2 Professor Macaire on the 



Such," however, was not the destiny of Theodore de Sanssure. 

 Son of the distinguished natural philosopher who founded the 

 science of hygi'ometry, and extended the domain of electricity ; 

 of that celebrated geologist who traversed the Alps fourteen 

 times, and who was the first, by rescuing geology from vague 

 and unsatisfactory speculations, and connecting it with the 

 study of facts, to transform it into a science of observation ; 

 of that dauntless meteorologist, who erected his observatory on 

 heights almost inaccessible, and did not fear to ascend to the 

 summit of the highest mountain in Europe, to inscribe a name 

 which seems henceforth for ever associated y/ith the eternal 

 snows ; son of this man of genius, Theodore de Saussure suc- 

 ceeded, while yet a young man, in establishing a reputation 

 exclusively his own. "He became," says Senebier, "the 

 rival of his father, after having been his pupil." 



Theodore de Saussure was born at Geneva, on the 14th 

 October 1767. His early education was not like that which 

 most of the Genevese youth received. One of the most re- 

 markable of the institutions of Geneva is its college, the or- 

 ganization of which, arranged by the celebrated Reformer who 

 regulated everything relating to education in this republic, had 

 hitherto been preserved almost without alteration. There the 

 children of all classes, receiving an education almost gratui- 

 tous, and therefore within the reach of all, united in classes 

 during the time of instruction, and mingled indiscriminately 

 in their sports during the intervals of recreation, returned to 

 the paternal roof for their meals and to pass the night. This 

 system had the great advantage of uniting the benefits of do- 

 mestic education with the stimulus and emulation which ac- 

 company public instruction. At the time of which we speak, 

 the College of Geneva had not, we admit, followed the pro- 

 gress of improvement. The pupils learned only a little Latin, 

 and still less Greek ; neither geography, history, nor the liv- 

 ing languages were taught, nor many other branches which 

 were afterwards gradually introduced. But they there became 

 acquainted with life, particularly republican life ; and they 

 came forth ready to act the part of men and citizens. The 

 character was there formed and moulded by actual contact with 

 others. None of that factitious and, in some degree, conven- 



