402 LIFE OF D ALTON : 



subject, by stating that it was that curious research into the 

 relative conditions of the water and solid parts of hydrated 

 salts, which has since been so admirably prosecuted by Play- 

 fair and Joule ; verifying in the main, while modifying in 

 parts, the remarkable results obtained by Dalton's sagacity. 

 We do not find anything to tell us at what period the latter 

 was engaged in this enquiry ; but doubtless some time before 

 that impairment of his mental powers to which we have 

 just alluded. 



At Dalton's age a change of this nature, and evidently 

 connected with cerebral disease, is insuperable by remedies 

 and sure to be augmented by time. Though appointed a 

 vice-president at the meeting of the British Association at 

 Manchester, 1842, it was merely as a tribute to his name. 

 In May, 1844, another fit occurred; and on the 27th of July 

 he fell out of bed and was found lifeless on the floor. A 

 post-mortem examination showed no recent rupture of any 

 blood-vessel, but great venous congestion ; and in one part of 

 the brain, distinct traces of the extravasation which had 

 probably produced the first paralytic attack. There was too 

 much of ostentation in all that followed the event. His 

 coffin, placed in public in the Town Hall, was visited by more 

 than 40,000 spectators, and a procession of nearly 100 carriages 

 followed it to the grave. This was scarcely in accordance 

 with the life and character of the man. 



The portrait of Dalton, prefixed to Dr. Henry's volume 

 and taken from Chantrey's bust, faithfully represents his 

 countenance, and especially what we would call the austere 

 gentleness of his expression. His was a face which told the 

 whole character at once; its earnestness, simplicity, and 

 truth; and even that power of patient methodical labour, 

 which marked and determined every step in his career. 



We have very little clue to Dalton's religious opinions. 

 He was scarcely ever heard to allude to the subject; and 



