332 TVL Fischer's Memoir of the Life of Klaproth. 
assist the needy, by furnishing them, from a particular source, 
with the fees, which all should be bound to pay. 
T n an attempt to do justice to the merits of Klaproth, 1 can- 
not altogether pass over one part of them, which might readily 
remain unnoticed by the public, although it deserves to be ge- 
nerally known, — I speak of the great and beneficial influence 
which Klaproth, along with several other very respectable men, 
had upon Free-Masonry. It has not escaped the notice of the 
public, that during the preceding century all sorts of fooleries, 
alchemy, ghost-seeing, Rosicrucian enthusiasm, and many other 
things of the same kind, had crept into Free-Masonry. But their 
influence, although for a time it turned many heads, could nei- 
ther be long continued nor of extensive operation ; because with- 
in the society itself there were always men who laboured to 
counteract those errors, and Klaproth in particular was one of 
those respectable men who earnestly and powerfully v/aged war 
with deceptions of that kind, who endeavoured to expose it in 
all its insignificance, and tried to bring back those who had erred 
into the right way. How much he was assisted in this office by 
his profound acquaintance with the science of Nature, and by 
his incorruptible integrity ; and how well he has deserved by his 
labours, not only of science, but of the human race, must be 
evident to every unprejudiced person who has but a moderate 
acquaintance with the intricate connections of human affairs. 
In the preceding remarks, I have noticed many honourable 
characteristics of this excellent man, and shall feel happy, if, in 
concluding this memoir, I could present you with a likeness 
of him. 
Among the most remarkable traits in his character, were his 
incorruptible regard for every thing that he believed to be true, 
honourable, and good, — his pure love of science, with no refe- 
rence whatever to any selfish, ambitious, and avaricious feeling, 
— his rare modesty, undebased by the slightest vain-glory or 
boasting. He was benevolently disposed towards all men, and 
seldom or never was a slighting or contemptuous word respect- 
ing any individual heard to fall from him. When he was forced 
to blame, he did it briefly, and without bitterness ; for his blame 
had always respect to actions, and not to persons. His friends, 
