The esteem which Linnaeus felt for Bergman, in consequence of these discoveries, was at this time powerfully displayed, by giving his name to one of ' several new species of moths which lie had detect ed. The other authors who shared this glory with the Swedish naturalist, were Forskal, Reaumur, So lander, Alstroemer, Frisch, Scroebcr, Scopoli, and Geoffroy.
Though natural history was the general object of his studies, the attention of Bergman was occasional ly directed to other subjects. In 1759, he publish. ed, in the Swedish Transactions, a review of the dif ferent explanations of the rainbow. In 1760 appear ed his paper on the origin of meteors, that are not at. tended with.any noise or explosion ; and another me moir on the opinion of philosophers respecting the twilight.
For several years, Bergman had given lessons in algebra in place of M. Meldercreutz ; and in the year 1761 he was appointed joint professor of mathe matics and natural. philosophy ; a situation which he filled with honour and advantage for the space of five years. He observed the transit of Venus in 1761, with great accuracy. In consequence of a correspondence with Mr Wilson, Bergman wrote on the subject of electricity, in the years 1761 and 1762. He attempted to investigate the circumstances which attended the passage of the electric fluid across wa ter ; the effect produced by electricity on the colour of silk ribbands ; and the electrical properties of tour. maljn and Iceland crystal, ,vhieh the Academy of Stockholm had referred to his examination. He published, in 1761, four memoirs on the aurora bo realis, and attempted to determine the height in the atmosphere where this phenomenon takes place.
The studies of Bergman now received a new di rection, in consequence of the resignation of Wal lerius, a celebrated professor of chemistry and mine. ralogy at Upsal. Though chemistry had scarcely occupied his attention, Bergman had the boldness to appear in the list of competitors for this vacant chair: Wallerius, who supported the claims of one of his own pupils, formed against Bergman a powerful par ty, who represented him as unfit for the office to which he aspired. Bergman saw the strength of their representations, and the influence they might have upon his election ; and resolved to oppose them by the most honourable weapons. He shut himself
up in his laboratory, and composed a memoir on the preparation of alum, and on the most economical means of procuring it. This paper excited the as. tonishment both of his friends and his adversaries. The former regarded it as a triumph over the in trigues of his enemies, while the latter endeavoured to reduce and depreciate its merit. Wallerius him self condescended to attack it in the journals ; but all these assaults tended only to ensure the success of its author. Gustavus, the Prince Royal, ind after wards the King of Sweden, who was then chancellor of the university, procured an accurate statement of the dissensions at Upsal, and applied to the famous Swab and Tiliais, counsellors of the mines, for an account of the merits of the respective candidates. Having received the most favourable view of the character and talents of Bergman, the prince drew up, in his own handwriting, a reply to all the allega tions urged against his favourite candidate, and pre ' sented it to the senate, who immediately appointed Bergman to the chemical chair.
It is singular to remark, to what accidental circum stances we frequently owe the developement of great talents. Natural history and the physical sciences oc cupied the attention of Bergman till the 32d year of his age, and but for the resignation of Wallerius, or rather the generous interference of Gustavus, che mistry would have been deprived of those brilliant discoveries which immortalise his name. The duties of his new office imposed upon him the necessity of devoting his whole time to chemical pursuits ; and he began his career with all the ardour and fearlessness of enthusiasm. The public laboratory at Upsal was incomplete and, ill arranged when it came into his hands. At his request, the apartments were repair. ed and enlarged. The laboratory of Aurivillius was purchased. His own cabinet of minerals, along with those of Swab and Wallerius, were arranged in one apartment according to• their chemical composition, 'and in another according to their geographical si tuation, In another apartment, he placed accurate models of all the articles of chemical apparatus, and of the various instruments used in the arts ; and he completed his collection by the purchase of the best practical works on chemistry and the arts.