750 COMMEMORATION OF PROF. HENRY A. ROWLAND. 



technic Institute were none of the best, a fact which is made the sub- 

 ject of keen criticism in his home correspondence, but he made the 

 most of whatever was available and created opportunity where it was 

 lacking. The use of a turning lathe and a few tools being allowed, he 

 spent all of his leisure in designing and constructing physical appa- 

 ratus of various kinds, with which he experimented continually. All 

 of his spare money goes into this and he is alwaj^s wishing he had more. 

 While he pays without grumbling his share of the expense of a class 

 supper, he can not help declaring that "it is an awful price for one 

 nighf s pleasure; wh}^ it would buy another galvanic battery.*' Dur- 

 ing these earh' ye'M's his pastime was the study of magnetism and elec- 

 tricity' , and his lack of mone}^ for the purchase of insulated wire for 

 electro-magnetic apparatus led him to the invention of a method of 

 winding naked copper wire, which was later patented by some one 

 else and made much of. Within six months of his entering the insti- 

 tute he had made a delicate balance, a galvanometer, and an electrom- 

 eter, besides a small induction coil and several minor pieces. A few 

 weeks later he announces the linishing of a Ruhmkorff coil of consid- 

 erable power, a source of much delight to him and to his friends. In 

 December, 1866, he began the construction of a small ))ut elaborately 

 designed steam engine which ran perfectly when completed and fur- 

 nished power for his experiments. A year later he is full of enthusi- 

 asm over an investigation which he wishes to undertake to explain the 

 production of electricity when water comes in contact with red-hot 

 iron, which he attributes to the decomposition of a part of the water. 

 Along with all of this and much more he maintains a good standing in 

 his regular work in the institute, in some of which he is naturall}' the 

 leader. He occasionally writes: " I am head of my class in mathemat- 

 ics;" or "I lead the class in natural philosophy;"" but oiBcial records 

 show that he was now and then "conditioned" in subjects in which he 

 had no special interest. As early as 1868, before his 20th birthdav, 

 he decided that he nuist devote his life to science. While not doubt- 

 ing his ability "to make an excellent engineer, "as he declares, he 

 decides against engineering, saying: "You know that from a child 

 1 have been extremely fond of experiment; this liking instead of 

 decreasing has gradually grown upon me until it has become a part of 

 my nature, and it would be folly for me to attempt to give it up; and 

 I don't see any reason why I should wish it, unless it be avarice, for I 

 never expect to be a rich man. I intend to devote myself hereafter 

 to science. If she gives me wealth, I will receive it as coming from a 

 friend; but if not, I will not murmur." 



He realized that his opportunity for the pursuit of science was in 

 becoming a teacher; but no opening in this direction presenting itself, 

 he spent the first year after graduation in the field as a civil engineer. 

 This was followed by a not very inspiring experience as instructor in 



