accordingly he devoted his talents to anatomy, botany, chemistry, and natural history. About two years after, in 1776, he published a translation of Ramazzini, "on the diseases of artisans," which he enriched with notes and illustrations derived from chemical theories which were then quite new. In 1780, he received the degree of M. D. and regent of that faculty, in spite of a very considerable opposition from his brethren, and from this time his chemical opinions and discoveries rendered him universally known and respected. The fertility of his imagination, joined to a style equally easy and elegant, with great precision, attracted the attention of a numerous school. In 1784, on the death of Macquer, he obtained the professorship of chemistry in the Royal Gardens, and the year following he was admitted into the academy of sciences, of the section of anatomy, but was afterwards admitted to that of chemistry, for which he was more eminently qualified. In 1787, he in conjunction with his countrymen De Morveau, Lavoisier, and Berthollet, proposed the new chemical nomenclature, which after some opposition, effected a revolution in chemical studies. (See LAVOISIER.) Although constantly occupied in scientific experiments, and in publishing various works on subjects of medicine, chemistry, and natural history, he fell into the popular delusion about the time of the revolution, and in 1792 was appointed elector of the city of Paris, and afterwards provisional deputy to the national convention, which, however, he did not enter until after the death of the king.

In Sept. 1793, he obtained the adoption of a project for the regulation of weights and measures, was chosen secretary in October, and in December following president of the Jacobins, who denounced him for his silence in the convention. This he answered by pleading his avocations and chemical labours, by which, he who had been born without any fortune, had been able to maintain his father and sisters. In Sept. 1794, he became a member of the committee of public safety, and was again elected to it in Feb. 1795. Besides proposing some improvements in the equipment of the armies, which were then contending with all the powers of Europe, he was particularly engaged in schools and establishments for education, to which new names, as polytechnic, normal, &c. were given, that they might consign to oblivion as much as possible the ancient

institutions of France. The re-election of two thirds of the convention removed him to the council of elders, one of the fantastical modes of government established in 1795, where, in November, he had to refute several charges levelled against him respecting the murder of Lavoisier. He was afterwards nominated professor of chemistry, and a member of the institute; and in May 1797, left the council. During the time he could spare from his public employments, he continued to cultivate his more honourable studies, and had attained the highest rank among the men of science whom the revolutionary tribunals had spared, when he died Dec. 16, 1809. At this period he was a counsellor of state for life, a count of the empire, a commander of the legion of honour, directorgeneral of public instruction, a member of the national institute, professor of chemistry in the medical and polytechnic schools, and in the museum of natural history, and a member of most of the learned societies of Europe.

Fourcroy's works rank among the most considerable which France has produced in chemistry, and must be allowed in a great measure to confirm the high encomiums which his countrymen have bestowed on him, not only as a profound, but a pleasing and elegant writer. He published, 1. "The translation of Ramazzini," before-mentioned. 2. "Leçons elementaires d'histoire naturelle et de chimie," 1782, 2 vols. 8vo, of which there have been many editions, the last in 1794, 5 vols. 8vo. 3. "Memoires et observations pour servir de suite aux elemens de chimie," 1784, 8vo. 4. "Principes de chimie a l'usage de l'ecole veterinaire," 2 vols. 12mo. 5. "L'art de connoitre et d'employer les medicamens dans les maladies qui attaquent le corps humain," 1785, 2 vols. 8vo. 6. "Entomologia Parisiensis" by Geoffroy, an improved edition, 1785, 2 vols. 12mq. 7. "Methode de nomenclature chimique proposer par Morveau, &c." with a new system of chemical characters, 1787, 8vo. 8. "Essai sur le phlogistique, et sur la constitution des acides," from the English of Kirwan, with notes by Morveau, Lavoisier, Bertholet, and Fourcroy, 1788, 8vo. 9. "Analyse chimique de l'eau sulphureuse d'Enghein, pour servir a l'histoire des eaux sulphureuse en general," by Fourcroy & La Porte, 1788, 8vo. 10. "Annales de Chimie," by Fourcroy and all the French chemists, published periodically from 1789 to 1794, 18 vols. 8vo. 11. "La Medicine

eclairée par les sciences physiques," 1791, 1792, 12 vols. 12. Philosophie chimique," 1792. Fourcroy wrote also in the "Magasin encyclopedique," and the "Journal de l'ecole polytechnique," and drew up several reports for the national convention, which were published in the Moniteur, &c. His last publications were, 13. "Tableaux pour servir de resume aux leçons de chimie faites a l'ecole de medicine de Paris pendant 1799 et 1800. 14. "Systeme des connoissances chimiques, et de leurs applications aux phenomenes de la nature et de l'art," 1800, 10 vols. 8vo, and 5 vols. 4to. To these extensive labours may be added the chemical articles in the Encyclopædia. Fourcroy left a very valuable library, which was sold by auction at Paris, in 1810, and of which Messrs. Tilliard, the booksellers, published a well-arranged catalogue. Several of his works have been translated into English.'

