HISTOEY OF THE ATOMIC THEORY. 63 



Sir Humphrey Davy's opinion of Dalton, given in Dr. 

 Henry's recent life, seems to contain rather harsh and un- 

 pleasant expressions, and I think scarcely fair suggestions. 

 He could not have known the man otherwise than externally ; 

 nor does he seem to have known well the history of his dis- 

 coveries. I shall allude to it more when speaking of Dalton 

 as a philosopher; as to the man I only collect the opinions 

 of others, and give a few examples of his character from 

 his letters and actions. His brother. Dr. Davy, also says, 

 ** Mr. Dalton's aspect and manner were repulsive. There 

 was no gracefulness belonging to him. His voice was harsh 

 and brawling; his gait stiflf and awkward; his style of writing 

 and conversation dry and almost crabbed. In person he was 

 tall, bony, and slender. (1809-10.) He never could learn 

 to swim; on investigating this circumstance he found that 

 his specific gravity was greater than that of water, and he 

 mentioned this in his lectures on natural philosophy in 

 illustration of the capability of different persons for attaining 

 the art of swimming." But he adds, " independence and 

 simplicity of manner and originality were his best qualities. 

 Though in comparatively humble circumstances he main- 

 tained the dignity of the philosophical character." So many 

 " best " qualities are seldom found in one man. 



This word brawling was unintelligible to me until Dr. 

 Schunck suggested drawling, as the true meaning. Brawl- 

 ing is unintelligible in connection with such a retiring man. 

 Dr. Schunck says, " no one who saw him could call his 

 appearance repulsive. I recollect him from my childhood 

 and never saw it; and children are very susceptible to re- 

 pulsive appearance in people. He was, I think, good 

 looking; only his deep set eyes were against him." At 

 any rate, there is no connection between brawling and 

 Dalton. When I saw him his mind was quite broken down ; 

 but I agree with my friend, Dr. Schunck, that he was agree- 

 able to look upon. 



