14 BIOGRAPHIES OF SCIENTIFIC MEN 



estimating the worth of noble labours, so long will the 

 name of " Lavoisier " live, and the memory of him who 

 bore it remain enshrined and held in affectionate reverence 

 by succeeding generations. 



Coffinhal, who would not listen to Lavoisier, had, says 

 Lamartine, " the massive frame, figure, and masculine 

 vigour of the Alpine races of his country (an Auvergnat). 

 The energy of his mind responded to that of his muscles. 

 Payan was the head, and Coffinhal the hand, of this night 

 and morrow." And of this man Robespierre said : " You 

 destroy me, you destroy yourself, you destroy the Republic." 

 Ultimately he was guillotined. 



Concerning this period Carlyle says in his French 

 Revolution : " The spring sends its green leaves and 

 bright weather, bright May, brighter than ever ; death 

 pauses not. Lavoisier, famed chemist, shall die and not 

 live. Chemist Lavoisier was Farmer-General Lavoisier 

 too, and now all the Farmers-General are arrested ; all 

 shall give an account of their moneys and incomings, and 

 die for putting water in the tobacco they sold. Lavoisier 

 begged a fortnight more of life to finish some experi- 

 ments, but the Republic does not need such; the axe 

 must do its work.' ; 



To illustrate the feelings, animosities, jealousies, and 

 fiendish propensities of Robespierre and his minions, two 

 coins and a medal of the period 1 bear ample testimony. 

 1 In the author's collection. 



