238 Intelligence a?id Miscellaneous Articles. 



wise, we shall hasten to publish whatever other researches have been 

 made by this skilful philosopher. 



" In recapitulation : during the ten years of his life which M. Nobili 

 devoted to the sciences, he was principally occupied with electricity 

 and magnetism, and the results of his numerous and interesting re- 

 searches in this department of physics may be arranged under the 

 following heads : — 



" 1st, The improvement of galvanometers and the invention of the 

 thermoscope-multiplier. 



*' 2ndlv,The discovery of the electro-chemical appearances upon the 

 metallic poles, and the study of the distribution of electric currents. 



" 3rdly, Investigations relating to electro-physiological phaeno- 

 mena. 



" 4thlv, Researches relating to the production of electricity by heat 

 and chemical action, and to the relations which subsist between these 

 two modes of developing electricity. 



" 5thly, The study of magnetism, and more particularly of the pro- 

 duction of electric currents by the induction of magnets. 



" After iiaving been momentarily interrupted in his labours by the 

 events of 1831, M. Nobili resumed them, not long after, with re- 

 newed activity. Placed in that Museum of Florence in which the 

 Academicians del Cimento performed their experiments; having at 

 his disposal all the resources which this city, so worthy of the recol- 

 lections which it excites, presents ; honoured by the favour of a 

 prince, at the same time the distinguished amateur and enlightened 

 friend of the sciences; surrounded by cooperators of the highest 

 merit, what would not M. Nobili have done ? he whom we had 

 seen, after a youth devoted to the military profession, notwithstand- 

 ing the little assistance offered him by his native city, acquire in five 

 years the scientific reputation which he enjoyed in 1830. Alas ! 

 why was it that a premature death came to destroy hopes so well 

 founded, and to deprive physical science, which numbers so few at 

 present, of one of its most able and devoted followers ! 



" A. DE LA RiVK. 



« Geneva, 30th September, 1835." 



We add the subjoined particulars from a notice of M. Nobili, by 

 M. Matteucci, also given in the Bihliotheque Universelle. 



" To trace theeulogium of so celebrated a philosopher as M. Nobili, 

 is to write one of the brightest pages in the history of electricity ; is 

 to remind Europe, that in the country of Volta the germs of science 

 cannot disappear; is to render homage to the prince who knew how 

 to appreciate his labours, patronize his researches, and honour his 

 mortal remains ; it is also to discharge a debt arising from a high ad- 

 miration for so many remarkable discoveries, and a sincere friendship, 

 which encouraged me in my first steps in science, a friendship which 

 very different scientific occupations have not since been able to change. 



"Born at Transilico (Garfagnana, Ducato di Modena) in 1784, 

 M. Nobili received his first scientific education in the military school of 

 Modena; it was there also that his talents for the physical sciences 

 be^an to develop themselves. Carried away in the military move- 



I 



