BANCROFT
LIBRARY

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA

-'

REMARKS OF ROBERT E. C. STEARNS,

ON THE LATE

" "* "

PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY,

EFOEE THE

California Academy at

MAY a Oth, 1878;

AND

RESOLUTIONS OF THE ACADEMY,
June 17th, 1878.

MEMBERS 'OF THE ACADEMY: — Death, which hath all seasonal
for its own, has just stricken from the roll of the living, one of,
the illustrious names of the century, a name eminent in intel
lectual, especially scientific circles, throughout the world. I
refer, of course, to the late Prof. Joseph Henry, whose long
life service to his country and to mankind as an educator and
scientific investigator, and as the organizer and head of the
Smithsonian Institution, placed him naturally, and justly, at
the front, as the representative of science and scientific thought
and culture in America — a position which he filled because of
his high attainments, and the conspicuous nobility of his char
acter, with exceeding credit to himself and to the manifest ad
vantage of science and his country. A man of great, yet un
assuming excellence, whosoever met him was at once impressed
most favorably, by his quiet yet cordial greeting, his dignified,
yet genial welcome. His native breadth of mind, his wide read
ing, correlated with and refined by an ample and generous
philosophy, impelled him, even early in life, to regard not

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this or that direction of study or path of knowledge, only, as
worth tlie pursuing, but that the simple text or legend,
" Knowledge should be pursued for its own sake," should
stand as an axiom, resting upon the everlasting foundation of
Truth. This made him appreciative of the special study and
work of others, and his friendly interest and sympathetic
words, stimulated and inspired the student, to continued and
increased effort.

I will not recite by title in long enumeration, the many re
sponsible positions he filled — the experiments, investigations
and discoveries he made, or enlarge upon the numerous IIOD-
ors conferred upon him by the higher institutions of his own
country, or repeat the tributes paid to his achievements by the
highest intellectual and governmental authorities of foreign
lands. Turning from these well-merited honors, acknowledge
ments not less of eminent ability than of scientific integrity
and personal worth, we are led to survey the completed life,
in its rounded term of eighty years, as a whole, — as we would
view from afar, some stately tree whose lines are full of strength
and beauty, — and we are curious to learn what benificent star
was in the ascendant, what occult charm, what power of cir
cumstance, nurtured and protected, and led him onward through
the days of his youth, and lighted the path for his later years.
In turning to -ills e&rly life, to the time when he first went forth
on its now completed voyage, we find that he was not born a
favorite of fortune, as that term is usually understood, within
an environment of luxury and ease; but, if we give a loftier
and better definition to the phrase, we may well regard it as
highly fortunate for him and for the world that he was born
with a profound and abiding thirst, an irrepressible longing for
knowledge, which determined his destiny and moulded his
career — which led him upward and onward, though by no
royal road devoid of labor.

Had his mind been colored at all by avarice, or the desire
for wealth, or, if in his earlier years it had received the impress
of commercial bias through experience in trade, he might,
through his numerous and important discoveries, extended into
inventions, — especially in electricity in its practical applica
tion, — have accumulated wealth as did others of less knowl
edge, who reaped in this productive field. His fortune so far
as regards material wealth, was like that of others, of nearly all

of the great; the earnest and sincere teachers and philosophers,
who have labored faithfully and unselfishly for the cause, who
have sought, only with a single mind in all its strength — for
the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.

During the official term of President Fillmore, in addition to
other numerous duties, he was appointed to the light-house
board, a most important service, and his visit to this coast,
which occurred a few years ago (September, 1871,) was in con
nection with said position; his presence at the Academy on one
occasion, during this visit, will long be remembered by those
who were present at the time.

His life is ended, but his memory will be cherished by all
who knew him, and like the usefulness of his labors, shall
endure for years. His career constitutes a monument, marking
the advancement of human thought and the intellectual pro
gress of the republic, in which he was so eminent a citizen.

On motion duly seconded, the Chair appointed a Special
Committee of three, consisting of Professor John LeConte,
Doctor A. Kellogg, and Mr. John M. Stillman, to which by
special vote the Academy added the Chairman, to draft appro
priate resolutions of appreciation and respect, and present the
same at a future meeting. *ANOR«FT LIBRARY

REGULAR MEETING, JUNE I?TH, 1878.

Vice President Edwards in the Chair.

The Special Committee appointed to prepare suitable Reso
lutions expressive of the sentiments of this Academy, in rela
tion to the late PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY, beg leave to submit
the folio wing:

Whereas, in the death of our distinguished colleague, PROFES
SOR JOSEPH HENRY, LL. D., American science has lost its Nestor,
and this Academy one of its most honored members :

Be it Resolved-, That in the scientific career of PROFESSOR
HENRY, we recognize the highest and purest type of a man
whose long life affords a beautiful commentary on the enno
bling influences of the cultivation of true science.

Resolved, Second; That as an original investigator, we recog
nize the distinguished merit of PROFESSOR HENRY in the follow
ing respects, viz :

1. As being the first to develop the power of the Elec-

tro Magnet as actuated by an in/<>iixiti/ or a quantity battery.

2. As the first to apply the Electro-Magnet in the inven
tion of an Electro-Magnetic Telegraph.

3. As the first to invent a Machine to be moved by Electro-
Magnetism.

4. For the application of the Electro-Telegraph to fore
casting the "Weather.

5. For the Plan of the " Smithsonian Institution" for the
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men, and the suc
cessful development of this Plan during an administration of
more than thirty years as Scientific Director of this establish-
lishment.

G. For the improvement of " Fog Signals," in connection
with the United States Light-house Board.

7. In addition to the foregoing, our colleague made impor
tant investigations and discoveries in Acoustics, in Capillary
Attraction, in Radiant Heat, and in many other departments of
physical science.

Resolved, Third; That it is a fortunate circumstance for Amer
ican science, that a man of PROFESSOR HENRY'S pure and exalted
character was so long in a position in which, by the force of
his earnest and uncompromising determination, he saved
the "Smithsonian Fund" from diversion and absorption in a
Public Library, and from various other schemes, and suc
ceeded in devoting it to the legitimate objects of the Testa-
tator, viz. " to the increase and diffusion of knowledge among
mankind."

Hesoh-ed, Fourth; That it is equally fortunate for American
science that the influence of the high scientific attainments no
less than the rare personal qualities of our illustrious colleague
at the seat of government, has done so much to arrest the tide
of charlatanry and superficial half-knowledge, which threatens
to overwhelm our country.

Jlexnlre.d, fifth; That a properly attested copy of these Res
olutions, be sent to the honored widow of our deceased col
league.

JOHN LECONTE.
A. KELLOGG
J. M. STILLMAN.
R. E. C. STEARNS,

Of Special Committee.