6 Biographical Memoir of Count C. L. Berthollet. 
science which he cultivated, and the report upon these works 
was communicated to the Society. “ Celui qui a concu,” says 
Berthollet himself, Vie, projet de former cette reunion, y trouve, 
en voyant approcher la fin de sa carriere, la douce satisfaction 
de contribuer par cette pensee, aux progres des Sciences aux- 
quelles il s’est devoue, beaucoup plus efficacement qu’il n’au- 
roit pu le faire par les 1 travaux qu’il peut encore se promettre 
de continuer. v ’ 
This interesting association, kept together for a while by the 
amiable character, and the eminent talents of its founder, seems 
to have speedily declined, and probably owed its declension to 
that dreadful event, which deprived Berthollet of his only son, 
and the association of one of its most eminent members. The 
death of A. B. Berthollet, by his own hands, could not fail to 
throw a shade over an institution so closely associated with his af- 
flicted family. The writer of this hasty sketch had the high satis- 
faction of meeting with Count Berthollet, at the country-house of 
his friend and neighbour the Marquis Laplace at Arcueil, and will 
never forget the intelligence and benignity of this interesting man. 
The late celebrated Mr Watt, with whom he kept up a constant 
intercourse, entertained for him the purest friendship, and we 
have often listened with delight to the sentiments of respect and 
affection which he always expressed for the French chemist. 
At the advanced age of seventy-four, this eminent man suf- 
fered much from a number of boils, followed by an abscess 
of uncommon magnitude, which occasioned great suffering. 
A fever, however, which ensued, carried him off, after three 
days continuance, on the 6th November 1822, the same year 
in which the Sciences were deprived of Herschel, Hauy, and 
Delambre. M. Berthollet left behind him an aged widow, w r ho 
had devoted her life to ensure the happiness and tranquillity of 
her husband. 
Although M. Berthollet had dedicated his life to science, yet 
he had a great- taste for literature, and, like his friend Mr Watt, 
he perused the principal literary works of the day. From his 
early life he had a great passion for theatrical amusements, 
which continued to afford him pleasure, even in his latest years. 
M. Berthollet was a member of most of the scientific institutions 
