SKETCH OF HEmRICH HERTZ.^ 



By Helene Bonfort. 



Wherever the iuvestigatiiig' ininds of scientists are at work promot- 

 ing- the insight of man into the mysteries of nature, wherever friends 

 of natural philosophy are keenly alive to the importance of this com- 

 paratively new field of study, a field in which lie some of the most 

 essential interests of modern civilization, there will be sincere and 

 deep regret over the death of a young ]>rofessor whose splendid 

 career came to an untimely end on the first day of this year. Prof. 

 Heinrich Hertz, of the University of Bonn, in Germany, died on Jan- 

 uary 1, 1894, uot yet 37 years of age. For the last two years he had 

 not been in good health, and, though under the treatment of his capa- 

 ble physicians he several times rallied and seemed to be restored to his 

 former strength, the last winter brought a serious relapse. A chronic 

 and painful disease of the nose spread to the neighboring Highmore's 

 cavity, and graduallj^ led to blood poisoning. He was conscious and in 

 possession of his full mental power to the last; he must have been 

 aware that recovery was hopeless, but not a word escaped his lips that 

 would have shown to his dear ones whether hope or fear filled his heart. 

 His wife and his mother were at his bedside for many weeks, giving 

 him their tenderest care, and in spite of his continuous suflerings 

 there were many hours of genial discourse. At such times they read 

 to him, and he gave himself up to general topics and to matters of per- 

 sonal interest to them, displaying even yet his wonted brightness and 

 cheerfulness. 



Heinrich Hertz, boru iu Hamburg on February 22, 1857, was the eldest 

 sou of exceptionally good and clever parents. His father was at the be- 

 ginning of his career a lawyer; in due course of time he rose to the posi- 

 tion of judge of the supreme court of appeal, and has now for a number 

 of years been a senator of the free city of Hamburg. The childhood of 

 Professor Hertz was subject to every pure, healthful, and elevating 

 influence that a highly capable father and a superior mother can exer- 

 cise. Both of them gave a great part of their time to their children ; 

 their eldest boy especially enjoyed the advantage of their companion- 

 ship in many a holiday's ramble through the green fields and woods, and 



' From the Popular Science Monthly, July, 1894, Vol. XLV, No. 3. 



719 



