206 The Life and Writings ofM. Desfontaines. 



classical- knowledge, and the sound criticism with which he era- 

 ployed it. 



During his sojourn in Barbary, he met with two botanists who 

 were also exploring the country, and with whom he formed a friend- 

 ly connexion which continued till death. — These were Martin Vahl, 

 afterwards professor at Copenhagen, and who acquired celebrity by 

 the exactness of his botanical details, and M. Poiret, who published 

 his travels in Barbary, and then devoted his time to the completion 

 of the botanical part of the Encyclopedic Methodique. Friendships 

 of this nature, formed at a distance from ones natal soil, and under 

 circumstances connected with the remembrance of danger and fa- 

 tigue, leave we know full well, more profound impressions than those 

 which spring up in the easy life of refinement and civilization, — of- 

 ten has this reflection been forced upon me in hearing these old men 

 relate with the utmost animation and vivacity, the reminiscences of 

 this active period of their lives. 



On his return to Paris in 1785, Desfontaines found Lemonnier 

 still animated with the same sentiments of kindness towards him. 

 He was for a short time drawn into the project of joining the noble 

 but unfortunate expedition of La Peyrouse round the world. A be- 

 neficent illness preserved him firom this danger. His protector was 

 then desirous of settling him in life, and of yielding to him his place 

 of professor of Botany in the Jardin du Roi. This establishment 

 was then under the direction of the illustrious BufFon, whose superi- 

 or talents, as is well known, were combined with an imperious and 

 resolute temper, and who moreover had had several court quarrels 

 with the first physician. In him was the right of nominating to the 

 professorships, on which account Lemonnier was afi-aid to resign, lest 

 some other than his friend should be put into the chair. He en- 

 deavored to sift the opinion of BufFon, in case of his resignation, but 

 the most intimate friendship could get no other answer than " let Le- 

 monnier resign and then I will exercise the right invested in me." 

 After hesitating a long time, L'Heritier, thinking that he perceived 

 the intention of BufFon, induced Lemonnier to send an uncondition- 

 al resignation. This was accepted by BufFon, who diverted himself 

 by suffering his decision to remain in suspense during two whole 

 days ; — he then, in a very gracious manner, nominated Desfontaines, 

 as if he wished it to be understood that it was done on his own ac- 

 count, and not on that of his patron. 



