Dr. Eason. 127 



by an assiduous attention to their own manufactures, in 

 the first place by manufacturing magnesia in such a con- 

 dition that after a century it still stands .the test ; whilst, 

 without going deeply into the history of artificial mineral 

 waters and aerated drinks, we are inclined to believe that 

 the elder Henry was the true inventor, or evidently con- 

 sidered that he was first in the field. Dr. Henry sepa- 

 rated from his partner Mr. Thompson, taking for himself 

 the magnesia, and leaving the aerated waters to the latter. 

 Three Henrys were mentioned. The third, Dr. William 

 Charles Henry, being still alive, we shall not attempt to 

 describe him. The wisdom and care shown by his father and 

 grandfather left him entirely independent of his profession, 

 and allowed him to live in affluence ; whilst the remarkable 

 skill shov/n in dealing with the scientific life of Dalton has 

 proved that the wealth which was given to him was loss to 

 the scientific community, perhaps to himself also. 



Dr. Eason. 



Dr. Eason was an important member of the medical 

 staff of Manchester at the time of the formation of the 

 Society, and one of the proofs that medical and especially 

 sanitary studies had made remarkable progress in Man- 

 chester. He was descended from a dignitary of Dysart 

 in Fife, a baillie, and a member of Parliament in 1703. 

 The member's duties were important, as in the previous 

 year, Alexander Swinton, M.P., is instructed by the town 

 council to assert the independence of the nation, ' and that 

 he shall be against the alteration of the succession till the 

 union of England be consented and agreed to.' l The 



1 From the Fifeshirt Advertiser, 1864, Oct. 15. ' Extracts from Ancient 

 Records, &c.' This begins with an old phrase as motto, ' Up wi' the carles 

 o' Dysart.' 



