The Soul in Nature

THE LIFE OF H. C. OERSTED.

he fortunately received a private collection of instruments. Using these, he delivered lectures to a numerous and educated audience on electricity, galvanism, magnetism, heat, light, and combustion, in accordance with the dynamic theory, which deduces all chemical effects from the same fundamental forces. At the same time, he published numerous German and Danish treatises. The most important were The Series of Acids and Bases (in Gehlen’s Journal) and his Observations on the History of Chemistry, which is intimately connected with his scientific career and is remarkable for pointing out the development and general tendency of his mind.

Oersted’s intellectual and deeply interesting lectures, but especially the publication of his new experiments on acoustic figures Visual patterns formed by sound vibrations on a vibrating surface., at length paved the way in 1806 for his obtaining the professorship of physics at the University of Copenhagen. His active nature was now fully occupied by numerous public and private lectures. He succeeded in considerably enlarging his collection of instruments and was indefatigable in making experiments. He became a teacher at the Academy of Land Cadets, delivered lectures for the adjutants of the general staff, and in 1809, he published his Manual of Mechanical Physics, which was considerably enlarged and altered in 1844.

The appearance of the portion devoted to chemistry was delayed partly by his travels and partly by the annual advances of science. During this ardent and ever-enthusiastic activity in his own science, which was constantly developing, he refreshed himself in his private life through intercourse with an intellectual and stirring circle of society. This included the foremost men of his time, among whom were his brother, Steffens, Oehlenschläger, and the witty poet and critic Baggesen, who was his opponent at a later period. By associating with these men, he was kept in