REMINISCENCES BY PROF. H. C. CAMERON. 167 



modesty, upon one occasion gave the Senior Class a sketch of his 

 life instead of the usual lecture. His lectures always received the 

 most profound attention, and nothing that he said was unheeded ; 

 but upon that day his audience hung upon his lips and drank in 

 every word that he uttered. In the simplest words he told the 

 story of his life. Born in Albany, N. Y., December 17, 1799, he 

 received a plain education and was destined to a mechanical pur- 

 suit, but, as he expressed it, "he was considered too dull to learn 

 the trade." He read much, however, obtaining the books from a 

 library which was kept in a room adjoining a church. The room 

 had been closed for some years, but he and some of his companions 

 gained access to the books in some way, and he thus enjoyed these 

 hidden treasures. He subsequently attended the Albany Academy, 

 then under the care of Dr. T. Romeyn Beck. After completing 

 his studies he taught a district school, and was private tutor for a 

 time in the family of Mr. S. Van Rensselaer, the patroon. He 

 then devoted a year to the practice of civil engineering, and subse- 

 quently became Professor of Mathematics in the Academy, although 

 at an earlier period he said he was " unable to learn geometry." 



His attention was first turned to science in a singular manner. 

 He had sustained an injury to his face and was compelled to 

 remain at home for some days. At this time he happened to 

 pick up a small book upon science intended for popular use. 

 This was Lectures on Experimental Philosophy, Astronomy and 

 Cliemistry ; intended chiefly for the use of students and young 

 persons, by G. Gregory, D. D. The following sentences especially 

 attracted his attention : 



"Again : You throw a stone, or shoot an arrow upward into the 

 air; why does it not go forward in the line or direction that you 

 give it ? Why does it stop at a certain distance, and then return 

 to you ? What force is it that pulls it down to the earth again, 

 instead of its going onwards? On the contrary, Why does flame 

 or smoke always mount upwards, though no force is used to send 

 them in that direction ? And why should not the flame of a candle 

 drop toward the floor, when you reverse it or hold it downwards, 

 instead of turning up and ascending into the air?" 



