68 Hofmann and Modern Chemistry. | Jan., 
reason being created after the image of God, he has to use it to 
discover the laws by which the Almighty governs his creation, and 
by making these laws his standard of action, to conquer nature to 
his use—himself a divine instrument. Science discovers these laws 
of power, motion, and transformation ; industry applies them to the 
raw matter, which the Earth yields us in abundance, but which 
becomes valuable only by knowledge.”* 
Those words were spoken in 1850, but as early as 1844 an 
association had been formed under the auspices of the Prince, which 
proposed to establish in London a practical school of Chemistry, 
founded on the model of Liebig’s Laboratory at Giessen, the di- 
rection of which was to be placed in the hands of a young chemist 
educated under Liebig’s eyes. 
The Council of this Association, consisting of many noblemen 
and gentlemen, requested Professor Liebig to propose some candi- 
dates for the office to be created. Amongst those so named by the 
ereat German chemist was Dr. Hofmann, who, in the summer of 
1845, received the invitation to undertake the formation of a new 
school of Chemistry in England. When it is remembered that the 
young chemical teacher of Bonn had never visited this country, it 
will be readily understood that he had some hesitation as to en- 
gaging in so arduous an undertaking. This was, however, very 
soon overcome by the personal interest which Prince Albert took in 
the matter, and through the influence of the Prince Dr. Hofmann 
obtained from the Prussian Government an indefinite leave of 
absence. 
In October, 1845, we find Dr. Hofmann busily engaged in 
arranging a small and temporary laboratory in George Street, — 
Hanover Square, in which the new school, under the title of The 
College of Chemistry, was opened in the beginning of November. 
How great a desideratum was actually supplied by the foundation 
of the school, and how correct the judgment of its projectors had 
been, became obvious from the rapidity with which the scarcely- 
opened laboratory was filled. So great was the number of students 
from all classes eager to avail themselves of the newly-offered 
facilities for engaging in the practice of Chemistry, that the pro- 
moters of the College felt at once the necessity of providing a more 
permanent and a more appropriate habitation for the school. The 
necessary funds were immediately contributed by some of the 
wealthy members of the Association; and, after the lapse of less 
than a year since its foundation, the operations of the school were 
transferred to a commodious buildmg, which had been erected in 
Oxford Street. This well-known building, the Royal College of 
Chemistry, was in full work m 1846, and when we recapitulate the 
* © Addresses delivered on different public occasions by His Royal Highness 
the Prince Albert.’ Published by the Society of Arts. 4to edition, p. 59. 
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