Matthew Edwards

Mr. M. EDWARDS (late James White), Optician and Mathematical Instrument Maker, 209, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

    The manufacture of scientific instruments can scarcely be regarded as a merely mechanical avocation, having regard to the high intelligence it implies, the nice accuracy of adjustment, and the consequent delicacy of manipulation which are indispensable. It is a business which requires not only a long specialised training, but even natural aptitude, if one would excel in it.

    These qualifications are possessed in an exceptional degree by Mr. Matthew Edwards, successor to the business carried on by Mr. James White, at 209, Sauchiehall Street, who founded the business now so successfully carried on by Mr. Edwards, managing partner for several years in the same establishment. Mr. Edwards, therefore, has had the right sort of technical experience, and he worthily upholds the reputation of the establishment of which he is now proprietor. For, under Mr. White's administration, so superior in all respects were the appliances manufactured and traded in, that that gentleman as optician, etc., was appointed to supply the Glasgow University and the Eye Infirmary. He also, as maker of Sir William Thomson’s nautical and electrical instruments, was contractor to Her Majesty’s Government. Obviously, therefore, as an optician and philosophical instrument maker, Mr. White attained an almost unique celebrity, and to the successes he achieved his manager, Mr. Edwards, of course contributed. Who, then, more fit to succeed the founder than Mr. Edwards ? who, indeed, equally capable of carrying on the concern upon the admirable lines heretofore pursued ? Such importance and celebrity as the business now under notice has won are not acquired in a day, and, as a matter of fact, it has now been established for forty years. During that period many notable improvements have been wrought in the manufacture of optical, mathematical, nautical, electrical, and photographic appliances. With these improvements Mr. Edwards has had not a little to do, and has a large and high-class connection with medical men, scientists, photographers, and public institutions both at home and abroad.

    The various sections of Mr. Edwards’ business are severally so comprehensive and important that nothing short of a detailed catalogue would suffice to do justice to each. For example, the department devoted to microscopy alone necessitates the issue of a 64-page catalogue. Therein are given illustrations and descriptions of numerous microscopes and accessories, not only of Mr. Edward’s own make, but also those of the best English and Continental makers. These makers include Crouch (London), Zeiss (Jena), Watson (London), Reichert (Vienna), Swift (London), Beck (London), Ross (London), Powell and Lealand (London), Pragnowski (Paris), Hartnach (Potsdam), and Leitz (Wetzlar). Crouch’s Photo-Micographic Camera, for taking lantern plates of microscopic objects, is a very interesting speciality.

    Mr. Edwards’ Sauchiehall Street premises comprise a large shop or warehouse, show-room, counting-house, and stores. There is also a dark room for the use of amateur photographers. The premises have an attractive frontage, the double windows containing a most interesting assortment of optical and scientific instruments.

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