the Engines & Boiler were put on board the before named double Hull pleasure boat on Dalswinton Lake and set to work in October 1788 “The Boat was formed to move delightfully” at a rate of between four and five miles an hour and altogether proved a most successful and satisfactory experiment. Taking into account the vast results that have ultimately issued from this first trial of an actual Steam Boat which was ever exhibited to the world we may well consider this to have been one of the most important experiments ever made,This must be so evident to all who reflect on the consequences of it that it is unnecessary for me to further refer to it 21 otherwise than to record the names of those who were present at so remarkable and memorable an experiment.The persons on the deck of the boat were Patrick Miller — William Taylor . William Symington (the designer of the Engines) Sir Charles Monteth of [¿]burn. Robert Burns! the Poet — and my Father Alexander Naesmyth. the three other persons on Deck were Mr Millars servants who acted as assistants on the edge of the Lake watching the progress of the experiment was Henry Brougham then a lad on a visit to Mr Miller Such a gathering of remarkable men was well worthy of the occasion. I may remark as well worthy of special record that the boat being made of Tinned Iron plate in accordance with Millers special orders. was probably the First Iron ship. The Engines of this memorable first practicable Steam boat are now in the Patent Museum at South Kensington Thus, without “Pomp and Circumstance”, in the tranquility of an autumn afternoon was this experiment successfuly made, which measuring its importance by the vast results that have since issued from it and by those it is yet destined to yeald! never has the exercise of mans thought and ingenuity confered on his race more wide spread substantial benefits — The warm friendship which Millar entertained for my father at the sacrifice of much of his time which might have been with more immediate profitableness have been devoted to his portrait painting business 22 was not overlooked by Miller who in his anxiety to make some [reco]mpence for the Time and attention my father had given to the working out of Millers Ideas and making all the drawings from which Millers experimental ships were constructed but which on my fathers part was done con amore in the best sense of the term Miller in his friendly anxiety to promote my fathers professional interests most generously placed the means of enabling my father to pass nearly two years in Italy so as to enable him to study the higher branches of his art at what was then considered its head quarters. It was with my father as it was with every artist then. the summit of his ambition to see the greatest works of the Great masters of art in their true home. aided therefore by Millers generous offer to advance him the requisite funds for a two years sojourn in Italy making Rome his head quarters he proceeded there leaving England on Decr 30 1782 for Rome via Paris. after a most industrious sojourn at Rome and visiting the chief city of Italy where the finest examples of Painting Sculpture and Architecture could be seen and studied he returned to England at the end of 1784 with a valuable collection of Drawings sketches and studies from the finest works of art including several drawings of the nine remarkable 23 places he had passed through in his Journey. he immediately resumed the practice of his profession as a portrait painter the pecuniary results of which soon enabled him to pay his friend the advances he had so kindly made him which amounted in all to about £500 Miller declining to receive any interest —The highly satisfactory prospects my Father had substantial grounds for anticipating from the industrious pursuit of his profession enabled him to bring to a most happy conclusion an engagement he had entered into before he left for Rome. namely his Marriage to my Mother which great event of his life took place on January 3.d 1786 my mother was a distant relation. a cousin “many times removed” She was the second Daughter of William Foulis Esqr of Woodhall & Collinton near Edinburgh She was born in 1764. The result of this marriage was a family of Four Sons and Seven Daughters. Patrick the first child was so named out of regard to my Fathers kind Friend Patrick Miller of Dalswinton. Patrick Born 1787 died 1831 Leaving behind him a monument of his ability in those exquisite Landscapes which are now so highly valued and eagerly sought after as treasures of British art in the way of Landscape painting — 24 In 1786 my father became intimate with Robert Burns and saw much of him in Edinburgh where the Poet and the painter had many pleasant meetings and walks together as the same keen perception for the beauties of nature was mutualy shared between them. an interesting incident in regard to this feeling occured when my father and a few choice spirits had been spending a Night wi Burns at a Tavern in the High Street of Edinburg. they had kept it up till the “sma hoours” next morning. when the party broke up about 3 in the morning as Burns and my father descended into the Street Burns looked up to the Sky, which was perfectly clear and the rising sun just beginning to brighten up the Kirk steeple and highest parts of the houses. the date was, June 13 1786, a period of the year when all nature is in the zenith of its youthfull beauty. Burns was so impressed with the beauty of the morning that he put his hand on my fathers arm and said. Nasmyth it'l never do to go to bed in such a lively morning as this! let's away and walk out to Roslin Castle. the poet and painter thereupon set forth and enjoyed a most delightfull summer morning walk of 7 miles and on reaching Roslin they went down under the grand Norman arch of the castle where Burns stood rapt in admiration of the scene and while he stood under the great arch my father was so impressed 25 with the scene and the circumstances, that he happning to have a suitable piece of paper and a pencil with him, he made a hasty little sketch of the Poet as he stood under the grand Norman arch, which sketch is now before me, as it was preserved by my father with loving care in remembrance of that delightfull walk and the interesting circumstances attending it. many have an Idea that Robert Burns was apt to Exceed when in company with choice companions in such circumstances as narrated. but my father told no better proof could be given of the incorrectness of this opinion as to the Poets general convivial Labels than the simple fact so graphicaly narrated by my father that after several hours spent with such choice companions as that of the night and morning of the 12 & 13th June 1786 that at the breaking up of the party at 3 in the morning he should have all his best wits about him as to propose the walk out to Roslin in such admirable terms. “It,l never do to go to bed in such! a mornin as this!” It was in that same year that my father painted Burns portrait. Burns had a great dislike to, sit for his portrait, but at the earnest request of my father he consented to do so. my father did not detain him long and when the portrait was finished he presented it to Mr Burns 26 who prized it exceedingly. this the only authentic portrait of Burns was afterward admirably engraved in mezzotint by John Walker who when he submitted the First Proof to my father so highly did my Father approve of it that he expressed his opinion thus. “I can assure you Walker your engraving brings Robert Burns more truly to my cherished remembrance of him than does my own portrait of him that you have so admirably engraved.” such an expression of approbation of this fair work of Walker ought to stamp it with even more interest than its merits so well entitle it to. My father frequently refered to Walkers engraving in the same terms, to me, into whose possesion it descended at my fathers Death — My Father was much employed in assisting several of the Noblemen and landed gentry of Scotland in improving the general aspect of their estates especialy such portions as were near to or within sight from their mansions in such employment in which he always took especial pleasure his fine natural feeling and cultivated taste for the beauty of scenery enabled him to do much good service in preserving and improving the Landscape beauty of many parks of his native country, on several occasions he also acted with great success in selecting the best sites for new mansions and in designing additions to old ones with A considerable part of my Fathers time was occupied in a manner most congenial to his fine taste for the Landscsape beauty of Nature, in giving advice to various Noblemen and landed proprietors of Scotland as to improvement in those portions of their estates which were near to or within view of their mansion. his fine feeling and knowledge as a landscape painter enabled him to suggest such carefull and judicious opening out of distant views as while he was most tenderly carefull to preserve all existing fine or Picturesque old trees by judicious “clearing out” the Results both surprised and delighted the possessors — By the ready and skillfull use of his pencil he was enabled to show in an hour or so the result he desired to arrive at and to have the preferred improvement well