Page:Dictionary of National Biography. Sup. Vol I (1901).djvu/132

 Winifreda Jane, eldest daughter of General [q. v. Suppl.], assumed the name and arms of Armstrong in addition to those of Watson, in accordance with the wish of his great-uncle.

Armstrong pursued all his researches with grip, tenacity, and concentration, with remarkable courage, zeal, and energy under the most perplexing circumstances. Frequently even disappointments and failures furnished the key to ultimate success. His colleague. Sir A. Noble, has spoken of his ‘extraordinary intuition as to how a result would work out. He would very often make a guess at a result, while I, after much labour and calculation, would reach the same conclusion.’ He was a vigorous writer, and his expositions of his views were clear and forcible; but his busy life left no time for fanciful speculations, and but little opportunity for literary work, although he was the author of a large number of addresses, papers, and pamphlets. These treat chiefly of engineering and scientific subjects; three are contained in ‘The Industrial Resources of the Tyne, Wear, and Tees,’ 1863, of which he was joint editor. His most important work was his magnificently illustrated ‘Electric Movement in Air and Water,’ 1897, and the supplement, 1899. Among his papers the chief are: 1838 and 1840, ‘On the Application of a Column of Water as a Motive Power for driving Machinery’ (Mechanics’ Magazine); 1841–3, several papers ‘On the Electricity of Effluent Steam’ (Philosophical Magazine); 1850, ‘On the Application of Water Pressure as a Motive Power’ (Proceedings of Institute of Civil Engineers, vol. ix.); 1853, ‘On Concussion of Pump Valves’ (ib. vol. xii.); 1857–8, ‘On the Use of Steam Coals of the Hartley District in Marine Boilers;’ 1858, ‘Water-pressure Machinery’ (Proceedings of Institute of Mechanical Engineers); 1863, ‘The Coal Supply’ (British Association, Newcastle); 1863, ‘A Three-powered Hydraulic Engine;’ 1863, ‘The Construction of Wrought-iron Rifled Field Guns;’ 1869, ‘Artillery’ (Mechanical Engineers); 1873, ‘The Coal Supply’ (North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers); 1877, ‘History of Modern Developments of Water-pressure Machinery’ (Proceedings of Institute of Civil Engineers, vol. l.); 1882, ‘National Defences’ (ibid.); 1883, ‘Utilisation of Natural Forces’ (British Association, York); 1883, ‘Social Matters’ (Northern Union of Mechanics’ Institutes). To the ‘Nineteenth Century’ he contributed three papers: ‘The Vague Cry for Technical Education’ (1888); ‘The Cry for Useless Knowledge’ (1888); and ‘The New Naval Programme’ (1889). He contributed to the ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society’ ‘An Induction Machine,’ 1892, and ‘Novel Effects of Electric Discharge,’ 1893.

The chief portraits of Armstrong are: (1) by Mr. G. F. Watts, R.A., at Cragside; (2) full-length by Mrs. L. Waller, in the Council Chamber, Newcastle Town Hall (this was paid for by public subscription); (3) by Mr. J. C. Horsley, at Elswick Works; (4) head and shoulders, by Mrs. L. Waller, at Cragside, of which copies exist in the Jubilee Hall, Rothbury, and the Literary and Philosophical Society and the Institute of Civil Engineers, London; (5) miniature of W. G. Armstrong, aged 18; (6) miniature by Taylor (these miniatures both at Cragside); (7) bust by A. Munro, at Cragside, of which a replica by the artist is in the Literary and Philosophical Library.



ARNOLD, MATTHEW (1822–1888), poet and critic, the eldest son of [q. v.], afterwards famous as headmaster of Rugby, and his wife Mary (Penrose), was born on 24 Dec. 1822 at Laleham, near Staines, where his father then took pupils. [q. v. Suppl.] was his younger brother. Matthew migrated to Rugby with his family in 1828, but in 1830 returned to Laleham as pupil of his maternal uncle, the Rev. John Buckland. In August 1836 he was removed to Winchester, and in 1837 entered Rugby, which he left in 1841 for Balliol College, Oxford, where he had gained a classical scholarship. In 1840 he had won a prize at Rugby with his first recorded poetical production, ‘Alaric at Rome’ (Rugby, 8vo, only two copies extant; reprinted 1893 and 1896); the work was deeply influenced by ‘Childe Harold,’ and in its form of stanza was original for a prize poem, but it was not otherwise remarkable. Nor was the poem on Cromwell, which gained the Newdigate prize in June 1843 (Oxford, 8vo), distinguished by any special characteristic. In 1844 Arnold took a second class in lit. hum., and in March 1845 was elected to a fellowship at Oriel. After a brief experience as a master at Rugby, he became in 1847 private secretary to the Marquis of Lansdowne, then president of the council, and, as such, the minister charged with the administration of public instruction. In 1851 Lord Lansdowne