CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Particulars of his infancy and early youth, of his school education—Studies after leaving school—Extracts from his earliest note-books—Portions of his early poetry—The course of his studies further illus-trated by extracts—Anecdotes of this period of his life, relating to hishabits, feelings, and pursuits—His application to chemistry, firstentered on as a branch of medical studies—Rapid advance—AppointedSuperintendent of the Pneumatic Institution. Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Letter to his mother on quitting home—Advantages of his situation atClifton—Character of Dr. Beddoes—Of Mr. Poole—Notices of hisresearches, in connexion with liis philosophical opinions—Extractsfrom his note-books, illustrative of the same—First visit home—Lineson the occasion—Further extracts from note-books, showing hisvaried pursuits, and modes of sentiment and thought—Fragments ofa poem—Happy life and aspirations—Letters expressive of these—Accepts an appointment in the Royal Institution—List of his publi-cations whilst at Clifton. Page 45

CHAPTER III.

His reception as a Lecturer at the Royal Institution—Circumstancesfavouring his success—His manner as a Lecturer—As an Experi-menter—His Habits at this time, and manner of living—Notice ofhis principal Scientific Labours and Discoveries between 1801 and1807 —Dangerous Illness in 1807 —Lines written after Ills Recovery—Farther Notice of his Labours and Discoveries, from 1807 to 1812—Circumstances of his Personal History—His Marriage in 1812, andRelinquishment of the Professorship of Chemistry at the RoyalInstitution — Extracts from his Note-Book in Verse and Prose ,wlxilst at the Institution. Page 87