Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/650

 646 YOUNG. In 1766 he was admitted of Trinity college, Dublin; and in 1775, was elected a fellow of the college, and took orders. He became early an enthusiastic admirer of the Newtonian philosophy, and even at his examination for his fellowship, displayed an unexampled knowledge and comprehension of i t but although i t was his favourite subject, his active mind, i n rapid succession, embraced the most dissimilar objects; and these h e pursued with unceasing ardour, amidst his various duties a s a fellow and tutor, and the freest intercourse with society, which h e was formed a t once t o delight and instruct. His love o f literary conversation, and the advantages h e experienced from i t i n the pursuit o f science, led him early t o engage i n forming a society whose chief object was the improvement o f i t s members i n theological learn ing. I t consisted o f a small number o f his most intimate college friends, and continued t o exist for a series o f years, with equal reputation and advantage. Out o f this association grew another, somewhat more extensive, whose labours were directed t o philosophical researches, and i n the formation o f which, Dr. Young was also actively engaged: and this itself became the germ o f the Royal Irish Academy, which owes i t s existence t o the zeal and exertions o f the members o f that society, among whom Dr. Young was particularly distinguished. I n the inter vals o f his severer studies, h e applied himself t o modern languages: and the result o f his labours may b e seen i n the Transactions o f the Royal Irish Academy, t o which h e also contributed largely o n mathematical and philoso phical subjects. Besides these, h e published the following learned and ingenious works: 1 . “The Phenomena o f Sounds aud Musical Strings,” 1784, 8vo. 2 . “The Force o f Testimony,” &c. 4to. 3 . “The Number o f Primitive Colours i n Solar Light: o n the Precession o f the Equinoxes; Principles o f Natural Philosophy,” 1800, 8vo. being his last publication, and containing the sub stance o f his lectures i n the college. I n 1786, when the professorship o f philosophy i n