2 GUSTAV MAGNUS. 



to pronounce a competent judgment on the principal 

 side of Magnus's activity, namely, the chemical. 



Hence what remains for me to do is greatly re- 

 stricted. I shall scarcely venture to speak as the 

 biographer of Magnus, but only of what he was to us 

 and to science, to represent which is our allotted task. 



His life was not indeed rich in external events 

 and changes ; it was the peaceful life of a man who, 

 free from the cares of outer circumstances, first as 

 member, then as leader of an esteemed, gifted, and 

 amiable family, sought and found abundant satisfaction 

 in scientific work, in the utilisation of scientific results 

 for the instruction and advantage of mankind. Hein- 

 rich Grustav Magnus was born in Berlin on May 2, 

 1802, the fourth of six brothers, who by their talents 

 have distinguished themselves in various directions. 

 The father, Johann Matthias, was chief of a wealthy 

 commercial house, whose first concern was to secure 

 to his children a free development of their individual 

 capacity and inclinations. Our departed friend showed 

 very early a greater inclination for the study of mathe- 

 matics and natural philosophy than for that of lan- 

 guages. His father arranged his instruction accor- 

 dingly, by removing him from the Werder Gymnasium 

 and sending him to the Cauer Private Institute, in 

 which more attention was paid to scientific subjects. 



From 1822 to 1827 Magnus devoted himself en- 



