xxvn 



Rev. Baden Powell, of Langton in Kent, and was Lorn at Stam- 

 ford Hill, near London, in 1796. He graduated at Oxford, where 

 he took a first-class degree in mathematics in 1817. In 1820 he 

 entered into holy orders, and in the following year obtained the 

 vicarage of Plumstead in Kent. He was appointed Savilian Professor 

 of Geometry in 1827, and Public Examiner soon afterwards ; a post 

 with which he was again honoured in 1831. He thus stood, as it 

 were, the acknowledged representative of mathematical and physical 

 science in the elder English University, we may almost say the 

 only representative ; for when he first obtained the professorship, 

 science was at the lowest ebb at Oxford. Mr. Powell exerted himself 

 to bring this state of things before the educated world, by which he 

 incurred some obloquy. But he persevered, and succeeded; the 

 honourable position which Oxford now holds, and the bright pro- 

 spects of the future, are due in good part to the exposure and remon- 

 strance of the Savilian Professor. 



" He performed the duties of his chair with urbanity, seeking to 

 encourage his students by explaining and familiarising each point 

 that would allow of it ; towards which he had a happy talent of 

 constructing his own models, of the simplest materials, for his prac- 

 tical illustrations. Thus, whenever requested to deliver lectures at 

 public institutions, he came armed with appropriate diagrams and 

 forms that essentially aided the comprehension of those who crowded 

 to hear him. We have thus seen the Undulatory theory of Light 

 treated, and Diffraction made we may say palpable. The Pre- 

 cession of the Equinoxes, and the phenomena of Aberration and 

 Nutation, were rendered equally visible ; and the hurried progress 

 of Comets when approaching the perihelion, was so attractively 

 shown, that the audience flocked down, after the lecture, to watch 

 the comet vary its speed through its long ellipse towards the sun. 

 His style of delivery was peculiarly quiet, showing his own clear 

 conviction and comprehension of his subject ; and his calmness was 

 caused by depth of thought. This sedateness of manner pervaded 

 all his writings and discourses, enabling him even to preach extem- 

 pore on the most intricate doctrinal points without wandering from 

 his subject. 



" Meanwhile he had produced various works, as well scientific as 

 theological. Among the first class may be cited his ' Treatise on the 



