The Soul in Nature

THE LIFE OF H. C. OERSTED.

embraced the whole with a universal and philosophical perception, independent of certain prevailing systems. In his natural metaphysics, he had emancipated himself in some essential points from Kant Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), the influential German philosopher.; and in a review of Gadolin's Introduction to Chemistry, he exhibited a new theory of alkalis, which was later universally adopted. In 1800, he took charge of an apothecary's shop and delivered lectures on chemistry and natural metaphysics.

In that same year, the galvanic battery was discovered by the Italian Volta. Galvanism soon appeared as one of the most powerful forces of nature, inviting scientists everywhere to conduct new experiments. Oersted took an active part in this research. Even his first experiments led to new discoveries regarding the powerful action of acids during the production of galvanic electricity and the relationship of the opposing effects developed through the conductor of the battery at both poles. He proved that both acids and alkalis are produced in proportion to how they mutually neutralize each other.

Inspired by an earnest desire to penetrate deeper into the world of knowledge, he set out in 1801 upon his first journey into a foreign country; there never was a more exciting or fertile period for an ardent spirit. Brown had transformed the school of medicine into a battlefield, and the Hungarian chemist Winterl had produced a new system in his eminent work, Prolusiones Latin: "preliminary exercises", which it was the young Dane’s task to bring forward to the German public via a critique, having previously been little regarded by them. Oersted became personally acquainted with the celebrated men of Germany and was everywhere received favorably. The unusual depth of his learning and his active mind astonished all who came in contact with him, while the youthful freshness of his almost childlike