Biographical Notice of the late Richard Taylor, F.L.S. 53 



the vapour becomes condensed, will be discharged in lightning ; 

 so that the electrical commotion always observed during the 

 action of a cyclone is the effect, and not the cause, of the atmo- 

 spherical commotion. 



It may be objected to the theory I have advanced, that severe 

 rotatory gales are experienced in Great Britain in the depth of 

 winter. These storms have, however, originated in warmer lati- 

 tudes, and seem to follow down the course of the great Gulf- 

 stream, the warmth of which is brought into greater contrast at 

 that season with the surrounding regions. It must also be 

 borne in mind, that although the air may be very slightly vola- 

 tilized, so as to be utterly inadequate to originate a cyclone, yet 

 it may be quite sufficient to sustain one in action. 



VII. — Biographical Notice of the lateUicuARnTAYLORjY.lj.S.&c. 



IT is this month our painful duty to record the death of Mr. 

 Richard Taylor, who for a period of thirty-eight years has 

 assisted in conducting this Journal, having become joint editor 

 with Dr. Tilloch, the founder of the ' Philosophical Magazine,' 

 in the year 1822. On a future occasion we shall endeavour to 

 do more ample justice to his memory, but we cannot refrain from 

 taking the earliest opportunity of giving a slight outline of his 

 long, active, and useful career. In so doing we pay, however 

 imperfectly, the tribute which is due to one of our most re- 

 spected fellow-citizens, who nobly sustained the credit of the 

 profession to which his abilities were devoted, and deservedly 

 acquired the friendship, esteem, and confidence of the large circle 

 of eminent men with whom it brought him into constant and 

 familiar intercourse. 



Richard Taylor was born on the 18th of May, 1781, at Nor- 

 wich. He was the second son (of a family of seven) of John 

 Taylor, wool-comber, and Susan Cooke, and great-grandson of 

 Dr. John Taylor, the author of the celebrated ' Hebrew Con- 

 cordance.' ilis education was received at a day-school in Nor- 

 wich, kept by the Rev. John Houghton, whom he describes as 

 an excellent grammarian and a severe disciplinarian. Under 

 this able tutor and his son, he made early and considerable pro- 

 gress in classical learning, and also acquired some knowledge of 

 chemistry and other branches of natural philosoi)hy. It seems to 

 have been the wish of the master tlnit his ])upil should proceed to 

 the High School of Glasgow (where he had liimself received his 

 education), and there qualify himself for the ministry; but other 

 counsels prevailed, and, ])rincipally at tlie suggestion of Sir 

 James Edward Smith, the founder of the Liniiiuan Society, and 

 a veiy intimate friend of his parents, he was induced to adopt 



