402 Biographical Notice of [June 



most important ameliorations in all the charitable establish- 

 ments of the capital. The sisters of charity, so worthy of 

 their name, who sympathize with the unfortunate, were 

 recalled into the hospitals. Chaptal inspected the foundling 

 hospitals, and endeavoured to prevent abuses in the admis- 

 sion of their inmates. He created houses of refuge in order 

 to repress mendicity. He neglected no precaution for 

 checking the small pox, by propagating vaccination, of which 

 Larochefoucauld Liancourt destroyed the benefit. He ori- 

 ginated the Vaccination Society, which exercised its salutary 

 influence until it was suppressed by a bungling administra- 

 tion. He introduced hard labour in prisons, and adopted 

 measures for improving the regulation of these domiciles. 

 The interests of the public health likewise attracted his 

 care. He revised and amended the laws relating to medi- 

 cine and pharmacy ; he organized lying-in hospitals, and 

 regulated the exploring of mineral waters. 



But, not the least of his attention was directed towards 

 the advancement of the industry of his country ; he esta- 

 blished chambers of commerce, and consulting councils of arts 

 and manufactures. The school of arts and the conservatory 

 having become a great museum and an important seminary, 

 are distinguishing marks of the care and anxiety which 

 inspired him for increasing the opportunities and means of 

 instruction. He published useful processes, visited the 

 tradesmen, conversed with them, offered them his advice, 

 praised their discoveries, and favoured processes and appa- 

 ratus coming from abroad. His character has been drawn in 

 high terms by Thenard : " Endowed with a kind heart, 

 of a mild and gentle character, moderate in his tastes and 

 opinions; full of benevolence to his fellow creatures, of 

 affectionate regard for his associates, of devotion for his 

 friends; ready to do a favour when in his power, and 

 doubling it by the grace with which he conferred it ; un- 

 happy when obliged to refuse, and always softening the 

 refusal by expressions which shewed the goodness of his 

 heart. Possessing a handsome fortune, which he had nobly 

 acquired, and loaded with honours, Chaptal appeared to 

 have it in his power to foil the strokes of fortune. Yet 

 some reverses and disappointments which he could not 

 foresee, and certainly did not merit, tended to sadden the 

 end of }iis brilliant career. But he knew how to support 



