Beccaria was appointed master of experimental phi losophy by the duke of Chablais in 1761, about which time he published two dissertations on the double refraction of Iceland crystal, dedicated to the duke of York, who was then travelling through Italy ; and he also wrote on the power of the elec tric spark and of lightning on the air. In 1771, he published the result of his measurement of a degree of the meridian, which he had undertaken by order of his sovereign, nearly ten years before, under the title of Grades Taurinensis. This he had accom plished with uncommon fatigue and difficulty ; but it unfortunately involved him in a serious controversy, where his skill and accuracy were equally questioned. Cassini, a noted astronomer, did not hesitate to as cribe the errors of the measurement which he suppo ed to exist, to the inexperience and want of correct ness of the author ; and, as he was himself well prac tised in similar matters, his opinion could not fail to have weight. Beccaria doubted for a long time whether he should make any reply. At length he published seven letters in 1777, exculpating himself from the charge of inaccuracy, and demonstrating, that any defects and irregularities were to be impu ted to the attraction of the neighbouring mountains. Ifts theories of electricity were likewise attacked on other occasions ; and lie was much occupied in de fending himself, which he was able to do success fully.
Beccaria's favourite pursuits occupied the greatest part of his attention ; and he was continually making additions to what he had already established, and en gaged in laying down new principles. These were contained in detached tracts, addressed to his literary contemporaries of eminence, or included in the pub lications of learned societies of which he was a mem ber. The Royal Society of London had elected him one of its members ; that of Bologna did the same ; and he was an honorary member of the Aca demy of Painting and Sculpture at Turin.
Beccaria formed a correspondence with Dr Frank lin, to whom he inscribed one of his works ; and he even made a translation of Franklin's treatise on The Increase of Mankind, and the Population of Coun tries, from English into Italian, which yet remains in manuscript. Franklin entertained a high esteem for Beccaria, and dedicated to him a new invented instrument, consisting of a combination of musical glasses, which he called Harmonica.
The fatigues which Beccaria had undergone in completing the measurement of the terrestrial degree, had laid the foundation of a dangerous malady, which, in 1776, exhibited itself in alarming colours. Surgi cal aid afforded a temporary relief, but in each suc ceeding year the malady made frequent returns. In addition to-its pressure, he was attacked by an inter mittent fever, and at last sunk under the violence of both, towards the end of 1781.
During his life, Beccaria enjoyed distinguished re putation, not of that artificial kind which sometimes falsely raises men to notice, but founded on the me rit of intrinsic learning. The variety and depth of his information proved that he possessed a capacious mind, one c.7 able of embracing an extensive sphere, and of conquering the difficulties opposed to the ac quisition of knowledge. Though addicting himself chiefly to the elucidation of the phenomena of electri city, from which his fame has chiefly been gained, the works which he has left on astronomical subjects and natural history deserve approbation. His industry was wonderful : besides no less than fifty different treatises published by himself, many manuscripts were found at his decease, written on topics, con cerning which he had derived no previous eminence, but all evincing the power of his genius.
Notwithstanding the literary talents of Beccaria, it cannot be denied, that he was far from being a popular character. The rudeness and asperity of his man ners excited disgust : his love of fame incurred the jealousy of others who beheld him with less partial eyes ; and neither his fellow-citizens nor his own fra ternity entertained affection for him. He would ac knowledge no superior or equal in those sciences which he peculiarly cultivated, and, wrapt up, in re tirement, he knew little of the sentiments Of his neighbours. Yet amidst all these defects, he preser ved a singular degree of fortitude, and hardly inter rupted his philosophical investigations, while labour ing under the excruciating pains of that disease which terminated his existence. (c)