164 Biographical “Accotmnt of [Snpr- 
their happiness ; and the number and power of the resources which 
nature would offer against so many seourges, if we were at the 
trouble to extend and encourage the study of them. 
Chemical knowledge, which or iginated in Germany, was at that 
time more general in that country than in France. More applica- 
tions of it had been made. ‘The many petty sovereigns who divided 
that country had paid particular attention to the ‘amelioration of 
their dominions ; and the chemist, the agriculturist, the friend of 
useful arts, met equally with facts before unknown to them. 
M. Parmentier, stimulated by his virtuous masters, took advan- 
tage of these sources of instruction with ardour. When his service 
brought him to any town, he visited the manufactures least known 
in France ; he requested of the apothecaries leave to work in their 
laboratories. In the country he observed the practice of the far- 
mers. He noted down the interesting objects which struck him in 
his marches along with the troops. Nor did he want opportunities 
of seeing all varieties of things; for he was five times taken pri- 
soner, and transported to places whither his generals would not have 
carried him. He learned then by his own experience how far the 
horrors of need might go, a piece of information necessary perhaps 
to kindle in him in all its vigour that glowing fire of humanity 
which burnt in him during the whole of his long life. 
But before making use of the knowledge which he had acquired, 
and attempting to ameliorate the lot of the common people, it was 
necessary to endeavour to render his own situation less precarious. : 
He returned then at the peace of 1763 to the capital, and re- 
sumed in a more scientific manner the studies belonging to his art. 
The lectures of Nollet, Rouelle and d’ Antoine, and of Bernard de 
Jussieu, extended his ideas, and assisted him in arranging them. 
He obtained extensive and solid knowledge in all the physicat 
sciences: and the place of lower apothecary being vacant at the 
Invalides in 1766, he obtained it, after an examination obstinately 
disputed. 
His maintenance was thus secured, and his situation soon became 
sufficiently comfortable. The administration of the house seeing 
that his conduct justified his success, induced the King in 1772 to 
make him Apothecary in Chief; a recompense which an unforeseen 
accident rendered more complete than had been intended, or than 
he had expected. 
‘The pharmacy of the Invalides had been directed from its first 
establishment by the Seurs de Charité. These good women, who 
had made a great deal of young Parmentier while he was only their 
boy, took it ill that he should be put upon a Jevel with them. They 
made so much noise, and put in motion such powersul interest, 
that the King himself was obliged to draw back; and after two 
years of controversy, he made the singular decision that Parmentier 
should continue to enjoy the advantages of his place, but should no 
longer fultil its functions. 
