128 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
have not mentioned in what year he commenced, ho< many courses he delivered,
nor whether he made any attempt at this time in any other city or town of
his native country. There was nothing very
remarkable in his manner. Hia voice was good, and his articulation excellent.
There was no appearance of affectation or cbnceit, nor of that impudent forwardness
which gives offence and creates disgust. Nevertheless, he never seemed in
the least degree embarrassed, but handled his subject in such a way as to convince
his audience that he was well prepared The accuracy of his language,
considering the disadvantages with which he ' had to contend, was wonderful ;
and if there were any defect, it consisted in sometimes making use of very bold
metaphors, which could have been as well spared. His epithets were in general
well applied, and seldom had a tendency towards bombast. The address which
he discovered in performing experiments excited great interest in the company
present, and afforded them the highest pleasure.
He left Scotland in 1779, and directed his route towards England; but in
what part of the country he commenced his career is not known. From the
strong partiality to Manchester which he retained during the whole subsequent
part of his life, it is conjectured he made his debut in that place.
As a proof of the liberal manner in which he was treated in England, it is
sufficient to mention that he spent six years in making a tour through it, He
delivered lectures not only in the capital, but almost in every city and considerable
town. The introductions which he carried from one part of the country to
another, were from persons of the first character and influence in society, and
he had the art of rendering himself so agreeable to those whom he visited, that
he was much courted, and every person was proud to do him a service. In
most places which he visited it was reckoned a distinguished honour to be
admitted into his company, and have an opportunity of listening to the conversation
of so uncommon a genius, who, though blind from his infancy, had acquired
so large a stock of curious, useful, and miscellaneous knowledge. His audience
consisted of the most respectable people of the towns through which he passed.
Dr. Moyes did not rest satisfied with having accomplished many laborious
journeys through South Britain. His aspiring temper and enterprising genius
contemplated with ardour the idea of crossing the Atlantic, and pushing his
fortune in America. He
was received with open arms by the Americans. His fame had gone before him,
and in his progress through the continent of America he conversed with such
persons as were distinguished for their learning and love of science. In some
places the crowds that repaired to his lectures were exceedingly great. The
churches-that is, the places generally appropriated to the purposes of public
all occasions, misunderstood the expression of her friend, and thought she meant the blind lecturer,
Dr. Moyes. Chairs being ordered for the two ladies, they were accordingly set down at the lectureroom
of the philosopher. The country lady anxiously waited for a display of those wonderful tricks
she had anticipated ; but wag at last astonished, although not the less gratified, to find that she had
been made an unintentional auditor.of an interesting experimental lecture on chemistry.
We have heard him lecture.
Accordingly, for this purpose, he set sail in 1785.
