146 A Page of Scientific- History, [April, 



The utility of founding a chemical school upon the model 

 of Liebig's, in Great Britain being once admitted, it was not 

 long before a number of public spirited men formed an 

 association for the purpose of calling such a school into 

 existence. To Dr. John Gardner, the translator of Liebig's 

 " Familiar Letters," belongs the merit of having agitated 

 the project with great ardour and indefatigable perseverance. 

 Temporary premises were taken in St. Martin's Place, where 

 a public meeting was held on the 29th of July, 1845, at 

 which a definite form was given to the new institution by 

 the election of a council, with power to add to their number, 

 and by the appointment of certain executive officers under 

 the control of the council. 



Sir James Clark had joined the movement from its very 

 beginning. He soon became deeply interested in the new 

 institution, the staunchest and most faithful friend of which 

 he remained as long as he lived. 



The first step the council had to take was to appoint a fit 

 professor capable of organising the school to be established, 

 and, from this early period, the influence of Sir James began 

 to be exerted. He at once most clearly recognised what was 

 actually wanting. There was no lack of most excellent 

 chemical lecturers in England ; indeed, the style of ex- 

 perimental illustrations, then quite general in England, was 

 infinitely superior to that which at that period prevailed in 

 Germany and on the Continent in general. It was easily 

 accessible instruction in chemical analysis, and more 

 especially in the art of carrying out experimental inquiries, 

 that had to be provided ; the few laboratories at which one 

 or two young men were received as practical students being 

 altogether inadequate to supply the daily increasing demand 

 for instruction on moderate terms, such as was offered by 

 the chemical laboratory of the University of Giessen. After 

 mature consideration, the council of the new college, chiefly 

 at the suggestion of Sir James, agreed that Liebig should 

 be called upon to recommend one of his assistants for the 

 new professorship. The council did not conceal to them- 

 selves the difficulties involved in the appointment of a 

 foreigner, but none of the distinguished young English 

 chemists of that period, though nearly all pupils of Liebig, 

 had had the advantage of being thoroughly acquainted with 

 the method of teaching introduced by Liebig — in one word, 

 of having taught under the great master. 



Prof. Liebig recommended to the council three of his 

 former assistants, viz., in the first place, Dr. Will, then 

 Assistant Professor in the University of Giessen ; in the 



