ACCOUNT of M. WERNER, late Professor of Mineralogy at Freiberg, and Author of the WERNERIAN SYSTEM.*

PRO

ROFESSOR WERNER was born on Sept. 25, 1750, at Wehran am Quiess, in Upper Lusatia. Endowed by nature with unusual quickness of understanding, and with the power of extensive observation, he was also gifted with a happy faculty of arrangement, a lively imagination, and a retentive memory. In conformity to the wish of his father, who had become the factor of a Count Solmischen Eisenhammer, Werner devoted himself from early youth to the same occupation. He received the rudiments of his edu

cation at the school of the Orphan Hospital at Buntzlau, in Silesia, and was afterwards placed at the Academy of Freiberg; and from the last mentioned place he went to study at Leipzig. Here, and during his whole life, Werner struggled to acquire scientific information; and while he gained for himself reputation for his proficiency in general literature and the languages, he continued severe in judging of himself, and lenient and indulgent towards others; mild, affectionate, and generous; he was a true patriot, and a citizen of the world in the most honourable sense of the word.

It was at Leipzig, in the year 1774, that Werner, already more distinguish ed for his study of natural history, than for that of the law, laid the firm foundation of those opinions relative to oryctognosy, of which he was the contriver. He supplied, instead of the confused mass of which this species of knowledge had hitherto consisted, those compendious descriptions, delivered in happily chosen, expressive, scientific language, which have accomplished the difficult end of placing in an intelligible point of view the principles of this science. The new method, from

Translated by Dr. Thomson, from "A Tribute to the Memory of Werner, by Charles Cæsar Ritter Von Leonhard," read before the Royal Academy of Sciences at Munich.

the comprehensive nature of its illustrations, soon became extensively known and adopted; and in 1780, Werner, in the translation of the system of Cronstedt, which he then published, explained, in a connected shape, his method of classification, and his opinions in general, illustrated, and improved, since their first origin, by many alterations and additions. He published in 1791, a second account of his doctrines, after having received

considerable additions to Iris mineralogical knowledge, from his being employed in drawing up a catalogue of the collection of minerals formed by Mr. Pabst, of Ohain.

In the year 1775, not long after he had commenced his career as an author, Werner obtained a permanent situation in the Academy of Freiberg, the earliest cradle of mineralogical science in Germany; and destined to flourish his labours. He was appointed, in adwith renewed life in consequence of dition to a professorship, superintendent of the museum; and here his active temper for investigation and observation obtained a wide field, and by his unrestrained and enthusiastic exertions, in spite of much opposition, he raised in his favour a strong party feeling, and general admiration. The attempts to persecute Werner, and to impede the introduction of his doctrines, had quite the contrary effect to what their authors intended, and contributed essentially

to hasten the result so favourable and so brilliant to him. The boundaries of the science were soon enlarged by the effects of his favourite labours; geognosy, reduced to an intelligible shape, a work entirely the creation of Werner, being considered henceforth as a part of the science. His theory of the periods in the formation of mountains, his researches respecting rocks, and the nature of their aggregation into the masses of which the crust of the earth is composed, his reflections upon the internal structure of mountains, his theory respecting veins, his doctrine of the formations, and of the origin of the later traps and volcanoes, will con

vey

vey the name of Werner to the latest posterity. Geognosy, as he formed it, may be considered the philosophy of mineralogy, the fairest, and most perfect half of the philosophy of unorganised nature. Every question which is started on this subject, all objects connected with the structure of the earth, and which relate to the masses of which it is composed, are an appropriate exercise for an enlightened mind. Leibnitz, Descartes, Bacon, Burnet, Laplace, and all illustrious men of ancient and modern times, have respected this laborious species of research.

Werner laboured more by his lectures than by his writings, for he considered that the numberless works on mineralogical science which he had consulted, had misled, rather than instructed him; their authors appearing as if certain that the utmost extent of what was known on this subject was too imperfect for his attention. Science, however, has cause to rejoice, that among the finished papers of Werner, which he bequeathed at his death to the Academy of Freiberg, many well-arranged manuscripts have been found, the publication of which fine legacy remains anxiously to be hoped for.

