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  • Dec. 1, 1795
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The Freemasons' Magazine, Dec. 1, 1795: Page 37

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    Article CHARACTER OF GAVIN WILSON, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS INVENTIONS, ← Page 2 of 6 →
Page 37

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Character Of Gavin Wilson, With Some Account Of His Inventions,

lodiousness of tone were neither of them inferior to any instruments , of the same kind , formed of wood , by the workmen whose peculiar province it is to make these instruments . The . exertions of his genius went yet farther ^ and he contrived artificial arms and legs of the same materials , which not only remedied the deformity arising- from the wantof a natural limb , but in a great measure supplied that loss , in itself one of the most distressing that can befal individual . The unexam- >

any pled success of his endeavours in this way , and the very eminent advantages the maimed derived from his inventions , may be best in- - stanced by the following copy of a letter , written by a person who was unfortunate enough to be deprived of both his hands while serving in the Royal Navy : by the assistance of Gavin Wilson , this man was enabled both to convey his sentiments by writing , and to perform ;

many useful offices about his own person . The letter was first pub- ? lishedin the Caledonian Mercury for 1779 , along with an advertisement of the ingenious mechanic , who was the means of rendering this author a comfort to himself j and in some measure an ' useful member of , society . " To the Printer of the CALEDONIAN'MERCURY *

"SIR , " AS I am a reader of your Mercury , I indulge myself with the hope that you will admit my short misfortunate narrative into a cornet . '

of your extensively useful paper . I belong to the Royal Artillery ; , and on the 23 d of April 177 6 , 1 embarked on board the Fleetwood , transport , Captain Slazier , from Woolwich , and arrived at Quebec , the ist of June the same year , where we had a vety restless and troublesome campaign ; but especially to my experience , in the . engagement on Lake Champlain , near Ticonderago , where I was in a gunboatand serving the vent ; at this duty we have occasion for

extend-, ing both hands towards the vent , and mine being in that position , an , 13 pound shot from the rebels came and carried away both my hands , the right hand about an inch and an half , and the left about six inches below my elbow . " Thus I was rendered useless to my king , my country , and myself ; but I gratefully acknowledge that the Honourable Board of Ordnance

have made proper provision forme ; but , alas ! they could not make me useful to myself , " Very lately I heard of one Gavin Wilson , in the Canongate . I applied to him ; and he has made me two jointed hands of leather , with which , besides writing these few lines to you , I can do a great many very useful things to myself .

" And as Mr . Wilson has far exceeded my expectation in what he has done for me , I think it my duty , in justice to him , and in sympathy to others in my unhappy situation , to give this public intimation , that any who need his help may know where to apply . " I'am , Sir , your humble servant , ( Signed ) " JAMES CRAICIJC , " Perth , 15 April IJJCJ , ~" 3 E 3

