46 HELEN ABBOTT MICHAEL 



burg, Miss Abbott went directly to Berlin, where she spent 

 nearly a week. 



She was pleasantly welcomed by the distinguished chemist 

 Liebermann, whose "immense collection of organic prepara- 

 tions were most interesting. Case after case was filled with 

 every variety of chemical compounds. It was certainly a start- 

 ling sight to see so much of value collected together. During 

 the lectures, specimens, as wanted, are exhibited. These large 

 chemical collections are parallel to the zoological and ethnologi- 

 cal collections in the big museum. It is in a great measure 

 owing to such collections that the excellence of European w r ork 

 comes in." She adds: 



"I have found in all cases the utmost willingness on the part 

 of scientific men to give me all the information possible in the 

 limited time at our disposal. Never once have I seen the slight- 

 est sign of impatience or desire to hurry me away on their part. 

 They seem only too desirous of imparting, without ostentation, 

 information resulting from their own work. Here I want again 

 to say that from naturalists (botanists included) I have had 

 more sympathy and help than from chemists." 



She gives an interesting description of Hofmann's famous 

 laboratory : 



"October 12, 1887. 



"About Hofmann. A silver-haired man, handsome. One 

 who shows the result of high school associations, amiable, 

 even charming in his manner. Speaks English very well. The 

 places in the laboratory are so much sought for, that applica- 

 tion must be made far in advance. I am to write and apply for 

 a place in his laboratory, to avail myself of the opportunities 

 of extending my knowledge. The question of attending his 

 lectures would have to be done in secret, since women are not 

 permitted in the auditorium, nor to work in the rooms with 

 the men-students. 



"I did not meet or see the members of Hofmann's family. 

 His house, 10 Dorotheenstrasse, has always been the abode of 

 chemists. Margraff, who first got sugar from beets, was the 

 first to occupy it. Various busts and pictures of chemists adorn 

 the laboratory walls. 



