PROFESSOR HENRY AND THE 



by which galvanic batteries are dispensed with, 

 and electricity, made in quantities from some 

 great and economical source of power, is distrib- 

 uted to Henry's machines wherever they may be. 



In many volumes, some of which have perished 

 by fire, and some remain, were laid out lines and 

 plans of investigation by Professor Henry, needing 

 only leisure and means for their development, 

 covering fields where other investigators have 

 since reaped rich harvests of fame, but from which 

 he was debarred by the pressure of his other occu- 

 pations here. In those records are contained the 

 evidence that the great intellect, which did so much 

 with so little, was capable of grasping the whole 

 circle of physical science, and of enriching and 

 adorning any department of it to which his efforts 

 might be directed. 



But he was destined for another career. A be- 

 nevolent Englishman, inspired by the noble ambi- 

 tion to aid in elevating mankind, had bequeathed 

 to the United States a great sum of money to be 

 used for " the increase and diffusion of knowledge 

 among men." It was a splendid gift, and a sacred 

 trust. Who was to be found equal to the task of 

 effecting this grand purpose ? The civilized world 

 was interested in that question. Mankind was the 

 beneficiary of the trust; and all men were entitled 

 to be considered in its administration. By the 

 common consent of the wisest and best of Europe 



