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JOHN ISAAC HAWKINS. 1217
alarm soon spreading among the Methodists in consequence, Mr.
Hawkins was cited before Mr. Wesley and a number of the leading
preachers; on which occasion Mr. Wesley addressed him, saying,
I understand, Mr. Hawkins, that you have found a new light.’ He
replied, ’Yes, Sir, I have found a new light: I perceive that I have
been in darkness all my life, and I have abundant reason to bless
the Lord for his mercies, in shewing me this new and glorious light:
and I cannot do my friends a greater service than by endeavouring
to display the same to them.’ The ensuing week Mr. Hawkins was
expelled from the Society of Methodists."
As regards Mr. J. I. Hawkins, the son, we gather the following
particulars respecting him fromthe "Annual Report of the Institution
of Civil Engineers" for 1865-66 : "Mr. John Isaac Hawkins, was
born on March 14, 1772, at Taunton, Somersetshire, where his father
exercised the calling of a watch and clockmaker. At an early age
he left England for the United States of America, where he entered
the College of New Jersey, as a student of medicine. His natural
talent and inclination for mechanical pursuits, however, soon induced
him to change his course of study, and to devote his attention to
perfecting the mode of removing chemical and mechanical impurities
from water, by filtration in contact with charcoal, &c. On his return
to England he patented, and introduced to the public, a machine
for taking likenesses in profile, from the size of life downwards.
Combined with his talent for mechanical pursuits was that of a love
for music. He had early in life mastered several musical instruments,
and he now brought his ideas to bear upon their improvement,
especially that of the piano-forte, which he commenced manufacturing
under patents obtained by him. He also invented about this time,
and some years afterwards manufactured, an instrument which he
named the Claviole, or finger-keyed viol (see "The Mechanic’s Maga
zine,’ Vol. XLIII), the scientific arrangements of which were so
delicate and complete, that all the instruments usually composing
a band were successfully imitated by one performer. His chief
talent lay in inventing and improving upon the useful scientific con
trivances for manufacturing processes, among which may be named
the refining of sugar by Howard’s process, in the prosecution of which
his acquaintance with the valuable properties of charcoal, as a purify
ing medium, was of great assistance, and he was induced to adapt
it, with other combinations, for that purpose ; and several years of
his life were devoted to the erection and fitting up of sugar refineries,
both at home and abroad. . . . .
....
"His intimate acquaintance with physical science, as well as his
correct knowledge of all the improvements in arts and manufactures
77
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