discussed ere it was carried into effect. The results of his employment in this respect was in every way satisfactory and delightfull to him both in an artistic as well as in a social respect as it led to many friendships that were with mutual cordiality maintained to the close of his life — on one such occasion he was residing with the Duke of Athol at his mansion near Dunkeld close behind which was a bare craggy Rock of considerable height and size called Craigy Barns My father having suggested to the Duke the picturesque advantage that would result if the grim barrenness of the face of the Rock were enriched by being planted with some judiciously selected class of trees appropriate in their nature to such a situation. The Duke eagerly adopted the suggestions but an apparently insurmountable difficulty presented itself when the attempt was made as the Rock face was quite inaccessable for anyone to get up to plant the young trees where they were desired to be and where the requisite soil was to be found in ledges and cracks on the face of the nearly Bare Rock — My father having observed an ornamental piece of ordnance in front of the Dukes mansion which was used for firing salutes on grand occasions the happy thought occured to him that by placing the seeds of such trees as mountain ash . Birch . and such like which thrive well in such situations and place the seeds inside a stout sheet iron cannister and fire it up against the otherwise inaccessable rock the cannister on striking the face of the Rook would burst open and scatter its contents into thousands of places. The Duke was delighted with this most original [¿]mode of planting and it was carried out next day most vigorously. The success was most apparent in a year or two after by the abundant springing up of a hearty growth of young trees which soon enriched the Former bare unsightly rock by a luxuriant and most picturesquely situated assemblage of foliage which exists to this day in the forms of beautifull trees which while they delight the beholder few if any are now alive to remember how they came there by the aid of my Fathers ge[ius] and originality and resorcefullness 27 such artistic skill and judgement as to preserve the romantic dignity of the old portions and design what was proposed to be added in such good taste as to perfectly harmonize with the ancient parts not forgetting at the same time to [render] the additions in every way suitable to the improved taste and mode of modern life. I possess a vast number of his designs for such improvements to the mansions of the landed proprietors of Scotland all of which exhibit his fine artistic taste and feeling — In these early days of art knowledge there existed scarcely any artistic feeling for the landscape beauty of nature and on many occasions he had a hard contention to resist the reckless cutting down of the grandest old trees which gave such t[rue] dignity and interest to estates. but which being considered mere old r[uin]ed trees and utterly worthless “as Timber” were often thoughtlessly and ruthlessly cut down. The beautifull sketches and paintings which he frequently made of these, grand old vegetation Ruins, were often the means of opening the eyes of their possessors to the irresponsible mischief they were about to perpetrate. it is deeply to be regretted that those who inherit or have come into possession or have control over, estates in which such grand memorials of the past exist, are not made aware of the Dignified Treasures they possess in venerable trees alas alas how much and how often we have to lament the sad results of such deplorable want of good taste and right feeling. Much of which springs from the vulgar idea that old trees are worthless “[as] Timber” 28 The earnest and lively interest my Father took in the progress of Liberal views with respect to Political affairs and the frank manner in which he avowed his thoughts and conclusions on such subjects . occasioned him to receive hints from some of his aristocratic and wealthy employers that if he were not more reticent and carefull on such subjects they would do their utmost to make him feel their resentment by removing their employment from him as a portrait painter, at that time virulent endeavours were being made to stamp out the rising demand for reform of Public abuses . by endeavoring to destroy the sources of the income of such professional men as my father who advocated them but in his case they little knew the innate sh[¿] of true manly independance which animated him . While his income from his portrait painting employment fell off from the cause just alluded to he (to use his own expression on the subject) made up the loss arising from not having to paint their ugly faces. by painting the ever lovely face of nature. and so it was he [gradually] directed the whole of his efforts as an artist to Landscape painting a style of art not only infinitely more agreeable to his last but also depending on its encouragement on a vastly larger area of employers . and so happily he found it to be and had every reason to rejoice in the adoption of this Branch of true art as his chief source of [income] . in furtherance of 29 His Determination to maintain his perfect independance of thought and action he commenced to teach the art of Landscape painting to pupils who came to him from all classes . in which occupation his son Patrick and also my sisters who he had from the earliest encouraged and stimulated and cultivated in them a taste for the fine arts in due time acted as his zealous assistants and thus he enabled his children to trust to their own exertions as the source of success of living.The Happiest results opened from this as I hope to give evidence of as I proceed with with my “Recollections” — Landscape painting as a distinct and special branch of fine art did not exist in Scotland before my fathers time he it was who introduced it to the attention of his country men and the title of “The Father of Landscape painting in Scotland” has been conferred on him by those best able to confer it namely his Brother artists! who have also often named him as “the Scottish Eland” never did there exist a more incessantly industrious man than my Father his mind and his hands were always at work from [¿] till night designing and executing what was more immediately connected with his artistic work — but also having a fine cultivated taste for architecture and also for mechanical construction and mechanics in general . he originated much in respect to the arrangement of the shape and s[ize] of the Buildings of the New town of Edinburgh 30 which was honorably acknowledged by the authorities of the city of Edinburgh by a present of £200 and conveyed to him as a letter of thanks and acknowledgement for his valuable suggestions under cover addressed “to Alexander Nasmyth architect” a title which he felt just pride in accepting from such a source the more so as architecture had Ever been one of his favorite subjects. his original design for the monument to Nelson which gained the prize at the competition of designs for it but which after having the First prize awarded to it was not carried into Effect on the plea of the Estimate for it E[xceeding] by £200 what had been collected . from those who subscribed most of whome had done so on the faith of my fathers design being carried out in its integrity shows as I have the copy of his original design for this monument which I assert will prove how much more worthy of the purpose and the site such a design as my fathers would have been in place of that which I may say disgraces the city and which was adopted by a clique [¿] some petty [¿] [¿] [¿] [¿] under the plea of its less cost . but which on being carried into Effect and thus thrust on the public proved Eventualy to cost more by £300 than the Estimate for my fathers design . another of his arch[ectural] designs stands Triumphantly across the water of Leith as The Dean Bridge which he designed in . for Sir Wm Nisbet 31 the then possessors of the Dean Estate and who employed my Father to lay out this noble site for the future extension of the New Town of Edinburgh. for the access to which my father designed the present Dean Bridge which was carried into execution by his Friend James Jardine Esq civil engineer Another of my Fathers architectural designs was carried out by his Friend Lord Gardenstone at St Bernards Well where a spring of mineral waters issues from the Rock and over which Lord Gardenstone desired to place some tastefull building in place of a then existing shabby wooden Hut . My Fathers elegant temple is familiarno doubt to many but few knew who was the designer with clasic taste he designed this elligant little building as “a Temple of Hygea” and with true artistic taste constructed the basement of the temple in harmony with the ajacent rocks which then surrounded it. many a summer morning walk I have had with my father by the waters of Leith and past his Temple some 65 years ago when all its surroundings were of the most rural picturesque and romantic kind which then made the walk from “Bells Mills” where the Dean Bridge now stands down to cannon Mills past Stock Bridge one of the most delightful walks amongst the many many such that then existed in all directions close to the Town of Edinburgh but which alas “the