162 EULOGY ON GAY-LUSSAC. 



sea-water, on combustible substances. According to this hypothesis, the 

 torrents of gaseous matter which issue from the craters of volcanoes should 

 contain a gTeat deal of hydrogen and hydrochloric acid. The manner iu 

 which the author explains the absence of hydrogen in these aeriform ema- 

 nations, and the processes which he points out to such men as Monte- 

 celli, Cavelli, and other scientific observers, suitably placed to ascertain 

 the existence of hydrochloric acid, must be sought in the original me- 

 moir. I do not think that this memoir, in spite of its ingenuity, has 

 solved the so much controverted question of volcanic phenomena. But 

 I will in this case simply imitate the reserve of Gay-Lussac, who mod- 

 estly said in beginning his memoir, " I do not possess the extent of in- 

 formation (in geology) required to treat such a subject. I shall merely 

 skim lightly over its surface." 



SERVICES RENDERED TO THE INDUSTRIES BY GAY-LUSSAC — ALCOHOL- 

 METER — ALKALIMETER — MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID — AS- 

 SAY OF GOLD AND SILVER BULLION. 



According to the logical and unavoidable consequences deduced from 

 the language of certain biographers, whose merits, in other respects, it 

 gives me pleasure to acknowledge, the young man who devotes himself 

 to science, particularly when brilliant success has marked his first steps, 

 surrenders by so doing his personal freedom. In fact, they not only 

 sometimes examine what those whose history they are writing have 

 done, but claim to be able to determine what they should have done, at 

 a period, too, when for want of inspiration they have felt, for the sake 

 of their dignity and fame, the need of rest. In this examination they 

 disregard the fatigue induced by age, the infirmities resulting from it, 

 and family obligations, all as sacred to the man whose life is given up to 

 study as to any other citizen. 



Gay-Lussac has not escaped the consequences of this somewhat cen- 

 surable manner of criticising. It has pleased some to divide the career 

 of our colleague into two distinct phases : the first devoted to the spec 

 ulative study of natural phenomena, the second entirely confined to 

 the applications from which he was to realize substantial benefits. 



In this second phase, which they claim fades into insignificance, if it is 

 not diminished in importance by comparison with the first, Gay-Lussac, 

 enjoying the favor of the government, was selected in succession to aid 

 by his scientific knowledge in the manufacture of gunpowder ; to act 

 as adviser in the administration of the excise ; to manage the assay 

 office become vacant by the death of Vauquelin, &c. 



The invention of new processes, characterized by exactness, simplicity, 

 and elegance, proves what a slave Gay-Lussac was to his duties, and 

 that the government could not have bestowed its confidence more 

 judiciously. 



The academy, called upon to pronounce upon the merits of the 



