itself by elevating him to the highest office in the Literary and Philosophical Society.

In November 1810, appeared the second part of the first volume of a "New System of Chemical Philosophy." It was dedicated to Sir H. Davy (then Mr Davy, and Sec. R.S.) and to Dr William Henry, “as a testimony to their distinguished merit in the promotion of chemical science and as an acknowledgment of friendly communications and assistance." To his brother he writes, November 17, "Herewith I send six copies of my 'Chemistry,' Part II., which I have just brought out. The work is not yet finished, but I have no doubt the judicious reader will thank me for the delay, having been spending a great part of my time for the two last years in prosecuting inquiries, the results of which are now published.” The following excerpts from the Preface are interesting :

When the first part of this work was published, I expected to complete it in little more than a year; now two years and a half have elapsed, and it is yet in a state of imperfection. The reason of it is the great range of experiments which I have found necessary to take. Having been in my progress so often misled by taking for granted the results of others, I have determined to write as little as possible but what I can attest by my own experience. On this account, the following work will be found to contain more original facts and experiments than any other of its size on the elementary principles of chemistry.

Whatever may be the result of my plan to render the work somewhat like complete by the addition of another volume, I feel great satisfaction in having been enabled thus far to develop that theory of chemical synthesis, which the longer I contemplate the more I am convinced of its truth. Enough is already done to enable any one to form a judgment of it. The facts and observations yet in reserve are only of the same kind as those already advanced; if the latter are not sufficient to

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convince, the addition of the former will be but of little avail. In the meantime, those who with me adopt the system will, I have no doubt, find it a very useful guide in the prosecution of all chemical investigations.

Had amity and peace, rather than diplomacy and war, ruled the destinies of Europe at the earlier part of the century, Dalton's claims to the honours conferred by continental savans on foreigners of merit would have been recognised on the first propounding of the atomic theory. The French Institute took an early opportunity, namely in 1816, of testifying their high regard for Dalton, by electing him a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences. This was the first honour awarded to Dalton, and he valued it greatly.

Early in the year 1818 an expedition was fitted out for investigating the Polar regions, and the Royal Society had the power of recommending "a natural philosopher" to go on the expedition. Sir H. Davy, in a very handsome manner, offered the post to Dalton, not omitting to mention the probable remuneration of £500 for the voyage. Dalton was then fifty-two years old, and wisely declined the proposition, on the grounds of not being able to quit the regular habits of a sedentary life for a seafaring one, and that on a voyage of uncertain duration, besides involving a great interruption to his chemical investigations.

All who sought excellence in art and the higher walks of science used to bend their steps to Paris, a city that held out superior advantages to the learned men of Europe, be they naturalists, historians, or physicists. Its libraries, museums, and galleries of

R

art-its schools of learning, and other admirably organised institutions-its architecture, its gardenesque and floral culture, and not least, its fashionable resorts and gaiety, made the City of the Seine the grandest capital of Europe. To the insular English mind it was, and still is, peculiarly attractive. However he may have been prompted to cross the Straits of Dover, Dalton, accompanied by two intelligent friends, travelled to Paris in 1822, and was richly rewarded for the effort.

Dalton had unfortunately preserved only very brief notes of this interesting journey. The first person upon whom he called was M. Brèguet, the celebrated mechanician, and a member of the Institute, merely with the object of placing in his hands a watch constructed by Brèguet, that required some repairs. When M. Brèguet learned the name of his visitor he welcomed him with the liveliest enthusiasm, and immediately engaged him and his two companions to dinner, where they met M. Arago, M. Fresnel, and other distinguished persons.

"Saturday, July 6th: Received a visit from two Swedish chemists from Abo, in Finland, pupils of Berzelius, Bonsdorf, and Nordenskiold. Visited the Venerable Abbé Gregoire.-7th, Sunday: Attended the service at the British Ambassador's chapel. From one to two hundred present, chiefly English, and more than half ladies. Very genteel and attentive congregation. Good sermon, well calculated for Paris, on the evidences of Christianity. After 4 P.M. took coach with companions for Arcueil, to dine by invitation with the Marquis Laplace and lady. Met Berthollet, Biot and lady,

Takes his Seat in the French Institute.

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Fourier, &c., &c. A most agreeable and interesting visit, and a beautiful place.-Monday, 8th July: Walked down to the Arsenal; saw Gay Lussac for half an hour; went to the Jardin du Roi; saw the wild beasts and the anatomical preparations, &c.; took coach home, and then went to the Institute. About one hundred persons present; was introduced by Biot, and placed in the square adjacent to the officers; was announced by Gay Lussac (as president) as a corresponding member (English) present. The sitting was from three to five o'clock.* After my announcement, my two companions were introduced to the same bench during the sitting.-Sunday, 14th: Gay Lussac and Humboldt called and spent an hour on meteorology, &c. Took a coach to Thénard's; breakfast à la fourchette with him, family, and Dr MilneEdwards. Went to the laboratory near M. Biot's, and saw a full set of experiments on the deutoxide of hydrogen, most curious and satisfactory. M. Thénard then went with us through the laboratory; showed us the new theatres for chemistry, physique, &c., and then went to M. Ampère's, who had previously prepared his apparatus for showing the new electro-magnetic phenomena. Saw a set of these experiments, which, with the aid of Dr Edwards, were made intelligible to me.-15th: Took coach to the Arsenal; spent

* Dr Robert Knox was present at the seance, and told me that on Mr Dalton's name being announced the president (Gay Lussac) and the other members of the Institute rose from their seats, and bowed to the Manchester philosopher. Such honours, it was remarked at the time, were not offered Napoleon le Grand when he took his seat among the renowned FORTY of France. I remember in the year 1838 seeing Lord Brougham enter the Institute, without, however, eliciting any special mark of attention from its members.

an hour with Gay Lussac in his laboratory; saw his apparatus for specific gravity of steam, vapours, &c. also M. Welters, the improver of chemical distillation, &c. Walked to the Jardin du Roi; dejeuner à la fourchette with Monsieur and Madame Cuvier and youngest daughter. M, Cuvier went with us to the museum, and accompanied us for some time, and then left a gentleman to attend us through the. museum, being himself engaged, but occasionally meeting us; spent two hours in the museum-the most splendid exhibition of the kind in the universe -it beggars description. Left after two, and took a and coach to the Institute; took a cup of coffee, &c., then entered the library; saw and spoke to MM. Milne-Edwards, Biot, Cuvier, Laplace, Berthollet, Brèguet, &c.; entered the Institute, heard papers by Milne-Edwards, Biot (on "The Zodiac de Denderah”), Fourier, on "The Population of Paris," after which notice was given for strangers to withdraw, when Gay Lussac called to me to stay, if I chose, being a member, which I did. The business was about election of members, and lasted nearly half an hour, after which we broke up. Saw M. Pelletan on coming out, who kindly inquired of me my health, &c.; went with Vanquelin in a coach to dine, when my companions met me; saw M. Payen, a young chemist of promise."

Mr Dockray, one of Dalton's companions, says "I was particularly struck by observing the impression made on Mr Dalton by the solemnities of Roman Catholic worship, and the evident sincerity of profound devotion which he saw there; and I do not doubt it was to him a page of human nature which till then he had never had an equal opportunity of witnessing.