16 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP BECLARD. 



than once abandoned to some of his pupils his discoveries and 

 medical opinions which soon created and supported their repu- 

 tation, and who afterwards became an honour to their illus- 

 trious master. He zealously aided them in their studies, and 

 encouraged their labours; he was prodigal of the wealth of his 

 immense erudition, and assisted them with the greatest zeal 

 in the cultivation of a science of whicn he ardently desired to 

 see the limits extended. 



It was in the midst of so many useful labours, and when he 

 began to enjoy a reputation, which, though already great, 

 was yet onlj T dawning, that the celebrated professor of whom 

 we have just sketched the life, was seized with a mortal disease. 

 On the 6th of March, 1825, an erysipelitous inflammation 

 appeared on his face, which soon spread over the integuments 

 of the cranium. From its first appearance a cerebral exalta- 

 tion had manifested itself, and inspired the greatest fears for 

 the life of the patient. Notwithstanding all the most atten- 

 tive cares, the malady advanced with a frightful rapidity, and 

 on the 16th of March, Beclard was no more. 



During the prolonged delirium which terminated his life, 

 his intellect had acquired an astonishing activity. More than 

 once we observed him, while in this state, supposing himself 

 in the presence of a large audience, and developing with a sur- 

 prising energy, ideas which, although incoherent in them- 

 selves, nevertheless disclosed the powerful and elevated mind 

 which gave them birth. They were, in a manner, the last ef- 

 forts of his expiring genius. Finally, after a long and painful 

 agony, he breathed his last in the arms of numerous friends, 

 that were bound down with grief at his bed side. As soon as 

 the news of his death reached the School of Medicine, the pu- 

 pils who for several days previous had been constantly moving 

 about his house, in order to learn the state of his health, these 

 same pupils who not long since saluted with general applause 

 their learned and modest professor, were now deeply afflicted, 

 and bitterly lamented the loss of so valuable a teacher. 



On the 17th of March, 1825, the day of his burial, two 

 thousand students met at his house, and would not permit 

 other hands than theirs, to carry to their last abode his pre- 