march of improvement” has now all but annihilated early period in the history of Geology to be brought in if “need be” when I come to the S[¿] [T. Ital] Period of my own personal re[collections] about this a hot controversy was raging among the scientific men of Europe in regard to those great cos[¿] c[ause]s which have given to the surface of the Earth its present general character in regard to the formation and destruction of the mineral substance of which it is formed.The same keen partizan feeling which was animating active philosophical minds then in regard to political subjects manifested itself in no small degree also in scientific discussions. and in respect to Geology the scientific mind of Europe was divided into two distinct factions The one headed by Werner held that water action was the grand fundamental cause of all geological formations. while on the other other side those who espoused the views of Hutton who held that Fire or Volcanic action was the true fundamental cause — produced such animated discussion as to not only divide the two [parties] into irreconcilable contention but actually was [¿]d to the [result] of personal animosity such as we have little idea of in these days of [mere] [¿] and sound and therefore [¿] modes of handling of such subjects It was in the midst of this state of hostility of the holders of the opposite views of scientific men of that day that Sir James Hall brought forth his masterly experiments which soon had the effect of remedying the two apparently irreconcilable ag[ents] of Fire and of water by showing how it was that water in many cases was the agent by which the [¿]eal matter was deposited at the bottom of the ocean and how the co[¿]t heat of the uneroded central [portions] of the Earths [¿] either by its volcanic discharge in the [northern] [¿] among the deposited [¿] or by the more gradual conduction of its heat up to the deposited matter c[onver]ted what was [¿]nal mud at the bottom of the ocean under hard chryst[¿] rocks. with the aid vast periods of time to effect the action yielded the actual results which the various rock formations of the Earths crust [¿]t — Sir James Halls experiments together with the [ma]sters discussion of [Huttons] views as given by Professor Playfair in due course brought the opposing partners in Geological research into [harmonious] union and the result has at length culminated in that noble result of human [unity in] the [modern] science of Geology — altho I was but a lad when these discussions were in full assembly I well remember the [zeal] and warmth with which they were carried on and no [more instructive locallity] for bringing these things to the test of fact [came] 32 1783 44 27 During my Fathers sojourn in Italy in 1783 he had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Sir James Hall Bart of Dunglass [It add][¿] an acquaintance that was so naturally agreeable as to grow into a most warm and lasting friendship which endured with uninterrupted intercourse for upward of 44 years and only then terminated by the Death of sir James — he was passionately attached to the pursuit of art and [secure] in this passion it was oil painting that as a branch of Fine art occupied his chief attention with the un[dying] hope of reaching excellence [as] the request [¿] branch of art and in order to endeavour to acquire practical skill on a par with his hopes and aspirations as an oil c[¿] painter and the while enjoy the conversation of his friend and so discuss all manner of subjects of mutual interest. E[very] the winters of 37 successive years when Sir James and his family removed from his noble seat at Dunglass to his residence in George Street Edinburgh my father allowed Sir James to have his easle set up along side of his own so as they might paint together and thus enable Sir James to have the advantage of my fathers practical hints and instructions in the practice of oil painting — my Father having assisted Sir James with his knowledge of architecture in the designs for some important addition to his mansion at Dunglass and also with the Illustrations of a very remarkable essay which Sir James wrote and published on the Origin of Gothic architecture these [¿] of the latter furnished many subjects for discussion in which their views and tastes so closely agreed — among other subjects that of Geology which was then assuming the form of a true science and attracting the attention of many of the master Intellects of Europe Sir James Halls views in regard to the influence of volcanic action as one of the Chief agencys that has given to the Earths surface most of the [mar]ked characteristics views on this grand subject were backed up by a series of most masterly experiments illustrative of the Ignious Theory of the Earths formation and subsequent cooling down into fitness for mans appearance had deservedly rendered Sir James Halls name famous 33 and placed him at the head of all the Geological investigations of his time and in no small degree entitled him to be considered as one of the great p[ioneers] of those grand c[¿]t truths on which the science of Geology now so securely rests besides which his general acquaintance with most of the branches of science of his day led to his choice and [unanimous] election as President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh a post which he worthily graced during many successive years — It would cause me to diverge too far from the subject of “the remembrances of some of the incidents of my fathers life” were I to minutely narrate those in which he and his dearest friend Sir James Hall were mutually interested in. but they have strong hold of my memory ,young as I was at the time, I had frequently the happiness to listen to the discussions between these two original minded able men while I was sitting by assiduously working at my drawing lessons, while they were side by side painting each at his subject. I was in that way able to pick up many valuable Ideas and subjects of thought that have left a lasting impression on my mind and were the means of directing my thoughts to subjects abounding with inexhaustible pleasure and interest of the highest order. and when, as I often had the privilege of doing, accompanied my father and Sir James when they took their long accustomed walks around the picturesque and interesting neighbourhood of Edinburgh and listened to their discussions on the Geological causes that produced the remarkable natural features of that city and its surrounding country (allmost all of which features are due to volcanic action), school Boy as I was then, I felt I was receiving instructions from masters! in a subject of the profoundest interest. the results and impressions of which are vividly living in my memory to this day, associated as they are with all the deeply intensely and delightfull Ideas and new born thoughts that successively enter into the gradualy expanding brain of youth and when received under such truly happy and fortunate circumstances, formed the most effective education of the mind as exercising the observative and reasoning faculties at one and the same Time and so yealding a rich harvest of Ideas and not merely words as is unhappily but too frequently the only outcome of our ordinary systems of Education — Brewster 34 Professor Dugald Stewart and also Professor Leslie which last earnest scientific man were frequent companions in my fathers long walks around the neighbourhood of Edinburgh and also on many occasions one or other of them were present at those happy ch[¿] gatherings which so frequently assembled around my fathers hospitable table of an evening such as in those days were the most favourite and delightfull forms of friendly intercourse after the labours and business affairs of the day were over and the evenings in summer d[¿]d to pleasant strolls about the beautifull neighbourhood of the town when weather especialy in summer was inviting but more especialy in winter time when my fathers cheerfull fire side was with together with his interesting conversation found a constant attraction. never shall I forget the delightfull and instructive discussions which were carried on on all subjects during these chance gatherings of able men. no education could equal the [testing] to the subconscious than then went on interspersed with all sorts of [humerous] Ideas and remarks on nature art & Mankind In my fathers habit of incessant industry he generally had some little job on hand such as designing some proposed improvement in the town or in making [¿] of old c[¿] and such like which he desired to introduce into his Landscape or architectural designs of all sorts of which I append to these notes and recollections a few photographic copies in the hope they may serve to give some small but I fear very faint Idea of how he employed his evenings at home. One of these productions was a model of an old oak tree which he made at the [family] table by means of small wire twisted together so as to represent the larger branches and those subdivided into smaller till they served to imitate the twigs of a leafless winter tree. I also append a Photograph of one of these tree models which my father named “The Family Tree” from the circumstance that he caused each of the then family group of Ten persons to twist a Twigg each of which he ingeniously