Page images
PDF
EPUB

Mr. Tennant was tall and slender in his person, with a thin face and light complexion. His appearance, notwithstanding some singularity of manners, and great negligence of dress, was on the whole striking and agreeable. His countenance in early life had been singularly engaging; and at favourable times, when he was in good spirits and tolerable health, was still very pleasing. The general cast of his features was expressive, and bore strong marks of intelligence; and several persons have been struck with a general resemblance in his countenance to the well-known portraits of Locke.

The leading parts of his moral and intellectual character are ap. parent in the principal transactions of his life. But in this memorial, however imperfect, of the talents and virtues of so extraordinary a man, some attempt must be made to delineate those characteristic peculiarities, of which there are no distinct traces in the preceding narrative.

Of his intellectual character, the distinguishing and fundamental principle was good sense; a prompt and intuitive perception of truth, both upon those questions in which certainty is attainable, and those which must be determined by the nicer results of moral evidence. In quick penetration, united with soundness and accuracy of judgment, he was perhaps without an equal. He saw immediately and with great distinctness, where the strength of an argument lay, and upon what points the decision was ultimately to depend; and he was remarkable for the faculty of stat

ing the merits of an obscure and complicated question very shortly, and with great simplicity and precision. The calmness and temper, as well as the singular perspicuity, which he displayed on such occasions, were alike admirable; and seldom failed to convince the unprejudiced, and to disconcert or silence his opponents.

These powers of understanding were so generally acknowledged, that great deference was paid to his authority, not only upon ques tions in science, but upon most others of general interest and importance. What Mr. Tennant thought or said upon such subjects, his friends were always anxious to ascertain; and his opinions had that species of influence over a numerous class of society which is one of the most certain proofs of superior talents.

Next to rectitude of understanding, the quality by which he was most distinguished, was a lofty and powerful imagination. From hence resulted a great expansion of mind, and sublimity of conception; which, being united with deep moral feelings, and an ardent zeal for the happiness and improvement of mankind, gave a very peculiar and original cha racter to his conversation in his intercourse with familiar friends. He partook with others in the pleasure derived from the striking scenes of nature; but was more particularly affected by the sight or contemplation of the triumphs of human genius, of the energies of intelligent and successful industry, of the diffusion of knowledge and civilization, and of whatever was new and beautiful

in art or science. The cheerful activity of a populous town, the improvements in the steam-engine, the great Galvanic experiments, and, above all, the novelty and extent of the prospects afforded by that revolution in chemical seience which has illustrated our own age and country-these magnificent objects, when presented to Mr. Tennant's mind, excited in him the liveliest emotions, and called forth the most animated expressions of admiration and delight.

This keen sensibility to intellectual pleasure may be partly understood, from the following passage of a letter written by him in January 1809, to an intimate friend who was then abroad.After mentioning the great phenomena of the decomposition of the alkalies by Voltaic electricity, and giving a general view of the experiments founded upon them, he thus concludes: "I need not say how prodigious these discoveries are. It is something to have lived to know them."

His taste in literature and the fine arts partook, in a considerable degree, of the peculiar character of his imagination. His favourite writers (those whom he most valued for the eloquence of their style) were such as describe"high actions and high passions," and have the power of exciting strong and deep emotions. the poets, he principally esteemed Virgil, Milton, and Gray; and the prose writers to whom he gave the preference for powers of composition were Pascal and Rousseau. He had a particular admiration of the "Pensées de Pascal," regarding it as a production

Of

altogether unequalled in energy of thought and language, in occasional passages of refined and deep philosophy, and, above all, in that sublime melancholy, which he considered as one of the peculiar characteristics of great genius.

The same principles governed Mr. Tennant's judgment in the fine arts. Considering it as their proper office to elevate the mind, and to excite the higher and nobler passions, he estimated the merits of the great masters in music and painting by their power of inspiring these emotions. What he particularly admired in musical compositions was that tone of energy, simplicity, and deep feeling, of which the works of Handel and Pergolesi afford the finest specimens. In painting he awarded the superiority to those distinguished masters, of whom Raphael is the chief, who excel in the poetical expressions of character, and in the power of representing with spirit, grace, and dignity, the most exalted sentiments and affections.

It was almost a necessary consequence of his intense and deep feeling of these higher beauties, that his taste was somewhat severe, and that his ideas of excellence, both in literature and the fine arts, were confined within strict limits. He totally disregarded mediocrity, and gave no praise to those inferior degrees of merit, from which he received no gratification.

In consequence principally of the declining state of his health, his talents for conversation were perhaps less uniformly conspicuous during his latter years.2 F 2

His

His spirits were less elastic, and he was more subject to absence or indifference in general society. But his mind had lost none of its vigour; and he never failed, when he exerted himself, to display his peculiar powers. His remarks were original; and his knowledge, assisted by a most retentive memory, afforded a perpetual supply of ingenious and well-applied illustrations. But the quality for which his conversation was most remarkable, and from which it derived one of its peculiar charms, was a singular cast of humour, which, as it was of a gentle, equable kind, and had nothing very pointed or prominent, is hardly capable of being exemplified or described. It seldom appeared in the direct shape of what may be called pure humour, but was so much blended either with wit, fancy, or his own peculiar character, as to be in many respects entirely original. It did not consist in epigrammatic points, or brilliant and lively sallies; but was rather displayed in fanciful trains of imagery, in natural, but ingenious and unexpected, turns of thought and expression, and in amusing anecdotes, slightly tinged with the ludicrous. The effect of these was much heightened by a perfect gravity of countenance, a quiet familiar manner, and a characteristic beauty and simplicity of language. This unassuming tone of easy pleasantry gave a very peculiar and characteristic colouring to the whole of his conversation. It mingled itself with his casual remarks, and even with his graver discussions. It had little reference to the ordinary topics of the day, and was wholly un

tinctured by personality or sar

casm.