While the science which Werner had imposed upon himself as a law, continued on his part, his doctrines, so far as they were known, were pirated by others; and (unchecked by the circumstance of Werner continuing, by frequent changes and improvements, to separate still further his opinions from theirs) we have seen ourselves inundated with works relative to his theory, the authors of which did not follow the ideas of their preceptor, however numerous and enlarged they might be, but permitted themselves to indulge in speculations of their own, with the most unrestrained freedom; so that along with what is useful of Werner's, we possess much of what is foreign to him; and as none of these authors have followed Werner's doctrines in their entire and original purity, none of them possess great value, nor bear the absolute marks of his authority; while, on the contrary, he had opposed the opinions contained in many of them by strong and decided arguments.

In England and Italy, where, previous to the time of Werner, mineralogical researches had been less ardently prosecuted than in Germany, the new doctrines very soon found advocates. Kirwan adopted his method, as well as

many other proselytes from the established system. Hawkins, Mitchell, and Weaver, formed part of the new school, and the latter published a meritorious translation of his work upon the external characters of minerals; and lastly, Prof. Jameson, of Edinburgh, received his education at Freiberg.

On the side of Italy, Napione extended the doctrines of his master; and in Denmark, the labours of Wad and Esmark procured him approbation and followers.

Brochant came from France to receive instructions from Werner, and returned loaded with knowledge to his country; and while he attained the praise of founding a new school, had nearly received the punishment of exile from his native land.

After Brochant, other advocates of the school of Werner arose in France; but their services to the cause will not here detain us, with the exception of d'Aubuisson, who was the first who communicated to the public a just account of several of Werner's doctrines. In order to be as concise as possible relative to the progress of the Wernerian doctrines in other foreign countries, I shall only relate that in Spain and America they made progress in consequence of the assertions of Herrgen and Del Rio; and that in Portugal, the disciples of this school were headed by Andrada; and the system extensively published and adopted.

Hitherto in speaking of Werner, we have only noticed his labours in geognosy and oryctognosy, the sciences in which he was destined to render himself immortal, and have spoken of his opinions on these subjects, through which, and his researches relative to the structure of the globe, he so anxiously endeavoured to direct the attention of his followers to the different branches of the science of mineralogy.

The most remarkable incident, however, in the later years of Werner, was his journey to Paris in 1802, occasioned by his zeal in the cause of science, and the wish to confer with the naturalists of the French capital most devoted to his cause.

This modest and fine-feeling learned man, although not insensible to the value of external honours, found himself on this occasion overwhelmed with multiplied proofs of the most flattering distinction, inspired by the disinterested knowledge of his worth.

The

The estimable King of Saxony, the friend and patron of merit in whatever situation it may be found, distinguished him as a rare example of worth. Werner received a particular proof of this distinction, in being decorated with the Grand Cross of the Royal Saxon Order of Merit. His birth has of late also been celebrated in public; and we are allowed to hope, that through the exertions of the Prussian Chevalier Gerard, we shall possess, in a well executed bust of Werner, by Posch of Berlin, a monument of him in a durable shape. In order to form a calculation of what may be the price of this bust, which will be sold for prime cost, the number of those who wish to be possessed of a cast is anxiously waited for, and it is hoped that the admirers of Werner will consider this invitation as opportune. The bust will be cast at the foundery of Gleiwig, in Silesia.

The cabinet which Werner left behind him,* (the result of a life spent in the laudable pursuits attending the formation of this collection, and the sacrifices which had attended its formation, afford convincing proofs of his earnest exertions in the cause of science), has a double value, derived in the first instance from the great merit of the individual who made the collection, and in the second, from the scientific knowledge displayed in the arrangement of the whole. This valuable collection is now in the possession of the Academy of Freiberg, to whom Werner left it in the most disinterested manner.t

The collection is divided into six parts; viz. precious stones, oryctognosy, a collection of show, one of petrefactions, and one illustrative of the external characters of minerals. The collection of precious stones is one of surprising value and rarity. We have had only a very imperfect account of these collections, but it is to be hoped that we shall soon be put in possession of an ample description of them by some experienced individual.