incorporated in his model in such artistic manner as to become a consistent part of the whole — were I to endeavour to narrate even in the most meager detail the produce of his incessant artistic manipulative industry I would weary the reader with their multiplicity. So strongly [¿]bed was the constructive and mechanical character of my Fathers mind in conjunction with the artistic faculty that his time or at all [¿] his thoughts were equally divided between the Two. “The Work Room” as my Fathers workshop was termed 35 in contra distinction to “The Painting Room” which doubtless in these days of Grand terms would have been titled The Studio!? was always his favourite resort when the weather or season was not fitting for a stroll out of Door. In this work room all his most ingenious mechanical schemes were carried out by his own hands. and any old materials the debris of household [furniture] of wood or metal were through his vast natural resourcefullness skillfullymade to serve his purposes as if they had been intended for no other than [they] use he put them to in this he exhibited constantly his true Faculty of constructive resourcefullness which is one of the most important elements in the mental constitution that results in Effective practical life — amongst his many admirable contrivances was that of the Bow and String Bridge and Roof — of which he was the original inventor and which was first carried out by a friend of his who was Governor of the Island of St Helena in the year 1795. This Bow and String Bridge as he named it having derived the Idea from a Bow and String in which the string was connected to the arch of the Bow by upright ties His has been revived of late years and proved of the utmost practical value as the most simple Economical and Secure mode of Bridging or roofing over wide spaces. I append a Photograph of some of his original sketches of this admirable invention the true authorship of which is in a manner lost in the fame of the results. I may also remark that he constructed the wheels of velocipedes about the year 1817. by wires acting in place of the spokes of the wheel by their Tension in place of the compressional action by which the spokes of an ordinary wheel sustain the strain of the load — such and a vast multitude of similar contrivances were the outcome of his ever active practical mind — but which by happy natural combination of faculties yealded artistic results in which the finest order of the [¿] faculty [displayed] its existance in combination with the somewhat Practical Practicable? Common Sense 36 The excellent example of well sustained industry was ever before the attention of their children by both their parents as my mother while taking charge of and superintending all the internal requirements of the domestic concerns was always most intelligently interested in all her husbands business and recreative pursuits and with her admirable skill in c[onnect]ing judicious economy with a generous hospitality with out any taint of extravagance or ostentation. The House fire side was ever a scean of chearfullness and often of merriment as all of our family have been blessed with that, one of the Greatest Blessings of life, namely a strong natural innate sense of Humour a merrier “family circle”, for such in fact it was, as consisting [¿] of eleven persons was not often to be met with and when supplemented by the occasional “dropping in” artistic and other friends of an ev[ening] Here was not much occasion ever to seek for entertainment beyond our own home altho occasional visits to the Circus the theatre and concert rooms abundantly supplied such external sources of enjoyment “to say nothing” of occasional picknick excursions to the many places of Historical interest such as old castles and auld Kirks and mansions of auld lang syne that abound around Edinburgh at convenient distances . in connection with which my Father was a complete encyclopedia of old tales and and aneckdotes respecting their possessors . records of many of these delightfull excursions I possess in the form of sketches made by my Father and his children who he always encouraged to make such pleasing graphic records of — and are still by me to suggest thousands of recollections and strike the key note to many many cherished remembrances of places persons and circumstances that refer “to a long time ago” I do not know any stimulant to the memory to compare with that of even the slightest pencil sketch when made at the time when in the presence of some beautifull scene or in pleasant company then graphic memoranda are to me far far more effective in their power of Recalling the past than anywritten ones 37 My Father frequently permitted his friends who happened to be amateur artists to come and paint along side of him so that he might have an opportunity to put them on Right guides and systems in regard to the manufactured parts of the art of oil painting as by a few hints illustrated by his ever ready and masterly hand he could dir ection us in the right road that leads to Excellence in that branch of fine art in which he was so well filled to guide young aspirants. He had reasons to be some what carefull to where he granted so valuable knowledge as Even under the most favourable circumstances his doing so seriously interfere with the progress of his own works but he was Ever so kind and liberal in this respect in giving valuable instruction and advice thus sharing his ample stock of experience in all the practical parts of Fine art with young aspirants as soon as he found that they possessed the true feeling for art and Exhibited such zeal and mastery as to benefit by his instructions. Among such I will remember the late President of the Royal academy Sir Francis Grant . Then an Enthusiastic lad [¿] my father felt great [¿] as by his wonderfull [¿] in dashing off most spirited oil colour sketches he gave unmistakable Evidence of the possession of the true artistic feeling but such as required some carefull Framing to make him submitt to that cause of carefull translating work which can alone form the basis of ultimate Excellence. I also well remember the frequent Evening visits that David Roberts and Clarkson Stanfield made my fathers and his request They were there but lately Enjoyed from there painting and such like humble occupations but as my Father said clearly in the sketches and Every attempt at artistic work that they showed him still they possessed unmistakably the spirit and feeling of the true artist in the highest sense of the term he gave Him all the assistance he could draw from his vast stores of Knowledge of art and many practical lessons in the manufacture progress and in the art of Design chiefly in relation to scene painting which [¿] Department of Fine art my Fathers hold in the highest regard not any for his own sake as a magnificent Embelishment of The Drama but also as one of the most able schools of art in inculcating both the practice and Task for great breadth and grandeur of Effect which when transferred to painting of the ordering size is sure to manifest or influence in Growth and grandeur of Effect to say nothing of the value of such practice as seen partly in the higher sense as a means of giving a bold and Effective style of Handling. These Two justly celebrated artists namely Roberts and Stanfield soon Expressed in the warmest terms how much they N.B. the continuation of this page is on the back felt indebted to my Fathers advice and instruction and to the last held his memory in the highest and most affectionate regard — in like manner David Wilkie received at a very early period of his career much valuable practical instruction from my father — Raeburn was a most intimate friend of my fathers. he considered Raeburns Broad masterly style of Portrait painting as quite an Era in British art. The noble portaits he produced with with such masterly touches so thoroughly embodied the personal character of his subjects as to raise his work to the highest value, as works of art quite independent of the question of likeness in which also they stood pre eminent and exhibited a grandeur of feeling in the way of art, as art, such as had never before been attained by the works of any of his countrymen year by year their excellence as work of art rises higher and higher in the estimation of all true artists — my father always directed the attention of young artists to Raeburns works as the standard of true excellence to study and aim at in Portrait painting. Raeburn often joined my father in his afternoon walks about Edinburgh as it was in such recreation they could best relieve themselves from the fatigue of the many hours a day that their preferred occupation required of them in which both eye and handand mind was kept at full strain. These afternoon or rather, after work, strolls around Edinburgh was quite a general practice, and a most salutary one, with most of the professional men of the city the calton hill or a round of Arthurs seat or such like easily reached [environments] were the general favorites and when I as a boy was permitted to accompany my father in these after noon walks it was a vast advantage to me to listen to the “cracks” which were carried on between my Father and some one or other of his friends that he was sure to meet with similarly enjoying the