MEMOIR OF CAMPER. 77 



rejoicing in the company of its learned men, of whom 

 Nicolai, Lecat, Bode, and Walther, may be named ; 

 examining the cabinets of Bloch and Gerhard, and 

 attending the meetings of its several learned Socie- 

 ties, of which he was admitted a member. At Pots- 

 dam, he had the honour of being introduced to the 

 hereditary Prince, who then filled the throne of 

 Prussia, and next day he was admitted to the palacfc 

 of the great Frederick, who granted him a long au- 

 dience, in which the arts and sciences were particu- 

 larly discussed, and Camper was astonished not more 

 with the extreme affability of the monarch, than with 

 his extensive knowledge. He also spent two days 

 with Prince Henry, the brother of Frederick, and 

 ever afterwards spoke with delight of the happiness 

 he had experienced in visiting a Court where merit 

 had such easy access to tjie throne, and which not 

 only protected learned men, but vouchsafed to them 

 its bounties and its charms. 



On his return home, Camper again engaged with 

 his writings and scientific labours. Among these 

 one of the most remarkable, as shewing the versati- 

 lity of his powers, was " On the best form of shoes," 

 a work which has been thought worthy of being 

 translated into French. It has been stated, that when 

 Camper was in company with some of his elder 

 pupils, the conversation turned on the best subjects 

 for Medical Dissertations, when it was maintained 

 that they were nearly exhausted. The professo* 

 opposed this view, and contended that a subject the 



