xxiv 



closed, another and a wider opened. Becquerel was called to a 

 chair at the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers. Here his eminent 

 talents found ample scope. 



The Academy of Sciences meanwhile was eagerly looking forward 

 to receive him to its membership. However, on account of strict 

 limitation of its numbers, this inclusion did not become possible 

 until 1863, when the death of Despretz opened the way. 



In 1878 he succeeded his father as Professor of Physics at the 

 Museum, where he was duly admired for profound mastery of his 

 .subject, as well as for the admirable clearness of his teachings. This 

 important position he continued to occupy down to his death. 



Here he was in a position to contribute powerfully to the advance 

 and the diffusion of his favourite science, by his personal researches 

 which he still carried on with unremitting zeal and interest, and by 

 his teachings at the Conservatoire and the Museum. 



Becquerel's health was unbroken, notwithstanding intense applica- 

 tion to his duties and his studies. Not merely his personal friends, 

 but the learned world, hoped that, like his father, he might reach 

 an advanced age. Such, however, was not to be his lot. In the 

 beginning of May, 1891, he was seized with an indisposition, which, 

 without apparent cause, rapidly intensified, so that a few days saw 

 the end of his brilliant career. 



Edmond Becquerel's scientific services can best be judged from a 

 survey of his researches. It will be seen that he took up physics, 

 especially electricity, from what may be called the chemical side. 

 Some of the present developments of the science would probably 

 appeal to him less strongly. 



The personal qualities of M. Edmond Becquerel aided in no com- 

 mon degree the attainment of his high position as a savant. He 

 was patient, persevering, and truthful, and he is known to have beeu 

 what the French expressively call un homme de coeur. 



It is interesting to note that M. Eenri Becquerel has been recom- 

 mended by the Academy of Sciences as the most suitable candidate 

 to succeed his distinguished father in the chair of Physics applied 

 to Natural History, at the Museum. 



W. C. 



Thomas Sterry Hunt was born in Norwich, Conn., on September 

 5, 1826, of an old New England family. His ancestor, William Hunt, 

 was one of the founders of Concord, Mass., in 1635. His maternal grand- 

 father, Consider Sterry, of Norwich, was a civil engineer and mathema- 

 tician, and was the author of text-books of arithmetic and algebra, 

 published 100 years ago. Mr. Hunt was destined for the profession 

 of medicine, but, after preliminary studies, his love for chemistry and 

 mineralogy led him, early in 1845, to become a special student, and 