fine views and the fresh breezes which were to be generally met with on these occasions when the state of the weather, suggested a stroll, not to be resisted, I know of no city to compare with Edinburgh in affording the most rich material for this kind of tranquil enjoyment and healthy rest to the mind and body the beauty and variety of the elements of the scenery around Edinburgh are so great combining the bustle and activity of a city with the solitude of almost wild mountain [scenery] such as can be met with on and about Arthurs seat which can be easily reached by a leisurely walk of three quarters of an hour or even less time from the centre of the city. so pleasing is the vivid remembrance of these walks in company with my Father and his more intimate “strolling” companions” that I can scarce pass away from this poor attempt at recollections of them. I hope to re[¿] to this subject when I enter on the recollection of my own time when I advance farther in my narration of its events as they, in 38 a more or less degree, were so to speak, a prolongation of the Events of my Fathers life — One of my Fathers characteristics was his great regard for “Order and Method” in all his affairs whether of business or recreation. one of the chief of the latter was his occupations in his workshop or as it was called “The Work Room” to which he resorted for recreation when fatigued with close application to his artistic work and the state of the weather was unsuited for out door exercise when the days work at his professional or artistic occupations was over . His natural taste for mechanisms made him take delight in the use of tools such as were requisite in executing all sorts of jobs in wood or metal required to carry out some Ingenious Idea in regard to mechanical improvements of various kinds. he was always delighted to have the company and assistance of some of his children along with him in his work room which was amply stocked with all sorts of material chiefly the debris of obsolete furniture of various kinds, ordinarily termed Lumber, but which he had a most happy knack in converting and adapting to his purpose — The very difficulty he frequently encountered in such convertions was a source of no small enjoyment in the process of compelling his materials to answer his desires and purposes — such however from time to time was the heterogamous collection of material that he would call in the assistance of some of his children as helpers in endeavouring to bring all into orderly arrangement so as everything should be in its right place “Each after its kind” This was generaly “a Raining day job” and each of us was charged with the care and assorting of some one or other material. one was “detailed” for, Iron, another for, Brass, and another for, timber. but his ultra regard for “order and method” in the assembly of such materials was carried out as we laughingly thought, to an absurd extent where he would propose that not only the various kinds of timber should be classified even assorted according to its shape as in the case of round bits of Mahogany separately arranged from square bits of the same wood.This became among us a standard Joke in which he readily joined in laughing at when his attempt at such ultra perfect methodical arrangement Broke down and he was obliged to join in the laugh at the failure of his ultra perfect “system” and was compelled to be satisfied with one less split up into detail. “Nails crooked” as distinguished from “Nails Straight”, we allowed to pass as reasonable, order, but when it came to the suggested separation of mahogany Round from mahogany square it Broke it down under the laughing protest from his willing helpers when ever any appearance of a similar, Ultra, application of this favourite system of “Order and Method” showed itself we had only to hunt a remembrance of “Mahogany Round & Mahogany Square” which had become a house hold word for too much display of “system” in any ordinary affair; to cause him to join heartily in the laugh against himself for having attempted to push his order and method faculty too far. I have thought it worth while to narrate this trifling incident as tending to convey some faint Idea of the happy and cheerfull manner he and his children worked together in respect to Hobbeys and amusements in which there was so much simple and natural enjoyment and tending to cultivate that most valuable possession the Power of deriving amusement and interesting occupation from pursuits intimately connected with Home life. There was no part of my Fathers character more admirable than his power of self denial in the indulgence of any source of pleasure that he could not share with his children in which truly amiable feeling he was so thoroughly seconded by my mother whose untiring efforts in successfully conducting the Household and family affairs with thorough economy combined with truly hospitable liberality in which the comforts of a family (usualy consisting of Thirteen persons) together with the kindly and hospitable reception of many interesting friends whose pleasant “drop in” visits added to the general enjoyment of us all. as I have said this admirable economy and good management with which the Household affairs were conducted fills my memory with affectionate admiration to this day all the more so when I consider that the only source of, the means, was the personal exertions of my father aided to a considerable extent by the zelous cooperation of his elder children My Father untiringly continued his professional exertions with great success as to the quantity of his artistic work till he attained the Great age of 82 his latter works may have wanted the minute finish of details that characterised his [eastern] productions but in regard to their artistic excellence there was no falling off even to the last, which he painted about eight days 39 before his Death which occured in april 1840. any want of minuteness in details was well made up for by the fine breadth and line of [other] paintings produced by him in his latter days — the very last he painted was a small picture of an autumn evening effect with a cottage in the middle distance and old labouring man passing over a rustic wooden bridge on his weary way to his home. the entire composition conveyed the Idea of the termination of the year and the day and in the old labourer that of life while the lingering remains of the evening glow of the already set sun and slight indication of the smoke from the cottage chimney passing straight up into the tranquil evening air helped out the Idea of a tranquil close of active life. Father laid down his pencil as evening had so advanced as that he could work no more at this picture which in fact he had completed. he then asked my mother, who was sitting by at her work, what he should call his picture. She was not ready with her reply so he said I think I shall call it “Going Home”. his strength failed him next day and took to his bed. and in eight days passed away in a painless sleep — His remains rest in St Cuthberts Church Yard close under the grandest part of the great Rock on which Edinburgh Castle is built, over his grave stands a Runic cross admirably sculptured by Rhind of Edinburgh of which I append a photograph Thus closed a long and admirable life in which great natural talent brought to a high state of cultivation by unremitting industry served as a much attractive example to his children and e[¿]d them large circle of most attached friends to whom he was most dear by possessing every quality that could secure the constancy of their highest regard his companionable genial temperament and the happy faculty he possessed of communicating the results of his long and ample experience with respect to all branches of his art and his no less happy manner in which he communicated the results of his experience with Mankind caused his conversation to abound with instruction rendered doubly acceptable through the influence of a happy sense of Humour which glowed through all his conversation such are the high prices paid for specimens of my Brother Patricks works that many spurious imitations have been produced by Forgers of his paintings occasionally some of them executed with considerable skill and ability but there exists in the genuine specimens of his paintings so unmistakable and distinctive quality as his “toutch” as in the general tone and treatment of his works that any one who is familiar with them what ever be the variety of the subject. yet there is no great [chance] of making a mistake as to its authenticity. I have seen some wretched attempts at imposture in this way in the possession of those who ought to know better as to distinguish between the true and the spurious work and who point to the signature Patk Nasmyth as proof positive of its authenticity forgetting that it is a very easy matter to copy the signature and attach it to a wretched copy. Every toutch of which by its hesitating wooly characters gives the lie to their assurances and to its genuineness — There exist however some paintings said to be by his hand to which the Forger has had some ground on which he may exalt it into a veritable Patk Nasmyth without having added his signature to it — namely that it was my brothers practice on special occasions to give Lessons on painting to ladies and gentlemen who had a natural taste for his style and who he allowed to copy some of his pictures there on hand and assisted them more or less by taking their pencil in hand and doing some portion of the picture they were at work on before them so as the better to teach them his art and in like manner to work up some part that the pupil thought was not as it should be. by a few of his peculiar toutches that were allowed to stand part of the copy. it is in these cases that without any attempt having been originaly made to pass of the result as an authentic work of my brothers yet the parts that were executed absolutely by his own hand as illustrative lessons to his pupil and as such absolutely genuine while the Picture as a whole is not so .