MEM OIK OF WERNER. 



35 



triors, who have so carefully described tfne different 

 states in which minerals exist ; and for those inde- 

 fatigable observers who have removed from the globe 

 the last veil that concealed her mysteries. Karsten 

 and Wiedeman in the cabinet — Humboldt, Von 

 Buch, Daubuisson, Hermann, and Freyensleben, on 

 the summit of the Cordilleras, amidst the flames of 

 Vesuvius and iEtna, in the deserts of Siberia, in the 

 deepest recesses of the mines of Saxony, of Hun- 

 gary, of Mexico, and of Potosi — have been led on 

 by the spirit of their master. They always ascribed 

 to him the honour that resulted from their labours ; 

 and it might be said of him, what could formerly be 

 said with truth of Linnaeus only, that Nature was 

 every where interrogated in his name. 



Few masters have enjoyed in the same degree the 

 pure and unreserved gratitude of their scholars ; but 

 no one, perhaps, had ever so much deserved it by his 

 paternal regard for them. There was no sacrifice 

 which he would not make for his pupils. His time 

 and strength were at their service ; and if he knew of 

 any of them in temporary need, his purse was opened 

 to supply their wants. When his audience became 

 too numerous for each to see conveniently the ob- 

 jects which he exhibited, he divided the students, 

 and repeated the lecture. His door was at all times 

 open to them : he took his meals usually with some 

 of them in company, as if he had wished that no 

 opportunity should be lost for their instruction. 



Such a master might well entrust the care of his 



