The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-09
OBIT u AR Y.

~
FRANCOIS VINCENT RAsPAIL, WRENCH DEPUTY
A cable despatch from Paris states that Francois
Vincent Raspaii, the we'll known French republican
and member Of the Chamber OF Deputies. Is dead. He
vas born Carpentras, January 90 1884, and was the
third son Of poor family much devoted to the mon
srchical principal His education oonnded to
Catholic priest for his science for his
virtues-pAbbe Eyssere. In compliance with the de-
sires Of his parents no compated his studies at the
clerical seminary OF Avignon, where he exhibited
such precocity that, In spite OF his extreme youth,
he delivered. in 1911, course OF philosophy. and, IN
1872 one oftheology But he perssteny refused 10 DO
ordained . priest, and for nearly eighteen months
lived out q modest situation Of professor at the
college Of his native town. When the two successive
invasions brought France by the ambition OF
Napoleon l. had restored the Bourbons young Raspail
vanly exhorted his fellow citizens TO forget all their
political differences for sake OF national defence
Then, in tho midst OF population mad with ultra.
Yoyalism he renamed bravely, with his Two brothers,
ex.odhceYs In the Imperial army, to face the ran
cor Of both the foreign foe and the more
Roysiists than the King" When tho excitement
had cooled down no went TO Paris, where
the most awful destitution became his lot Several
schools in which no was day teacher having dis-
missed HIM on account OF his republican opinions no
sought private lessons prepare young men for the
O3c0elOT6uIDs
than once Raspail spent long winter nights walking
IN The streets OF the capital after having remained
couple OF days without q single morscl OF bread But
even this miserable existence did not prevent him
from joining secret political societies and studying
tho Law. When he had VIGOROUSLY sustained Ma ex-
animation for the Bar he admitted In attor-
ney's once in the capacity Of clerk but he soon iet
that the law unsuited TO his nature, and,
having at length succeeded IN making money with his
private lessons, gave himself up entirely to study
ing physical sciences Then he married beautiful
aud most intelligent young lady. 10 whom, during
forty yours OF exemplary union. he gave no o:her
subject Of aficton than the numerous prosecutions
taat assaled him Tor politics. In 1924 Raspa pre-
srnted 10 the French Institute the result Of his first
researches in botany with a new classification now
universally adopted From 1924 1880 be recorded his
numerous discoveries in botany, zoology, paleon-
tology, medicine chemistry aud microscopic anatomy
In several periodicals. namely, Anndies des Sciences
Ndturelles Memories du Museum, Memories de la
Socis dHistore Naturelle de Paris. Repertoire Gen.
erat dAndtonte Bulletin des Sciences and Anndtes dss
Sciences d. Obscyuat,on.
Foreign scientific bodies felt the greatest admiration
for his discoveries. and Italian botanis sent HIM
publicly his works, with the following dedication:-
$40 f. " Raspail, the creator oil organic chemistry
Later on NJ. Raspail, having tried to get his demo-
cratic ideas introduced in public teaching and having
passiopately attacked both the governments and the
learned bodies which he justly called "tne massive
pillars OF social SCIENCE there was entente coTdfate
botwecn those bodies and the administration TO make
Jokes at the iunovator, denigrate his works and,
above ALL direct against his respectablty tho worst
calumnies In July. $780, NJ. Raspail took rifle to
deend his political opinions, and received a
severe wound at the stormlng OF barrack.
