Miscellanies. 219 



members of the Academy, being anxious to give a public acknowledg- 

 ment of the great honor which the name of Berzelius has reflected up- 

 on the Academy, and also the immense services, never to be forgotten 

 which he during this long period has rendered to their interests as a sci- 

 entific body, resolved that this jubilee should be celebrated within the 

 Academy in an appropriate manner, due to his illustrious name in the 

 world of science and literature, not less than to his high rank in society. 

 Arrangements were accordingly made for a grand dinner in the house 

 of the Academy, and his Royal Highness the Crown Prince, being first 

 honorary member of the Academy, accepted graciously the invitation 

 to honor the company with his presence on this occasion. 



As the name of Berzelius is known over all the world, it may be of 

 some interest to many of his friends in foreign countries, to have a short 

 outline of his life. He was born on the 20th August, 1779, in Oster- 

 gothland m Sweden. His father was a clergyman. In common with 

 Linnaeus, and many other stars in the horizon of science, it fell also to 

 1 e lot of Berzelius to struggle against poverty and many adversities in 

 the earlier part of his life ; but his ardent spirit and indomitable desire 

 or knowledge overcame all hindrances. At the age of seventeen he 

 came to the university of Upsala, where he made very rapid progress 

 in his learning, particularly in his favorite study, chemistry. After hav- 

 jjg passed his examinations, he was promoted Doctor in Medicine, 1804. 

 Having been appointed Medicine et Pharmacia; Adjunctus at the Col- 

 gium Medicum at Stockholm, he continued for several years to give 

 P" ic and private instruction in chemistry to young students ; and be- 

 es ' e was obliged, on account of his small income, to practice oc- 

 casionally as a physician. In 1807 he was appointed Medicine et 



r maci;e Professor, and in the same year he instituted, in company 



Hl jh seven other eminent men, the Swedish Medical Society at Stock- 



» winch is now highly flourishing, and constitutes the very heart of 



e medical profession in Sweden. In 1808 he was called a member 



j 7 s R °y al Academy of Science, and officiated as President in 1810. 



same year he was appointed a member of the Royal Sanatory 

 i of which he is now the senior member. In 1818 he was ap- 

 Pjnted secretary of the Royal Academy of Science. He has travel- 

 la I ° severa l foreign countries for scientific purposes, viz. to Eng- 

 toV 1813 ' l ° German y and Frame, 1819; to Bohemia, 1822; and 

 w a ermauy ' 1830 a nd 1835. When the Medico-Chirurgical College 



or S ofo bliShed at Stockho,m in 1815 ' Berzelius was appointed Profes- 

 gra " ™ str y ; and having lately resigned his place, his Majesty 



h; , S ^ a '^ ow ed him to remain as Professor Honorarius, and to retain 

 flls salary. ' 



Th • 



are s ^^ °^ ^ aron Berzelius, as regards the science of chemistry, 



u '" ar ious, that it is quite impossible to comprehend them with- 



