Children of James and Maria Watson

A notable success in the study of art has been achieved by a young lady at North Shields—Miss Mary Watson. Ten thousand students in all parts of the country competed in the Elementary Stage of Light and Shade Drawing. Out of this number four have been awarded Queen's prizes, and in order of merit Miss Watson's name appears at the head of the list—at the head, that is, of ten thousand other students—in this particular branch. But our young neighbour has achieved further successes; for I understand she has been awarded first-class distinctions in four other subjects—model drawing, elementary and advanced; light and shade drawing, advanced; outline from cast; and modelling in clay. While l am pleased to be able to congratulate Miss Watson on the results of her studies and her efforts, I must congratulate also the gentlemen under whom she has been trained—the teachers in the School of Science and Art, North Shields, Mr. R.W. Liddell and Mr. J. Heys.

At the Exhibition of prize-taking work—which opened at South Kensington Museum on Saturday—your local schools are well to the fore. [ . . . ] Amongst cartoons for wall decorations Miss Mary Watson, of Newcastle, takes a high place, though some aspects of her effort are not satisfactory.

OPENING OF A NEW ART STUDIO AT TYNEMOUTH.—An "At Home" was held yesterday, and continues to-day. at Front Street, Tynemouth, in connection with the opening of a new Art Studio at that address by Miss Mary Watson, North Shields, whose high artistic talents are well known in local circles. The distinctions which Miss Watson has already achieved in her art studies were fully borne out by the specimens of her work on view yesterday, including portraits in chalk, landscape, illustrative and decorative work in oils and water colours, &c., of a very high order of merit. It is gratifying to observe this, and similar indications the growing importance of art culture in the district, the result of which we trust will be to encourage more general and intelligent appreciation of natural beauty.

The gold medal for the best poster in the competition has been obtained by Miss Mary Watson, of North Shields, for what is probably intended for a cocoa advertisement. It consists of the full length figure of a woman.

Art in Posters.

In the International Advertisers' Exhibition at the Crystal Palace Miss Mary Watson, of North Shields, won the gold medal, out of 2,000 competitors, for the best design irrespective of subject. Miss Watson, who has a studio at Tynemouth, will be remembered in Darlington as being formerly the art teacher at Polam School, and her recent success will be learnt with much gratification by her numerous friends in this district.

Age 35, State single, Occupation artist, Religion, Society of Friends

Address of patient: 3 Rosella Place, North Shields

Petitioner James Watson, 3 Rosella Place, North Shields: Father

Usual medical attendant: at home – D^r Wilkinson

Signed: not seen by magistrate. notice served – did not exercise right

Medical certificate I, Facts observed: She looks quiet & very serious. She tells me her case is a very difficult one, & that she has always been refused a hearing, or a statement by the medical officers of The Retreat. She informs me that D^r Pierce is incapable of dealing with her case, that he is not a normal man, & that mentally he is unfitted for any place of trust. Also she says that the intrigue within the place is such that it is almost impossible to communicate with any member of the medical staff, that there is no discipline in the house & that there is a sad want of morality in the house institution, which is not the case.

Medical certificate II, Facts observed: The patient talks & writes in a very disconnected manner. She wrote to D^r MacKenzie of the Retreat, York, as follows – would not D^r MacKenzie prefer to wait, until he is less (not more & of more accumulated slovenly. – – before coming into M. Watson's room, or place of abode etc. She tells me she still holds this opinion, that they do do not like opinions at the Retreat, because it get on their nervous system & finds them napping!

Mental condition: Patient is now quiet & collected, although when first she learned that she was to be certified she was very indignant. She wanted to know the basis of their right to do anything, – referring to the Commissioners –, seeing they were not her parents. She talked in this rather distant fashion. She demanded D^r Fraser's address & wrote to her a long incoherent, rambling letter, but is no way blaming her for certifying her.

Patient has returned to her usual manner of living. She did not exercise her right to see a magistrate, having been served with a notice; she consulted a relative, a solicitor, & afterwards decided not to exercise the right.

Patient gives practically no trouble, & seems anxious not to do anything that might not be in the regulations. Her parole beyond the grounds was only stopped the afternoon that her Father visited her, & since then she has come & gone as she chose. She is well behaved.

There is no change, patient leads the same isolated condition life, & continues to think things that annoy her are done on purpose. Occasionally she writes long rambling letters to D^r Turner & D^r Fraser –letters which are quite incoherent. She has parole beyond the grounds.

Report to C in L by D^r Pierce: "She is seriously deficient in reasoning powers & frequently writes & talks in a mysterious & involved way which is almost if not entirely unintelligible. She is in good general [bodily] health except that there is considerable enlargement of the thyroid gland, which has been operated upon some years ago."

There is no mental change to report. At the recent visit of the Commissioners (Oct 7^th) Mr Trevor told me that Miss Watson wrote him many letters which were quite unintelligible. Her general health is good. She goes out daily having full parole.

She remains just the same except that of late she has been rather more sociable & agreeable. She continues to go out freely.

She is suffering from indigestion for which she has been given a mixture of [unintelligible prescription] to be taken after meals three times a day. Otherwise she is in good bodily health. Mentally she shows no particular change. She is reserved & keeps to herself & rather resents any interference. She goes out alone. She comes to entertainments etc.

Patient has gone on "leave of absence on trial," to-day.

She has this day been discharged on her father's authority.

Relieved.

A banjo troupe consisting of Miss Sadie Spence, Miss Mary Spence, Miss Watson, Miss Winnie Watson, and Miss E. Spence played two selections with skill and acceptance, being favoured with a hearty recall [ . . . ]

A light displayed during the black-out from premises in Rosella Place, North Shields, resulted in Winifred Watson, of South Corner, Tynemouth Terrace, being fined 20s. at Tynemouth. She admitted the offence was due to carelessness.

WATSON.—At Hankow, China, after short illness, on the 4th inst., Bryan, younger son of James and the late Maria Watson, of 3 Rosella Place, North Shields.