Garrett.] ^ J4: [-q^^ 21, 



mind was one that eminently fitted it for the investigation ; and future 

 researches may show his work to have been founded in fact and correct 

 inference, and that he was in advance of his age and above the heads of 

 his critics. The respect in which his writings have been held in Great 

 Britain has been attested by their publication in the "Philosophical Maga- 

 zine." His essay on "The Numerical Relation between Gravity and 

 Magnetism" received, in 1864, the Magellanic Premium from this 

 Society. 



The detached and fragmentary character of his scientific productions, 

 their real profundity, and the limited number of those who could follow 

 him in his rapid evolution of tl\ought on these subjects, have led many 

 scientific men to regard his speculations with doubt, and some, who had 

 little or no personal acquaintance with their author, accord them no 

 scientific value. But Prof. Chase was least of all a hypocrite or a charla- 

 tan, and those who knew him best will most unhesitatingly recognize his 

 deep sincerity. lie was an humble seeker after truth, with the lamp of a 

 strong intellect. The obscurity of his logic belongs not altogether to the 

 writer, but to his theme. There was nothing obscure about his ordinary 

 style. When he wrote upon familiar topics it was clear and cogent, rising 

 sometimes into flights of eloquence. It is to be regretted that he has not 

 himself been able to put into compact and comprehensible form his studies 

 on cosmical and molecular forces as applied to astronomical and inter- 

 planetary relations, and no less the profound, though fragmentary notes, 

 which his mind threw off in later scintillations. But they were not 

 completed, and though much more than gropings after the facts of infinity, 

 can not lay claim to perfect and final demonstration. Whatever title his 

 name has to rank among the greatest on the rolls of science, however, no 

 one who knew his work will deny him an eminent place. 



The loftiness of conception and inspiring suggestiveness of his writings, 

 his extensive learning, his great industry and productiveness, his boldness 

 and success in dealing with the problems of the unknown world, entitle 

 him to distinction. Aside from his deeper and favorite themes, the range 

 of subjects ably treated by his pen was notable. Among these may 1)e 

 remarked such familiar topics as Bricks, Paper, Ink, Ceramics, Artificial 

 Iron Works. 



Some of his rules for weather prediction were embodied by the U. S. 

 Signal Service in its " Manual for Observers," and the observations of the 

 Bureau have indicated the importance of anti-cyclonic storm centres, to 

 which he first called attention. He claimed the discoveries of "a para- 

 bolic connection between the nearest fixed star and the solar system, of 

 harmonic undulations which have influenced the arrangement of planets 

 and of spectral lines, and of the quantitative equivalence of the different 

 forms of force." He made many observations upon rainfall, and in a 

 series of papers, "demonstrated the meteorological influence of the moon," 

 regarding "the evidence of important lunar modifications, both in the 

 amount and in the frequency of rain, as unmistakable." 



