_ the late Mr. Henry. 233 
most conspicuous, was a readiness of appre- 
hension, that enabled him to acquire know- 
ledge 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 investigations, 
were chiefly relied upon as leading to the dis- 
covery 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 genius, we may safely assert 
for him a very considerable share of that in- 
ventive talent, which is commonly distin- 
guished by the term ingenuity. This was 
especially displayed in the neatness and suc- 
cess, with which he adapted, to the purposes 
of experiment, the simple implements that 
chance threw in his way; for it may be pro- 
per to observe that, at no period of his life, was 
he in possession of a well furnished laboratory, 
or of nice and delicate instruments of ana 
lysis or research. With these qualifications, 
he united a degree of ardour in his pursuits, 
which enabled him to triumph over obstacles 
of no trivial amount. And when it is con- 
sidered that his investigations were carried on, 
not with the advantages of leisure, ease, and 
retirement, but amidst constant interruptions, 
VOL. II, Gg 
