Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume VIII.djvu/675

 HENRY 661 am 5 n his first course of lectures in that institution 1833 he mentioned the project of the elec- tro-magnetic telegraph, and demonstrated that the electro-magnet might be used to produce mechanical effects at a distance. In February, 1837, he went to Europe, and in April of that year visited Prof. Wheatstone of King's college, London, to whom he explained his discoveries and his method of producing great mechani- effects at a distance, such as the ringing church bells 100 miles off, by means of the electro-magnet. In 1846, on the organization of the Smithsonian institution at Washington, if. Henry was appointed its secretary, a it which he still holds (1874), and which ves him the principal direction of the insti- tion. His discoveries in physics are numer- 7 some of the most important of which are escribed in various scientific articles in this ork. He is the author of " Contributions to ectricity and Magnetism " (4to, Philadelphia, 839), and many papers in the " American Phi- 3sophical Transactions," in Silliman's " Jour- al," in the "Journal of the Franklin Insti- te," and in other scientific periodicals. HENRY, Matthew, an English Biblical com- entator, eon of Philip Henry, born at Broad ak, Flintshire, Oct. 18, 1662, died in Nant- ich, June 22, 1714. He studied law for some me, but preferred the ministry, succeeded as preacher, and was soon invited to Chester, where, being ordained in 1687, he drew around im a large congregation, to which he minis- for 25 years. During this period he ore than once went through the entire Bible a course- of expository lectures, which he intinued at Hackney, whither he removed in 712. He thus gradually completed his cele- rated "Exposition" of the Bible. The first llective edition was published in 1710 (5 vols. fol., London), and it has been many times printed. Henry's other works include " Life id Death of Rev. Philip Henry" (1698); " Method of Prayer " (1710) ; " Treatise on Bap- tism ;" "Communicant's Companion" (1731). collection of his miscellaneous works, in one volume, appeared in London in 1830. See "Life of Matthew Henry," by W. Tong (1716), d also by Williams prefixed to the " Expo- ition " (3 vols., London, 1828). HENRY, Patrick, an American orator and esman, born at Studley, Hanover co., Va., ay 29, 1736, died at Red Hill, Charlotte co., une 6, 1799. His father, John Henry, was a ve of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a nephew of Robertson the historian. His mother was rst married to Col. John Syme, and afterward John Henry, who was colonel of a regiment, >unty surveyor, presiding magistrate, and a man of liberal education and conspicuous loy- alty. A few years after the birth of the boy, Col. John Henry removed from Studley to ~ .ount Brilliant in the same county, where the childhood and early youth of the future orator were passed. He was sent first to an "old field school," where at that period tuition was chiefly confined to the English and primary departments, with perhaps a smattering of the classics. Under his father, who taught a gram- mar school in his own house, he acquired a competent English education, and some ac- quaintance with Latin and mathematics. But hunting and angling early grew to be passions with him ; he would desert his books at any moment to seek the forest with his gun, or the neighboring streams with his fishing rod. At the age of 14 he heard the celebrated Pres- byterian preacher Samuel Davies, whose elo- quence produced a powerful effect upon the boy and opened a new world for him. Henry spoke of him throughout life in terms of un- bounded admiration, and declared that any success which he himself had achieved was due in a large measure to the great orator of the Presbyterian church. About this time his father became embarrassed, and required assis- tance from his sons. Patrick was accordingly placed behind the counter of a country mer- chant, and the year after, at the age of 16, his father set him up in business with his elder brother William. The future orator possessed none of the traits which secure success in trade. He was indolent, careless, slovenly in bis dress, and awkward in manners, but humorous and attractive in conversation; and his fondness for social pleasures was rather an obstacle than an advantage. William Henry was even less energetic than his brother, and, after a year's experience, abandoned the business. After this Patrick became still more indolent. His social and sporting propensities grew upon him. The hunter's horn and the cry of the hounds often drew him away; and he ex- pended on the violin and the flute the energies which should have been given to his business. At other times he gratified the dry humor which characterized him by exciting debates among the country people who hung around the store. He would relate stories, real or fictitious, and derive his own amusement from the emotions exhibited by the simple auditors. If to these idle pursuits be added the fact that he could not refuse any one credit, the result of the mercantile venture may without difficulty be understood. In two or three years the store was closed, and Patrick Henry was insolvent. He had just married Miss Shelton, the daugh- ter of a respectable farmer. With the assis- tance of his father and father-in-law he began farming upon a small scale, but in two years abandoned it in despair, and selling his scant property turned again to merchandise. But experience and misfortune had taught him nothing. The violin, the flute, his old pastime of telling stories and watching the expression of his auditors, were cultivated with renewed ardor. He studied geography, read translations of Latin and Greek authors, Livy being his fa- vorite, and, when weary of books, shut up his store, and went hunting or fishing. The former result duly followed. He again became T^ank- nipt and began to study law. At the age of