an opportunity of obtaining the reward promised by foreign powers; however, in less than a month
gave the offender a proper caution to prevent the recurrence of such an accident; but knowing his unconsciousness of the mischief, he could not find in his heart to muster a frown for such a delinquent. Hence, when at a Board, held 30th May, 1765, to settle the mode of disclosing the Invention, on "experimental exhibitions" being proposed to him, and particularly the tempering of his springs, he exclaimed—"he would not consent to such a proceeding, while he had a drop of English blood in his body." It did not arise from want of temper in this man of genius, but his native sincerity, and his sovereign contempt for the affectation and love of display in which he knew these teazing difficulties originated. The reader may be further gratified to learn that John Harrison had none of those eccentricities,[subnote 1] often injurious to themselves, as well as annoying or offensive to others that are frequently noticed in men of uncommon genius. The following official letter from the first Lord of the Admiralty, in 1736, bespeaks attention. The answer of Captain Proctor, bears testimony to the respect and good-will which the Officers of the ship conceived both for the enterpirize, and the Candidate's deportment among them.
From Sir Charles Wager to Captain Procter.
Admiralty Office, 14th May, 1736.Sir,
The Instrument which is put on board your ship has been approved by all the Mathematicians in town that have seen it
- ↑ It was said in the Quarterly Review,—it is not that men bf genius have more peculiarities than other people, but results from their celebrity drawing more observation on them. Yet Shenstone seems to have thought differently on the subject; for he remarks that—"an acquaintance with men of genius is rather reputable than satisfactory; genius is commonly attended with strong passions, and passion makes people humourists."
