Fo Bl ee ee eae ot = eel ter, ie et eae |) Ty ts 
- Chances of investinents, 
Joseph Henry. 467 
Academy of Science; and as the adviser of the Government in 
matters of science. 
It was while engaged in discharge of certain experimental 
work on Staten Island last December, connected with the pho- 
tometric laboratory of the Light-House Board, that he experi- 
enced a partial paralysis, which yielded soon to treatment, but 
was doubtless the precursor of the nephritic attack to which he 
succumbed, In April he presided at the opening meeting of the 
session of the National Academy of Sciences held in the rooms 
of the Secretary of the Smithsonian, and submitted an address 
to his associates, read by the Home Secretary, recounting with 
touching simplicity his recent decline of power, and express- 
ing his desire to be relieved from the cares of the office of Pres- 
ident. Asa mark of affectionate respect, the Academy unan- 
imously requested him to retain this post during his life—leay- 
ing the duties to be discharged by the Vice-President. It was 
on this occasion that the announcement was made to the Acad- 
emy, by Professor Henry, and, subsequently, in fuller details, 
by Professor Fairman Rogers, the Treasurer, of the creation of 
an endowment to be called “the Joseph Henry fund.” This fand 
consists of forty thousand dollars, securely invested, the income 
of which is for the support of Professor Henry and that of his 
family, during the life of the latest survivor. Afterwards the 
fund is to be transferred, in trust, to the National Academy of 
Sciences, the income to be forever devoted to scientific research. 
No more graceful and well-merited tribute of respect and affec- 
tion was ever bestowed upon a man of science, by the sponta- 
neous offerings of personal friends and associates. Alas! that 
affairs at the seat of government. By force of his earnest 
determination that the will of the Testator should be carried 
is large t 
original fand paid over to the United States. The policy upon 
