HELMHOLTZ IN KONIGSBERG 



sensation, and then there followed in rapid succession 

 a series of papers on the phenomena of colour. The 

 first announcement of research into acoustical ques- 

 tions was also made in 1852, a subject which occupied 

 much of his attention till 1863, when he published 

 his great work on Sensations of Tone as the Physio- 

 logical Basis of Music, a work that may fitly be called 

 the Prlncipia of acoustics. It was probably in Konigs- 

 berg that his genius burst forth in all its splendour, 

 although it had not yet reached its zenith, and this 

 period was characterised by intense mental activity, 

 as indicated both by the far-reaching nature of the 

 problems he attacked, and by the success with which 

 he achieved at least their partial solution. 



The University of Konigsberg may well be proud 

 of her famous professor. The distinguished man who 

 now occupies the chair of physiology there, Professor 

 Ludwig Hermann, in an address on Helmholtz, 

 remarks with pardonable pride : ' In a little room in 

 the anatomical department, which was his workshop, 

 originated the myographion, the ophthalmometer, and 

 the ophthalmoscope. His models were first con- 

 structed with his own hands, chiefly with wire, cork, 

 and sealing-wax, and then they were completed by 

 Rekoss.' In these days of palatial laboratories spring- 

 ing up all over the world in connection with each 

 department of science, it is well not to forget that 

 some of the greatest results in science have been 

 gained in humble rooms and with simple appliances. 

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