Life and Writings of Berzdius. 15 



it, — they do nothing that is of any use. Ought not a new 

 Berzelius to seize the sceptre fallen from the lifeless hands 

 of the illustrious critic, in order to recall these fruitless la- 

 bourers to order, and shew them by his example, how science 

 should be promoted \ . . . . 



In his personal relations Berzelius was simple and plain, 

 without those pretensions which, arising from an exaggerated 

 notion of their own importance, sometimes diminish the plea- 

 sure which ought to be derived from the company of men emi- 

 nent in science. He rose at an early hour, and no visitor ever 

 found him unoccupied. No one, whoever Iio might be, could 

 ever complain of his reception. He knew th 2 full value of time, 

 and be endeavoured to make others know it also. During a 

 career of seventy years, foi'ty-four of which were passed in 

 the same city, engaged without intermission in difficult, and 

 sometimes painful undertakings, Berzelius knew how to pi'e- 

 serve the attachment of his pupils, the friendship of his col- 

 leagues, the esteem of his sovereign, and the respect of all. 

 Many of the most distinguished chemists of the age resorted 

 to his laboratory, such as Mitschei-lich, Gmelin, Henri, and 

 Gustavus Rose, Woehler, Magnus, Arfwedson, Mosander, 

 &c. All entertained a boundles.s respect for their master, 

 for they regarded him as the primary cause of their success 

 in science, as the .spirit which formed their minds, and gave 

 a proper direction to their studies. 



Perhaps we shall be accused of having attempted an eloge 

 of Berzelius ; but our ambition has not been so aspiring. 

 While defending this great man from the unjust reproaches 

 with which he has been assailed, it has been our desire, on 

 this solemn occasion, to call to mind his principal titles to 

 fame. In describing the course of a life as lengthened as 

 it was well employed, we have endeavoured to shew to all 

 young chemists, that present tendencies may lead them astray, 

 and how they may succeed in laying the foundation of an im- 

 perishable reputation, and a glorious name ; how, in order 

 to advance the experimental sciences, it is necessary to sus- 

 tain natural genius by a steadfast perseverance, and a conti- 

 nual laljour, which nothing should discourage. 



