MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. XV 



were perceptible, partly, also, because a true 

 basis on which it should be fomided was want- 

 ing. 



To this design of recreating, as it were, Or- 

 ganic Chemistry, in his native country, Liebig 

 was always faithful ; and, though he no longer 

 stands alone as a distinguished promoter of 

 that department, yet no one can overlook the 

 influence he has had upon his colleagues and 

 pupils. This influence operates in Germany 

 and England to urge on the science, in France 

 more to moderate its progress ; that is, to keep 

 theory within its proper limits. The conse- 

 quence has been that, whereas, before, many 

 chemical students repaired to the laboratories 

 of Paris, the young chemists of all nations are 

 now assembled in the little town of Giessen, 

 to profit by the instructions of this great mas- 

 ter. In the present year there are around 

 him one hundred and thirty-five foreigners. 

 The British chemists are looking with eager- 

 ness to Germany, and to undervalue Ger- 

 man Chemistry at the present day, would be 

 ridiculed even in France. We know very well, 

 that Dr. Liebig has not produced this effect 



