Biographical Memoir of the late Dr Henry. 21 



hours or at intervals snatched from engrossing pursuits and with 

 the liability to constant interruptions. In more advanced life, 

 when relieved from such exertions, growing infirmities, and fail- 

 ing bodily power, restrained him to studies not demanding per- 

 sonal exertion, and even abridged his season of purely mental 

 labour. That, amid circumstances so unfriendly to original and 

 sustained achievements in science, he should have accomplished 

 so much, bears testimony to that energy of resolve, that unsub- 

 dued ardour of spirit, which ever glowed within him, urging 

 him steadily onwards in the career of honourable ambition and 

 prompting exertions more than commensurate with the decaying 

 forces of a frame that had never been vigorous. 



Though, moreover, the science of chemistry undoubtedly 

 held the highest place in Dr Henry's sphere of knowledge and 

 interest, any measure of the strength and compass of his mind, 

 which should rest simply on his chemical acquirements and dis- 

 coveries, would be eminently inadequate. In forming such es- 

 timate, it is essential to his just intellectual station, that regard 

 should be had to the soundness and extent of his knowledge in 

 various branches of physical and natural science, in the advance- 

 ment of which he had no design of actively participating, and 

 to which he was attracted by no other motive than the deUght 

 he experienced in the varied exercise of his faculties, and in the 

 perception of new truths. Nor would it be just to overlook his 

 rare' endowments as a philosophical thinker and writer, the 

 clearness and fidelity with which he assembled and methodized 

 the scattered fruits of discovery, and the simplicity and vigour 

 which characterize his exposition of general doctrines. It would 

 appear, indeed, from some slight notices of his early occupations, 

 which are still preserved, that, at the very outset of his career, 

 he had projected a scheme of study remarkable for its compre- 

 hensiveness ; having probably, even then, arrived at the convic- 

 tion, that an equable development of the various faculties, active 

 as well as speculative, is most conducive to sound mental disci- 

 pline and to individual well-being ; and that a commanding 

 survey of the kingdoms of nature, and enlarged sympathies with 

 the creations of human thought and genius, are wisely purchased 

 by the sacrifice, if necessary, of a somewhat higher degree of 

 excellence in a single department of knowledge. 



