The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-06-11

The late news from Europe brings in.
.elligence Of the death of Dr.. Dionysius
Lardner, whose name is familiar to the
public through his works, and Who will
be personally remembered BY those who
made his acquaintance during his visit to
this country.
Dr.. Lardner was born in Wexford,
Ireland, on the 23d Februsry, 1890. An
accident during his boyhood which pre-
vented him from indulging in the usual
athletic sports Of which youths are gen.
orally 50 fond, was the means Of turning
his atteation to literary and scientific
pursuits. On his recovery. be entered
Trinity College, Dublin, and graduated
with honors. About this time he mar.
ried Miss Cecilia Flood, an Irish heiress,
from whom he was subsequently, divurc-
ed. He took holy orders, and was for 4
short period chaplain to the college; but
afterward devoring himself to scientific
pursuits, he soon dropped the "Rev."
prefix to his name. In 1927 he was
elected Professor Of Natural Philosophy
and Astronomy in the London Universe.
ty, but did not long retain the position,
aud for the next ten or twelve years de.
voted himself to the publication of the
cabinet CycloPsdia" and to cootribut-
ing to the various periodicals and maya
zines of the day.
lS4O, DR.. Lardner came to this coun-
sry, and after visiting Philadelphia, 10
ls4l, delivered series Of popular leo
lures on scientific subjects at the old
Clinton Hall, and subsequently at Nj.
bios, in New York. These lectures we,
remarkably successful and were delivered
in the principal towns Of the United
States. In lS45 DR.. Lardner returned
to Europe, and has since resided in
Paris.
As scientific writer DR.. Lardner was
laborious and painstaking, aud, without
Offering any very novel or original theo-
ries, was successful expositor and CON-
piler. He has published a number of
works and articles on olmost every depart
meut of science, including mathematics
in its various branches, hydrostatics,
pneumatics, mesmerism, astronomy, ami
NAL physics, &c. He has also written on
the steam engine, though he has chiefly
associated with this branch of mechanics
BY his repeated assertions that steam nav
igstion could never be carried to such
point as to make it paying speculation.
1t has been said that he deemed the cros-
sing of the Atlantic by steam vessels ut
terly impracticable, aud that, when that
mechanical triumph was achieved, he de-
MED having said SO. But it appears that
he merely urged that, as a commercial
speculation, trans Atlantic navigation
could not be successful.
The private and social life of Dr. Lard
ner does not bear investigation. When
he came to this country he was obliged
to leave England on account Of his clope-
ment with a Mrs. Heayyside, at whose
husbands house he was visiting. He
subsequently on the death of Captain
Heavyside, married this lady.
The latest hobby OF DR.. Lardner was
the use of scientific instruments for the
whole sale destruction Of human life
during the coming war. He advocated
the introduction of destructive chemical
agents in place of the rife and cannon !;
but whatever plans he may have formed,
or discoveries he may have made, it is now
impossible to say. He died in his sixty
ninth year.-N I. Post.