About the year 1785, when his health began to give way, Mr. Smeaton withdrew himself, as much as pos sible, from the cares of business, in order that he might complete his description of the Eddystone light house and some other works. These he fortunately lived to finish; but when he was walking in his gar den at Austhorpe, on the 16th September 1792, he was afflicted with a paralytic stroke, which cut him off on the 2Sth October 1792, in the 69th year of his age.
Mr. Smeaton was a man of plain and unassuming manners, which were enlivened by a considerable portion of the fervour of genius. In his domestic and social capacity be was affectionate, kind, and sincere, and an ardent and unsolicited patron of merit. Be sides the works which we have already mentioned, he published the following papers in the Transactions.
On the Effects of Lengthening the Steeple and Church of Lestwitlrial in Cornwall, Phil. Trans. 1757, p. 198.
Remarks on the Temperatures of the .Ric at the Eddystone Lighthouse and at Plymouth. Id. 1758, p. 488.
On the illenstrual Parallax arising from the Mutual Gravilation of the Earth and Moon; its Influence on the Observation of the Sun and Planets, with a Method of Observing, it. Id. 1768, p. 156. ? Description of a New Method of Observing the Hea venly Bodies out of the Meridian. Id. 1768, p. 170.
Observations on a Solar Eclipse. ld. 1769, p. 286.
Description of a New Hygrometer. Id. 1771, p. 198.
,qn Experimental Examination of the Quantity and Proportion of Mechanical power necessary to be employ ed in giving different degrees of velocity to heavy bodies from a slate of rest. a. 1776, p. 450.
Observations on the Graduation of ilstronomical In struments; with an explanation of the Method invented by the late Mr. _Henry Hindle?' of York, to divide cir cles info any given number of parts. Id. 1786, p. 14 New Fundamental experiments on the Collision of Bodies. Id. 1782, p. 337.
Observations on the Right .1seensi on and Declination of Mercury out of the Meridian near his greatest elonga tion, September 1786, with an Equatorial Micrometer (!f his own invention and workmanship. Id. 1786 p. 318.
A volume of Mr. Smeaton's reports was published in 1797. Mr Smeaton had the merit of establishing the Society of Civil Engineers in 1771; but in conse quence of his having received some improper treat ment from one of its members, it was dissolved in 1792, by the mutual consent of the members. Ano ther Society of Civil Engineers is now in full activity, uncler the auspices and presidency or our distinguish ed countryman, Mr. Telford.
Mr. Smeaton was invited, upon his own terms, by the Empress of Russia, to superintend the great pro jects which she had in contemplation. He resisted, however, all the inducements which were proposed; 'and the Princes Dashkoff, through whom the invita tion was made, is said to have replied to his refusal. " Sir Robert Walpole was mistaken, and my sove reign has the misfortune to know that there is one man at least who has not his price." At an early period of Mr. Smeaton's life, he met with a curious adventure, arising from his likeness to the poet Gay. When he was walking with Mrs. Smeaton at Ranelagh, he observed an elderly lady and gentleman fix their marked attention upon them. After some turns, the strangers stopped, and the lady addressing Smeaton, said, " Sir, I do not know you, but so strongly do you resemble my poor dear Gay, we must be acquainted: you shall go home and sup with us; and if the minds of the two men accord as much as their countenances, you will find two cheerful old folks who can love you well; and I think you can as well deserve it." The strangers were the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry. Mr. Smeaton accepted the invitation, and the friendship of the parties continued without interruption.