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intense that the workman who illuminated it for the first time could not find his way home at night, in consequence of the blindness produced by its extreme brilliancy. This lamp has since become famous, but bears the name of Bude instead of Thompson, who was its inventor. Proceeding farther in his experiments, he examined the action of light in reducing the oxides of silver and gold, phenomena to which daguerreotypists are entirely indebted for their art. He also discovered that these metals, when in solution, may be reduced by charcoal, ether, the essential oils, and gum. It is barely probable that the nature of these experiments and their value will be appreciated by the general reader, but they were sufficient at the time to raise Thompson's name to the highest pinnacle of scientific fame. We have already referred to his experiments on the subject of heat, first instituted with a view to practical utility. Subsequently he continued them on philosophical principles, and obtained explanations of "the more important and extensive operations of nature upon the surface of the globe, and in some cases, as in that of the submarine polar currents, predicted what fifty years of subsequent observation have hardly yet exhibited in its full extent.”

To the prosecution of his various occupations Thompson brought to bear a well-disciplined and perfectly methodical mind. He had a time for every thing, and was, in consequence, never hurried. So confirmed was he in habits of industry and method, that it was impossible to tear him from his accustomed task. His death took place on the 21st of August, 1814, at his villa in Auteuil, in the sixty-second year of his age. It was occasioned by a fever, and accelerated by his habits of method, which would not allow him, on this occasion, to desert his favorite occupations for the quiet and regimen of the sick-chamber.

By marriage and otherwise he was the possessor of an ample fortune, and before and after his death made several public dispositions of his money. He instituted prizes, liberally endowed, to be adjudged by the Royal Society of London and the American Academy of Sciences, for the most important discoveries of which light and heat should be the subject; he bequeathed an annual sum of one thousand dollars, together with the reversion of other property, to Harvard University, for the purpose of founding a professorship to teach "the utility of the physical and mathematical sciences, for the improvement of the useful arts, and for the

extension of the industry, prosperity, happiness and well-being of society." Although Thompson proved by these liberal bequests that he remembered and was attached to his native country, he never saw it from the time of his first departure. At one time he was on the eve of returning, but circumstances occurred which prevented his fulfilling the intention. He had one daughter by his first wife, who visited him in England.

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In the immediate vicinity of Munich is a beautiful ornamental park, with artificial lakes and mountains, and a great variety of splendid trees and flowers. It is a place of recreation, and free to the public, who roam there, and enjoy the fresh breeze and the fine scenery. Thompson caused this park to be laid out and dedicated in the way it is. The people were so thankful for the boon that they caused a monument to be erected in commemoration of Thompson's services in securing it. It has two principal fronts opposite to each other, ornamented with basso-relievos and inscriptions. On one side is an inscription in the German language, of which the following is a literal translation:

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On the opposite side of the monument there is a bust of Count Rumford, and the inscription:

"To him

Who rooted out the greatest of Public Evils,

Idleness and Mendacity,

Relieved and instructed the Poor,

And founded many Institutions
For the education of our youth.
Go, Wanderer,

And strive to equal him
In genius and activity,
And us

In gratitude."

THOMAS POSEY.

THOMAS POSEY, whose life furnishes us with another instance of the undeviating integrity and enduring patriotism of the men who struggled for liberty in our Revolution and gained it, was born on the banks of the Potomac, in Virginia, on the 9th of July, 1750. He was in humble circumstances, and received but a scanty education. When he was nineteen years of age he removed to the western part of Virginia, near the frontiers, where he expected to engage in some profitable employment. A few years after his removal to this locality the country became involved in a general war with the Indians. In 1774, an expedition was undertaken against them by the British colonial governor, Lord Dunmore, and General Andrew Lewis. Mr. Posey received an appointment in the quarter-master's department, and marched with General Lewis's division of the army. The course of the army lay through a primitive wilderness, the fastnesses of which were yet unbroken by the foot of man. Difficulties of the most perplexing character were constantly occurring to obstruct the horses, baggage, munitions, and provisions which were under Posey's charge, but the coolness, perseverance, and industry which he displayed enabled him to reach the place of rendezvous in safety. Mr. Hall justly remarks that there was more merit and brilliancy in such an achievement than in the daring and the triumph of a successful battle, for the performance required more labor, more patient courage, more active patriotism than is usually called forth by the excitement of a battle.

