Memoir of the late Francis Baily, E^q.^ F.R.S.f SfC. 39 



In this respect, therefore, a mere sketch is all that I can pre- 

 tend to give. 



Francis Baily was born on the 28th of April, 1774-, at New- 

 bury, in the county of Berks. His father was Mr. Richard 

 Baily, a native of Thatcham, in the same county, who became 

 established as a banker at Newbury. He married Miss 

 Sarah Head, by whom he had five sons and two daughters. 

 Francis, who was the third son, received his education at the 

 school of the Rev. Mr. Best of Newbury, an establishment 

 of considerable local reputation, where, although probably 

 little of an abstract or mathematical nature was imparted, the 

 chief elements of a liberal and classical education were un- 

 doubtedly communicated. From his early youth he mani- 

 fested a propensity to physical inquiry, being fond of chemical, 

 and especially of electrical experiments, — a propensity suffi- 

 ciently marked (in conjunction with his generally studious 

 habits) to procure for him, among his young contemporaries, 

 the half-jesting, half-serious soubriquet of " the Philosopher 

 of Newbury." 



It does not appear that he received any further instruction 

 beyond the usual routine of an establishment of the kind above 

 mentioned, so that, in respect of the sciences, and especially 

 of that in which he attained such eminent distinction, he must 

 be regarded as self-educated. This taste for and knowledge 

 of electricity and chemistry were probably acquired from Dr. 

 Priestley, with whom, at the age of seventeen, he became inti- 

 mately acquainted, and of whom he always continued a warm 

 admirer. But that his acquaintance with the subject was con- 

 siderable, and his attachment to it permanent, may be con- 

 cluded from the fact, that Mr. Welsh, the organist of the 

 parish church of Newbury, who had a very pretty electrical 

 apparatus, and at whose house I remember myself to have 

 first witnessed an electrical experiment, is stated to have im- 

 bibed his taste for that science, and to have acquired its prin- 

 ciples from his example and instructions at a somewhat sub- 

 sequent period. 



He quitted Mr. Best's school at fourteen years of age, and, 

 having chosen a mercantile life, which accorded with the views 

 of his parents, he was sent to London, and placed in a house 

 of business in the City, where he remained till his twenty- 

 second year, when, having duly served his time, and either 

 not feeling an inclination to the particular line of business in 

 which he had commenced his life, or being desirous of the 

 general enlargement of mind which travel gives, or from mere 

 youthful love of adventure and enterprise, he embarked for 

 America on the 2 1st of October, 1795, which, however, he was 