It should be mentioned, among the peculiarities of Mr. Tennant's literary taste, that in common perhaps with most other original thinkers, he bestowed little attention on books of opinion or theory; but chiefly confined himself to such as abound in facts, and afford the materials for speculation. His reading for many years had been principally directed to accounts of voyages and travels, especially those relating to Oriental nations; and there was no book of this description, possessing even tolerable merit, with which he was not familiarly conversant.— His acquaintance with such works had supplied him with a great fund of original and curious ininformation, which he employed with much judgment and ingenuity, in exemplifying many of his particular opinions, and illustrating the most important doctrines in the philosophy of commerce and government.

Of his leading practical opinions, sufficient intimations have been given in the course of the preceding narrative. They were of a liberal and enlightened cast, and such as might be expected from the character of his genius and understanding Among them must be particularly mentioned an ardent, but rational, zeal for civil liberty; which was not, in him, a mere effusion of generous feeling, but the result of deep reflection and enlarged philosophic views.

His attachment to the general principles of freedom originated from his strong conviction of their influence in promoting the wealth and happiness of

nations.

nations. A due regard to these principles he considered as the only solid foundation of the most important blessings of social life, and as the peculiar cause of that distinguished superiority, which

lection of his talents and virtues must always remain a pleasing, though melancholy, bond of union.

M. PARMENTIER.

our own country so happily enjoys From the Biographical Account by among the nations of Europe.

Of his moral qualities, it is scarcely possible to speak too highly. He described himself as naturally passionate and irascible, and as roused to indignation by any act of oppression or wanton exercise of power. The latter feeling he always retained, and it formed a distinguished feature of his character. Of his irritability, a few traces might occasionally be discovered; but they were only slight and momentary. His virtuous dispositions appeared on every occasion, and in every form, which the tranquil and retired habits of his life would admit of.He had a high sense of honour and duty; and was remarkable for benevolence and kindness, especially towards his inferiors and dependants. But his merits were most conspicuous in the intercourse of social life. His amiable temper, and unaffected desire of giving pleasure, no less than his superior knowledge and talents, had rendered him highly acceptable to a numerous and distinguished circle of society, by whom he was justly valued, and is now most sincerely lamented. But the real extent of his private worth, the genuine simplicity and virtuous independence of his character, and the sincerity, warmth, and constancy of his friendship, can only be felt and estimated by those, to whom he was long and intimately known, and to whom the recol

M. Cuvier.

Antoine Augustin Parmentier was born at Montdidier in 1737, of a family established for many years in that city, the chief offices in the magistracy of which it had fulfilled.

The premature death of his father, and the small fortune which he left to a widow and three young children, confined the first education of M. Parmentier to some notions of Latin, which his mother gave him-a woman of abilities, and better informed than most of her rank.

An honest ecclesiastic undertook to develope these first germs, on the supposition that, this young man might become a precious subject for religion; but the necessity of supporting his family oblig ed him to choose a situation which would offer more speedy resources. He was therefore under the necessity of interrupting his studies; and his laborious life never allowed him to resume them again completely. This is the reason why his works, so important for their utility, have not always that order and precision which learning and long practice alone can give to a writer.

In 1755 he was bound apprentice to an apothecary of Montdidier, and next year came to continue it with one of his relations, who exercised the same profession in Paris. Having shown intelligence and industry, he was em

ployed

ployed in 1757 as apothecary in the hospitals of the army of Hanover. The late M. Bayen, one of the most distinguished members whom that Class ever possessed, presided then over that part of the science. It is well known that he was no less estimable for the elevation of his character than for his talents. He observed the dispositions and the regular conduct of young Parmentier, contracted an acquaintance with him, and introduced him to M. Chamousset, Intendant General of the Hospitals, rendered so celebrated by his active benevolence, and to whom Paris and France are indebted for so many useful establishments.

It was in the conversation of these two excellent men that M. Parmentier imbibed the notions and sentiments which produced afterwards all his labours. He learned two things equally unknown to those, whose duty it was to have been acquainted with them the extent and variety of misery from which it would be possible to free the common people, if we were seriously to occupy ourselves with their happiness; and the number and power of the resources which nature would of fer against so many scourges, if we were at the trouble to extend and encourage the study of them. Chemical knowledge, which originated in Germany, was at that time more general in that country than in France. More applications of it had been made. The many petty sovereigns who divided that country had paid particular attention to the amelioration of their dominions; and the chemist, the agriculturist, the friend of useful arts, met equally

with facts before unknown to them.

M. Parmentier, stimulated by his virtuous masters, took advantage of these sources of instruction with ardour. When his service brought him to any town, he visited the manufactures least known in France; he requested of the apothecaries leave to work in their laboratories. In the country he observed the practice of the far

mer.

He noted down the interesting objects which struck him in his marches along with the troops. Nor did he want opportunities of seeing all varieties of things; for he was five times taken prisoner, and transported to places whither his generals would not have carred him. He learned then by his own experience how far the horrors of need might go, a piece of information necessary perhaps to kindle in him in all its vigour that glowing fire of humanity which burnt in him during the whole of his long life.

But before making use of the knowledge which he had acquired, and attempting to ameliorate the lot of the common people, it was necessary to endeavour to render his own situation less precarious.

He returned then at the peace of 1763 to the capital, and resumed in a more scientific manner the studies belonging to his art. The lectures of Nollet, Rouelle and d'Antoine, and of Bernard de Jussieu, extended his ideas, and assisted him in arranging them. He obtained extensive and solid knowledge in all the physical sciences : and the place of lower apothecary being vacant at the Invalides in 1766, he obtained it, after an examination obstinately disputed.

« PreviousContinue »