Note 4 — HOME STUDIES IN CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS.

“Sir John Herschel.” (1792-1871.) An English astronomer. His great enterprise was his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope to take observations of the heavens in the southern hemisphere. He remained there four years. His published results of his observations furnish one of the most valuable works on astronomy. He did not confine his studies to astronomy alone, but gave great attention to the subject of the atmosphere. He held that from eighty to ninety miles above the earth a perfect vacuum exists, and that three fourths of all the atmospheric air lies within four miles from the earth’s surface. His studies in meteorology were also very valuable, as well as his important discoveries in photography. Among his published works are: “Essays, from the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews, with Addresses and Other Pieces,” “Physical Geography,” and “Familiar Letters on Scientific Subjects.” Herschel held various positions of honor in his lifetime, being at one time president of the Royal Astronomical Society, and afterward Master of the Mint for five years. He was one of the eight foreign associates of the French Academy of Sciences.