Biographical Memob- of the late Dr Turner. S49 



Chemistry will long deplore that here his labours were brought 

 to an end in a field so vitally important, and so peculiarly fitted 

 for his cultivation. 



Circumstances withdrew him to other occupations. Events, 

 insepai'able perhaps from the infancy of so great an institution 

 as that with which he had become connected, entailed a heavy 

 demand upon his time beyond what his labours as a teacher in- 

 volved. And he considered himself bound to bestow an almost 

 fastidious care upon the successive editions of his Elements, to 

 render the work deserving of the high approbation it had re- 

 ceived. 



How successfully he laboured in both these respects, it is 

 scarcely necessary for me to mention. Let me only observe in 

 respect to the part he performed as a teacher, — that he rendered 

 chemistry, what it had never been before in London, a favour- 

 ite pursuit among the students of medicine,* — that during the 

 nine years of his incumbency he stood in the first station among 

 tlie Lecturers in the University College and in the metropolis, 

 — and that, if I am not misinformed, his college, on some trying 

 occasions, — especially one whei'e its very existence was in dan- 

 ger, — owed the deepest obligations to his honourable character, 

 straightforward dealing, firmness of purpose, and conciliating 

 disposition. 



Ere long a fresh and more grievous cause gave farther inter- 

 ruption, and gradually put an end, to his scientific labours. 

 Originally of a sound and even hardy constitution, he neverthe- 

 less taxed it beyond its powers.-|- The first indication to this 

 effect occurred in the spring of 1834, in the shape of slight sto- 

 mach complaints and other collateral ailments. Though these 

 were greatly alleviated by a visit lie paid to Edinburgh during 

 the meeting of the British Association, they recurred on his re- 

 turn to London ; and in the ensuin;^ winter thev increased so 



• The numbers of his pupils in University College between the sessions 

 1028-2*J and 183C-37 inclusive, were 144, 145, 1G9, 19!}, 198, 238, 225. 



\ Many of Dr Turner's later friends have imagined he was originally of 

 'nfirm and delicate constitution. But this is altogether a mistake. Though 

 very spare in form, he was, before he settled in London, remarkably healthy 

 and vigorous, — a hardy pedestrian, a strong swimmer, and very seldom ailing. 



