Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-19

II Is PLACED IN INSTRUMENTATION FOR TIL
UNWILLING THIS AFTERNOON.

II Is PLACED IN rosrTIoN-rREPARkrroNs FOR rHE
UNWILLING THIS AFTERNOON.
The statue OF Prot. Henry, swathed IN folds OF
White sheetfng, was placed In position on the
pedestal last evening platform some three feet
high has been built around the base OF the
pedestal and extends back towards the south for
some distance. The statue faces south and repre-
sents Prof. Henry In an academic gown standing
In an easy attitude. His left hand rests lightly
upon small pedestal at his side and his right
breast He is looking intently at some distant
ooJect MS head slightly thrown back and his eye
b,ows elevated: The features are said TO ressn,-
oie more the Oil painting In the Smithsonian than
tne Photographs selected by the family. At the
side OF the statue a small platform has been
arranged 10 seats directly behind, while the
spectators will occupy that part OF the platform
f FAC the statue The seating accommodation Is
photograph. by electric light, Of the statue
was taken last evening by MIR. Smillie, the pho
tographer or the National Museum
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF PROFESSOR HENRY
Jospeh Henry was born in Albany, NY, Decem-
Der II, 1s90 At the age OF sixteen young Henry
devoted himself with resolute purpose to the pur-
suit OF science On completing his school studies
at the Albany academy. he commenced his career
as civil engineer. In 1S2o Cat the age OF twenty
sesen) he was elected to the professorship OF
mathematics ana natural philosophy I'm the Al
electrical researches which have had so large an
influence In all the subsequent developments and
applications OF this wonderful agent In 1927 he
puonshed his first memoir on fmpro vements in
the power or electro-magnetic apparatus by means
OF great Increase In the number or coils In 1925
and 1899 he exhibited before the Albany Institute
electro-magnets many times more powerful than
any previously constructed.
Henry was the first inventor gssS Of the spool.
through long conducting wire at great dis
tanceS He first devised and operated an electro
magnetic telegraph with bell signal usso 1881.
at Albany, through the circuit OF mile OF copper
wire. He first invented the electromagnetic en-
CINE uS3f), employing the FIRST automatic commu-
tator or poie-changer. He nrst discovered us3Y
the sel-fnductfon OF an electrical current on pass
Ing through long conductor. He flrst devised
gSs9 compound Geographic circuit by which
the primary circuit, enfeebled by distant action,
may control a local secondary circuit OF great
power. He FIRST discovered 1883 the successive
oras,s OF electrical Induction In series OF closed
character OF an electrical discharge. He nrst
showed by the thermo-galvanometer Cs4y that
the solar spots radiate less heat than tue sur
rounding philosophers He nrst established
Through the agency OF the Smithsonian Institu-
ton. 1S4sD system Of simultaneous meteoroiogt-
Cal observations, BY telegraph, the results OF
which were daily plotted on map and weather
forecasts made from them.
Henry was elected, In 1854, professor OF natural
philosophy in Princeton college; in 1886 the first
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; In 1868
president OF the National Academy OF Sciences:
IN 1871, the nrst president OF the Philosophical
Society OF Washington; in the same year, chair
man Of the q. 8. Lighthouse board, OF which body
he had been a member from IT'S REORGANIZATION In
greatly improving this important branch of the
public service, by the Introduction upon our coasts
or the Fresnel system OF lighthouse illumination,
by original researches developing largely the iliu.
minattng power OF lard Oil, by prolonged investi-
cations In determining the character OF acoustic
Telractlon, and by greatly increasing the efficiency
OF fog-Signaling.
These various positions were held by him until
his death, which occurred In this city May H. 1873
he was buried at Oak Hill cemetery May 16, 1873.
Pr0f Henry made important contributions to
science tn electricity, electromagnetic meteor
00Sy, caplarfty, acoustics, and In other branches
OF physics; he published valuable memoirs In the
transactions or various learned societies Of which
ne was member; and devoted thfrty-two years
OF hts life to making the Smithsonian Institution
what its founder intended it to be, an eflcent
fnstrument"ror the Increase and diffusion OF knowl-
edge among men,"
In recognition Of his distinguished services-as
well in the public interest In the Advancement
OF scence--memoriai services IN his honor were held
by Congress. January 16, 1879, In the han OF the
House OF Representatives..
by act OF Congress, approved June I, $780, the
regents OF the Smithsonian Institution were au-
thorzed to erect on the grounds OF the Institution
"a statue In bronze OF Joseph Henry" This statue
was executed by the American sculptor, William
w. Story, at Rome, in 1882; and Is erected and
will be unveiled this afternoon.