CHAPTER II. 



STUDIES AND DREAMS. 



In the summer of 1789, Campe. who had been for 

 some years canon and councillor in Brunswick, deter- 

 mined to make a trip to Paris, to be present at the 

 funeral of French despotism, and it was deemed advisable 

 for William to accompany him. They arrived in Paris 

 on the 3d of August. Not being fortunate enough while 

 there to follow Tyranny to its grave, Campe revenged 

 his disappointment by doing what most authors would 

 have done in his place — he wrote patriotic letters in 

 favor of the revolution, and attracted much attention. 

 Alexander remained behind, probably at (xottingen, pur- 

 suing his favorite studies, and constantly corresponding 

 with Forster, who was then at Mayence, where he was 

 councillor and librarian of the University. The plan of 

 the great transatlantic journey, formed a year or two be- 

 fore, was laid aside for a time, in order that he might 

 study what was then a new science — Geology. He was 

 deep in the writings of the then celebrated geologist, 

 Abraham Gottlob Werner. 



In his peculiar department of science Werner was un- 

 doubtedly the most remarkable man of his time. The 

 son of a poor iron-worker, he commenced his career as a 



