BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR OF JOSEPH HENRY. 151 



lirodnced, in 1860, in the American Journal of Science, where it would 

 be noticed. The attention of Professor Henry was turned to the topic 

 (as we happen to know) by an abstract which was given to him of 

 Dumas' celebrated lecture, in 1841, on the Chemical Statics of Organized 

 Beings. If he had published in 1841, with some fullness, as he then 

 wrought them out, his conception and his attractive illustrations of the 

 sources, transformation, and equivalence of mechanical power, and given 

 them fitting pubhcity, Henry's name would have been prominent among 

 the pioneers and founders of the modern doctrine of the conservation of 

 energy. 



In the year 1837 Professor Henry first visited Europe, and came into 

 personal communication with the principal men of science of England, 

 Scotland, and France. One of us had the pleasure, a few years after- 

 Avard, of hearing Faraday speak of Henry" in terms of hearty regard 

 and admiration. The two men were in some respects alike, wholly alike 

 in genuine simplicity of character and in disinterested devotion to sci- 

 eiitific discovery. They ^xere then rival investigators in the same line ; 

 and the race for a time was not unequal, considering how Henry^ was 

 weighted with onerous professional work. For Faraday, while that most 

 acute mind retained its powers, there was the congenial life of pure re- 

 search, uudistracted by cares of administration or of instruction, beyond 

 a few popular lectures ; supplied with every means of investigation ; 

 stimulated by the presence or proximity of many fellow-workers ; re- 

 warded by discover}' after discovery, and not unconscious of the world's 

 applause — such was the enviable life of the natural philosopher favor- 

 ably placed. But in this country, where fit laborers*are few, duty rather 

 than inclination must determine their work. Midway in his course Pro- 

 fessor Henry" was called to exchange a position which allowed the giv- 

 ing of considerable time to original researches, for one of greater prom- 

 inence, in which these had practically to be abandoned. Not, indeed, 

 that this was assuredly expected, but it was contemplated as probable. 

 And the event justified the ai)prehension, while it opened other fields 

 of not inferior usefulness. 



In August, 184G, the act of Congress establishing the Smithsonian 

 Institution was passed and approved. On the 7th of September ensu- 

 ing the Regents held their first meeting. On the 3d of December fol- 

 lowing they resolved: 



" That it is essential for the advancement of the proper interests of 

 the trust that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution be a man 



