CONCLUSION. 391 



certainly only have lasting effect in consequence of 

 the reputation for great solidity and excellence, which 

 our productions enjoyed throughout the world. 



Besides this public recognition of my technical 

 achievements marks of honour have been so abundantly 

 conferred upon me personally both by the rulers of 

 the larger states of Europe and by universities , aca- 

 demies, scientific and technical institutes and societies, 

 that hardly anything remains for me to desire. 



I began the writing of my recollections with the 

 biblical aphorism "The days of our years are three- 

 score years and ten, or even by reason of strength 

 fourscore years", and I think I have shown that also 

 the close of the sentence, "yet is their pride but 

 labour and sorrow", has held good in my case. For 

 my life was beautiful, because it essentially consisted 

 of successful labour and useful work, and if I finally 

 give expression to the regret that it is approaching 

 its end, I am only urged thereto by the pain that I 

 must be parted from my dear ones , and that it is 

 not permitted me to continue to labour for the full 

 development of the Age of Science. 



