288 THOMAS YOUNG. 



definite proportions, one of the most valuable discoveries 

 of modern chemistry. 



Dr. Brocklesby, the maternal uncle of Young, one of 

 the most popular physicians in London at the time, justly 

 confident of the distinguished success of the young 

 scholar, communicated occasionally his productions to 

 men of science and literature, and to men of the world, 

 whose approbation might have greatly flattered his van- 

 ity. Young thus found himself at an early period in 

 personal relation with those celebrated men Burke and 

 Wyndham, of the House of Commons, and the Duke of 

 Richmond. The last nobleman, then Master of the 

 Ordnance, offered him the place of private secretary. 

 The two other statesmen, although they wished him also 

 to follow a cai'eer connected with the public administra- 

 tion, yet advised him first to go through a course of law 

 at Cambridge.* With such powerful patrons Young 

 might reckon on one of those lucrative oflSces which 

 persons in power are not slow to bestow on those who 

 will spare them all study and application, and daily 

 furnish them with the means of shining at the court, 

 the council, the senate, without compromising their van- 

 ity by committing any indiscretion. Young happily had 

 a consciousness of his powers ; he perceived in himself ■ 

 the germ of those brilliant discoveries which have since 

 adorned his name : he preferred the laborious, but inde- 

 pendent, career of the man of letters, to the golden 

 chains which they exhibited so temptingly to hi§ eyes. 

 Honour be to him for such a determination ! May his 

 example serve as a lesson to so many young men whom 



* " Mr. Wyndham advised him not to accept the appointment, and 

 recommended him rather to proceed to Cambridge, and study the law." 

 Peacock's Life, p. 45. — Translator. 



