-28 A CHEMICAL TRIAD. 



wide a field, and would involve points of discussion not suited 

 to general scrutiny. Perhaps the most remarkable investiga- 

 tion associated with his name is that respecting the compo- 

 sition of water ; which fluid, hitherto regarded as an element 

 or simple body, was proved by his experiments to be the 

 result of combination between oxygen and hydrogen. I am 

 aware that the merit of Cavendish, as sole discoverer of this 

 interesting fact, has been disputed. There is no space here 

 to mention the reasons which could be adduced in favour of 

 the scientific claims for or against. Let it suffice to say, that 

 Cavendish is recognised to have been the sole discoverer of 

 the composition of water, by those who have gone into the 

 question most deeply ; and he is acknowledged by all to have 

 contributed the major points of the discovery. 



It is not with the question of the scientific grade of re- 

 cognition to which Cavendish is entitled, that we have to 

 concern ourselves in the course of these remarks. That 

 award has long since been made by impartial judges, and 

 needs no amplification. It is with Cavendish here, regarded 

 as a strange moral phenomenon, that we have to deal ; and 

 his biographer will best acquit himself of that by relating 

 some well-attested anecdotes. 



Up to the age of forty, Cavendish was poor his total an- 

 nual income (being an allowance from his father) not exceed- 

 ing 2001.) indeed, according to some authorities, falling short of 

 that sum. This was indeed a small stipend for the son of a 

 noble family; and popular rumour was not slow to attribute the 

 restricted amount to the displeasure of Lord Charles Caven- 

 dish at the peculiarities and impracticable disposition of his 

 son. The truth of this explanation, however, is by no means 

 apparent. When about the age of forty, a very large for- 

 tune came into the possession of Henry Cavendish left him, 

 it is believed, by some distant relative ; but concerning this 

 there is again some doubt. Our philosopher had so long 

 been obliged to cultivate habits of economy, that, without 



