14 Biographical Memoir of the late Friedrich Hoffmann. 



Arrived in the Prussian capital, it did not for a moment seem 

 doubtful to him, that the regular life of an academic teacher, 

 and the cessation from great bodily exertions, would perfectly 

 restore his health. He still retained his extraordinary profes- 

 sorship at Halle, and had only obtained leave of absence for 

 scientific purposes. The richer auxiliaries for his studies pre- 

 sented in Berlin by libraries, collections, and, above all, per- 

 sonal intercourse with its men of science ; together with the more 

 extensive usefulness he might anticipate as a teacher, made him 

 desire to be removed to the university of the capital. This was, 

 with some difficulty, accomplished ; and Hoffmann, in conse- 

 quence of the improvement of his health, was enabled, during 

 the summer of 1833, to prepare himself for commencing his in- 

 structions in Berlin in the winter session of 1833-4. The du- 

 ties of his professorship now absorbed his whole time and 

 strength ; and all the incitements derived from the state of the 

 science itself, all the urgent persuasions of his friends, failed in 

 producing a division of his time and strength, which should 

 render it possible to come forward as a writer, while he per- 

 formed his duties as a teacher, and should thus enable him to 

 render available, for a wider circle than his students, the fruits 

 of his residence in Italy. But, however much he felt the ne- 

 cessity of making public his observations, yet he regarded his 

 duties to his hearers as more imperative, and delayed all other 

 claims on his time to a future opportunity, which unfortunate- 

 ly was denied to him. But the result of these lectures was 

 most successful ; it was his enthusiasm for the science, the clear- 

 ness and perspicuity of all his demonstrations, and the warmth 

 of his natural eloquence, which delighted those who listened to 

 him. Language flowed from his mouth like an inexhaustible 

 stream ; a crowd of the most apt expressions stood ever ready 

 at his command ; and to every one it became apparent, that he 

 had real pleasure and satisfaction in communicating the truths 

 of his sublime science, and in acknowledging the services and 

 discoveries of others. In his hands every subject acquired fresh 

 life and interest ; he invariably rivetted attention by the riches 

 of his well-selected materials, and by the clearness and beauty 

 of their arrangement. He obtained for his subject an unusual 

 degree of interest on the part of his students, who seemed to be 



