Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of Gavin Wilson, With Some Account Of His Inventions,
be used with sufficient accuracy for writing . When the arm is amputated above the elbow , the artificial limb is made with an elbowjoint . This part of it is made of wood , and has a rotary motion aswell as that of flexion and extension . " Mr . Bell concludes his description with the following well-deserved panegyric : — inventions
" I have g iven this particular account of Mr Wilson ' s from a conviction of its being superior to any with which the public is acquainted . I am also p leased at having it in my power to let the merit of such an artist be more generally known than it otherwise might be . Indeed , his merit in matters of this kind is so conspicuous , as well as in the management of distorted limbsthat his death I would
, consider as a public loss ; at the same time I have often wished that some public encouragement were given him , to enable him to com-. municate as much as possible the result of his experience to others . " For an account of the machine used for the cure of distorted limbs , which is also formed of hardened leather , as well as for farther information relative to the artificial arms and legs 1 must refer to Mr . Bell ' s
, publication , which is in the hands of every surgical practitioner . Notwithstanding the benevolent wish expressed by Mr . Bell for ren * dering the experience of this ingenious mechanic of permanent benefit to society , nothing was done in that respect ; and he died unnoticed , at Edinburgh , within these few years . 1 have been able to pick up but few anecdotes of his life , and cannot even give any account of his
birth , parentage , or decease ; the latter , however , must have happened at some period since the publication of Mr . Bell ' s work in 17 S 9 . His sign-board is still extant in the street called the Canongate , with this humorous inscription , " Gavin Wilson , arm , leg , and boot-maker , -, but not to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; " for this singulargenius had also pretensions to wit , and was occasionally avotary
of Apoi \ o and the Tuneful Nine . The above sportful effort of his fancy was set up at a time when a rage for obtaining , even at an exorbitant price , the titled honour of an office under royalty was predominant amongst all ranks of his fellow-citizens . The ridicule in this mirthful effusion was so happily conceived , and so well directed , as to be universallwell received ; and probablit contributed in no small
y y degree to exterminate the then prevalent and preposterous taste against which it was aimed . Pie was a regular attendant at the lodges of the free-masons , and a warm friend of the fraternity . By his propensity for versifying and composing songs and short stories in rhyme , he contributed much to the social mirth and enjoyment of their meetings , and to the good
mumourand amusement of all companies where he came . He frequently sang and recited his own productions in the lodge meetings : from this circumstance he was elected Poet Laureat to the lodge of St . David , at Edinburgh , of which he was a member . It appears from his poems that he was also a memoer of an institution of Masonry , known in Scotland by the name of the Royal Order . After receiving this distinguished , mark of honour , in the year 17 8 S , he published a collection
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of Gavin Wilson, With Some Account Of His Inventions,
be used with sufficient accuracy for writing . When the arm is amputated above the elbow , the artificial limb is made with an elbowjoint . This part of it is made of wood , and has a rotary motion aswell as that of flexion and extension . " Mr . Bell concludes his description with the following well-deserved panegyric : — inventions
" I have g iven this particular account of Mr Wilson ' s from a conviction of its being superior to any with which the public is acquainted . I am also p leased at having it in my power to let the merit of such an artist be more generally known than it otherwise might be . Indeed , his merit in matters of this kind is so conspicuous , as well as in the management of distorted limbsthat his death I would
, consider as a public loss ; at the same time I have often wished that some public encouragement were given him , to enable him to com-. municate as much as possible the result of his experience to others . " For an account of the machine used for the cure of distorted limbs , which is also formed of hardened leather , as well as for farther information relative to the artificial arms and legs 1 must refer to Mr . Bell ' s
, publication , which is in the hands of every surgical practitioner . Notwithstanding the benevolent wish expressed by Mr . Bell for ren * dering the experience of this ingenious mechanic of permanent benefit to society , nothing was done in that respect ; and he died unnoticed , at Edinburgh , within these few years . 1 have been able to pick up but few anecdotes of his life , and cannot even give any account of his
birth , parentage , or decease ; the latter , however , must have happened at some period since the publication of Mr . Bell ' s work in 17 S 9 . His sign-board is still extant in the street called the Canongate , with this humorous inscription , " Gavin Wilson , arm , leg , and boot-maker , -, but not to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; " for this singulargenius had also pretensions to wit , and was occasionally avotary
of Apoi \ o and the Tuneful Nine . The above sportful effort of his fancy was set up at a time when a rage for obtaining , even at an exorbitant price , the titled honour of an office under royalty was predominant amongst all ranks of his fellow-citizens . The ridicule in this mirthful effusion was so happily conceived , and so well directed , as to be universallwell received ; and probablit contributed in no small
y y degree to exterminate the then prevalent and preposterous taste against which it was aimed . Pie was a regular attendant at the lodges of the free-masons , and a warm friend of the fraternity . By his propensity for versifying and composing songs and short stories in rhyme , he contributed much to the social mirth and enjoyment of their meetings , and to the good
mumourand amusement of all companies where he came . He frequently sang and recited his own productions in the lodge meetings : from this circumstance he was elected Poet Laureat to the lodge of St . David , at Edinburgh , of which he was a member . It appears from his poems that he was also a memoer of an institution of Masonry , known in Scotland by the name of the Royal Order . After receiving this distinguished , mark of honour , in the year 17 8 S , he published a collection