Popular lectures on scientific subjects : Second series, with an autobiography of the author

A set of lively, mid‑19th‑century lectures brings the wonders of physics, chemistry and mathematics to modern ears. The talks were delivered by a leading German scientist and carefully translated to keep the original clarity and enthusiasm. Though originally spoken to academic audiences, the language is simple enough for anyone curious about how geometry, optics or the origins of the planetary system were understood at the time. Listeners also hear a heartfelt tribute to a fellow chemist, offering a glimpse into the personal side of scientific community life.

The collection continues with essays on colour harmony, the relationship between visual art and optical theory, and reflections on medical thought and university freedom. Wrapped around these scholarly explorations is an autobiographical sketch that reveals the author’s own journey from a modest upbringing to a celebrated professorship. Together, the lectures and memoir form a compact portrait of Victorian‑era science, its questions and its human stories.