[thus] good general judges as to the authenticity of a painting said to be by him may be justifiably [descried]. His real christened name was Patrick Nasmyth. but for shortness and ease of pronouncing his name his name among the members of his family and favourite[¿] Friends was Peter — but he very seldom signed his works other than by the use of his christened name “Patk” in that contracted form “Patk Nasmyth” but as before said the uncopyable distinctive “toutch” is after all the true test of authenticity 40 Before proceeding to detail some of the Recollections of my own life It may be well that I should give in brief form some account of my Brother Patrick and also my sisters — My Brother Patrick whose admirable works in the Landscape branch of Fine art has rendered his name so well known to the art loving public was Born on the 7th January 1787. he was my Fathers first child and was named “Patrick” out of regard to my Fathers early and truly valued friend Patrick Miller of Dalswinton to whom I have alluded in a former portion of my Recollections. My Brother manifested at an early age a very decided artistic faculty which soon took the direction of Landscape subjects Even from the very first of his artistic attempts — with the advantage of his fathers admirable example before him, and under his carefull instruction and guidance, acting on my Brothers own innate love of nature and his no less happy faculty in observing its true characteristic features both in its general aspect and in its minutest details he soon acquired great skill in sketching and made in that way vast numbers of most carefully executed studies or graphic memoranda of the characteristic aspect of Individual trees and of groups of them as forming important features in the class of Landscape scenes which specialy attracted his fancy and admiration. the same care was bestowed on his graphic studies of wild plants and so called weeds in all their careless grace of Nature and which gives such beauty to the foreground of all Landscape subjects But above all the portion of Landscape nature which attracted his constant admiration and carefull study was “The Sky” with its glorious clouds! he had great and special power in representing in this magnificent portion of Nature the various sentiments, so to speak, that are expressed by the character of the sky that so interestingly distinguishes, to the cultivated artistic eye, one day from another or even one portion of the day from another great as was his skill in rendering with [¿] truth the general aspect of the Landscape. there is no part of his pictures so admirable as his skys! with their glorious clouds and accompanying atmospheric effects I possess many of these early studies of my Brothers which by the careful and at the same time spirited manner in which they are executed clearly indicate the advent of “the true artist” and showed how thoroughly his heart was in his work he was so earnest in his devotion to the study of nature in its relation to Landscape painting that in some respects he neglected the ordinary Rutine Branches of school education, excepting such more elementary portions that most effectively serve the general purposes of life, to these, of course he gave all due attention. His favourite school was, The Fields, and all that characterises British Landscape scenery especialy such as are associated with rural subjects — at Leisure time when not occupied with his pencil he was a keen reader of all the old fashioned novel writers works and had in his earlier years enjoyed a thorough course of Reading in such books as the Arabian nights. Robinson Crusoe and all such like delightfull class of reading as gives a healthy stimulus to the Imagination and allows the mind to “romp” with as salutory results to it as ordinary Romping does to the limbs — he had a keen relish for music in which, melody, abounded and which enabled him to whistle, while at his work, many favorite airs, and even Overtures, or portions of them, that had sh[¿]ly laid hold of his fancy. These performances while at his easle or Drawing board he went over with wonderful correctness and judging from the admirable artistic results that at the same time came forth from his pencil he did not whistle for want of thought but simply from th[at] overflow of naturally cheerfull spirit that was one of his most happy personal characteristics. his strong natural sense of Humour made him a devoted admirer of all the famous comedians who at that time gave such memorable attractiveness to the stage. When true comedy existed undefiled by that Buffoonery which unhappily has in so great a measure taken the place of comedy in most of our Theatrical representations of the present day — In the year 1810 my Brother paid his first visit to London accompanied by his father who was a most able guide to all that was improving in art and sound in the way of genuine entertainment He visited many collections of Pictures on that occasion and much enjoyed the sight of them especialy when accompanied by one so able to direct his attention to what was most truly excellent. his natural taste for Landscape art caused him to pay much attention to such as the works of Claud Ruysdale and Hobbima and Wynants and last tho not least attractive to him was the works of Richard Wilson The works of Hobbima and Ruysdale however most impressed him as harmonizing most closely with his own innate Ideas 41 of the true manner of pourtraying Landscape subjects under the various phases or aspects of nature that he most delighted to record in his pictures. My Brother returned to London in a year or so after with the desire to make it the place of his permanent residence as he found that he had there a wider circle of employers who could more thoroughly appreciate his work than there in his native city besides which he had found residing there artistic companions whose special tastes for art and whose humour was more congenial to his own. add to which the the inexhaustable store of subjects for his pencil which abounded, at that time, in the immediate vicinity of London, subjects that so harmonized with his own special tastes as “subjects” for his peculiar style of Landscape art consisting of thoroughly “Rural Bits ”! with all those pleasing evidences of mans presence which tend to give a homely aspect to the scene and yet not so much of it as to drive away the charms of that careless grace of nature which up to a certain point casts so acceptable veil over mans interference with her beautiful works and makes a tangled or neglected hedge or half decayed building or cottage picturesquely out of repair became a subject for the highest Efforts of an artists pencil as before said the immediate neighborhood of London was inexhaustably rich in such subjects at the time when my Brother settled there Some of his finest works were the results of the beautiful sketches he was so industrious in making in which glimpses of the features of the distant capital are skillfuly captured with such thoroughly rural foreground and middle distance objects as serve to unite the two apparently discordant elements with most pleasing harmony while above all appears his admirable rendering of a glorious sky! in the painting of which I have ever considered his greatness as a Landscape painter to have been most prominently manifested. alas. alas. picturesque such subjects in the near vicinity to the great capital [have] during the last 50 years been utterly destroyed by the inevitable extention of Building driving before it every remaining feature of a rural and picturesque kind that had once given such a charm to its surrounding. with the desire to make sketches of the such parts of England as afforded subjects most congenial to his taste My brother made frequent journeys to various parts of England especialy in the direction of the south west where as in the case of his pictures painted from his sketches made in the Ile of Wight and about the new Forest. he was enabled to introduce peeps of the sea in combination with woodland sec[uring] many of which are esteemed his finest works. At the time he began his artistic career the carefull study of the varied aspects of nature made from nature itself was almost in its infancy so much so was this the case that “the works of the old masters” were exhalted into a most false and vitiating position, as the standard of excellence and truth, as artistic representations of Nature, a most fatal blunder in so far as by causing the artists of that time to study from works of art that were full of mere conventionalities