In this sketch of the scientific career of our late associate, we have followed the logical, rather than the chronological, order of events, hoping thus to render the relations of the different parts of his work more intelligible. It must be remembered, however, that the two lines of investigation we have distinguished were in fact inter-woven, and that the beautiful harmony which his completed life presents was the result, not of a preconceived plan, but of a constant devotion to truth, and a childlike faith, which unhesitatingly pressed forward whenever nature pointed out the way.
Although the investigations of the phenomena connected with the molecular motion in gases and liquids were by far the most important of Dr. Graham's labors, he also contributed to chemistry many researches which can not be included under this head. Of these, which we may regard as his detached efforts, the most important was his investigation of the hydrates and other salts of phosphorus. It is true that the interpretation he gave of the results has been materially modified by the modern chemical philosophy, yet the facts which he established form an important part of the basis on which that philosophy rests. Indeed, it seems as if he almost anticipated the later doctrines of types and polybasic acids, and in none of his work did he show more discriminating observation or acute reasoning. A subsequent investigation on the condition of water in several crystalline salts and in the hydrates of sulphuric acid is equally remarkable. Lastly, Graham also made interesting observations on the combination of alcohol with salts, on the process of etherification, on the slow oxidation of phosphorus, and on the spontaneous inflammability of phosphureted hydrogen. It would not, however, be appropriate in this place to do more than enumerate the subjects of these less important studies; and we have therefore only aimed in this sketch to give a general view of the character of the field which this eminent student of nature chiefly cultivated, and to show how abundant was the harvest of truth which we owe to his faithful toil.
Graham was not a voluminous writer. His scientific papers were all very brief, but comprehensive, and his "Elements of Chemistry" was his only large work. This was an admirable exposition of chemical physics, as well as of pure chemistry, and gave a more philosophical account of the theory of the galvanic battery than had previously appeared. Our late associate was fortunate in receiving during life a generous recognition of the value of his labors. His membership was sought by almost all the chief scientific societies of the world, and he enjoyed to a high degree the confidence and esteem of his associates. Indeed, he was singularly elevated above the petty jealousies and belittling quarrels which so often mar the beauty of a student's life, while the great loveliness and kindliness of his nature closely endeared him to his friends.
In concluding, we must not forget to mention that most genial trait of Graham's character, his sympathy with young men, which gave him great influence as a teacher in the college with which he was long associated. There are many now prominent in the scientific world who have found in his encouragement the strongest incentive to perseverance, and in his approval and friendship the best reward of success.
VI.
MEMOIR OF WILLIAM HALLOWES MILLER.
Reprinted from the "Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences," Vol. XVI, May 24, 1881.
William Hallowes Miller, who was elected Foreign Honorary Member of this Academy in the place of C. F. Naumann, May 26, 1874, died at his residence in Cambridge, England, on the 20th of May, 1880, at the age of seventy-nine, having been born at Velindre, in Wales, April 5, 1801. His life was singularly uneventful, even for a scholar. Graduating with mathematical honors at Cambridge in 1826, he became a fellow of his college (St. John's) in 1829, and was elected Professor of Mineralogy in the University in 1832. Under the influence of the calm and elegant associations of this ancient English university, Miller passed a long and tranquil life—crowded with useful labors, honored by the respect and love of his associates, and blessed by congenial family ties. This quiet student-life was exactly suited to his nature, which shunned the bustle and unrest of our modern world. For relaxation, even, he loved to seek the retired valleys of the Eastern Alps; and the description which he once gave to the writer, of himself sitting at the side of his wife amid the grand scenery, intent on developing crystallographic formulæ, while the accomplished artist traced the magnificent outlines of the Dolomite mountains, was a beautiful idyl of science.
Miller's activities, however, were not confined to the University. In 1838 he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1856 he was appointed its Foreign Secretary—a post for which he was eminently fitted, and which he filled for many years. In 1843 he was selected one of a committee to superintend the construction of the new Parliamentary standards of length and weight, to replace those which had been lost in the fire which consumed the Houses of Parliament in 1834, and to Professor Miller was confided the construction of the new standard of weight. His work on this important committee, described in an extended paper published in the "Philosophical Transactions" for 1856, was a model of conscientious investigation and scientific accuracy. Professor Miller was subsequently a member of a new Royal Commission for "examining into and reporting on the state of the secondary standards, and for considering every question which could affect the primary, secondary, and local standards"; and in 1870 he was appointed a member of the "Commission Internationale du Mètre." His services on this commission were of great value, and it has been said that "there was no member whose opinions had greater weight in influencing a decision upon any intricate and delicate question."