FOURCROY (CHARLES RENE DE), marechal de camp, grand cross of the order of St. Louis, director of the royal corps of engineers, member of the council at war and of the naval council, and free associate of the academy of sciences, was born at Paris Jan. 19, 1715. He was the son of Charles de Fourcroy, an eminent counsellor at law, and Elizabeth L'Heritier, Destined to the bar as an hereditary profession, his inclination impelled him into the paths of science, and accident led him into the corps of engineers. An officer of that corps was involved in an important law-suit, which he chose M. de Fourcroy to conduct. M. de Fourcroy directed his son to converse with the officer for the purpose of procuring every information necessary to the success of his cause; but the youth, whose thirst of science was already conspicuous, shewed less attention to the particulars of the lawsuit, than desire to be acquainted with what concerned the service of an engineer; and being informed of the preliminary studies requisite to an admission into that body, he was soon enabled to offer himself for examination.

In 1736 he was admitted into the corps, and was employed under marshal d'Asfeld. His activity, zeal, and knowledge above his years, procured him the confidence of his commander; but, remarking an error in a project which the marshal communicated to him, he informed him

Dict. Hist.-Biog. Moderne.-Short Memoir prefixed to the catalogue of his Library.

of it. For this at first he received thanks; but unluckily he was imprudent enough to entrust this little secret of his vanity to his mother, and her maternal tenderness was equally indiscreet. The marshal had not greatness of mind enough to be indulgent, or ability enough not to be afraid of avowing that he was liable to mistake; and it was long evident that he had not forgiven M. de Fourcroy,. both from the commissions which he gave him, and his general regulations, which always tended to prevent his promotion. From this treatment M. de Fourcroy learnt at an early period to expect nothing but from his services; and he was destined to prove by his example, that virtue is one of the roads to fortune, and perhaps not the least

secure.

Engaged in every campaign of the war of 1740, he was charged, though young, with some important commissions; and his application during the peace procured him employment in the succeeding war. He made three campaigns in Germany, and in 1761 was commander of the engineers on the coast of Brittany, when the English took Belleisle. In 1762 he made a campaign in Portugal, where he was present at the siege of Almeyda. Every day M.. de Fourcroy worked fourteen hours in his closet, when the duties of the service did not compel him to quit it. irresistible propensity to the study of natural philosophy would have led him far, had he not been incessantly called from it to the duties of his station. From these he sometimes stole time for making observations; but, guarding. against the illusions of self-love, he communicated most of his researches to men of learning, who have inserted them in their works. The microscopical observations in the "Treatise on the Heart," which does so much honour to Mr. Senac, are almost all by M. de Fourcroy. Many of his remarks and observations make a part of M. Duhamel's "Treatise on Fishing," in which we find the first traces of Spallanzani's experiments on hybridous fish. M. de Fourcroy had seen these experiments in a fish-pond in Germany, and gave an account of them to Mr. Duhamel. To him M. Duhamel was indebted also for some experiments with which he has enriched his "Treatise on Forests." M. de la Lande, too, has acknowledged that he owes him many facts and reflections, of which he has. availed himself in his work on Tides. Amongst the essays that M. de Fourcroy published separately, is one in which

he examines how we may jutge of the height to which certain birds of passage raise themselves, by knowing that of the point at which they cease to be visible. He published the "Art of Brick-making," which forms a part of the collection of the academy, to which he also sent several essays that were approved and inserted in their works. The margin of his Collection of the Academy relative to the Arts he has filled with notes, as it was his practice when he read it to examine the calculations, and correct them if they were not accurate.

M. de Fourcroy was employed successively in various parts of the kingdom; principally, indeed, at Calais, at Rousillon, and in Corsica. Everywhere he served with diligence, and everywhere he acquired esteem and veneration. Of this conduct he received the reward in the most flattering manner. M. de St. Germain being appointed minister at war, wished to avail himself in his office of the abilities of some superior officer in the corps of engineers. On this he consulted the directors of that corps, then assembled at Versailles. All with an unanimous voice pointed out M. de Fourcroy, as the most capable of fulfilling the intentions of the minister. M. de St. Germain, who was scarcely acquainted with M. de Fourcroy, wrote to him to come to Perpignan, where he resided. When the minister told this gentleman that he had sent for him without knowing him, to fill a post near himself, and that he was recommended by the officers of his corps, his astonishment may easily be conceived. Of the opinion given of him he shewed himself worthy; and his conduct both public and private, made him honoured and respected.

A life thus busy was rendered more happy by a sentiment, which, born at an early period, expired but with his life. The daughter of M. Le Maistre, the neighbour and friend of his father, and like him famous at the bar, was the companion of his youthful sports, and insensibly chosen by him as the partner of his future days. Whilst M. de Fourcroy was studying under able masters to render himself useful to his country by his talents and acquirements, miss Le Maistre learned from a pious and charitable mother to succour and console the sufferings of her fellowcreatures. The vacations of each year brought together the two young friends, whose minds were so attuned to each other, as if they had never been separated. At that age, when the heart experiences the want of a more lively