in their modes of portraying the glorious characteristic features of Nature led most of the of the old times artists quite astray from truth and all that aspect of carefull study of how [¿] and Phases as above can advance True art so much so was this the case some sixty years ago and even up to a later period that the most glorious effects in landscape nature such as a fine sunset was not so much admired for its own natural grandeur and beauty but was pronounced by the then admirers of nature as a magnificent “Claudish” effect thus exalting Claud De Lorains efforts to represent such as the true standard of excellence and so we had but too often mere feeble attempts to reproduce the works of old masters in place of artistic efforts to represent the grand functions of Nature as revealed around us and impressively visable to those who had eyes to see and minds to record and hands able to [¿] the record to canvas or journal, It was in this respect that in my Brothers following out the healthy instructions and example of his Father that his carefull studies of actual nature soon began to open the eyes of those whose judgement had not been vitiated and cramped by setting up the study of the works of “the old Masters” (admirable as they were, in many repects) as the best means for the study of nature they were no doubt in their day the best they were able to produce but which are a most delusive guide to excellence in art when taken as standards of truth. My brother had paid special attention to the work of Hobbima Rhysdale and Wynants and also of those of Richard Wilson as appearing to him more generaly true to nature than the conventional treatment by the other old master Landscape painters. but the close carefull and assiduous study he had made of all the aspects and details of Landscape Nature enabled him to stamp a degree of truth and individuality on his works that will so long as they endure prove that he had chosen the right course of a[¿] at Excellence His pictures made this so evident that they soon attracted special attention and commissions from reputed picture collectors because frequent and as usual his painting room was infested by the tribe of Picture dealers who possessed the nack of seeing their commercial value Even when they were in the first stages of development on his easle as to a painting room as such or to use the modern term “his Studio” he had now such as a modest simply furnished room attached to his bedroom in his Lodgings was ample for his purposes 42 as artists in his days could not afford either the money or the time to establish any thing like those wonderfull museums of art and Furniture that has now become to be considered the correct thing for an artist to work in. the unostentatious simplicity of the means and apparatus that was in my Fathers and Brothers time employed in the production of their work would almost excite the ridicule as well as the wonder of those who are privileged to visit “the Studios” of our modern artists. so far were my brothers requirements in reference to his means of living that together with an innate modesty as to his appreciation of the commercial value of his works that taking advantage of this feeling he was often led to accept most inadequate sums for his beautiful works more especialy when those dealers who infested his room would tempt him by a row of guineas put down on his [pallet] Board when a picture was only in a state of e[mbrio] or sketched in and the tempting sight of “The real Presence” of a moderate row of gold coins caused him to so [readily] yeald to the dealers expression “Thats to be mine” which was but too readily acceded to and from the pure delight my Brother had in the exercise of his art he would work at the picture till it resulted in a gem of art worth even then ten times the sum that he had so willingly accepted for it when in its earliest stage of development He was frequently remonstrated with on this subject by his companion artists who were distressed to see his valuable works carried off by these harpies of Dealers. but he would only reply to their advice and remonstrances by pointing with his resting stick to his bursting Portfolio of Sketches and laughingly say theres lots in these Banks for me to draw upon. being a single man and his habits most simple as to “Style” of living and deriving his highest enjoyment from the study and practise of his art he had little regard for money as such. Next to the delight he derived from his work was that of the companionship of a few artist friends who were most s[incere]ly attached to him among whome was his faithful Friend David Roberts and Clarkson Stanfield in whose company chiefly in the evenings and along with a few more choice spirits he usually spent his leisure time — thus he continued most industriously to practise his art which as before said was his chief enjoyment combined with occasional visits to districts of the country which abounded in subjects for his pencil and from whence he returned as usual with with great store of sketches for future development into those Pictures which are now so eagerly sought after and realy [¿] prizes so wonderfully greater than those he recovered [from] them. it was while making some sketches of those truly Picturesque “Bits! that were to be such [worth] on the Banks of the Thames above Battersea where distant views of London were seen between fine old Pollard willows or such like delightfull elements of picturesqueness with every foreground accessory that could constitute a fair subject for his pencil he caught a severe cold which being neglected took such firm hold of him as suddenly to develop into a fatal illness two of his sisters who happened to be then in London attended him with the utmost affectionate care but in vain as to his 17 Augt 1831 recovery. the afternoon of the day 17th Augt 1831 on which he expired there had been a violent thunderstorm which had passed off and the setting sun burst forth in a glow he requested them to draw up the window curtain that he might see the glorious tints of the sun set sky and darkness came on he fell asleep and never awaked again. So ended a truly harmless and industrious existance of which there remains in many a picture gallery admirable and lasting record to testify to his well used and peacefull life and as one of the best of British Landscape Painters — Patrick being rather “a three cornered” sort of name and not easy to pronounce was converted into “Peter” as his domestic appelation, and always used by the members of his family and intimate Friends as his familiar name — most of his works are however signed “Patk” Nasmyth but perhaps some [¿] as “Peter”with equal authenticity I had six Sisters — the eldest Jane born in 1778 she was in all respects an admirable woman and a most valuable and truly affectionate help to my mother in many ways. her sound judgement made her a valuable aid in all important questions to my father. she had the sweetest cheerfull temper and as my mothers right hand assistant with the management of the house hold affairs in which her naturaly sound judgement proved of so great value. her family name was “old solid” conferred on her by the younger ones by reason of her considerable disposition in all [¿] I had the great good fortune while a child to be placed under her special personal care and to this distant day have a clear and affectionate remembrance of all her kind care of me and if there be any “good sense” in me I owe it to her kind sensible training The five others. Barbara born 1790 Margaret born 1791. Elizabeth 1793 Anne 1798 — Charlotte 1804 — all of them possessed in a greater or less degree natural talent and innate aptitude to acquire skill in the practice of various Branches of Fine Art chiefly in respect to oil painting and that of Landscape subjects my Fathers admirable system of teaching them the use of the pencil made them all expert and accurate sketchers from Nature. My Father having given them every opportunity to acquire a sound knowledge of all the usual branches of f[ormal] education while my mother saw to their 43 a thorough practical knowledge of Every department and detail of household or Domestic management in which she was in Every respect admirably well fitted by ample Experience to communicate to them and in furtherance of that valuable branch of knowledge . it was her practice to delegate many household duties to them . in “housekeeping” Especialy . Each of my sisters when they were of suitable age were in succession put in charge of all housekeeping duties for two weeks at a time during which the House book and Keys were handed over as Emblems of office . and at the Expiration of each fortnight the Duties of housekeeping with its insignia were in like manner Transfered to the next in succession . with the Housebook Ballanced up carefuly to the End of Each Reign . no better system could have been followed in the management of a household consisting of 12 or 14 persons and with the [kindly] and [truly] cheerfull and companionable over looking from my mother all went on like good clock work — My Father was Equaly carefull to instruct them in all branches of his art . and with a view to render them in the best sense independent he Encouraged them to acquire means by the Exercise of their own ability backed by Earnest