H Biographical Account of the Hon, H, Cavendish. [Jan* 



the attention of mathematicians on account of the neatness, 

 simplicity, and shortness of the denrionstrations. The only 

 other electrical paper of Mr. Cavendish consists in a set of 

 experiments made on purpose to elucidate the shock communi- 

 cated by the torpedo, and to show that it was consistent with the 

 known properties of the electric fluid. (Phil. Trans. 177^? vol. 

 Ixvi. p. 196.) This paper is marked by the sagacity and the 

 patient industry which distinguishes every thing that came from 

 the hands of Mr. Cavendish. He succeeded perfectly in the 

 object which he had in view; though the discovery of the 

 galvanic pile has thrown additional light on the nature of the 

 organ by which the torpedo produces that remarkable effect. 



III. Meteorological Papers. 



The meteorological papers avovv^edly written by Mr. Cavendish 

 are only two ; and, perhaps, in strict propriety, the term me- 

 teorological ought not to be applied to them. The first of these 

 is an account of the meteorological instruments used at the 

 Royal Society house. (Phil. Trans. 1776, vol. Ixvi. p. 375.) 

 These are the thermometer, barometer, rain-gage, wind-gage, 

 hygrometer, variation compass, and dipping needle. Important 

 observations and instructions are given respecting the proper 

 mode of constructing and using the thermometer, the ^ariation 

 compass, and the dipping needle. Mr. Cavendish's second 

 meteorological paper is a calculation of a remarkably luminous 

 arch, seen Feb. 23, 1784. He shows that its height was not 

 less than 52 statute miles, and that it could not exceed 71 

 statute miles. (Phil. Trans. 1790, vol. ixxx. p. 101.) There is 

 strong reason to conclude, from the style, and from the train of 

 observations contained in it, that a report of a committee of the 

 Royal Society, appointed to consider the best method of adjusting 

 the fixed points of thermometers, and of the precautions neces- 

 sary to be used in making experiments with those instruments 

 (Phil. Trans. 1777? vol. Ixvii. p. 816), was written by Mr, 

 Cavendish. But as this is not quite certain, we have not 

 reckoned it among the number of his papers. 



IV. yhtrovoyjiical Tapers. 



The astronomical papers of Mr. Ca%''endish amount to three ; 

 and display the same sagacity and patient industry as his papers 

 on the other departments of science. The first of these papers 

 is on the civil year of the Hindoos, and its divisions ; with an 

 account of three Hindoo almanacs^ belongitig to Charles 

 Wiikins, Esq.; (Phil. Trans., 1792, vol. Ixxxii. p. 383;) the 

 second paper is a letter to Mr. Mendoza y Rios, giviiig a new 

 rule for finding the longitude by what is called the lunar 

 observations. (Phil. Trans. 1/97^ vol. toxvii. p. 43.) Mr* 



