188 NOTICE OF CHEISTIAN FREDERIC SCHOENBEIN, ETC. 



Schoenbein did not limit liis instruction to the course of the university ; he under- 

 stood in the best possible manner how to impart his knowledge to others. Above 

 all, we should speak of the activity which he imparted to the Society of Natural 

 Sciences of Basle, of which, dming 40 years, he was a prominent member ; he con- 

 sidered it as a dear friend, to whom he always first confided his most important 

 discoveries. The published proceedings of this society give the entire series of 

 the results of his scientific labors. The Helvetic Society of Natural Sciences lost 

 in him one of its most zealous and valued members ; he almost always animated 

 the meetings of the physical section by interesting communications, and this yeai', 

 at the session of Einsiedeln, his absence was noticed and deeply regretted ; the 

 society, feeling the want of his cheering presence, transmitted to him by tele- 

 graph a friendly salutation ; alas, this found him upon a sick bed, soon to become 

 his bed of death. All the inhabitants of Basle, interested in sciences, were 

 indebted to him for the series of interesting lectures which he addressed to the 

 public of that city. In former days he gave complete courses of popular instruc- 

 tion, and in later years he did not refuse to share the efforts of younger men in 

 the organizations for the same purpose. But his enthusiasm for instructing 

 extended beyond the confines of the lecture-room, in society, in the street, even 

 at the refreshment saloons he knew how to give a scientific tuni to conversation 

 without assuming the pedantic tone of a master. Schbenbein knew how to gain 

 the hearts of all by his amiable qualities, and consequently numbered many 

 fi'iends. But his general popularity did not prevent him from contracting close 

 friendships, to which he remained faithful during life ; he was intimately attached to 

 several of his colleagues, of whom some have preceded him to the tomb ; the youngest 

 of his associates felt that it was not only benevolence but a true friendship which 

 attached him to them. Among the foreign philosopliers with whom he was on 

 terms the most intimate, and with whom he regularly coiTCsponded, we may 

 mention Faraday, Grove, Liebig, Wohler, Eisenlohr, Pettenhofer, Sainte Claire 

 Deville, and Sebetellen de Metz, author of a well-known work on ozone. 



The meetings of the Helvetic Society furnished him the opportunit}' of inter- 

 course with the savants of Switzerland. He was particularly associated with 

 M. M. Escher, Studer de la Rive, Pictet, Heir, Desor, Lang, and many younger 

 philosophers who also shared his friendship. 



If we would sum up in a single sentence the character of Schoenbein, we should 

 say that at all points of view he represented an individual of peculiar develop- 

 ment; he was an original in the best sense of the term, and such men ought to be 

 more appreciated, as they become ever more rare in our age of universal medi- 

 ocrity. Schoenbein was a complete man, for although an absorbing idea, the 

 love of science, governed his entire life, yet, all his other faculties had received 

 an entire and vigorous development. His general health was good ; he was 

 hardened against exterior influences. It is but a short time since he worked 

 during the middle of winter in an unheated laboratory. For several years he 

 suffered occasionally from attacks of gout, from whicli, however, he always com- 

 pletely recovered. On this account he resorted, during the vacation of last 

 summer, to Wildbad, thinking to fortify himself for the approaching winter. In 

 returning, however, he was detained at Sauersberg, near Baden Baden, at the 

 house of a friend by an abscess on his neck, which, rapidly assuming a dangerous 

 character, rendered his return home impossible. The greatest care and medical 

 aid could not an-est the march of this disease, and on the 29th of August he died 

 peacefully in the house of his kind and attentive host. His obsequies took place 

 at Basle, the 2d of September. The funeral was conducted by friends, among 

 whom was Eisenlohr, who had visited him on his death-bed. A long train of 

 colleagues, pupils, relations, and admirers accompanied him with emotions of 

 deep sorrow to his last resting place. 



