The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-06-08
CHARACTER AND WORK or LlEe,c.


From the pen Of J. L. W. Thudicum. NJ.
D., we have some interesting facts in cons
nection with the life and works Of the great
German chemist. Justus Liebig was born
on the 18th day Of May, 1903, at Darmstadt
in the grand duchy Of Hesse. His father
was wholesale druggist, trade designa-
ted in Germany by the name materialist.
A, the age Of "A young Liebig had perform
ed al the experiments of which he could
get any knowlege in books. About that
time there was not work on chemistry in
the library OF the Grand Duke which he had
not read. In the year 1878 he gave dis
rinct direction to that early bent of his mind
and became an apprentice in an ordinary
apothecrry's establishment. An apothecary
IN Germany, it may be mentioned, is q man
Of thorough scientific training While con-
Quoting one Of his early experiments on the
fulmi mates, young Liebig had the misfor-
tune to produce great explosion. IN con-
sequence Of which he was compelled to give
up his apprenticeship IL 1914 ne returned
TO his fathers house and read for six months
IN order to prepare himself for the Univer>
sity of Bonn While at the university he
studied under Raster, and when that emi
nent lecturer removed to Erlangen his pupil
followed him. During his college career
he established students societies, and made
the acquaintance Of Count Platen, the poet
Biscbof, the boianist, and Engelhard. Pro
fessor Of Chemistry at Nuremberg H
went in for the severe study Of what at that
time was called philosophy.
In 1922, having emancipatea himself from
this kind OF teaching, the rising young
chemist took the degree OF Doctor OF Phil>
osophy at Erangen, then only l9 years old.
He then returned to Darmstadt: where he
ttracted the attention Of Ludwig |. Of Hesse
Darmstadt The prince having conferred
upon him state stipen he went to Paris.
Thirty years before this time lavoisier. the
great refurmer, who established what was
calico the antiphilogistic chemistry. had
died upon the scatfold; Guyton de Morveau,
Fourcroy and Berthollett-all had passed
away But rroust remained, and Chevreul
Vanquelin, Gay Lussac, Thenard, and Du-
| long With all these men Liebig soon be-
came associated, and in 1923 he brought his
| first paper on the Eliminates Of silver and
mercury before the Academy lie was 50
well recommended by Humboldt that Gay
Lnssac. who never took any pupil whatever
into his laboratory, accepted him as his only
| will Of the Grand Duke Liebig was appoint
/ Ell frs. Professor Of Chemistry in the Uni
sersity of alessen Chemistry was an IN
would none Of it Lie3ig hal to suffer many
| indicnities before he was enabled 10 become
| o fixed mem Der Of the university. In 1896
he married Henrietta MoldeDhauer, . NOS
anible lady who now survives him. Ia tLs
i / II Il
| iety and removed to Baden Baden. HI
| sough, IN vain from the narrow minded gov
eminent Of Hesse Darmsiadi /. decent labor
atory and sufficient means to enable him I,
carry on his studies and experiments. IL
| 1865 be published memoir o. the state 0
| chemistry IN Austria, the result OF wE.icl
was that they offered him chair. which h
declined. Ia the year lS4o there was no
IN the whole Of Prussia q single estaJ lish
ment, laboratory, or ieacning-room, wher
mar could learn practical or even theoreti
cal chemistry The bureaucracy even use'
its power and influence to prevent the Prus
sian youth from visiting the University 0
Giessen About this time LIebig purchase
from the municipality OF Giessen sand pi
., place calIei Trieb, where he male ex
pertinent on vegetable philosophy. lie ais
published MS work on Chemistry IL its ap
plisaton TO Physiology and Pathology
and Id 1914 appeared has familiar letters o
chemistry II 1850 he published pam
pile On sponi aneous combustion Abol
! this time he effected reform n the med lea
studies and examinations in the Univergit
OF Giessen which amounted 10 nothing NOR
than thi--eonplete liberty Ct study.
the autumn Of the year 1852 Liebig lei
Giessen. having received o call 10 the Uni
ve-sitv u Munich where the then Kin
Macmillan war desrous Of following b
father Luiwig On another path Of glor,
Iecig Was made President Of the Academ
on condition that ne should deliver lecture
only. and 81 the same time be curator Of til
botanic garden In that position he remain
. Up to lis deatb. which occurred, IN II
full possession Of his faculties, % April II
1878.
GOLDEN TROUT.
] M. Hu;chings writes TO she Gan Frax