an autobiography-第48节
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nued his professional occupations until 1840； when he had attained the age of eighty…two。 His later works may be found wanting in that degree of minute finish which characterised his earlier productions； but in regard to their quality there was no falling off； even to the last picture which he painted。 The delicate finish was amply compensated by the increase in general breadth and effectiveness； so that his later works were even more esteemed by his brother…artists。 The last picture he painted was finished eight days before his death。 It was a small work。 The subject was a landscape with an autumnal evening effect。 There was a picturesque cottage in the middle distance； a rustic bridge over a brook in the foreground； and an old labouring man； followed by his dog； wearily passing over it on his way towards his home。 From the chimney of his cottage a thin streak of blue smoke passed upward through the tranquil evening air。 All these incidents suggested the idea； which no doubt he desired to convey； of the tranquil conclusion of his own long and active life； which was then； too evidently； drawing to a close。 The shades of evening had come on when he could no longer see to work； and he was obliged to lay down his pencil。 My mother was at work with her needle close by him； and when he had finished he asked her what he should call the picture。 Not being ready with an answer； he leant back in his chair； feeling rather faint； and said； 〃Well； I think I had better call it Going Home。〃 And so it was called。
Next morning his strength had so failed him that he could not get up。 He remained there for eight days； and then he painlessly and tranquilly passed away。 While on his deathbed he expressed the desire that his remains should be placed beside those of a favourite son who had died in early youth。 〃Let me lie；〃 he said； 〃beside my dear Alick。〃 His desire was gratified。 He was buried beside his son in St。 Cuthbert's churchyard； under the grandest portion of the great basaltic rock on which Edinburgh Castle stands。 His grave is marked by a fine Runic Cross； admirably sculptured by Rhind of Edinburgh。
＇Image＇ Monument to Alexander Nasmyth
One of the kindest letters my mother received after her great loss was one from Sir David Wilkie。 It was dated 18th April 1840。 〃I hasten；〃 he said； 〃to assure you of my most sincere condolence on your severe affliction； feeling that I can sympathise in the privation you suffer from losing one who was my earliest professional friend； whose art I at all times admired； and whose society and conversation was perhaps the most agreeable that I ever met with。 〃 He was the founder of the Landscape Painting School of Scotland； and by his taste and talent has for many years taken a lead in the patriotic aim of enriching his native land with the representations of her romantic scenery； and； as the friend and contemporary of Ramsay； of Gavin Hamilton； and the Runcimans； may be said to have been the last remaining link that unites the present with the early dawn of the Scottish School of Art。〃 I may add that my mother died six years later； in 1846； at the same age as my father； namely eighty…two。
CHAPTER 13。 My MarriageThe Steam Hammer
Before I proceed to narrate the later events of my industrial life； it is necessary to mention； incidentally； an important subject。 As it has been the source of my greatest happiness in life； I cannot avoid referring to it。
I may first mention that my earnest and unremitting pursuit of all subjects and occupations； such as I conceived were essential to the acquirement of a sound practical knowledge of my profession； rendered me averse to mixing much in general society。 I had accordingly few opportunities of enjoying the society of young ladies。 Nevertheless； occasions now and then occurred when bright beings passed before me like meteors。 They left impressions on my memory； which in no small degree increased the earnestness of my exertions to press forward in my endeavours to establish myself in business； and thereby acquire the means of forming a Home of my own。
Many circumstances； however； conspired to delay the ardently longed for condition of my means； such as should induce me to solicit some dear one to complete my existence by her sweet companionship； and enter with me into the most sacred of all the partnerships of life。 In course of time I was rewarded with that success which； for the most part； ensues upon all honourable and unremitting business efforts。 This cheered me on； although there were still many causes for anxiety； which made me feel that I must not yet solicit some dear heart to forsake the comforts of an affluent home to share with me what I knew must for some years to come be an anxious and trying struggle for comfort and comparative independence。 I had reached my thirtieth year before I could venture to think that I had securely entered upon such a course of prosperity as would justify me in taking this the most important step in life。
It may be a trite but not the less true remark that some of the most important events originate in apparently chance occurrences and circumstances； which lead up to results that materially influence and even determine the subsequent course of our lives。 I had occasion to make a business journey to Sheffield on the 2d of March 1838； and also to attend to some affairs of a similar character at York。 As soon as I had completed my engagement at Sheffield； I had to wait for more than two dreary hours in momentary expectation of the arrival of the coach that was to take me on to York。 The coach had been delayed by a deep fall of snow； and was consequently late。 When it arrived； I found that there was only one outside place vacant； so I mounted to my seat。 It was a very dreary afternoon； and the snow was constantly falling。
As we approached Barnsley I observed； in the remaining murky light of the evening； the blaze of some ironwork furnaces near at hand。 On inquiring whose works they were； I was informed that they belonged to Earl Fitzwilliam； and that they were under the management of a Mr。 Hartop。 The mention of this name； coupled with the sight of the ironworks； brought to my recollection a kind invitation which Mr。 Hartop had given me while visiting my workshop in Manchester to order some machine tools； that it I ever happened to be in his neighbourhood； he would be most happy to show me anything that was interesting about the ironworks and colliery machinery under his management。
I at once decided to terminate my dreary ride on the top of the coach。 I descended； and with my small valise in hand I trudged over some trackless snow…covered fields； and made my way by the shortest cut towards the blazing iron furnaces。 On reaching them I was informed that Mr。 Hartop had just gone to his house； which was about a mile distant。 I accordingly made my way thither the best that I could through the deep snow。 I met with a cordial welcome； and with the hospitable request that I should take up my quarters there for the night； and have a round of the ironworks and the machinery on the following day。 I cheerfully acceded to the kind invitation。 I was then introduced to his wife and daughter in a cosy room； where I spent a most pleasant evening。 As Mr。 Hartop was an enthusiast in all matters relating to mechanism and mechanical engineering subjects generally； we found plenty to converse about； while his wife and daughter； at their needlework； listened to our discussions with earnest and intelligent attention。
On the following day I was taken a round of the ironworks； and inspected their machinery； as well as that of the collieries； in the details of which Mr。 Hartop had introduced many common…sense and most effective improvements。 All of these interested me； and gave me much pleasure。 In the evening we resumed our 〃cracks〃 on many subjects of mutual interest。 The daughter joined in our conversation with the most intelligent remarks； for； although only in her twenty…first year； she had evidently made good use of her time； aided by her clear natural faculties of shrewd observation。 Mr。 Hartop having met with some serious reverse of fortune； owing to the very unsatisfactory conduct of a partner； had in a manner to begin business life again on his own account； and although he had to reduce his domestic establishment considerably in consequence； there was in all its arrangements a degree of neatness and perfect systematic order； combined with many evidences of elegant taste and good sense which pervaded the whole； that enhanced in no small degree the attractiveness of the household。 The chief of these； however； was to me their daughter Anne！ I soon perceived in her； most happily and attractively combined； all the conditions that I could hope for and desire to meet with in the dear partner of my existence。
As I had soon to proceed on my journey； I took the opportunity of telling her what I felt and thought； and so ardently desired in regard to our future intercourse。 What little I did say was to this great purpose； and； so far as I could judge； all that I said was received in the best spirit that I could desire。 I then communicated my hopes and wishes to the parents。 I explained to them my
