Ma?iius : on the Life and Labors of De Candolle. 227 



bons produced a dangerous reaction against those who had served 

 under the Emperor, and especially against Protestant families. 

 Although no partisan, yet De Candolle was obnoxious in both 

 points of view. His own country presented (under less brilliant 

 auspices to be sure than in Montpelier) the attractions of the 

 father-land, the satisfaction of laboring for his compatriots, re- 

 pose from political convulsions, and with all these sources of en- 

 joyment, a society such as Geneva alone, situated as it is on the 

 highway of the world, can collect together. 



The State Council of Geneva created for him a professorship 

 of natural history, and he returned on the 8th of November, 

 1816, into the service of his native country. The French gov- 

 ernment did not willingly part with him ; his scholars at Mont- 

 pelier made every possible effort to retain their beloved teacher, 

 but in vain. In Geneva he had lectures to deliver in zoology as 

 well as botany. In this field likewise he manifested his happy 

 talent for instruction ; and all his lectures were enthusiastically 

 received by a crowd of hearers. 



At the instigation of De Candolle, a botanical garden was in- 

 stituted, of which he was the curator until his death. More than 

 five hundred subscribers formed by degrees a fund of eighty nine 

 thousand francs, appropriated to the support of this garden. This 

 is not the only testimony of the sympathy of his fellow citizens 

 in what De Candolle recommended as for the interest of science 

 and of the town. There was accidentally entrusted to him for 

 a short time, a large and valuable collection of drawings of Mexi- 

 can plants, made by the Spanish botanists Leon Mocjno and Cer- 

 vantes, in Mexico. These being unexpectedly called for, all the 

 artists and amateurs of the city assembled at his request, and in 

 eight days' active labor made a complete copy of all these draw- 

 ings. De Candolle told me with glistening eyes that this proof 

 of the regard and affection of his fellow citizens was one of the 

 most delightful experiences of his life. But who among his as- 

 sociates would not gladly have assisted in scientific efforts a man 

 who was distinguished by so much gracefulness, by such trans- 

 parent frankness, united with such fine tact in social intercourse. 

 He was a keen observer, an accurate judge of the human heart. 

 It was therefore easy for him to associate with all classes in so- 

 ciety, and to influence all for the good of the commonwealth. 

 This is manifest by his being chosen in the year 1816 into the 



