Red letter days of my life

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1892. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... A MANY-SIDED MAN. In this iron age of roads and bridges, when hard facts and figures rule the day, and when the arsenals of nations are bristling with cannon, it is good to be reminded sometimes of the inner soul of things. Such a reminder was expressed, a few years ago, by an eminently practical man of science, on the occasion of the opening of the Government School of Mines in London. "In this utilitarian age," said Dr. Percy in the inaugural discourse to his lectures on Metallurgy, "there is a danger of forgetting that the human mind is destined for a higher purpose than that of being wholly absorbed in the material realities of life." These words are specially significant as coming from one who made it the "task of his life" to teach science practically; but Percy had as many sides to his intellect as a polyhedral crystal has facets. His published works, his private letters, and the nature of the various collections he made, illustrative not only of natural history, but of the Fine Arts, enable us to get some glimpses of this remarkable man, in his library and studio, as well as in his professional laboratory. John Percy was born at Nottingham on the 23rd of March, 1817. He was the third son of Henry Percy, Esq., a solicitor of considerable standing in that town. In a large packet of old papers of various dates, there is a childish letter which already strikes the keynote of his character. The little fellow writes--"Dear Aunt Mary, "I hope you are well. I went to see Mr. Sadler ascend in his balloon.... I am sure you would not have liked to see him in the clouds. Send me a wild beast book as soon as you can.... "Nottm, November 9, 1823." John Percy was educated at a private classical school at Southwell. He was removed in his fifteenth year, without ha...