industry . to which End while Edinburgh was the resort of many well to do young ladies who were sent to Boarding schools from their residence in various parts of Scotland . to acquire those accomplishments that were considered desirable for the Daughters of country Families to acquire and for which all manner of teachers Existed in Edinburgh with the one Exception that there was no one capable to communicate any instruction in respect to the practice of the Fine arts . in the way of Drawing . hand sketching from nature and in oil painting [¿] — my Father who had again and again been solicited to give such instructions . instituted a class for teaching all these departments of Fine art to young Ladies of the class I have named and my sisters were his zealous assistants . The result was a great practical success . and proved to be a most delightful occupation for my sisters to be thus pleasantly associated with highly Educated Ladies of their own age and Time and led to intimacies and friendships that only terminated with life . for many many years in succession was this art class conducted by my sisters with the great advantage to their pupils that my father always made it a rule with him to give his own personal general [¿] to it. The original Examples from which the Pupils copied were mostly a selection from his own works . and in the progress of the Pupils copying he would sit down before the copy when he saw the pupil wanted some practical instruction in some special part and would take up the Pallete and brushes and sit down and give the most instructive Example of the right mode of bringing out the desired Effect . illustrating his Effective toutches by suitable practical Explanation in his own peculiarly simple common sense way so as to rivet the instruction in the memory of the pupil . so attractive were his little occasional art lectures on these occasions that all the others would rise from their works and stand behind and around to look on and see his dexterous and Effective toutches [¿] out with [¿] and marvelous Ease the right effort to to accomplish which had perhaps almost made the pupil dispair till the right method was clearly po[inted] out and proved correct by the excellent result. such were the satisfactory results to the pupils that my sisters class became quite the chief attraction of all the many classes conducted in Edinburgh. I well remember one year after occasionally meeting some of their pupils [thus] far advanced in years who had a vivid remembrance which they delighted to recall of the happy hours they spent with my sisters and enjoyed the masterly instruction and conversational gifts of my Father and regretting that their children and grandchildren had no such chance as they had enjoyed for a thorough instruction into the delights of a practical acquaintance with the Fine Arts Four hours a day during Four days of each week were then devoted by my sisters to this truly pleasant occupation.The rest of the hours of the day and of the spare day were devoted to enjoyment out of doors or to the production of paintings of their own which are to be found here and there on the walls of collectors. There was a right spirit of true independence cultivated by my Fathers excellent modes of counting enjoyment with profitable occupation. With a wide margin of time and suitable leisure left for all congenial enjoyments suitable to their dispositions and means — no better means could have been organized for enabling my sisters them selves to acquire a sound practical knowledge of the art of painting than this almost daily practice in all the details of manipulation and eye education which goes to the formation of the true artist. Their own works possessed a sufficient amount of distinct personal character of more or less excellence Two of my sisters were married but all continued to enjoy the practice of their feeling for Fine art to the last and being Blessed with a good constitution and good general health reached a happy chearfull age and successively passed away at an average age of 78. — Never was there a more happy and chearfull home and household than was always found at our house at 47 York Place Edinburgh. The family group was always “good company”! to themselves but never the less frequently enlivened by that delightfull system that then existed in Edinburgh society of Drop in Visits of an Evening and after a pleasant chatt each the whole going on with “their work “of sorts various”! and now and then “a Rubber” “a bit of supper!” intervened and the chatt resumed with a glass of Toddy to be enjoyed the while by the Elders of the party and ending with a cheerfull good night generaly about 11.30 . These happy cherfull unceremonious and 44 Inexpensive little suppers were a delightful “institution” that then existed among the best, middle class, of Edinburgh society and when the artistic element formed a considerable ingredient in it, then, enjoyment was sure to attain to the highest pitch, as I can well attest from happy experience, now extending to beyond the “Three Score and Ten” period of Life, that of all the components of agreeable society none can excel that in which the presence of the Artist Element, abound as no class of men are more naturaly endowed with a greater amount of the Faculty of observation generaly, and of human character in particular, as having a natural aptitude for seeing and detailing the most droll and amusing points and characteristic features and qualities of various orders and classes of mankind and at the same time possessing the powers of giving forth the results of their observations with peculiar quaintness and graphic force, it is this that causes their remarks and descriptions to live in the memories of those who have had the good fortune to enjoy the company of artists as if they had the results of their pencils before them no doubt such descriptive power is derived from the same faculty as that which results in true artistic powers which must be based on a keen natural faculty for catching up, almost at a glance, the true characteristic features of all departments of nature. and when such power of perception is combined with that happiest of all gifts a kindly sense of Humour their m[anners] are sure to be stored with the Richest “Bits” of the droll and comic aspect of human nature the narration of which when “apt” to the occasion and subject is sure to “set the Table in a Roar”! — Many many such happy chance gatherings of the most choice specimens of the Artistic Scientific and Litterary society of Edinburgh have I seen around my fathers hospitable table of an Evening, I wish I could have had the gift of the ability to “note down” the divers discussions and truly original remarks that came forth on that occasion as I am fair to think they would bear reading as well as remembering but I have no such faculty and have nothing now to trust to but the happy altho now dim impression which still remains of this the most truly happy portion of my life — The wide range of subjects to which my Father had applied his clear thoughtfull and vigourous mind and the ready nack he had at illustrating subjects under discussion by apt remarks and no less apt illustrations by the aid of his pencil, when such ready [work] was most suitable, gave his company and conversation quite a special charm and rendered a chatt with him when ,when the days work was over, to be a treat as instruction as it was delightfull sometimes. In his earnestness to make an architectural or other such subject more clearly understood by graphic illustration, when it was “Toddy time”, late in the Evening. he used to try my Dear Mothers patience, more than a bit, by dipping his fingers in his Toddy glass and sketch his illustration on the part of the well polished Mahogany table before him in the polish of which she took especial pride.I only name this trifling incident to show his earnestness and Perhaps a rather improper exercise of his faculty for Resourcefullness when pencil and paper was not at hand as it however most generaly was as at the side of the Family Circle Table where he always sat in the evenings, he had a drawer in which he kept small tools and materials where with he amused himself in constructing models of old castles and small clay Figures to sketch from when such work required to be introduced as appropriate accessories in paintings then in hand for as reading at night fatigued his eyes one or other of the family circle took the duty of reading aloud, the news of the day, or some entertaining Book of Travels or novel while he went on with such light mechanical work the while as I have named above 45 at other times a Rubber at whist was a favorite enjoyment as there were always sufficient numbers to make up the whist table in which my mother was always a most willing to take a hand — indeed so highly did she enjoy her Rubber that she would quietly set out the card table and the four chairs a good while before the requisite numbers to complete the table were done with their work in hand her quiet eagerness to enjoy her Rubber used to be the occasion of some merry little remonstrance from her daughters who might happen to be more anxious to get on with some little bit of Dress making that they were anxious to have speedily completed — for some special “Party” occasion 46