William Sturgeon. 275 



on the Continent, and ' unitress ' in America ; an apparatus 

 now universally employed in every magneto-electrical 

 machine. Mr. Sturgeon was without doubt the constructor 

 of the first rotary electro-magnetic engine. 



' " The use of amalgamated zinc plates in the voltaic 

 battery was originated by Mr. Sturgeon. It is an improve- 

 ment of such value that it has been universally adopted 

 ever since, although all other arrangements of equal date 

 have been superseded. 



' " Mr. Sturgeon's discoveries in the thermo-electricity 

 and magnetism of homogeneous bodies are very important, 

 and have placed his name higher than that of any other 

 philosopher who, after Seebeck, has cultivated thermo- 

 electricity. 



' " The above is only a very imperfect abstract of a small 

 part of Mr. Sturgeon's discoveries and improvements in 

 magnetism, electricity, and the kindred sciences. Though 

 not himself the author of extensive generalisations, he has 

 been signally useful in preparing the way for them, and in 

 carrying them out practically ; and I know not of one 

 individual, who, under equal or even less disadvantages, 

 has contributed so eminently to the advancement of these 

 highly interesting and useful sciences. 



(Signed) JAMES P. JOULE." 



* Soon after he left the army, Mr. Sturgeon was appointed 

 Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Military Academy 

 at Addiscombe, where he continued to lecture until he 

 came down to Manchester to superintend the Victoria 

 Gallery of Practical Science. The pressure of the times 

 very soon necessitated the discontinuance of this institution, 

 and Mr. Sturgeon was then unhappily deprived of any 



T 2 



