PROFESSOR AT KONIGSBERG 63 



much handicapped in physiological experiments because the 

 proper equipment of my laboratory is hindered from want 

 of funds. But now I have been allotted 15 for this year, 

 and the same for next, for expenditure on instruments and ex- 

 periments ; so I shall be, and am, better off in this respect 

 than I was in Berlin/ 



The father's reply, at once admonitory and soothing, was sent 

 on December 28 as a Christmas and New Year greeting : 



' May 1850 bring you as much of happiness and of God's 

 blessing as 1849. Above all may you both be kept in health : 

 and to you may it bring good results in your scientific labours. 

 I am sorry that you have so small an audience, for nothing 

 inspires a teacher so much as applause, and the response of 

 numbers to what he offers. You have all the more reason 

 to cultivate a fluent style and popular manner, as well as 

 depth and solidity; in this way you will gratify the wishes 

 of the authorities, who have doubtless sent so young a man, 

 with this remarkable salary for an Extraordinary Professor, 

 to Konigsberg in order to awaken a keener interest for what 

 is really profound and scientific, as one might say fundamental, 

 in Medicine, and thus initiate further developments of this 

 practical art in Konigsberg also. Physiology is so closely 

 related to Philosophy, and has such important general 

 interests, that you will doubtless discover a form of lecture 

 and choice of subject that will attract many from other Facul- 

 ties, notably from the Philosophical, especially if you make 

 friends with Rosenkranz, whose fame attracts many philoso- 

 phers to Konigsberg. Professor Meyer says that the Konigs- 

 berg students of his day were distinguished by keen activity 

 and industry, especially in science and mathematics. So we 

 must hope that you will be more successful in this respect 

 next year, for the sake of your own affairs as well, for you 

 will soon find that, even while you are only two, your stipend 

 is small enough in the circle in which you and your wife are 

 moving ; and you decline to practise, which is really the most 

 lucrative, though I grant you the most disturbing and fatigu- 

 ing profession/ 



Helmholtz used the Christmas holidays as he had planned, 

 to complete the experiments broken off in October, and was 

 able by January 15, 1850, to send du Bois a short report ' On 



