COMMEMORATION OF PROF. HENRY A. ROWLAND. 753 



several years, and wishing to put myself in touch with the development 

 of methods of instruction in physics, and especially in the equipment 

 of physical laboratories, I visited Rowland very soon after, as it hap- 

 pened, the making of his first successful negativeof the solar spectrum. 

 That he was completely absorbed in his success was quite evident, but 

 he also seemed anxious to give me such information as I sought. 1 

 questioned him as to the number ol' men who were to work in his 

 laboratory, and, although the college year had already begun, he ap- 

 peared to be unable to give even an approximate answer. "And what 

 will you do with them?" I said. "Do with them?" he replied, rais- 

 ing the still dripping negative so as to get a better light through its 

 delicate tracings, "Do with them ( I shall neglect them." The whole 

 situation was intensely characteristic revealing him as one to whom 

 the work of a drillmaster was impossible, but ready to lead those who 

 would be led and could follow. To be neglected by Rowland was 

 often, indeed, more stimulating and inspiring than the closest personal 

 supervision of men lacking his genius and magnetic fervor. 



In the fullness of his powers, recognized as America's greatest 

 physicist, and one of a very small group of the world's most eminent, 

 he died on April 16, 1901, from a disease the relentless progress <>\ 

 which he had realized for several years and opposed with a splendid 

 but quiet courage. 



It was Rowland's good fortune to receive recognition during his life 

 in the bestowal of degrees by higher institutions of learning; in elec- 

 tion to membership in nearly all scientific societies worthy of note in 

 Europe and America; in being made the recipient of medals of honor 

 awarded by these societies, and in the generously expressed words of 

 his distinguished contemporaries. It will be many years, however. 

 before full measure can be had of his influence in promoting the inter- 

 ests of physical science, for with his own brilliant career, sufficient of 

 itself to excite our profound admiration, must be considered that of a 

 host of other, younger, men who lighted their tori lies at his flame 

 and who will reflect honor upon him whose loss they now mourn by 

 passing on something of his unquenchable enthusiasm, something of 

 his high regard for pure intellectuality, something of his love ol 

 truth and his sweetness of character and disposition. 



sm 1901 48 



