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GERMAN SCIENCE 101 
phenomena, go neither to the priest nor the doctor but to the 
local forester, because at this day he knows more real science. 
Liebig concludes with a eulogy of the policy of the Grand 
Duchy of Hesse in which his own labours are so warmly 
favoured by the Government. He prays that the example 
may be followed, that real schools of science may arise, and 
that they may develop a new and more peaceful generation, 
stronger in comprehension and in mind, more receptive for 
all that is truly great and fruitful. They are to increase the 
prosperity of the State, for only when man is relieved from 
the hard struggle for existence and is no more overwhelmed 
by difficulties, only when it is made easier for him to bear 
earthly cares, can he direct his mind to higher things. 
Such were Liebig’s views of the state of his science in 
Prussia in the year 1840. 
I now wish to tell you something of Liebig’s own work. 
His name is no doubt familiar to you all—in connexion with 
an extract of meat! How many, alas! know of him in any 
other capacity? I say ‘alas’ because to know Liebig as the 
sponsor of an extract of meat and to know only that, is like 
knowing Wellington merely as the founder of Wellington 
boots or Gladstone as being connected in some way with 
a particular kind of leather bag. 
Liebig was born in 1803, the son of a dealer and maker of 
colours. Like so many other distinguished men, he was an 
unsuccessful and rebellious schoolboy, the real fact being that 
he had no taste or talent for purely linguistic studies. On an 
occasion of public reproof he declared amidst the ridicule 
of his master and class-mates that he would be a chemist. 
A little later he was sent to an apothecary, but his interest 
was in chemistry and not in drugs, and after ten months of 
that life, during which he created constant anxiety by his 
private experimenting in leisure hours, he was sent back to his 
