Life and Writings of Theodore de Saussure. 33 



Such are the principal investigations which filled up the 

 scientific life of Theodore de Saussure. In recalling them to 

 the recollection of the public, I have spoken of the philosopher 

 rather than of the man ; the reason for this is, that the man 

 was much more difficult to know than the philosopher. In con- 

 sequence of the severe education he received, Theodore de Saus- 

 sure always retained the reserve and habits of solitary medi- 

 tation, which had been inspired in his youth. No one had 

 ever less need than he to converse with others on the subjects 

 that occupied his mind, and he read beautiful memoirs to the 

 Society of Physics and Natural History, without any of his 

 colleagues knowing even the subject of which he was about to 

 treat. 



The same disposition prevented him from engaging in pub- 

 lic instruction. He was nominated Professor of Mineralogy 

 and Geology to the Academy of Geneva in 1802. Who could 

 have imparted a greater interest than he to a course on vege- 

 table physiology, a department in which he had undertaken so 

 many researches, and obtained such curious results % But his 

 repugnance could not be overcome ; and although he had 

 always shewn great interest in the academy and its success, 

 and was frequently present at the sittings of that body, taking 

 part in the various accessory labours devolved on the profes- 

 sors, I do not believe that he ever gave a public course. His 

 title of Honorary Professor did not, indeed, impose on him 

 any obligation, and he scrupulously discharged all the other 

 duties which this title entailed upon him. 



He stood too high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens 

 not to be the object of their suffrages ; he, accordingly, had a 

 seat in the Legislative Council of the Republic of Geneva, 

 from its formation in 1814. Too timid to address a public 

 audience, he never took an active part in the discussions. 



He had been elected a member of a great number of learned 

 societies, who regarded it as an honour to see his name in the 

 lists of their members. I have already mentioned some of 

 these, among others the Institute of France ; I may add, the 

 Royal Society of London, the Royal Academy of Naples, those 

 of Turin and Munich, the Institute of the Fine Arts and 



VOL. XL. NO. LXXIX.— JAN. 1846. C 



