98 Biographical Account of {Ave. 
tions in science, but upon most others of general interest and im- 
ortance. What Mr. Tennant thought or said upon such subjects, 
is friends were always anxious to ascertain; and his opinions had 
that species of influence over a numerous class of society which is. 
one of the most certain proofs of superior talents. 
Next to rectitude of understanding, the quality by which he was 
most distinguished, was a lofty and powerful imagination. From 
hence resulted a great expansion of mind, and sublimity of con- 
ception; which, being united with deep moral feelings, and an 
ardent zeal for the happiness and improvement of mankind, gave a 
very peculiar and original character to his conversation in his inter- 
course with familiar friends. He partook with others in the plea- 
sure derived from the striking scenes of nature; but was more par- 
ticularly affected by the sight or contemplation of the triumphs of 
human genius, of the energies of intelligent and successful in- 
dustry, of the diffusion of knowledge and civilization, and of what~- 
ever was new and beautiful in art or science. ‘The cheerful activity 
of a populous town, the improvements in the steam-engine, the 
great Galvanic experiments, and, above all, the novelty and extent 
of the prospects afforded by that revolution in chemical science 
which has illustrated our own age and country—these magnificent 
objects, when presented to Mr. Tennant’s mind, excited in him 
the liveliest emotions, and called forth the most animated expres- 
sions of admiration and delight. 
This keen sensibility to intellectual pleasure may be partly under- 
stuod, from the following passage of a letter written by him in January 
1809, to an intimate friend who was then abroad. After mentioning: 
the great phenomena of the decomposition of the alkalies by Voltaic 
electricity, and giving a general view of the experiments founded 
upon them, he thus concludes: “ I need not say how prodigious 
these discoveries are. It is something to have lived to know 
them.” 
His taste in literature and the fine arts partook, in a considerable 
degree, of the peculiar character of his imagination. His favourite 
writers (those whom he most valued for the eloquence of their style) 
were such as describe “ high actions and high passions,” and have 
the power of exciting strong and deep emotions. Of the poets, he 
principally esteemed Virgil, Milton, and Gray; and the prose 
writers to whom he gave the preference for powers of composition 
were Pascal and Rousseau. He had a particular admiration of the 
s« Pensées de Pascal,” regarding it as a production altogether un- 
equalled in energy of thought and language, in occasional passages 
of refined and deep philosophy, and, above all, in that sublime 
melancholy, which he considered as one of the peculiar character- 
istics of great genius. 
. The same principles governed Mr. Tennant’s judgments in the 
fine arts. Considering it as their proper office to elevate the mind, 
and to excite the higher and nobler passions, he estimated the 
merits of the great masters in music and painting by their power 
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