Page images
PDF
EPUB

snipe shooting; or to the more distant covers in the warm valleys frequented by the woodcock*, a kind of shooting of which he was ever afterwards extremely fond. His fishing excursions were chiefly in spring, when the small streams are in the best state for angling -turbid, in a slight degree, from the mild rains common in April and May. His early angling was like that of Isaac Walton; he was not then initiated into the nobler mysteries of fly-fishing.

This period of his life was, I believe, a very happy one: I mean the last year he spent at Penzance. He had become conscious of his own powers of intellect ; he had an enthusiastic delight in the exercise of them; vast fields of unexplored science opened before him. The love of knowledge; the desire of distinction; the hope of benefiting mankind; in brief, every good motive that can act on a generous mind influenced his. Mr. Coulson, who was very intimately acquainted with him at this time, was strongly impressed with the conviction of his great capacity, and also of his nobleness of character. In a paper now before me, written by him, he concludes with observing that, "had he been left to his bent without any disturbing impulse, that is, without the connections which he fell into from his peculiar situation, he would have exhibited to the world a much nobler elevation than even that to which his great powers raised him."

The state of his mind and feelings is portrayed in vivid characters in one or two passages which

At that time, in Cornwall, little attention was paid to the gamelaws; every one who chose amused himself with a gun, and went in pursuit of the minor caccia, birds of passage, such as the woodcock, snipe, and water-fowl, without any licence, and without apprehension of question.

I have found in his note-books kept during this period:

"I have neither riches, nor power, nor birth to recommend me; yet, if I live, I trust I shall not be of less service to mankind and to my friends than if I had been born with these advantages." And this early sentiment never forsook him: even in his last days he had a feeling of the same kind, looking forward, were his life spared, to greater exertions. Another passage I shall give, which I consider applicable to him, though I am not sure that he wrote it of himself: if the feelings were intended for an ideal character, I have no doubt they had been experienced in great part by himself. It is a fragment amongst fragments:

"I gradually became conscious of my powers, by comparing them with those of others. That solitary enthusiasm, however, which constituted my independence was never lost. I was no longer anxious to know what others thought of me, and I panted little after the breath of fame. Hence, agitated by no passion but the love of truth, the desire to see things in their real light counteracted every other desire. My conversations were plain and simple; I perceived that circumstances and the development of my moral powers had produced, or, rather, gradually unfolded, a new moral character. It was this character that I sought to improve, by casting from me every trait of hypocrisy and concealment. I considered all my possible relations with men, and I found no one which could again possibly turn me over to dependence."

It has been already stated, that, in the short space of about four months from the time he commenced the study of chemistry, he was in correspondence with Dr. Beddoes on the subject of heat and light. Soon after,

Dr. Beddoes offered him the situation of superintendent of the Pneumatic Institution, which had been established at Clifton for the purpose of trying the medicinal effects of different gases. After some nogociation respecting the terms of the appointment (in which Mr. Davies Gilbert aided him in a very friendly manner), he gladly accepted it, with the consent of all his friends, excepting Mr. John Tonkin (who had hoped he would have settled at Penzance), and with the approval of Mr. Borlase, who (the period of his apprenticeship not being expired), in a very generous manner, released him from "all engagements whatever, on account of his excellent behaviour;" adding, "because, being a youth of great promise, I would not obstruct his present pursuits, which are likely to promote his fortune and his fame." This I have copied from the back of the indenture now before me, written, and signed by Mr. Borlase on the 1st of October, 1798. On the following day he left his home, to enter upon his public career, before he was twenty years old. Even at this time, when starting in life, the objects of science were a main consideration with him; and the expectation of having ampler means for indulging his love of inquiry was, I believe, the chief temptation which prevailed with him to quit Penzance, and the prospects which he there had of moderate independence. In a letter to Dr. Beddoes, written when the engagement was concluded (of which I find a portion of the rough draught in one of his notebooks), he says, "I have now made all the experiments I can make here: a very short time will arrange and collect them; but this I can do better at Clifton than at Penzance."

CHAPTER II.

Letter to his mother on quitting home-Advantages of his situation at Clifton-Character of Dr. Beddoes-Of Mr. Poole-Notices of his researches, in connexion with his philosophical opinions-Extracts from his note-books, illustrative of the same-First visit home-Lines on the occasion-Farther extracts from note-books, showing his varied pursuits, and modes of sentiment and thought-Fragments of a poem-Happy life and aspirations-Letters expressive of theseAccepts an appointment in the Royal Institution—List of his publications whilst at Clifton.

THE following letter, descriptive of youthful mind, and of the feelings of youth on going out into the world,— written shortly after his arrival at Clifton, may serve as an introduction to this period of his life. The reader will please to keep in mind to whom it was addressed, and the occasion, and that it was intended solely for a mother's perusal.

"My dear Mother,

"October 11th, 1798. Clifton.

"I have now a little leisure time, and I am about to employ it in the pleasing occupation of communicating to you an account of all the new and wonderful events that have happened to me since my departure.

66

"I suppose you received my letter, written in a great hurry last Sunday, informing you of my safe arrival, and kind reception. I must now give you a more particular account of Clifton, the place of my residence, and of my new friends, Dr. and Mrs. Beddoes, and their family.

"Clifton is situated on the top of a hill, commanding a view of Bristol and its neighbourhood, conveniently elevated above the dirt and noise of the city. Here are houses, rocks, woods, town and country, in one small spot; and beneath us, the sweetly flowing Avon, so celebrated by the poets. Indeed, there can hardly be a more beautiful spot: it almost rivals Penzance, and the beauties of Mount's Bay.

"Our house is capacious and handsome; my rooms are very large, nice, and convenient; and, above all, I have an excellent laboratory. Now for the inhabitants, and first, Dr. Beddoes, who, between you and me, is one of the most original men I ever saw-uncommonly short and fat, with little elegance of manners, and nothing characteristic externally of genius or science; extremely silent, and in a few words, a very bad companion. His behaviour to me, however, has been particularly handsome. He has paid me the highest compliments on my discoveries, and has, in fact, become a convert to my theory, which I little expected. He has given up to me the whole of the business of the Pneumatic Hospital, and has sent to the editor of the Monthly Magazine a letter, to be published in November, in which I have the honour to be mentioned in the highest terms. Mrs. Beddoes is the reverse of Dr. Beddoes extremely cheerful, gay, and witty; she is one of the most pleasing women I ever met with. With a cultivated understanding, and an excellent heart, she combines an uncommon simplicity of manners. We are already very great friends. She has taken me to see all the fine scenery about Clifton; for the Doctor, from his occupations and his bulk, is unable to walk much. In the house are two sons, and a

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »