Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/47

  of which it must, however, be admitted, had been previously attended to by Dr. Cullen, The doctrine of latent heat, to the discovery of which Dr. Black's claims are indisputable, was applied to the explanation of numerous natural phenomena, and he was assisted in his experiments by two of his pupils, afterwards well known in the scientific world—James Watt and Dr. Irvine. Mr. Watt always professed to have been indebted to the instruction and information received from Dr. Black for the improvements that he made in the steam engine." In 1766 Dr. Cullen was advanced to the chair of Medicine in Edinburgh, and Dr. Black succeeded to his professorship of chemistry in the same University. His style as a lecturer was unsurpassed—combining elegant simplicity with clearness and precision. Numbers were through his lectures attracted to the study of chemistry. His scientific attainments, gentle and pleasing manners, and cultivated tastes, gathered round him a circle of intimates such as James Watt, James Hutton, David Hume, Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson, Dr. Cullen, and Sir G. Clerk. He was a member of many learned societies in Great Britain and upon the Continent. Dr. Black died suddenly, 26th November 1799, aged 70. He was discovered sitting before his usual frugal meal of bread, prunes, and milk—his death had been so calm that the mug of milk set down upon his knee remained unspilled. A bachelor, he had by will divided his large fortune equally amongst his relatives. His Lectures on Chemistry were edited by his friend Professor Robinson, in 1803. Within a short period they went through three editions in German. The President of the British Association at Glasgow, in 1876, in his address says: "It is now conceded that Black laid the foundation of modern chemistry." The British Quarterly Review writes: "Considered as a philosopher. Black ranks amongst the highest of those who have wrought out great theories. Induction was the only method by which he sought to discover truth." 

Blackburne, Francis, Lord-Chancellor of Ireland, was born at Footstown, County of Meath, 11th November 1782. He distinguished himself at Trinity College, was called to the Bar in 1805, appointed Sergeant in 1826, Attorney-General in 1830, Chief-Justice in 1846, and Chancellor in 1852. It was he who counselled the Government to put down by proclamation the Repeal monster meetings; and one of his aphorisms was, "England can never destroy the Irish Church, because, if she does, she will sever the Union." He presided at most of the political trials in 1848. He was a staunch Conservative, and never recovered the acceptance of his almost compelled resignation of office by Lord Derby in March 1867—regarding it as "a harsh and cruel return for his abnegation of self, and for the sacrifices which he had so cheerfully made." He declined a baronetcy; and died shortly afterwards, 17th September 1867, aged 84, at his residence, Rathfarnham Castle, near Dublin. He was buried at Mount-Jerome. As a lawyer, his character stood deservedly high; while in his private Life he was greatly beloved. 

Blakeley, Johnston, Captain U.S.N., was born at Seaford, County of Down, October 1781. His parents emigrated to North Carolina; and before long he was left an orphan. Educated by a friend, he entered the U. S. Navy in 1800 as a midshipman; and by July 1813, had risen to be a Master-Commander. In the Wasp, on 28th June 18 14, he captured, after a severe engagement, H. B. M. ship, Reindeer. The latter vessel made three desperate and unsuccessful efforts to board, in the last of which her commander was slain. For this exploit, Congress voted Commander Blakeley a gold medal. On 21st September 1814, he captured and sent into Savannah the brig Atalanta. This was the last direct intelligence ever received of him. The Wasp being heavily armed and sparred, and deep-waisted, probably foundered in a gale. About the time of his death he was gazetted a captain. His only child, a daughter, was educated at the expense of North Carolina. 

Blakeney, Sir Edward, Lieutenant-General, G.C.B., son of W. Blakeney, Member for Athenry before the Union, was born in 1778. He entered the army when but sixteen, as cornet in a dragoon regiment, and saw much active service in Holland, Nova Scotia, the West Indies, at Copenhagen, and elsewhere. During the Peninsular War, he took part in the battle of Busaco, in the sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, and in the battles of Albuera, Vittoria, and the Pyrenees. In 1814 he was employed in the expedition against New Orleans. He acted as Commander-in-Chief in Ireland from 1832 to 1855, during which time he was a Privy-Councillor. He was appointed governor of Chelsea Hospital in 1856, and became a Field-Marshal in 1862. He died 2nd August 1868, aged about 90. 

Blakeney, Lord William, a distinguished general, was born at Mountblakeney, County of Limerick, in 1672. He entered the army, and although admitted 23