He had fought and shed his blood for the
fov Tofav ,oolia
sbest OF republics" which was Louis Philippe. So
that he would take The OF allegiance the
citizen King the July decoration. But in spite OF
mis- we'll known radical republican feelings, the
government offered him the highest functions, and
created expressly for him the Office Of "Superntend
cnt General of Collections In the Royal Museum"
Strong differences with The great Cuvier who dreaded
accep ping that most brilliant oner He then bado
farewell forever to ony official situation and took
leading part in the Committee OF the Friends OF
the People, having become President OF this
luonary society, be encountered series Of prosecu
lions which added immensely 10 his popularity and
republican, feelings aroused 20 such oesrec that
hi boldly excaiicd. In court. while dsfending him.
self and his companions: -.sThc citizen who dafes
exact from poor France fourteen millions year must
be buried alive under the runs OF The Tuieres !"
months OF PRISON ana Boot nne By 81 Thiers' Chen
Minister OF the lnterior) orders Raspal was trans
behind back, and hus had TO walk all along the
route (niteen miles, ahead OF score OF thieves and
bkguards. exposed 10 tho gross insults OF the popu
lacel
The RsJoymoteur of which R,spau tho chief cdj-
tor encountered within the fifteen months of its
istepce twenty COMBINATIONS. amounting altogether
10 thirty. months oil Imprisonment and 100 O0of.
tines! Besidcs the political matters contained 10
srs,css and a arkabIe series OF "Ictiers on the
Prisons Of Pars which were aterward collected and
repubiishcd IN Two ADMINISTRATIONS Ponitentiare''
$780, 81. Raspail still found time enough continue
his favorite studies. From that unhappy period OF
his lie dated scientific works OF his, mostly
posed and written between The four walls OF cel:-
'sCoups do Fouet Scienttques"-a polemlc Cuvler
and Geoirroy IntHllaire-us3o) 'Essai de Chmie
culture q d'EconoIns Ruralc" ss2). sNouveau Sys-
teme de Chime Organque" Is33-3s). "Nou-
% yse%s .sa no. Ct
books much the result olmcroscopic obser-
walton that OF new theories Raspal's method
consisted In following the organized being IRON It's
birth I'll It's death, noticing all IT'S transformations
the various functions OF all Its parts under the
physical, chemical and physolos ical aspects
in 1910 Raspsii attraciei universal atten-
sion, appropos OF the criminal proceedings against
bann N. LAtarge with arsenic. rno celebrated. orhia
had made the legal autopsy OF the deceased
for the prosecution, and his report 70 the
Court was crusniLgy conclusive against tho
accused, wnen McLachand, Nine. Laiarge's counsel
solicited Raspa to make counter examination OF the
corpse THIS Raspali did at once and his report
complete reiu,aton OF Orfla's He pcremplor,ly
demonstrated that arsonic is TO be found III every
human body, and also inorganic matter. The prcs
dent OF tho Cour dAssises dspcased the prospect
OF aCquital, treated with disdain spaifs theory
but great savant rushed front OF tho tribunal
aud exclaimed, MIR. President, strict justice exacts
that my assertions should be Proved WE'LL then. let
me bring here my apparatus, and l shall take
Is much OF arsenic out OF the wood OF your
arm chart" This unexpected affirmation threw tho
jurymen's minds IN The greatest perplexty, but Marie
Cappeile sentenced to perpetual imprlsonmen
(1SAO. Aterward new discoveries having led 10 tho
belief that she had been the victim oi family oal
ouses and base vengeance, Napoleon Ill, whose I'M
perial rascality was parity redeemed by manly quail
ties, ordered investigation oi he case Ihs law
forbidding him 10 quash the Inquitous sentence, he
his sovereign right OF mercy, that certainly was
never exercised Tor better cause, and Mmc. Laiarge
died free lew years after, but not before having
indicated hor innocence her admirable book,
"heures dc prison.. dedicated 70 her two DEFENDERS
Luchaud aud Raspail In ls4l NJ Kaspa having
been induced to believe that the largest part OF lii
ucsses caused by internal or external parasical
INSECTS and TO the injection brought the body by
their dlsorgauzing action sought medical agent that
could remove tnal cause. Aiter many experiments
be gave his preference to camphor, substance
Svfore used In mcdicine as soothing and anti septic
sgent and not long IN promoting IT as sort OF
universal panacea. At hrst sold in the shape OF
cigarettes, ihc aDtdote became fashionable, ana