xxxvi 



subjects therein contained may be regarded as a memorial honourable alike 

 to the author and to American science. 



For a few years prior to his decease, Prof. Rogers was one of the 

 editors of the Edinburgh Journal above referred to. His health being 

 delicate, he spent his last winter in Boston, in company with his brother, 

 and returned to Scotland but a short time before his death. He was 

 elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1858. 



William Parsons, third Earl of Rosse, was born at York, June 1 7, 

 1800, of a family which had been settled in Ireland from the time of 

 Elizabeth, many of whom were distinguished in arms, at the bar, and in 

 the Irish House of Commons. His father was one of the most eloquent 

 persons of his day, and was the author of some works of value. Lord 

 Rosse was educated at home by a private tutor, and when 18 years old en- 

 tered Trinity College, Dublin. His career there was very successful both 

 in science and classics, for he obtained all honours that were possible. He 

 did not graduate there, though he answered for the degree ; but in com- 

 pliance with his father's wish went to Oxford, where he entered Magdalen 

 College. At that time Oxford was far behind Cambridge in the cultivation 

 of mathematical and physical science (to which he had now devoted him- 

 self), and he seems to have regretted this, though, no doubt, he did avail 

 himself well of the instruction which he found. On leaving Oxford, he 

 was returned for the King's County, which he represented in Parliament for 

 eight years. He was not an active debater, though, whenever he spoke, 

 he commanded attention ; but in matters of business, and especially on 

 committees, he had few equals. He then retired for a few years from poli- 

 tical life to follow his favourite pursuit with more leisure, and discharge 

 more completely the duties of a landed proprietor, in which he was exem- 

 plary. He was not exclusively devoted to astronomy or mechanics. In 

 fact few minds of our day have grasped so wide a range of knowledge. He 

 was a master of political economy, a greater one than many of its more 

 renowned champions ; for he brought to bear on it the sound common 

 sense which was one of his chief attributes. He also devoted much atten- 

 tion to the great question of national education, and the loss of his autho- 

 rity and influence on that subject is deeply felt in Ireland at the present 

 moment. He was a good chemist, would have attained a high position as 

 a civil engineer, and possessed a large amount of military and nautical 

 knowledge. As evidence of this it may be mentioned that he had formed 

 the conception of armoured ships some years before the Crimean AVar, and 

 had thoroughly investigated the problem. His calculations showed that 

 vessels of no great tonnage could carry a sheathing of 4 -inch plates which 

 would be proof against the 32-pounder, the normal gun of the time. His 

 elaborate memoir was sent into the authorities, acknowledged, and probably 

 forgotten. 



In 183G he married Miss Field, the daughter of a Yorkshire gentleman. 



