l states and drifts to Washington, as the necessity for each
successive change becomes apparent. In the regulation of interstate
commerce, of trusts, and in other fields, final authority over the whole
land gravitates more and more to Washington. It is a beneficent
movement, likely to result in uniform national laws upon many subjects
in which present diversity creates confusion. Marriage and divorce laws,
bankruptcy laws, corporation charter privileges, and many other
important questions may be expected to become uniform under this
evolutionary process. The Supreme Court decision that the Union was an
indissoluble union of indissoluble states, carries with it finally
uniform regulation of many interstate problems, in every respect
salutary, and indispensable for the perfect union of the American
people.

CHAPTER IX

WATT IN OLD AGE

Watt gracefully glided into old age. This is the great test of success
in life. To every stage a laurel, but to happy old age the crown. It was
different with his friend Boulton, who continued to frequent the works
and busy himself in affairs much as before, altho approaching his
eightieth year. Watt could still occupy himself in his garret, where his
"mind to him a Kingdom was," upon the scientific pursuits which charmed
him. He revisited Paris in 1802 and renewed acquaintances with his old
friends, with whom he spent five weeks. He frequently treated himself to
tours throughout England, Scotland and Wales. In the latter country, he
purchased a property which attracted him by its beauties, and which he
greatly improved. It became at a later date, under his son, quite an
extensive estate, much diversified, and not lacking altogether the stern
grandeur of his native Scotland. He planted trees and took intense
delight in his garden, being very fond of flowers. The farmhouse gave
him a comfortable home upon his visits. The fine woods which now richly
clothe the valley and agreeably diversify the river and mountain
scenery were chiefly planted under his superintendence, many by his own
hand. In short, the blood in his veins, the lessons of his childhood
that made him a "child of the mist," happy in roaming among the hills,
reasserted their power in old age as the Celtic element powerfully does.
He turned more and more to nature.

"That never yet betrayed the heart that loved her--"

We see him strolling through his woods, and imagine him crooning to
himself from that marvellou