DEATH OF THE PARENTS. 29 



life, as well as stimulated me energetically to continue 

 my scientific studies. 



Unhappily this fraternal intercourse was much 

 troubled by the increasingly ominous communications 

 of my father regarding the health of our beloved 

 mother. On the 8th of July 1839 she succumbed to 

 her malady, leaving my father, himself ailing, weighed 

 down with sorrow and serious material cares, together 

 with the numerous children still to be educated, in a 

 very doleful condition. I forego the description of the 

 poignant grief on the mother's loss. The love for her 

 was the strong tie that held the family together, and 

 the fear of distressing her always formed for us children 

 the most effective guarantee for our good behaviour. 



I received a brief furlough to visit our home and 

 my mother's grave. Unhappily the enfeebled health 

 of my father inspired me with but little confidence in 

 the duration of a regular family life, favourable to the 

 prosperity and development of the younger members. 

 The correctness of my foreboding was only too soon 

 confirmed. In barely half a year, on the 16th January 

 1840. we also lost our father. 



On the death of the parents, guardians were ap- 

 pointed by the court of ward for the younger children, 

 and the management of the domain of Menzendorf 

 was entrusted to my brothers Hans arid Ferdinand. 

 My youngest sister Sophia was adopted by Uncle 

 Deichmann in Ltibeck, whilst the youngest brothers 

 Walter and Otto remained for the present under the 

 grandmother's care in Menzendorf. - 



