XXX11 



dialects of Germany might be heard there, nay every European language, 

 and in one hall, somewhat predominating, the English language — all 

 mixing and yet in order, for every one felt that he was striving for a 

 noble object ;- he was serving science ; in other words, he was a pupil of 

 Liebig. And how inspiriting was this meeting together of earnest 

 youths under such a master ! Many a noble and life-long friendship was 

 founded by community of work and aims. And Liebig had mostly a bit 

 of good advice or a happy thought, which helped one who had got into 

 either a scientific or an experimental difficulty, and which would float 

 him again in the right direction. 



All who know what this school of Liebig on the Lahn was, and what 

 other opportunities there existed for chemical study, will easily compre- 

 hend that there was a time when any one who had a longing for 

 thorough chemical study felt an irresistible call to Griessen. Liebig is 

 much to be applauded and admired in that he knew so clearly the kind 

 of school he must make in order to effect real good. Others before him 

 had felt that chemical students ought to do practical work in the labora- 

 tory ; but they had not the support of public opinion, or of the governing 

 bodies of educational institutions, and were not strong enough to break 

 through the hindrances around them. It is even told that when one 

 professor at a small University attempted to have a little practical school 

 of Chemistry, his colleagues regarded it as a useless squandering of 

 reagents and coals ; and the few students who went to this class were 

 quite pitied by the rest for their credulity in fancying the professor 

 would be so foolish as to show them the right operations and make them 

 professors too. 



Erom the very first Liebig went on the principle of teaching his pupils 

 chemistry without any reference to special applications, and of putting 

 them in possession of the knowledge which they were afterwards to 

 apply. The application he left to themselves. Just then many so- 

 called technical schools were being founded where it was intended that 

 only such parts of natural science should be taught as were useful for 

 some branch of industry. In such a school the future brewer should 

 study malt and hops, the dyer colours, the agriculturist soils and 

 manures, and so on, but not be burdened with subjects of which the 

 pupil in his future career was not likely to make any practical applica- 

 tion. Liebig stedfastly opposed this unintelligent utilitarianism. 



People in great technical businesses soon began to see how perfectly 

 in the right Liebig was in this idea ; and he was constantly applied to, 

 not merely for chemical teachers, but even for chemists, and not merely 

 for chemists to assist in chemical works and soda manufactories, but 

 for paper manufactories, colour works, breweries, &c. 



In this way not merely eminent investigators and teachers came forth 

 from Liebig's school, but many very distinguished practical men. Two 

 other subjects yet remain to be mentioned to complete the picture of 



