the late Mr. Henry. 17 



which he had anticipated, took place on the 18th of June, 1816, 

 when he had nearly completed his 8 2d year. 



In estimating the intellectual character and attainments of the 

 subject of this memoir, it is proper to revert to a period, several 

 years remote from the present, but still within the perfect recol- 

 lection of many to whom these pages are addressed. At that 

 time, the quality of Mr. Henry's mind which was, perhaps, most 

 conspicuous, was a readiness of apprehension, that enabled him 

 to acquire knowledge with remarkable facility. To this was 

 joined a quickness in his habits of association, that peculiarly 

 fitted him to perceive those analogies which, in chemical investi- 

 gations, were chiefly relied upon as leading to the discovery of 

 truth, before it was sought to be established on the firmer basis 

 of an accurate determination of quantities and proportions. 

 Without claiming for Mr. Henry the praise of great original ge- 

 nius, we may safely assert for him a very considerable share of 

 that inventive talent, which is commonly distinguished by the 

 term ingenuity. This was especially displayed in the neatness 

 and success with which he adapted to the purposes of experi- 

 ment, the simple implements that chance threw in his way ; 

 for it may be proper to observe that, at no period of his life, was 

 he in possession of a well-furnished laboratory, or of nice and de- 

 licate instruments of analysis or research. With these qualifica- 

 tions, he united a degree of ardour in his pursuits, which ena- 

 bled him to triumph over obstacles of no trivial amount. And 

 when it is considered that his investigations were carried on, not 

 with the advantages of leisure, ease, and retirement, but amidst 

 constant interruptions, and with a mind harassed by frequent and 

 painful anxieties, — it will be granted, that he accomplished much 

 more than might have been expected, from one so little favoured 

 by external circumstances. 



The acquirements of Mr. Henry were not limited to that 

 science in which he obtained distinction. It was the habit of 

 his mind, when wearied by one occupation, to seek relief, not in 

 indolent repose, but in a change of objects. In medical know- 



VoL VIII. C 



