Il8 HISTORY OF THE MUSEUM. 



the produce of the garden, or collected by 

 travellers. 



After the suppression of the universities, the 

 Museum being the only remaining institution of 

 science, M. de Fourcroy redoubled his efforts to 

 confirm the favourable impression made, at the 

 opening of his career, and his activity seemed to 

 augment with the sphere of his exertions. Though 

 called by his celebrity to different political posts, 

 he continued his lectures with undeviating regu- 

 larity ; but when appointed counsellor of state, 

 and charged with the ministry of public instruc- 

 tion, he found it necessary to call in the aid of 

 an assistant. For this purpose he selected his 

 pupil and relative M. Laugier, who performed 

 the duty for several years, and succeeded him as 

 titular professor at his death, which took place 

 in 1809 at the age of fifty-five years. M. Laugier 

 recalls the method of his master, by expounding 

 with clearness the whole science, as augmented 

 by the discoveries of the last twenty years (1). 



When a chair of chemical arts was substituted 

 for the office of demonstrator, it was given of right 

 to M. Brongniart, who had succeeded Rouelle 

 the younger in 1 7 79. He was the better qualified 



(1) M. Laugier's place of assistant naturalist was bestowed upon 

 M.Chevreul, author of several memoirs in the Annals of the Museum, 

 and of the chemical part of the Dictionary of Natural History. 



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