808 CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS. 



In reply, I beg leave to say that the services and duties rendered by Professor 

 Henry as a member of the Light-House Board consisted of his attendance on the 

 meetings of the board, his participations in its discussions, and in his performance of 

 the duties of chairman of the committee on experiments. 



As chairman of this committee, Professor Henry acted as the scientific adviser of 

 the board. But, in addition, it was his duty to conduct the experiments made by 

 the board, not only in the matter of original investigation and testing the material 

 used, but in examining and reporting on the models, plans, and theories presented 

 by others to the board. 



The value of the services he rendered in this position is simply inestimable. 



He prepared the formula for testing our oils, and, until the infirmities of age ren- 

 dered it difficult, he usually applied them with his own hands. He conducted the 

 series of experiments resulting in the substitution of lard oil for sperm, which 

 effected an immense saving in cost; and he also conducted the experiments which 

 have resulted in making it possible to substitute mineral oil for lard, when another 

 economy will be made. 



His original investigation into the laws of sound have resulted in giving us a fog- 

 signal service conceded to be the best in the world. 



His examinations into the action of electricity has enabled the board to almost 

 completely protect its stations from the effect of lightning. 



The result of his patient, continuous, practical experimentation is visible every- 

 where in the service. No subject was too vast for him to undertake; none too small 

 for him to overlook. And while he has brought into the establishment so many prac- 

 tical applications of science, he has done almost as much service by keeping out 

 Tvhat, presented by others, seemed plausible, but which on examination proved 

 impracticable. 



Every theory, plan, or machine which was pressed on the board, as for the inter- 

 ests of commerce and navigation, was referred to the committee on experiments, 

 when it was examined by its chairman, and was formally reported upon. If it had 

 no practical value, the report on record simply stated the inexpediency of its adoption; 

 but the professor often verbally pointed out to the presenter its fallacy, and sent him 

 away, if not satisfied, at least feeling that he had been well treated. 



He thus prevented not only the adoption of impracticable plans, but avoided the 

 enmity of their inventors. 



Professor Henry made many valuable reports containing the results of his elaborate 

 experiments into matters which were formally referred to him, which are spread on 

 the records of the board, and the reports were drawn in such form that his sugges- 

 tions were capable of and received practical application. But, in addition to this, he 

 was constantly extending his scientific researches for the benefit of the service in all 

 directions. His summer vacations were, as a rule, passed in experimentation at the 

 laboratory of the establishment at Staten Island, on its steamers, or at its light sta- 

 tions, pushing his inquiries to their last results. 



To experimentation in the interests of this service Professor Henry seemed to give 

 his whole heart. It occupied a portion of all his thoughts, it was present with him 

 at all times, it was woven into all his other duties, and it will be found running 

 through many of the speeches and papers submitted not only to the Smithsonian 

 Institution, but to the National Academy of Science and the Philosophical Society, of 

 which he was head, and to the electrical and other societies of which he was a mem- 

 ber. It appeared as if he never lost sight of the needs of the establishment, and as 

 if he never neglected an opportunity to advance its interests. 



In addition to his other duties, Professor Henry presided as chairman of the Light- 

 House Board for the last seven years at its weekly meetings, when he did much to 

 infuse into the different members of the board his own spirit of labor for and devo- 

 tion to its interests. 



