S36 * Biographical Meinioir of M. Hauij 



Uicir contemporaries, than they foresee the indignation of poste- 

 rity. Doloraieu was released from liis subterranean abode only 

 in consequence of a treaty of peace ; and a premature death, the 

 fruit of tlie treatment which he had received, rendered but too 

 soon to M. Haiiy the office which he had so generously re- 

 nounced. He was appointed to it on the 9th December 1802. 



From this period the mineralogical department o^ the establish- 

 mxint assumed a new life. The collections increased in a four- 

 fold degree ; there reigned in it an order constantly in conformi- 

 ty to the most recent discoveries, and mineralogists visited it not 

 only with the view of admiring objects so well arranged, but al- 

 so to heai' a professor so elegant, so dear, and so agreeable. His 

 natural benevolence shewed itself immeditately to those who had 

 the desire of acquiring knowledge. He admitted them to his 

 house, opened up his private collections to them, and refused 

 them no explanation. The most humble students were received 

 equally as the most learned personages, and as the most august ; 

 for he had pupils of all ranks. 



The university, at the time of its foundation, thought it 

 would honout" itself by placing M. Haiiy ""s name on the list of one 

 of its faculties. It did not expect lectures from him, and it gave 

 him at the same time an adjunct every way worthy of him, M. 

 Brongniart, now member of this academy, and who succeeded 

 him at the Museum of Natural History. But M. Haiiy was un- 

 willing to bear a title without fulfilling its duties. He made the 

 pupils of the Normal School come to him, and, in pleasant and 

 varied conversations, made them acquainted with all his secrets. 

 He then resumed his college life, amused himself with the young 

 people, and especially never sent them away without an ample 

 coUadon. 



Thus passed his days: his religious duties, profound re- 

 searches unremittingly pursued, and continual acts of benevo- 

 lence, e^cially towards youth, occupied them entirely. As 

 tolerant as pious, the opinions of others never influenced him in 

 his conduct towards them ; as pious as faithful, the most sublime 

 speculations could not withdraw him from any practice prescribed 

 by the ritual; nor did he attach to the things of this world a 

 higher value than they would natiurally present to the eyes of a 

 man penetrated wirli such sentiments. From the nature of his 



