New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-14
LOSS TO SCIENCE.
DEATH OF PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY.

DEATH OF PROFESSOR JOSEPH HENRY.
ms ptx,L uINtss CONTRACTED WHILE PURSUING
MS REsHARcnEs-A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND
DISCOVERIES.
V,suNGrox. May 13.-Joseph Henry. LID,
ca retarv of the Smithsonian Institution, died al
noon to-day, surrounded by his family and friends
after a long and tedious illness of more than hVe
months. He had reached the ripe old age OF
eighty years. His death was little unexpected 10
most of his friends, who thought he was recovering
On the 9TH of last December. contrary to tile
wishes of part of his family and several
Of his best friends, Professor Henry de-
ter,niucd to make trip to Tompkinsville'
staten Island where he was to superintend some
experiments upon oils for the Lighthouse Service.
The objection was based upon the Professors hab-
final Indifference 60 his physical health when con-
ducting any experiments OF this character, ana II
WIS feared that he would fail to dress
himself properly for any sudden chaqg'
uf weather. The fears of his friends were
well grounded for he 50 neglected ordinary
precautions that hc caught severe cold, which SET
tirI on his kidneys, and stimulated INTO hc'lNIN
there the seeds Of the disease winch naIy lo'N HIS
life viz, nephrits, complaint somewhat aNuI ~
thc malady known a. Blghts disease. The Pro-
f,s.nr was soon brought back 10 Washington, an"
ha, D en- unable 20 transact any important business
irrc. When the National Academy met here, on the
fGt4 af last April le insisted on being permitted to
go down stairs FROM his apartment and open
ilr y, -,ioD a. president. Ills friends again pro-
tested AGAINST his subirctmg himself to the
excitement which they knew would be produced by
the occasion. bnt be- insisted and was supported
down stairs 10 the chair, which he hIei Tor SNORT
nmc and then irouShed IL and retired, very mG'h
exhausted 50 his bed He rllliod again after this
and until last Saturday appeared to he getting
slightly stronger. bIt az o'clock IN the afternoon
If that day he was ..zed with painful difficulty
If bgca.h hing and sank gradually ohs death to-day
at ten minutes after II noon. His mind was. per
fcctly clear, and the fact that he never alluded
to himself or his approaching dissolution at
any time before death is somewhat strange On
hc contrary. ne spoke to one of the gentlemen VINO
called in the morning NJ seven, saying that he
world be better IN a week or ten days and then
could attend to some business matter which con-
,cTucd him and the Institution. Although he was
500 weak that hc could not keep his eyes OPEN he
asked Tat certain letter, be read over which
ne had asked his private secretary to
write yesterday. This beng done 10y his
wife hr asked that the direction of the wind be
given 20 him; and then in answer to ms WIFE, VINO
asked him. ten inmates before he breaihrd hiS
last. low hc felt. he said that he
was "littlc oppressed and wanted treSher
All. lLgrcupOU MS liltbtS al ih'NN" ''i'
OF the room. with exception of his immediate
family who saw him soon gasp aud silently pass
away with ais eyes opened and fixed on the wall
Professor Henry leaves wife and three daughters
and although ne had saved but little money during
h- long service here, yet by The generosity OF his
friends the family are we'll provided for. ile"iii he
buried here at Oak Hill Friday morning, the l7th
instant.
Ihe opening address Of the President Of the Ma
Goual Academy of Sciences was readat thc meeting
last April by the secretary, Professor lgard. and
Indicated full knowledge on tie part of Professor
Henry of thc prccarou, condition OF his health, rs
ON that ground be rendered his resignation Of the
presidency. No action was taken hy tie Academy
upon tnr pro.i,rcd resignation, and laIcr COM
munication from him, before the close Of
tho meeting, presented yOHous suggestions for
TIE conduct 81 thc Academy, and bore ;he impress
OF is evident forcDodIug that those were his part
ing words