Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-09-01
THE PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS AT
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE.

! PATAPsco, fDr. }. G. NJ, in the Luth-
eran Observer, thus speaks of the gentle
man:
Mr. Mayer, the Professor elect of PHYS
| les, is comparatively stranger, and a few
| words respecting him may be allowed. Az
! his name viii intimate, he is of Lutheran
origin, and his German relatives, have for
many years, held high places in the Church
of the kingdom of WurtembeFg. He is a
native OF Baltimore, the son OF an eminent
lawyer, and has, from early youth, devoted
himself diligently to scientific pursuits Af
ter leaving college, he spent portion of fev-
cry day for two years, in machine shop, to
acquire dexterity In the use of tools, and to
give him facility in extamporizing instru-
cies in any collection and keep in order those
instruments already acquired. BY this prac-
tlcal course of study, he also became ac-
quainted with the important applications of
science and daily assisted in the designing
and construction of machinery, which has
given to this century its special industrial
characteristics. He has collected lathes of a
superior construction and fully equipped
workshop, and he is capable Of making a
wise and skilful use of his tools. He also
possesses valuable and rare collection of in
struments, rich microscopal collection and
choice library. Mr. Mayer was Professor
of Physics in Westminster College, Missou-
ri, until the rebellion broke out, and has
since been lecturing in two Colleges in Bal
tImore, conducting the most intricate chem
ical analysis, and further prosecuting scien-
tific studies in Paris, from which he has re-
Gently returned, In Paris, he attended the
lectures of Wurtz, on chemistry; Regnault,
on Physics; Deville, on Metallurgy; Bee
querel, on electricity; Chevreuel, on applied
chemistry, and Taillandisr, on general liter
ature. For paper in the French language,
which he read before one of their learned
societies he was elected an honorary mem
Der, distinction seldom conferred on a young
foreigner. His scientific friends In this coun-
try have been much gratifed in observing
that Fresenius, in his last edition of his
Journal favorably notices some original
views in chemistry, which Prof Mayer pub
hshed in Silleman' Journal, eight or nine
years ago, before he was twenty years of
age. Fresenius quotes these views from the
Journal fur die Chcmische Wissen Scheft,
showing the distinguished notice that had
heer taken Of them. His residence in Paris
had principally for its object, the study of
the organization Of the University, and to
acquaint himself with all that is new in the
literature of science and recent in the means
of instruction, so that he is fully competent
to fill a professorship worthy of the name.
To aid him, in his endeavors to advance the
cause of scientific education in our country,
he has brought home instruments and meth
DDS of illustration entirely new to us, and,
indeed, which are as yet rarely seen outside
the Sorbonne.
Professor Henry, the Humboldt of Amer
lean science, and other eminent gentlemen,
EeeoInmend him in the highest terms, aud
regard nlm as oliSes-n al1S' must promising
young men of the country.