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
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