GERMAN SCIENCE ^ /.\ \ tt \ 



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 



