CHAPTER XVI. 



FOUR COURSES OF LOWELL LECTURES IN BOSTON. 



Double Course of Chemistry in New York (1838). Accident. The 

 Lowell Lectures: Plan of the Several Courses. First Course (1840). 

 His Introduction to the Audience by Mr. Everett. Popularity of the 

 Lectures. Dinner at Mr. Tuckerman's. Mr. John Lowell. Mr. 

 Jeremiah Mason. Courtesies Received. Second Course in Boston 

 (1841). Interest Manifested in the Lectures. Presides over the Geo- 

 logical Society in Philadelphia. Third Course in Boston (1842). Dr. 

 Walker's Lecture. His Opening Lecture. Social Civilities. Fourth 

 Course in Boston (1843). His Concluding Reflections. Correspon- 

 dence with Professor Kingsley, Chancellor Kent, c. 



RESUMING the narrative of his efforts as a popular 

 lecturer, Mr. Silliman makes mention of the double 

 course on chemistry, which he delivered in January, 

 1838, in Clinton Hall, in the City of New York. 

 He had given, a year before, a brief course on geol- 

 ogy, by invitation of the Lyceum of Natural History. 

 During the former course, of which he preserved 

 no detailed memoranda, although it was fully suc- 

 cessful, an accident befell him, which gave room 

 for the exertion of remarkable self-control. 



Although there was no failure of an experiment, I met 

 with an injury, which, however, I was able to conceal from 

 the audience and from my assistants. I was exhibiting the 

 elements of water, and the generating of heat by the com- 

 bustion of oxygen and hydrogen gases, in the compound 

 blow-pipe of Dr. Hare. A suspended gasometer was used 

 for each of the gases, and weights were placed upon each 



