GUSTAV MAGNUS. 5 



mortals. The harmonious tendency and cultivation of 

 his mind could be recognised in the natural grace of 

 his behaviour, in the cheerfulness and firmness of his 

 disposition, in the warm amiability of his intercourse 

 with others. There was in all this, much more than 

 the mere acquisition of the outer forms of politeness 

 can ever reach, where they are not illuminated by a 

 warm sympathy and by a fine feeling for the beautiful. 

 Accustomed from an early age to the regulated and 

 prudent activity of the commercial house in which he 

 grew up, he retained that skill in business which he 

 had so frequently to exercise in the administration of the 

 affairs of this Academy, of the philosophical faculty, and 

 of the various Government commissions. He retained 

 from thence the love of order, the tendency towards 

 the actual, and towards what is practically attainable, 

 even although the chief aim of his activity was an ideal 

 one. He understood that the pleasant enjoyment of 

 an existence free from care, and intercourse with the 

 most amiable circle of relatives and friends, do not bring 

 a lasting satisfaction ; but work only, and unselfish work 

 for an ideal aim. Thus he laboured, not for the in- 

 crease of riches, but for science ; not as a dilettante and 

 capriciously, but according to a fixed aim and in 

 defatigably ; not in vanity, catching at striking dis- 

 coveries, which might at once have made his name 

 celebrated. He was, on the contrary, a master of faith- 



