LABORATORY OF B ERZELIUS. 
ART. XIII.— THE LABORATORY OF B ERZELIUS. 
In a very interesting notice which M. Louget has just 
published on this illustrious Swedish chemist, there is a 
description of his laboratory by M. Johnson, which will be 
read with interest : — 
The Academy of Sciences, of which Berzelius is the 
perpetual secretary, and in the buildings of which he has 
his own laboratory, have lately bought for him a larger 
and more commodious house, and I arrived precisely at the 
time when he was occupied in removing to it — a period 
by no means favorable for my object, as his first laboratory 
was almost empty, and his new one not yet completely 
organised. Nevertheless, he offered with much kindness to 
make a series of experiments with me; a proposition which 
pleased me greatly, as it gave me an opportunity of observ- 
ing his manner of operating, and of acquiring many valua- 
ble hints. During the course of these operations nothing 
was overlooked, and he appeared desirous of explaining 
the most minute details necessary for obtaining precise 
results, and endeavored to enforce the necessity for these 
little precautions, of which his experience had taught him 
the importance in analytical research. " Come," said he, 
" while this operation is in progress, I will show you two 
or three little things which, perhaps, you may not be sorry 
to know." And all this took place in the same day, so 
that I had at the same time the advantage of instruction 
and of passing my time in the most agreeable manner. 
Sometimes he showed me mineralogical specimens, amongst 
which he possessed some of great rarity, or else he related 
the results obtained by foreign chemists on the subject on 
which we were occupied; he would then endeavor to 
make me comprehend some passages which appeared 
obscure, or would even translate entire passages from an 
author whose works I could not read. Berzelius used to 
take private pupils, but for some time back he had relin- 
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