B E C C A R I A. 



387 



Beccaria. sion by heat and cold, he succeeded in making an im- 

 '-" -"v ' provement on .hem. He devised a double pendulum, 

 consisting of two rods, connected together in such a 

 manner, that when one rod elevated or depressed the 

 centre of oscillation, the other produced the oppo- 

 site effect, so that this centre was always found 

 in the same point. Beccaria likewise corrected an 

 error of S. Gravesande concerning the velocity of a 

 pendulum at the end of descent ; and pointed out an 

 oversight of Newton in the theory of falling bodies : 

 He also invented an ingenious formula for finding the 

 foci of lenses, and explained many other interesting 

 problems in science. 



The phenomena of electricity having attracted an 

 extraordinary share of the public notice in general, 

 as well as that of philosophers, did not escape Bec- 

 caria. He entered ardently into its principles and 

 effects, which he endeavoured to explain by a won- 

 derful variety of experiments and observations. These 

 were long protracted, and frequently reverted to, and 

 shew the fertility of his mind in analysis and combi- 

 nation. In this branch he has perhaps made deeper 

 enquiry, advanced more rational theories, and thrown 

 greater light on the operations of nature connected 

 with it, than any other individual has done. In the 

 year 17.33, he published a volume called Elettricismo 

 . '.rtijlciale e Maturate, which, after receiving numer- 

 ous additions during several successive years, was, 

 along with other tracts, translated into English in 

 1776. In that work he enters on all the different ap- 

 pearances of electricity in the natural state, and shews 

 how they can be imitated by art. He conceives that 

 the numerous atmospherical phenomena, not only of 

 thunder and lightning, which constitute natural elec- 

 tricity in its most evident and terrific shape, but that 

 hail, rain, and water-spouts, proceed from it ; and 

 that earthquakes and volcanoes have also an intimate 

 relation with it. 



Beccaria was appointed master of experimental phi- 

 losophy by the duke of Chablais in 176-t, about 

 whicli time he published two dissertations on the 

 double refraction of Iceland crystal, dedicated to 

 the duke of York, who was then travelling through 

 Italy ; and he also wrote on the power of the elec- 

 tric spark and of lightning on the air. In 1774, he 

 published the result of his measurement of a degree 

 of the meridian, which he had undertaken by order 

 of his sovereign, nearly ten years before, under the 

 title of Qradtii Taitrinensis. This he had accom- 

 plished with uncommon fatigue and difficulty ; but it 

 unfortunately involved him in a serious controversy, 

 where his skill and accuracy were equally questioned. 

 Cassini, a noted astronomer, did not hesitate to as- 

 cribe the errors of the measurement which he suppo- 

 sed to exist, to the inexperience and want of correct- 

 ness of the author ; and, as he was himself well prac- 

 tised in similar matters, his opinion could not fail to 

 have weight. Beccaria doubted for a long time 

 whether he should make any reply. At length he 

 published seven letters in 1777, exculpating himself 

 from the charge of inaccuracy, and demonstrating, 

 that any defects and irregularities were to be impu- 

 ted to the attraction of the neighbouring mountains. 

 I lis theories of electricity were likewise attacked on 



other occasions ; and he was much occupied in de- Beccari:i. 

 fending himself, which he was able to do success- ' " ' v 

 fully. 



Beccaria's favourite pursuits occupied the greatest 

 part of his attention ; and he was continually making 

 additions to what he had already established, and en- 

 gaged in laying down new principles. These were 

 contained in detached tracts, addressed to his literary 

 contemporaries of eminence, or included in the pub- 

 lications of learned societies of which he was a mem- 

 ber. The Royal Society of London had elected 

 him one of its members ; that of Bologna did the 

 same ; and he was an honorary member of the Aca- 

 demy of Painting and Sculpture at Turin. 



Beccaria formed a correspondence with Dr Frank- 

 lin, to whom he inscribed one of his works ; and he 

 even made a translation of Franklin's treatise on T'hc 

 Increase nf Mankind, and the Population of Coun- 

 tries, from English into Italian, which yet remains 

 in manuscript. Franklin entertained a high esteem 

 for Beccaria, and dedicated to him a new invented 

 instrument, consisting of a combination of musical 

 glasses, which he called Harmonica. 



The fatigues which Beccaria had undergone in 

 completing the measurement of the terrestrial degree, 

 had laid the foundation of a dangerous malady, which, 

 in 1776, exhibited itself in alarming colours. Surgi- 

 cal aid afforded a temporary relief, but in each suc- 

 ceeding year the malady made frequent returns. In 

 addition to its pressure, he was attacked by an inter- 

 mittent fever, and at last sunk under the violence of 

 botli, towards the end of 1781. 



During his life, Beccaria enjoyed distinguished re- 

 putation, not'of that artificial kind which sometimes 

 falsely raises men to notice, but founded on the me- 

 rit of intrinsic learning. The variety and depth of 

 his information proved that he possessed a capacious 

 mind, one capable of embracing an extensive sphere, 

 and of conquering the difficulties opposed to the ac- 

 quisition of knowledge. Though addicting himself 

 chiefly to the elucidation of the phenomena of electri- 

 city, from which his fame has chiefly been gained, the 

 works which he has left on astronomical subjects and 

 natural history deserve approbation. His industry 

 was wonderful : besides no less than fifty different 

 treatises published by himself, many manuscripts 

 were found at his decease, written on topics, con- 

 cerning which he had derived no previous eminence, 

 but all evincing the power of his genius. 



Notwithstanding the literary talents of Beccaria, it 

 cannot be denied, that he was far from being a popular 

 character. The rudeness and asperity of his man- 

 ners excited disgust : his love of fame incurred the 

 jealousy of others who beheld him with less partial 

 eyes ; and neither his fellow-citizens nor his own fra- 

 ternity entertained affection for him. He would ac- 

 knowledge no superior or equal in those sciences 

 which he peculiarly cultivated, and, wrapt up in re- 

 tirement, he knew little of the sentiments of his 

 neighbours. Yet amidst all these defects, he preser- 

 ved a singular degree of fortitude, and hardly inter- 

 rupted his philosophical investigations, while labour- 

 ing under the excruciating pains of that disease which 

 terminated his existence, (c) 



