The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties: Its Pleasures and Rewards, Illustrated by Memoirs of Eminent Men, Volume 2 |
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Page 20
... favourite science . Some of the results of his studies , which he pub- lished , soon drew to him the attention of the learn- ed among his countrymen ; and , at the desire of the king , he at last left his retreat to teach astronomy in ...
... favourite science . Some of the results of his studies , which he pub- lished , soon drew to him the attention of the learn- ed among his countrymen ; and , at the desire of the king , he at last left his retreat to teach astronomy in ...
Page 24
... favourite son , was placed under the care of a neighbouring clergyman , who , instructing him , he says , " both with care and civility , soon brought him to renew his first acquaintance with the Roman tongue , and to improve it so far ...
... favourite son , was placed under the care of a neighbouring clergyman , who , instructing him , he says , " both with care and civility , soon brought him to renew his first acquaintance with the Roman tongue , and to improve it so far ...
Page 42
... favourite science by employing often half the night in reading the works that treated of it , or making experiments with instruments fabri- cated , as Davy's were , by himself , and out of equally simple materials . Like the young ...
... favourite science by employing often half the night in reading the works that treated of it , or making experiments with instruments fabri- cated , as Davy's were , by himself , and out of equally simple materials . Like the young ...
Page 43
... favourite pursuits , it is not probable that the various strange preparations which filled the shelves and boxes of his landlord's shop would escape his curious exam- ination . Thus , too , in other departments , genius has found its ...
... favourite pursuits , it is not probable that the various strange preparations which filled the shelves and boxes of his landlord's shop would escape his curious exam- ination . Thus , too , in other departments , genius has found its ...
Page 57
... favourite path , he neverthe- less revered wisdom and genius in all their manifes- tations . CHAPTER IV . Diversities of Intellectual Excellence . - Artists . - Benjamin West . THE ambition of intellectual excellence is , in truth , the ...
... favourite path , he neverthe- less revered wisdom and genius in all their manifes- tations . CHAPTER IV . Diversities of Intellectual Excellence . - Artists . - Benjamin West . THE ambition of intellectual excellence is , in truth , the ...
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Common terms and phrases
acquaintance acquired afterward appeared applied Arkwright artist astronomy attempt attention Bacon Belzoni Boulton and Watt Boyle brother called Capel Lofft character Charlemagne chym chymistry considerable contrivance cotton cultivation cylinder Davy Devizes discoveries distinguished early employed engaged engine England exertion experiments extraordinary father favourite formed fortunate friends genius George Bloomfield honour immediately improvement ingenuity invention Italy JAMES WATT known labours learned Ledyard leisure letter literary London machine machinery manner means mechanical ment mentioned merely mind Muscovy Napier native nature never object obtained occasion occupied painting persons philosopher piston principal probably proceeded produced profession pursuit of knowledge quantity received refracting telescope regard remarked residence Rome Royal Society Russia says sion soon steam success talents telescope thing tion took Tycho Brahe vacuum vessel Watt weft writing Yakutsk young
Popular passages
Page 186 - It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal like wax before it, — draw out, without breaking, a thread as fine as gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bauble in the air. It can embroider muslin, and forge anchors, — cut steel into ribands, and impel loaded vessels against the fury of the winds and waves.
Page 218 - ... hunger and nakedness to the utmost extremity of human suffering. I have known what it is to have food given me as charity to a madman ; and I have at times been obliged to shelter myself under the miseries of that character, to avoid a heavier calamity. My distresses have been greater than I have ever owned, or ever will own to any man. Such evils are terrible to bear ; but they never yet had power to turn me from my purpose. If I live, I will faithfully perform, in its utmost extent, my engagement...
Page 243 - Seathwaite and Ulpha, annexed together, would be apt to cause a general discontent among the inhabitants of both places ; by either thinking themselves slighted, being only served alternately, or neglected in the duty, or attributing it to covetousness in me ; all which occasions of murmuring I would willingly avoid.
Page 107 - Soon after he married, Robert told me, in a letter, that he had sold his fiddle, and got a wife.' Like most poor men, he got a wife first, and had to get household stuff afterward. It took him some time to get out of readyfurnished lodgings.
Page 230 - April, 1785. This being done, I then condescended to see how other people wove ; and you will guess my astonishment when I compared their easy modes of operation with mine. Availing myself, however, of what I then saw, I made a loom in its general principles nearly as they are now made. But it was not till the year 1787 that I completed my invention, when I took out my last weaving patent, August the 1st of that year.
Page 107 - Paradise Lost,' and some novels. These books he lent to Robert ; who spent all his leisure hours in reading the 'Seasons,' which he was now capable of reading. I never heard him give so much praise to any book as to that.
Page 188 - That he should have been minutely and extensively skilled in chymistry and the arts, and in most of the branches of physical science, might perhaps have been conjectured ; but it could not have been inferred from his usual occupations, and probably is not generally known, that he was curiously learned in many branches of antiquity, metaphysics, medicine, and etymology ; and perfectly at home in all the details of architecture, music, and law.
Page 163 - An admirable and most forcible way to drive up water by fire, not by drawing or sucking it upwards, for that must be as the philosopher calleth it, infra spheeram activitatis, which is but at such a distance. But this way hath no bounder, if the vessels be strong enough ; for I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it three...
Page 28 - New Experiments Physico-Mechanical, touching the spring of the air and .its effects.
Page 263 - There is a house full of people, and right nasty. The Czar lies next your library, and dines in the parlour next your study. He dines at ten o'clock and six at night ; is very seldom at home a whole day. Very often in the King's yard, or by water, dressed in several dresses. The King is expected there this day ; the best parlour is pretty clean for him to be entertained in ; the King pays for all he has.