40 BIOGKAPHIES OF SCIENTIFIC MEN 



died possessed of more than 1,157,000. He was a selfish 

 cynic, ignorant of humour and of pathos, devoid of all 

 human sympathy ; love, joy, sorrow, and pity were absent 

 in his nature ; he had a leichenbittermiene ; and, with the 

 exception of the highest intelligence, his life was a blank. 

 With his vast wealth he did no good, not even to science, 

 for he left none to further the aims of his favourite pursuits. 

 Cavendish lived alone, worked alone, and died alone ! 



When near his end, he called his servant to his 

 bedside, and said : " Mind what I say I am going to die. 

 When I am dead, but not till then, go to Lord George 

 Cavendish and tell him go ! " He ordered the servant 

 from the room, as he wished to be left alone. Shortly 

 afterwards it was found that Cavendish had "joined the 

 majority" "abiit ad plures." He died in London on 

 24th February 1810, and lies buried in the family vault 

 in All Saint's Church, Derby. 1 



It has been said of Cavendish that " in extent of 

 acquirements, and in profundity of learning, he was 

 unsurpassed by any of his contemporaries." 



Who are the great? 



Those who have boldly ventured to explore 

 Unbounded seas, and lands unknown before 

 Soared on the wings of Science, wide and far, 

 Measured the sun, and weighed each distant star, 

 Pierced the dark depths of ocean and of earth, 

 And brought uncounted wonders into birth; 



1 After his death his library and scientific apparatus were removed 

 to Chatsworth. 



