THE 



EDINBURGH NEW 

 PHILOSOPHICAL JOURNAL. 



Biographical Memoir ofM, Duhamel. By Baron Cuvier ♦. 



M. Duhamel was one of those philosophers of the old stock, 

 if we may be allowed to use the expression, whereof many are 

 recorded in the history of the Academy ; men who, labouring 

 in retirement for their own pleasure, and for the benefit of their 

 fellow creatures, regardless of fame, knew little of the world, and 

 cared as little to be known by it ; whose works the public read 

 with advantage, unaware almost whether the authors themselves 

 were still living, or without informing themselves at what 

 period they lived. So great was his modesty, that notwithstand- 

 ing the undoubted title which he had to speak with authority 

 in the Academy, during a long academic career, his voice was 

 scarcely heard among us. Many of his fellow members, perhaps, 

 did not know him by sight, and yet he was one of the benefac- 

 tors of his country ; he diffused a knowledge of many useful 

 processes ; he was one of the first who introduced among us the 

 true principles of metallurgy. All those who at the present day 

 practise the art of mining, either derived their knowledge from 

 him or from those whom he instructed ; and the entire body of 

 men attached to this branch of the administration, professes to 

 recognise him as its venerable patriarch. These circumstances 

 are surely more than sufficient to incite us all to cherish his 



♦ Read to the Royal Academy of Science of the Institute of France on 

 the 8th April 1822. 

 OCTOBER — DECEMBER 1830. A 



