216 MEMOIRS OF 



of composition, and fearing the injurious direc- 

 tion that such ideas might give to youthful stu- 

 dies, he combated tliem solely for tlie love of 

 science ; and his health fortunately permitting, 

 he for this purpose resumed his chair at the 

 college, and, taking for his subject the entire 

 history of natural sciences, he, in this series, 

 seemed to carry learned research, precision, 

 clearness, sound and elevated views proceeding 

 from the deepest thought and erudition, and 

 a pre-eminent power of separating truth from 

 error, to the highest degree to which man could 

 attain. The charms of his flexible and sonorous 

 voice, which could be heard every where in its 

 sweetest tones, the benignity and animation of 

 his countenance, attracted each sex and various 

 ages. In the coldest weather, the audience 

 assembled an hour before the time, and some 

 were contented to remain on the staircase, pro- 

 vided they could catch some of his melodious 

 words ; and the enthusiasm with which he was 

 received, while it endangered his personal con- 

 venience, called forth that benevolent smile 

 which was calculated rather to encourage than 

 repress these marks of admiration. 



" The fundamental principle of these lec- 

 tures," says M. Laurillard, " was, that society 



