1826.} of Claude-Louis Bert holkt. 181 



energy of France, when she bounded forward at once over many 

 eras of improvement, and took her rank with the first of modern 

 civilized nations, joined to that store of knowledge which 

 enabled him to give her in her desperate need that abundant 

 supply of ammunition with which she repelled singly the assaults 

 of an embattled world, we are apt to ask, what patriot had ever 

 half the ardour, or half the happiness of BerthoUet ? He was, in 

 fine, one of the most open-hearted, one of the most sincere, and 

 kind of human beings. How beautiful a trait of simplicity of 

 character is the first step that he makes into the great world — 

 the first acquaintance that he forms in Paris — his unprepared 

 approach to Tronchin, whose disinterested kindness seems to 

 have been worthy of the open confidence reposed in him by the 

 young physician, and who had thereby the honour to contribute 

 most materially to the subsequent success of his protege. ISIor 

 did any man possess more mild and unassuming manners than 

 BerthoUet, vvho, on one occasion, after a previous keen contro- 

 versy, had rendered a certain philosopher almost afraid to meet 

 him, nevertheless gave that very man so unreserved and so 

 kindly a reception when they next encountered, as to force the 

 tears of surprise and gratitude from his eyes. 



Indeed no man ever had more friends, or preserved more 

 sincere and lasting inumacies than BerthoUet. He won men by 

 his openness and candour, and he retained them by his affection 

 and kindness. After all the honours to which he had been 

 advanced, his deportment remained as simple and as unaffected 

 as ever. He was never a courtier ; and had the singular merit 

 of being alike firm in his integrity under the reign of terror, and 

 under both the reproaches and the favour of Napoleon. Alus ! 

 it is painful to think that a man every way fitted to adorn and 

 exalt human nature, after so noble and honourable a course of 

 life spent amid everv danger and vicissitude, should have his 

 latter days clouded by a fate so severe, yet over which he had 

 no controul. But the sun shines, and the rain descends, alike 

 upon the evil and upon the good. The sufferings are now gone, 

 — the sorrows are now passed away, — but immortal among ail 

 who love science, country, or mankind, will be the hallowed 

 memory of Claude- Louis BerthoUet ! 



Tlie following list will be found to contain nearly the whole of 

 the works published by BerthoUet : — 



Kiperime/ils on Tartaric Acid. Journal de Physique, vii. 130. 



Ohxervutioits on Air. 



Memoir on the Combinations of'Oih with the Earths, the Vola- 



