LOUD KELVIN ILL

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 27

LOUD KELVIN ILL

, » < LONDON,, December 12. Lord Kelvin, the famous scientist, is ill. Tibrd Kelvin, G.C.Y-0. t M.A., LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.S., P.R.S.E., D.L., was born at ' Belfast in June, 1824. At the early age of 10 he entered the Glasgow College, and after a distinguished course there he 1 entered Peterhouse, Cambridge, where in j 1845 he graduated as Second Wrangler and First Smith's Prizeman, and was elected to a Fellow&hip in his college. In 1846 he was elected to the Profee6orship of Natural Philosophy in Glasgow University, a post -which he held for 53 years. At the^arly age of 17, while yet an undergraduate of Cambridge University, he attracted the attention of the scientific men of the counrty by his paper "On the Uniform Motion of Heat in Homogeneous Solid Bodies, and ite Connection with the Mathematical Theory of Electricity." The method of this paper wae quite original, and later proved of the greatest importance in the discussion of problems in electrostatics and magnetism. T^his paper wae soon followed by others Showing- the same remarkable scientific insight and mathematical ability, and it was at once manifest that he was destined to take a foremost place as a scientific worker. By his paper on "Electrical Images" Jbe introduced an idea which has led to great advances in the mathematical theory of electricity. The value "of his paper "On an Absolute Thermometric Scale is shown by the universal use which is now made of that oonooption in calculations in thermo-dynamics. Many of his papers deal with 'the theory of heat-—" On the Dynamical Theory of Heat"; "On the Thermal Effects of Fluids in Motion" (Joule and Thomson); "Compendium of Fourier Mathematics for the Conduction of Heat in Solids " ; " Elasticity and Heat." Other papers worthy of special mention are the following: — "On a Universal Tendency in Nature to the Dissipation of Mechanical Energy " ; "On the Theory of the Electric Telegraph-; "On the Use of Obser- • vations of Terrestrial Temperature for the , Investigation of Absolute Dates in Geology" "On the Electro-Dynamic Qualities ,of Metals." His researches in electrostatics' soon led him to the, invention of those beautiful measuring instruments which are now so well known in laboratories and electric installations. His chain of electrometers affords a means of accu- | rately measuring electric potentials ranging from exceedingly email to exceedingly' I high values. Hie portable electrometer ' is largely used for the determination of the electric state of the atmosphere. In electron) agnetism again his ammeters and electrio balances cover a wide range in the measurement of electrio currents, while his supply meter has been found useful in electrio installations. Perhaps, however, s to the general public Lord Kelvin is best knowVi by his invention in the field of telegraphy and by those which form aids to navigation. By fine invention of the mirror galvanometer and of the siphon i recorder he" has made it possible to receive and record accurately telegraphic signals over the- longest cables. When the Atlantic cable was successfully laid in 1866 ho reoeived the honour of .knighthood for the part he had taken in that undertaking. He was always an enthusiastic yachtsman, and it is therefore not surprising that he should have directed hia attention to devising, aids to navigation. His magnetic compass and his sounding machine are familiar to all seamen. The former -gives complete and perfect correction against disturbance by the ship's magnetism; by the latter instrument soundings can be readily taken without slackening the speed of the ship. In 1892 Sir William Thomson was raised io the Peerage as Baron Kelvin of Large, in the County of Ayr. The appreciation and esteem in which Lord Kelvin is held by scientific men generally were well manifested in 1896, when nis jubilee as Professor of Natural Philosophy was celebrated in Glasgow University. To that celebration came many of the most distinguished British and foreign men of science to offer th&ir ooicratulatione. and

the brilliant gathering was an event fo be long remembered. A ehort time after* wards the Queen made him a Knight ol the Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Besides this, Lord Kelvin has a( different times received decorations irom foreign countries. Criminal proceedings have been instituted at St. Petersburg against Maxim Gorki, in respect to his novel ''Mother." now appearing in a magazine, which has been confiscated.