MEMOIR OF THE LATE DR THOMAS CHARLES HOPE. 431 
his acknowledged skill in experiment, and the brilliant path then opening for im- 
portant discoveries in chemistry, which have immortalized the contemporary 
names of BLAck, PriESTLEY, Davy, WOLLASTON, DALToNn, and FARADAY among 
ourselves—of LAVOISIER, BERTHOLLET, VAUQUELIN, GAy Lussac, Voura, Kuar- 
ROTH, BERZELIUS, and Lirpic on the Continent. That there is foundation for 
this criticism, I will not attempt to deny: and, indeed, Dr Hore seems to have 
anticipated it, by some observations he once made verbally to myself, and has 
stated in a paper now in my possession, as his apology. <“‘ Those,” says he, “who 
devote themselves to the science of chemistry, may be divided into two classes— 
lst, Those whose labours are employed in original researches, to extend our 
knowledge of the facts and principles of the science. 2dly, Of those whose busi- 
ness it is, from university or other appointments, to collect the knowledge of all 
that has been discovered, or is going forward in the science, to digest and arrange 
that knowledge into lectures, to contrive appropriate and illustrative experiments, 
and devise suitable apparatus for the purpose of communicating a knowledge of 
chemistry to the rising generation, or others who may desire to obtain it. 
From my professional situation, I consider myself, as Dr Buack had done 
before me, as belonging to the second class of chemists. 1 consider my vocation 
to be the teaching the science.” 
It is true that itis the paramount duty of one appointed to teach a science to 
make that his principal object; but this, [ humbly conceive, is quite consistent 
with most extensive original research. It may be that the regular recurrence of 
the labour of teaching the elements of a science, requiring several hours of daily 
personal exertion, may sometimes indispose a lecturer to experimental investiga- 
tions of a similar kind; but such has not been its effects on Davy, THomson, 
Berzeuius, or Lirepic; all of whom have combined the business of teachers of 
chemistry with the most valuable and laborious original researches. Dr Buack had 
certainly made all his great discoveries before he was Professor in the University 
of Edinburgh; but his health was always very delicate, and his example can 
scarcely be pleaded for one who enjoyed such uninterrupted and vigorous health, 
that he never was a single day prevented from lecturing by indisposition, for a 
period of more than fifty years. 
Dr Horr undoubtedly fulfilled admirably the duty of a public teacher of 
chemistry, as we have already stated. His mode of lecturing was methodical and 
clear, though his style was occasionally too laboured; he scarcely ever failed in 
the performance of the nicest and most difficult experiments, which he introduced 
to an extent previously never attempted in chemical prelections ; and he possessed 
the faculty of impressing his hearers with just notions of the importance and 
interest of the science. Still it is to be regretted, that one so well qualified to 
advance the boundaries of the study, had limited his ambition and his exertions 
VOL. XVI. PART IV. : 5 R 