“The Freemasons' Magazine: 1795-12-01, Page 37” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fmm/issues/fmm_01121795/page/37/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
LONDON : Article 1
TO READERS, CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Article 2
Untitled Article 2
Untitled Article 4
WITH A PORTRAIT. Article 5
Untitled Article 5
COVETOUSNESS; A VISION. Article 6
HISTORY OF MASONRY. Article 11
TO THE EDITOR. Article 17
Untitled Article 17
ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC, Article 18
ACCOUNT OF THE SYBARITES. FROM ATHENAEUS. Article 19
COTYS. Article 19
ALCIBIADES. Article 20
FROM THE SAME. Article 22
ON THE ORIGIN OF COCK-FIGHTING. Article 22
FROM THE SAME. Article 22
FROM THE SAME. Article 23
FROM THE SAME. Article 23
FROM THE SAME. Article 23
FROM THE SAME. Article 23
FROM THE SAME. Article 23
FROM THE SAME. Article 24
A BILL OF FARE FOR FIFTY PEOPLE OF THE COMPANY OF SALTERS, A. D. 1506. Article 24
APOPLEXY. Article 24
THE STAGE. Article 25
ACCOUNT OF THE STOCKS OR PUBLIC FUNDS OF THIS KINGDOM. Article 26
BAD EFFECTS OF SPIRITOUS LIQUORS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE LOWER RANKS. Article 29
TO THE EDITOR. ON THE EFFECTS OF TRAGEDY. Article 31
AN EXPLANATION OF THE FACULTYE OF ABRAC. Article 34
DETACHED SENTIMENTS. Article 35
CHARACTER OF GAVIN WILSON, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS INVENTIONS, Article 36
THOUGHTS ON QUACKS OF ALL DENOMINATIONS. Article 41
REFLECTIONS ON THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF TALENTS TO MANKIND. Article 43
ANECOTE OF SIR ROBERT WALPOLE. Article 45
OPINION OF THE THE GREAT JUDGE COKE, UPON THE ACT AGAINST FREEMASONS. Article 46
THE OPINION. Article 46
A FRAGMENT. Article 47
ANOTHER. Article 47
REMARKS ON THE IMITATIVE POWER OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. Article 48
SKETCH OF THE CHARACTER OF Dr. ADAM SMITH. Article 50
ANECDOTE OF THE LATE EARL OF LAUDERDALE. Article 52
POETRY. Article 53
IMPOSSIBILITIES. Article 54
SIR PHILIP SYDNEY'S EPITAPH. Article 54
EPITAPH under Dr. JOHNSON's STATUE in St. PAUL's. Article 54
ON PLUCKING A ROSE INTENDED FOR A YOUNG LADY. Article 55
THE SOLDIER's PARTING; OR, JEMMY AND LUCY, A SONG. Article 56
EPITAPH on Dr. SACHEVEREL, and SALLY SALISBURY. Article 56
DESCRIPTION OF A PARISH WORKHOUSE. Article 57
TO MY LOVELY FRIEND. Article 57
Untitled Article 58
Untitled Article 58
LOVE WITHOUT SPIRIT. Article 58
STRICTURES ON PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 59
EPILOGUE Article 59
THE ARTS. Article 60
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 61
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 62
UNTO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Article 63
MONTHLY CHRONICLE. Article 63
PROMOTIONS. Article 69
BANKRUPTS. Article 70
INDEX TO THE FIFTH VOLUME. Article 71
Untitled Article 74
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Page 37

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Character Of Gavin Wilson, With Some Account Of His Inventions,

lodiousness of tone were neither of them inferior to any instruments , of the same kind , formed of wood , by the workmen whose peculiar province it is to make these instruments . The . exertions of his genius went yet farther ^ and he contrived artificial arms and legs of the same materials , which not only remedied the deformity arising- from the wantof a natural limb , but in a great measure supplied that loss , in itself one of the most distressing that can befal individual . The unexam- >

any pled success of his endeavours in this way , and the very eminent advantages the maimed derived from his inventions , may be best in- - stanced by the following copy of a letter , written by a person who was unfortunate enough to be deprived of both his hands while serving in the Royal Navy : by the assistance of Gavin Wilson , this man was enabled both to convey his sentiments by writing , and to perform ;

many useful offices about his own person . The letter was first pub- ? lishedin the Caledonian Mercury for 1779 , along with an advertisement of the ingenious mechanic , who was the means of rendering this author a comfort to himself j and in some measure an ' useful member of , society . " To the Printer of the CALEDONIAN'MERCURY *

"SIR , " AS I am a reader of your Mercury , I indulge myself with the hope that you will admit my short misfortunate narrative into a cornet . '

of your extensively useful paper . I belong to the Royal Artillery ; , and on the 23 d of April 177 6 , 1 embarked on board the Fleetwood , transport , Captain Slazier , from Woolwich , and arrived at Quebec , the ist of June the same year , where we had a vety restless and troublesome campaign ; but especially to my experience , in the . engagement on Lake Champlain , near Ticonderago , where I was in a gunboatand serving the vent ; at this duty we have occasion for

extend-, ing both hands towards the vent , and mine being in that position , an , 13 pound shot from the rebels came and carried away both my hands , the right hand about an inch and an half , and the left about six inches below my elbow . " Thus I was rendered useless to my king , my country , and myself ; but I gratefully acknowledge that the Honourable Board of Ordnance

have made proper provision forme ; but , alas ! they could not make me useful to myself , " Very lately I heard of one Gavin Wilson , in the Canongate . I applied to him ; and he has made me two jointed hands of leather , with which , besides writing these few lines to you , I can do a great many very useful things to myself .

" And as Mr . Wilson has far exceeded my expectation in what he has done for me , I think it my duty , in justice to him , and in sympathy to others in my unhappy situation , to give this public intimation , that any who need his help may know where to apply . " I'am , Sir , your humble servant , ( Signed ) " JAMES CRAICIJC , " Perth , 15 April IJJCJ , ~" 3 E 3

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