Miscellanies. 219 



membei*s of the Academy, being anxious to give a public acknowledg- 

 ment of the great honor which the name of Berzelius has reflected up- 

 on the Academy, and also the immense services, never to be forgotten, 

 which he during this long period has rendered to their interests as a sci- 

 entific body, resolved that this jubilee should be celebrated within the 

 Academy in an appropriate manner, due to his illustrious name in the 

 world of science and literature, not less than to his high rank in society. 



Ari'angements were accordingly made for a grand dinner in the house 

 of the Academy, and his Royal Highness the Crown Prince, being first 

 honorary member of the Academy, accepted graciously the invitation 

 to honor the company with his presence on this occasion. 



As the name of Berzelius is known over all the world, it may be of 

 some interest to many of his friends in foreign countries, to have a short 

 outline of his life. He was born on the 20th August, 1779, in Oster- 

 gothland in Sweden. His father was a clergyman. In common with 

 Linneeus, and many other stars in the horizon of science, it fell also to 

 the lot of Berzelius to struggle against poverty and many adversities in 

 the earlier part of his life ; but his ardent spirit and indomitable desire 

 for knowledge overcame all hindrances. At the age of seventeen he 

 came to the university of Upsala, where he made very rapid progress 

 in his learning, particularly in his favorite study, chemistry. After hav- 

 ing passed his examinations, he was promoted Doctor in Medicine, 1804. 

 Having been appointed Medicine et Pharmacice Adjunctus at the Col- 

 legium Modicum at Stockholm, he continued for several years to give 

 public and private instruction in chemistry to young students ; and be- 

 sides, he was obliged, on account of his small income, to practice oc- 

 casionally as a physician. In 1807 he was appointed Medicince et 

 Pharmacice Professor, and in the same year he instituted, in company 

 with seven other eminent men, the Swedish Medical Society at Stock- 

 holm, which is now highly flourishing, and constitutes the very heart of 

 the medical profession in Sweden. In 1808 he was called a member 

 of the Royal Academy of Science, and officiated as Pi'esident in 1810. 

 In the same year he was appointed a member of the Royal Sanatory 

 Board, of which he is now the senior member. In 1818 he was ap- 

 pointed secretary of the Royal Academy of Science. He has travel- 

 ed through several foreign countries for scientific purposes, viz. to Eng- 

 land, 1813; to Germany and France, 1819; to Bohemia, 1822; and 

 to Germany, 1830 and 1835. When the Medico-Chirurgical College 

 was established at Stockholm in 1815, Berzelius was appointed Profes- 

 sor of Chemistry ; and having lately resigned his place, his Majesty 

 graciously allowed him to remain as Professor Honorarius, and to retain 

 his salary. 



The merits of Baron Berzelius, as regards the science of chemistry, 

 are so multifarious, that it is quite impossible to comprehend them with- 



