xviii 



at least, was calm ; and equally calm was his mode of thinking, as evinced 

 iu liis numerous scientific memoirs. He staved in Edinburgh, studying 

 with Dr. Hope, the well-known Professor of Chemistry, for two years, and 

 there made the acquaintance and enjoyed the friendship of Leslie. Return- 

 ing to Glasgow, he began to teach mathematics ; he then took a room for a 

 chemical laboratory in Portland Street, and in this he gave lectures, for a 

 very short time only, as he was Lecturer in the Mechanics' Institute for 

 the winter 1829-30, having succeeded Dr. Thomas Clark, afterwards Pro- 

 fessor in Aberdeen. In the latter year he was transferred to the Ander- 

 sonian Institution, succeeding Dr. L're, who went to London. 



Graham began in Glasgow with the good wishes of all who knew 

 how laboriously he had studied. He was then 24 years old, but he 

 had been known to scientific men for three years previously ; his earliest 

 memoir bearing date 1826, and one on diffusion of gases 1829. He 

 appeared extremely young, and like a boy beginning to teach. He was not 

 fluent in speech ; there was a hesitation as if it were difficult to find the 

 proper word, and a quietness of demeanour which (except for the little per- 

 ceptible nervousness) completely covered the great enthusiasm which kept 

 him at constant work for forty years after that period. He remained in 

 Glasgow lecturing and teaching in the laboratory till 1837, and sending 

 out diligent workers who have since shown themselves vigorous in the 

 regions of science and its application to the Arts. In that year he went to 

 London as Professor at the London University, now University College. 

 He had his residence near it in Torrington Square, which he afterwards left 

 for a house a few doors distant, at 4 Gordon Square, where he ended his 

 days on the 16th of September, 1869. In the College he was held in high 

 regard bv his pupils and colleagues. It is true that, as a lecturer, he had to 

 contend with a want of natural fluency and with a feeble utterance ; but as 

 he had always the clearest conception of the matter he was treating of, his 

 manner of exposition, even of intricate subjects, was singularly clear and 

 perspicuous, and the instruction imparted was well grounded and thorough, 

 and was pervaded by the same philosophical spirit which guided him in 

 his original investigations. 



In 1855 he ceased to be connected with the College, having succeeded 

 Sir John Herschel as Master of the Mint. 



An occasional visit to Scotland to see his relations, sometimes to Balle- 

 win at Strathblane, a property which his father had left him, made up his 

 chief journeys, and in later years he was afraid to go except in June or July. 

 His chest, as indeed his whole constitution, was tender, and the accidental 

 exposure to an open window "in a warm August day brought on his final 

 attack. 



"Were it possible to write at present a correct account of Graham's intel- 

 lectual life, the space required would be too long for thi3 occasion, and a 

 short notice will be given of his principal papers cnly. 



His earliest memoir indicated in the ■ Royal Society's Catalogue' is in 



