OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 279 



work came from tliat laboratory without the stamp of his genius. His 

 method of instruction was simple. He aimed only at making thorough 

 working chemists ; never taught special applications of science, but sent 

 out pupils capable of grappling with any problem which might pre- 

 sent itself. After principles, details ; after methods, applications. As 

 a lecturer, he was extremely impressive. His lectures were fresh, 

 original essays, based frequently upon work then going on in the 

 laboratory, and the audience "could not choose but hear." In 1838 

 Liebig was called on by the British Association for the Advancement 

 of Science to prepare a report on agricultural chemistry, and in 1842 

 came the brilliant work which laid the foundation for scientific asri- 

 culture. With all its errors, the work gave an extraordinary stimulus 

 to the torpid agricultural intellect. The old, blindfold groping gave 

 way to enlightened experiment ; and we are now reaping the fruits of 

 the seed which Liebig then planted. In 1842 he published his work 

 on Animal Chemistry, full of brilliant thoughts, yet not always sound, 

 and often betraying the author's want of previous thorough training in 

 physiology. Liebig himself felt this want very keenly ; and though 

 his work, and the numerous researches made in his laboratory in con- 

 nection with it, excited very great attention, he never felt satisfied with 

 it, and only the first part of the second edition ever appeared. At a 

 later period, he published works on the " Motions of the Juices in the 

 Animal Body," " Researches on the Nature of Food," and " Letters 

 on Modern Agriculture." His classic Letters on Chemistry have gone 

 through several editions, and are among the best specimens of popular 

 scientific treatises. In 1852, Liebig removed to Munich, accepting an 

 invitation of the King of Bavaria. This was the mistake of his life. 

 His real scientific acti^dty then ceased. His school was abandoned, 

 but he continued to write upon scientific siabjects with his usual vigor. 

 As a man, he was full of individuality. His wit was keen ; his pen 

 caustic, but not malicious ; and in controversy he fought for scientific 

 truth only. We are too near him to judge him without favor. No 

 one of his pupils will ever speak of him but with reverence and affec- 

 tion. To them his loss is a personal one. For the world a great light 

 has gone out. 



Adam Sedgwick, who died at Cambridge, in England, on the 27th 

 of January, was born at Dent, in Yorkshire, on the 22d of March, 1785. 

 Entering Trinity College in 1804, he graduated with distinction in 1808, 

 and obtained a fellowship in 1809. Destined like his father for" the 

 church, he studied theology, and in 1817 received ordination. But 



