BUNSEN MPLMORIAL LECTURE. P,4] 



individuality and characteriHtics stand out in proniin,«nt n>liof .•o.nmroH 

 with w^ich such things as thoones and forn.uho w.ro u . 1 o^^^^S 

 of. At a very early stage of the course the greater part « f two fee 

 tures was deyoted to an analysis of mercuric oxide carded out hefm^ 



he class in the most precise and painstaking „,anner. The w < ' w- s 

 a masterly exposition of analytical methocT involying a ch> a le hi J 

 most ucid discussion of the yarious sources of erro? and < h * t ^ 



ws by which accuracy may be arrived at. nanu>lv. <.ith,>r l.v r.-du. in'; 

 these errors to a minimum or by estimating them and niakin.r tiie 

 necessarv onrmi^Ur^n^ " '^ ""^'"n i"»- 



Concerning this side of Bunsen's character, and on the inlluonce 

 exerted by his work on chemical theory, I can not do better ti.an .luote 

 the judgment of Cannizzaro, Avho. in his eloquent eloge, uses the fol- 

 lowing words: 



which 



• Bunsen did not take, any active pait in the theoretical discussions 

 -. }P^^ P^'^^'® during that period of his scientific career, but lie was 

 not indifferent to the fundamental arguments of chemical science: that 

 IS, the atomic weights of the elements and the formulic of their com- 

 pounds. While controversy raged he was sihMitlv eniplovcd in col- 

 lecting experimental data and teaching how these can be l)est <)])taine(l. 



■^lon. 



in order to settle all pending questions. This was his true mi 

 And this he fulfilled admirably." 



To this passage Cannizzaro appends a note, which is so charact(>r- 

 istic both of the writer and of his subject that I venture to (|uote it: 



to an enumeration of the new expei 

 order to settle doubtful points." 



Apropos of Bunsen's lectures, I may here relate^ a storv which is 

 characteristic of the man. 



Although the motto of '^Lehr- und Lcrn-Ficiheit " i> that of e\ cry 

 German university, yet it is obligatory on all candidates for puMic 

 appointments to Ijring up certificates, signed l>y the professor, of 

 attendance on specified lectures. Bunsen, consich'ring tiiis a matter of 

 form, usually signed "Mit ausgezeichnetem Fh'iss." without further 

 inquiry. On one occasion, however, looking at the appli.ant. he 

 remarked, "Aber Herr Dingskirch ich hai.e Sic in der Voil.'sung gar 

 jiicht gesehen." '' Ja, Herr Geheimerath," replied the student. " ich 



SM 99 41 



