242 Biographical Account of [April 



his studies, determined to make him a cabin boy. What 

 the causes were which prevented him from following up 

 this project are unknown, but it is probable that Science is 

 indebted to his maternal interposition for one of her most 

 distinguished supporters. It was determined, however, 

 that another opportunity should be afforded him of acquir- 

 ing knowledge, and the little apple stealer was sent to the 

 College of Rennes. 



The young scholar was at first impressed with the idea 

 which had been so often repeated to him by his first master, 

 of his being destitute of intellectual capacity, that he could 

 scarce persuade himself of the contrary. He distinguished 

 himself, however, in some of his first tasks ; received praise 

 for his success ; had new zeal instilled into his mind, and 

 at the end of the year carried off several prizes. 



In communicating the good news to his father, he 

 requested him to inform his first master of his success, 

 and to remind him of his prediction that he had no capacity 

 for any thing. He continued this innocent spirit of revenge 

 at each new victory, and it is remarkable, that he did not 

 cease to send similar communications until he was elected 

 a Member of the Academy of Sciences. Those who were 

 acquainted with Desfontaines could scarcely recognize in 

 this anecdote of his youth, that continual modesty which so 

 highly characterized him. 



In consequence of his success at the College of Rennes, 

 Desfontaines was sent to Paris to prosecute the study of 

 medicine. He soon attached himself, in preference, to 

 botany, and it was in consequence of his devotion to this 

 study that the period of his graduation was retarded till 

 1782, in his 30th year. In the course of his medical studies 

 he became intimate with Lemonnier, first physician to the 

 king, and professor of botany to the Jardin des Plantes. 

 Lemonnier, although not holding a place among the first 

 ranks in Science, greatly contributed to its progress in 

 France, by the influence which his situation enabled him to 

 exercise with the powerful persons in the state, and the 

 employment which he gave to promising naturalists. 

 Commerson, Michaux, Labillardiere, and Desfontaines, 

 were indebted for a portion of their success to his patronage. 

 Alas ! at the same time, the two last have terminated their 



