STEAM NAVIGATION. 85

“ They were disappointed in their plan, and had to return to themodel of the Comet.”

And in the year 1824, Mr. Bell also addressed a letter to JohnMacneil, Esq., of Glasgow, as follows:—

“ Mr. John McNeill.“ Helensburgh, Ist March, 1824.

“ Sir,—I this morning was favoured with your letter; and inanswer to your enquiries anent the late Mr. Robert Fulton, theAmerican engineer,—his father was from Airshire, but what place orfamily I cannot tell; but he was born in America. He was at dif-ferent times in this country, and stopped with me for some time. Hepublished a treatise on canal declining railroads afterwards. I havenot his book, but you will find it at Mr. Taylor’s, stationer, London,price 21s. He published it in this country in 1804, I think; for inthe latter end of the year 1803 he on his way to France called on me,and on his return in 1804. He was brought up in the line of apainter, and was the best hand-sketcher, and likewise a good mi-niature painter.

“ He was not brought up an engineer; but he was employed tocome to this country to take drawings of our cotton and other ma-chinery; that led him to become a civil engineer, and he was quick inhis uptake of any thing.

‘“ When I wrote to the American Government on the great utilitythat Steam Navigation would be to them on their rivers, they ap-pointed Mr. Fulton to correspond with me; so in that way theAmericans got their insight from your humble servant,

(Signed)“WHENRY BELL.*

“ At the same time that Mr. Bell was experimenting upon theClyde, a Mr. Dawson was, also, making some experiments in Ireland,

*« Memoir by Patrick Miller, Junior.”— Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal,July, 1827.N

1812.