The death of Sir David Brewster was recorded last week. This eminent philosopher was born at Jedburgh, on Dec. 11, 1781. His father, who was Rector of the grammar school there, destined him, with his three brothers, for the ministry; he was accordingly sent to the University of Edinburgh and maintained there several sessions. He passed through the theological classes and took a license as a preacher of the church of Scotland; but he was more strongly attracted towards the study of science and the observation of natural phenomena. The inclination of his mind in this direction increased by the delicate condition of his health, which lead him to fear that he might not be able to sustain the severe fatigues incidental to the ministerial duty. He resolved to turn completely to the pursuit of science as him aim in life, and declined a presentation offered him by the Duke of Roxburghe. He received the honorary degree of M.A. in 1800. While at the University of Edinburgh, he enjoyed the acquaintance of Robinson, the Professor of Natural Philosophy, and of Playfair and Dugald Stewart. He had already so far improved upon the instructions he received that in examining Newton’s theory of light he succeeded in discovering an important truth, that of the influence of the condition of the surfaces of bodies on the “inflection” or change of direction of the rays of light, which had formally accepted as a consequence of the nature of the bodies themselves. He now devoted himself principally to the science of optics, in which he was destined to attain the highest reputation.

In 1807, scientific honours poured in upon him. He was made LL.D. of Aberdeen University; Oxford conferred on him the degree of D.C.L; and Cambridge A.M. Next year Dr. Brewster was elected a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, of which he subsequently filled the offices of Secretary, Vice President, and President, holding the latter office at his death. In the same year, 1807, he took in hand the task of editing the Edinburgh Encylopaedia, to which he made a number important scientific contributions till 1830. This undertaking was far from occupying the whole of Dr. Brewster’s extraordinary industry. In 1813, under the title of a “Treatise on New Philosophical Instruments” he presented to the public the results of his optical researches during the preceding twelve years. He had bestowed some attention upon the experiments prosecuted by Buffon for the purpose of discovering the nature and emulating the effects of the burning – mirrors of Archimedes; and the experiments suggested to him the construction of what he styled “polyzonal” lenses. Lighthouses at that time were usually fitted up with plain parabolic reflectors. Dr. Brewster proposed instead the use of lenses built up of zones of glass, each of which might be composed of several circular segments, arranged concentrically round a central disc, with the effect of strengthening the light and transmitting it to a greater distance. The invention, or adaptation of Buffon’s invention, excited a good deal of interest at the time, as it promised to lead to an improvement in the illumination of our lighthouses and the safe conduct of our coast navigation; but it was not then practically take up in the country, those it was in France.

In 1815, at the desire of the corporation of Edinburgh and of Professor Playfair, he undertook to take the place of the latter and delivering the lectures on natural philosophy. In the same year he sent again to the Royal Society of London a paper ‘On the polarization of the light by reflection' and the Society elected him a Fellow and voted him their Copley metal for his discoveries and researches. In 1816 he received from the French Institute half the prize of 3000 francs. Awarded for the two most important made in Europe in physical science in the two years preceding. In that year also he invented an instrument that has become most popular – the kaleidoscope. The stereoscope also is, we understand, mainly his invention. In 1819 he, in connection with Professor Jameson, started the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, which was continued till 1824, and from that year was carried on by himself alone under the title of the Edinburgh of Science. In 1819 the Royal Society awarded him the Rumford and Royal Gold and Silver metals for further discoveries in the polarization of light. The Royal Society of Edinburgh twice awarded him the Keith prize for his discoveries for two new fluids and minerals, and for his analysis of solar light. In 1825 the institute of France elected him a corresponding member; and similar distinctions which were bestowed on him by the Royal Academies of Russia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, and Belgium. American scientific bodies also sought the honour of enrolling him among their foreign associates.

In 1831 appeared his “Life of Sir Isaac Newton“ and in the same year he assisted in effecting, if he did not originally suggest, the formation of the British Association, at York. In this year he received the Guelphic Order, and in 1832 was knighted by King William IV. In 1835 a “Life of Flamsteed” was published, which contain serious aspersions against Sir Isaac Newton. Brewster made every effort to obtain evidence to confute these statements and to publish and enlarged edition of the “Life of Newton,” which appeared in 1855. So recently as last year, Sir David was again called upon to combat for the fame of Sir Isaac Newton, and events have proved that his judgment concerning the French forgeries of the correspondence between Newton and Pascal. In 1838 he was a candidate for the chair of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, but was defeated by Mr. JD Forbes, now Principal Forbes of St. Andrews to the distinctions we have enumerated as falling to his share the King of Prussia added (1847) the Order of Merit. In 1849 he was elected one of the foreign Associates Member of the Institute of France, and the place of the chemist Berzeolius ; and the Emperor Napoleon (in 1855) conferred upon him the Cross of the Legion of Honor.

In 1859 he was unanimously elected Principal of the University of Edinburgh, and after having been Secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Vice – President for many years he was elected it’s President in 1864. Sir David Brewster was the author several popular, “Natural Magic,” “The Martyrs of Science,” and “More Worlds than One, the Creed of the Philosopher and the Hope of the Christians,” which was a reply to Dr. Whewell’s essay on “The Plurality of Worlds.” He was twice married – in 1810 to Juliette, the younger daughter and coheiress of James Mcpherson, of Belleville, M.P., better known to fame as the “translator” for author of “Ossian.” The first lady Brewster died in 1850; and in 1857 Sir David was again married, to Jane, daughter of Mr. Thomas Pernell of Scarborough, who survives him.

The funeral of Sir David Brewster took place on Saturday afternoon, in Melrose Abbey burying – ground. Allerley House, his residence, where he died, is on the opposite side of the Tweed from Melrose; but the funeral procession had to make a circuit to the village of Gattonside, across the Tweed Bridge – about a mile in the direction of Abbotsford – and return thence through the village Darnick to Melrose. The hearse was drawn by 4 horses. On arriving at Melrose the procession by joined by many of the town and country people and members of the Senatus of the University of Edinburgh and the University Court, deputations from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and from the Galashields Mechanics’ Institution ; but there was no parade or display. The religious services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Cousin, Free Church Minister of Melrose, in the house of the deceased at Allerley, and not at the place on interment. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Guthrie, at the Melrose, on Sunday.