HISTORY OF THE ATOMIC THEORY. 1 1 



resulting from successful investigations: but as Mr. Gough 

 was above receiving any pecuniary recompense, the balance 

 of advantage was greatly in my favour; and I am glad to 

 have this opportunity of acknowledging it. It was he who 

 first set the example of keeping a meteorological journal at 

 Kendal." Meteor. Observ. and Essays. Preface, 1834. 



In an earlier edition Dalton had mentioned Gough as an 

 unknown friend; in the quotation given he does him that 

 justice which in his lifetime he was forbidden to do. Mr. 

 T. T. Wilkinson mentions that Dr. Whewell and several 

 other distinguished wranglers were prepared for their contests 

 by Mr. Gough. He himself wrote no separate work, but 

 many of his scientific memoirs have appeared. As a man he 

 seems to have inspired great respect in all who knew him, 

 and he must have been no common person of whom Words- 

 worth wrote ; 



Metbinks I see him how his eyeballs roU'd 

 Beneath his ample brow, in darkness pained 

 But each instinct with spirit, and the frame 

 Of the whole countenance alive with thought, 

 Fancy, and understanding ; whilst the voice 

 Discoursed of natural or moral truth, 

 With eloquence and such authentic power, 

 That in his presence humbler knowledge stood 

 Abashed, and tender pity overawed. 



The Excursion. 



The poet, in a letter to Mr. Samuel Crompton, of Manches- 

 ter, writes, " Your conjecture concerning that passage is re- 

 markable ; Mr. Gough, of Kendal, whom I had the pleasure 

 of knowing, was the person from whom I drew the picture, 

 which was in no respect exaggerated. He was a most extra- 

 ordinary person, highly gifted, &c. The sadness which the 

 contemplation of blindness always produces, was in Mr. 

 Gough's case tempered by admiration and wonder in the 

 most affecting manner." 



During the time that Dalton was enjoying the instruction 

 and advice, as well as the library and scientific apparatus of 



