Scientific Intelligence^ Sfc. 397 



been remarkable for the precision of its information, and for the 

 characteristic elegance of its style. 



Besides this publication, he has contributed to the Transactions of 

 the Royal Society of London, to the Memoirs of the Literary and 

 Philosophical Society of Manchester and to several periodicals, a 

 number of papers of a very interesting and important character. 

 When coal gas was applied to the purpose of illumination, he was 

 one of the first to determine its constitution ; to point out the best 

 mode of analysis ; and to suggest the most effective methods of ob- 

 viating the inconveniences, to which, in its early applications, it was 

 liable. His papers on this subject present a fine specimen of induc- 

 tive research. His investigations on the combinations of the gases 

 by volume ; the absorption of different gases by water ; the applica- 

 tion of Doberiener's spongy platina to gaseous analysis, and a great 

 number of other interesting subjects, have exhibited great philoso- 

 phical acumen, and unsurpassed precision in manipulation. Never 

 was there a more careful, a more impartial, a more accurate experi- 

 menter. It may be mentioned, as an instructive illustration, that 

 on one occasion, when a young friend was assisting him in his opera- 

 tions, the former proceeded, before the termination of an experiment, 

 to calculate the result. ^' Stop," said the Doctor emphatically, '' don't 

 try what the result should be, or there will be danger o{ coaxing the 

 experiment so as to make it to correspond with the estimate." 



As a literary character, Dr. Henry deserves a much higher reputa- 

 tion, than he has in this respect, yet obtained. His character of 

 Priestley, of Davy, and of WoUaston, are some of the finest speci- 

 mens of that species of composition in the English language. The 

 discrimination which they manifest, and the elegance and accuracy 

 of the style, will render them models of the highest value to those 

 who are required to exercise their powers upon such topics. 



To the death of Dr. Henry it is necessary to refer. In ancient 

 times, to shorten the natural period of life was, in certain cases, re- 

 garded with applause ; Cato, Brutus, Seneca, and others were lauded 

 by their countrymen, for an act, which has received from modern 

 times unqualified censure. Yet, even in modern times, illustrious 

 instances have occurred. Romilly, Whitbread, and others fixed the 

 limit of their own earthly existence. Such an act cool reflection 

 cannot justify ; but we should not be disposed to admit the right of 

 erring human beings to dictate to Providence in presumptuously 

 assigning a penalty for the offence. In the case of Dr. Henry there 

 was every circumstance w^hich might preclude or could mitigate con- 

 demnation. Months had elapsed during which he had not slept, his 

 ever active mind was perfectly exhausted ; and he was himself con- 

 scious that, as others too clearly observed, his mind was acquiring, 

 by perpetual excitement and want of repose, a tendency to " wander 

 from its dwelling." It is, perhaps, in the very constitution of 

 superior intellects, too continuously exerted, that they should be 

 peculiarly liable to be shaken from their equilibrium. Kven New- 

 ton's transcendent mind was repeatedly subjected to this condition 

 of humanity. The pious and amiable Cowper was also a martyr to 

 mental alienation. It has been so with very dissimilar disj)ositions 

 and characters. The last days of Tasso, of Collins, and of Swift, 



