9 Biographical Memoir of M» Duhamel. 



In this establishment it was quickly seen to what extent 

 knowledge may contribute to the acquisition of wealth. In 

 a few months the expense was diminished, and the produce 

 doubled. An entirely new art was also introduced. From the 

 year 1767, steel was manufactured of such excellent quality that 

 it was bought up by certain Englishmen to be sold again as 

 English steel, so much did they dread the loss of a reputation 

 which they then exclusively possessed, and more than 800,000 

 hundred weights of it were annually manufactured. 



Many years after this period the manufacture was pretended 

 to have been imported into France, and a large reward was de- 

 manded for it. M. Duhamel acted with more disinterestedness. 

 In 1777, he published his mode of procedure. On this occa- 

 sion he added, as he always did, modesty to disinterestedness, 

 and did not even take the trouble of claiming his right to 

 priority that would have secured him wealth and indepen- 

 dence. 



A less dependent situation might have given a more extensive 

 influence to his talents, and he conceived a plan that would 

 have secured his wealth and independence. He formed a scheme 

 of establishing founderies and forges in the barren grounds 

 which it would have been easy to supply with fuel by means of 

 the pines so Abundant, and at that time so useless, in that sandy 

 country. The articles of agreement were made out, the success 

 of the undertaking did not seem doubtful, but it was necessary 

 to leave the establishment over which he presided ; and it seemed 

 that a proprietor whom he had so effectually aided in becoming 

 rich, could not withhold his consent to grant that freedom which 

 in its turn might aid the fortune of the man who had served him 

 so well. 



It was quite the contrary, however. DuhamePs master, who 

 was of a violent character, and was at this period in the highest 

 credit, so far abused his power as to cause him to be apprehend- 

 ed by soldiers, and guarded in sight of his establishment. 

 Scarcely would one of the great vassals of the crown have, at 

 the height of the feudal system, attempted such violence. It 

 proved at least the value that was attached to the services of 

 M. Duhamel, and brought to mind those times when the al- 



