8 Memoir of M. D' Aubuisson de Foisins. 



again see his relatives, that he should again place his foot 

 upon his native ground, should it be only for a few days ; and, 

 animated by this pious idea, he undertook this long pilgrimage, 

 from which, according to all appearance, he would never re- 

 turn. He arrived at Paris, and had the boldness to assist, 

 under a German name, at a scientific meeting, where he was 

 recognised as French, and escaped the consequences of this 

 imprudent act only by a kind of miracle. He then traversed 

 all France, partly on foot, visited Toulouse, finally embraced 

 his father and his family, then with a contented heart re- 

 gained the frontier, and again found consolation for his exile 

 in his studies at Freiberg. 



Similar traits, no doubt, were not I'are at that time, when 

 French courage shewed itself under so many different forms ; 

 but whatever be the measure we are inclined to assign to it, 

 it is certain that in its motive and execution, it could only 

 belong to a strong mind and an excellent heart. 



Having at length returned definitively to France, in con- 

 sequence of the consular amnesty, we find M. D' Aubuisson 

 engaged in geological publications of a freer spirit, and taking 

 an active share in the great debate of the period, that between 

 the Neptunians and Vulcanists. M. D'Aubuisson's banner 

 could not be doubtful ; it was that of Werner. It was seen, 

 however, that he was animated by a truly philosophical spirit, 

 and did not blindly follow the guidance of a settled system, 

 but that he sought for and recognised the truth, even when 

 it cost him the public avowal of an error. 



When traversing Saxony as an observer, he thought that 

 he perceived, in the position and nature of the basalts of that 

 country, facts calculated to extend the principles of the Frei- 

 berg school, to which he had devoted all the ardour of his 

 first convictions. He made this the subject of an interesting 

 memoir, written with elegance, in which the observations 

 were brought forward and discussed with I'emarkable care 

 and method, and which produced much effect on the Institute, 

 to which it was read in the beginning of 1803. The Nep- 

 tunians, I believe, then formed the majority in the Institute.* 



* Dr P. Neill, universally known as a learned and sagacious naturalist, jJub- 

 lisbed a translation of D'Aubuisson's celebrated work on the Basalts of Saxony, 