On the 10th of October the Indians made their appearance in great force, and an obstinate and bloody engagement immediately ensued (Point Pleasant). They were led by the famous chief Corn-stalk, a chief who, unlike most of his contemporaries, had no fear of open warfare, and attacked Lewis's position with the skill of an experienced general. The battle lasted the entire day, and was at last decided in favor of the Virginians, who lost seventy-five men killed, and one hundred and forty wounded. The Indian loss was of course much greater, but, in accordance with

their invariable custom, they carried off their dead, and left it impossible to discover what loss they had sustained. Shortly after this engagement, Lord Dunmore succeeded in effecting a treaty of peace with the Indians.

The battle of Point Pleasant was the first engagement in which Posey took part, although it is probable that at various times he had a hand in the frontier skirmishes which were incessantly waged between the settlers and the savages. He was a minute observer of all the operations of battle, and his imagination, being eminently of a military order, was fired with hot excitement. It is not remarkable, therefore, that when the war of Independence broke out, he was one of the first to enroll his name on the scroll of patriotism. At an early day he was appointed a captain in the regular service, and raised a company, which was incorporated with the seventh Virginia regiment, and afterward put upon the Continental establishment. The seventh regiment distinguished itself in a campaign against Lord Dunmore, and was subsequently ordered to join the army under the immediate command of General Washington. In the spring of 1777 it reached headquarters at Middlebrook, New Jersey-a large force of the enemy then lying at New Brunswick, a few miles distant, under the command of Lord Cornwallis. About this time General Washington authorized the formation of a picked rifle regiment, to be commanded by Colonel Daniel Morgan. The latter distinguished officer availed himself of the opportunity placed in his hand to select from all the army none but the best men. Among others, his choice fell upon Posey, who was at once honored with a captaincy. In this regiment, surrounded by master-spirits who looked on danger as their comrade, Posey distinguished himself equally with his gallant companions. It would be unfair to say more, for every man in that regiment was a patriot. One of the principal uses of a rifle corps is to harass an enemy rather than fight him; to engage the picket-guards, cut off the supplies, and surprise detached parties. Detected in such dangerous tactics, the rifleman receives no quarter, and, indeed, expects none; but the great importance of the service renders it vitally important to have none but the most reliable men in the corps. Morgan's regiment was essentially the "crack" one of the day, and by the daring rapidity of its movements performed inestimable service in the American cause.

In the spring of 1778, Colonel Morgan being on furlough, Lieutenant Colonel Butler having joined his regiment, and Major Morris having been killed, Captain Posey succeeded to the command of the rifle corps, now much reduced by the many actions in which it had taken part, and the hardships and privations it had endured. He continued to perform active duties until the British evacuated Philadelphia, when his detachment joined the army. Posey was promoted to the rank of major, and in 1779 was intrusted with the eleventh Virginia regiment of infantry, from which he was shortly after transferred to the command of a battalion, composing part of Febiger's regiment, under the orders of General Wayne. Under this illustrious commander he distinguished himself at the assault on Stony Point (15th July, 1779), and was the first to enter the main work of the enemy. Marshall, in his history, says that "Colonel Fleury was the first to enter the fort and strike the British standard. Major Posey mounted the works at the same instant, and was the first to give the watchword, 'The fort is ours." In 1780, Posey was employed in the recruiting service, but assisted at the siege of Yorktown, where once more he witnessed the triumph of American arms. He returned to his recruiting station and organized a regiment, of which he obtained the command, having already been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. With this regiment he repaired to Georgetown (1781-2), and served under General Wayne until the evacuation of Savannah by the British. When this event took place, Wayne, with his troops, was ordered to join General Greene in South Carolina. Charleston was evacuated a few months afterward, and Posey was ordered, with his battalion of light infantry, to follow the enemy as they marched out. This was his last employment in the Revolutionary war, as it was, indeed, the last occasion for his services. During the whole period in which the country was struggling for its liberties, Posey was at his post, ever foremost in the time of danger; ever prepared for the privations, disappointments, and misfortunes of that time which truly "tried men's souls.” It is nothing for a man to be a patriot now. He has a country and a nationality to fight for; but in those times, a man, if he failed, was a rebel, and suffered an ignominious death, which, to a vast number of recruits, did not carry pity with it.

After the peace, Colonel Posey (who had lost his first wife) was married again (1783) to Mrs. Thornton, a young widow of con

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