An offer of 50,000 dollars was made from England for 100,000 of these specimens, but the patriotic proprietor left them for 40,000 dollars to the Academy of Freiberg. Of this sum he sunk 30,000 dollars in an annuity for himself, and an only sister; neither of them had any family; and the remainder of the money received from the Academy for his minerals, he left to it at the death of himself and his sister. He also left his exquisite collection of books and medals to the Academy for 5,000 dollars. This contained 6,000 Greek and Roman medals.

Werner belonged to most of the learned societies both of his own and of foreign countries. Our Royal Academy of Sciences possessed him as a member since the year 1808. A society founded in Edinburgh assumed his name as an honourable distinction,* and not long before his death he was constituted president of a society founded in his native country for the encouragement of that science, which lay under such obligations to him.t

Thus lived Werner, and thus he laboured his sacrifices, on account of science made him renounce the happiness of becoming a husband and a father, although from his amiable disposition, his cheerful and serene temper, he seemed particularly formed for the pure enjoyments of domestic life. Surrounded by a numerous circle of his friends and scholars, previous to his approaching dissolution, he freely communicated the whole of his knowledge: and intimately and confidentially laid open his whole mind. Steadily true to the fulfilment of his duties, he was seen, at the extremity of old age, possessed of continued youthful vigour, full of the clearest views, and the brightest conceptions.

Posterity will form a just and true conception of his high worth, and mankind will experience a great loss in his death. Werner did not exclusively belong to Saxony; he was, as a mineralogist, the benefactor of the world at large.

List of his Writings.

Werner published at Leipzig, in 1774, An rals. This work was translated into French, Essay on the External Characters of Mineand published at Paris in 1790, by the translator of the Memoires de Chimie de Scheele (Mlle. Picardet).

In 1780, he published at Leipzig a Translation of Cronstedt's Essay on Mineralogy from the Swedish, with Notes, and an Account of the External Characters of Minerals.

In 1791 and 1792, he published A Full and Systematic Catalogue of the Cabinet of Mr. R. E. Pabst, of Ohain, which he drew up, and edited in two volumes.

At Dresden, 1787, he published A Short Classification and Description of Mountains. At Freiberg, in 1791, he published The

• The Wernerian Natural History Society. The seal of this Society has engraved upon it a likeness of Werner.

+ The Mineralogical Society established at Dresden in the course of the winter of 1816 and 1817. The King of Saxony has in every way given encouragement and protec tion to this Society, and has granted it a particular seal and diploma.

New

New Theory of the Formation of Veins, with Remarks on the Formation of Mountains, particularly those in the neighbourhood of Freiberg. Translated into French, with notes, by D'Aubuisson.

In the Miner's Journal, he published a great variety of papers.

DOCTOR ISAAC MILNER, Dean of Carlisle, and Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge.

O the number of names that have The nerded in the biographical sketches of our preceding numbers, we have this month to add that of one greatly distinguished for learning, abilities, and mental accomplishments.

The late Rev. Dr. Milner had diligently employed himself in the cultivation of science and literature, seeking for knowledge in every respectable quarter. He also discharged faithfully the very numerous and important duties especially attached to his academical functions; but we observe with regret, that, though one of the greatest mathematicians to be found among modern characters, he has left little to challenge the respect of posterity; two or three single articles and fugitive pieces of his have appeared, but no principal production, no luminous publication, to point out and specify his distinguished merits, to render his name ever interesting, and thus occupy a place in the scale of national commemorations.

Milner's life and literary career exhibit a singular combination of ability, worth, industry, and good fortune. He was born in the West Riding of Yorkshire, near Leeds, of parents who could boast neither of rank nor property. While he was a boy, his father, who was a weaver, died; and the family, left behind, were Isaac, an elder brother Joseph, and their mother, old and infirm. As the support of their father was wanting, it was necessary that double industry should be exerted by the remaining branches of the family, to enable them even to live. The two young Milners were constantly at their spinning-wheels by day-break, in the summer; and, in winter, they rose by candle-light, to pursue their labour. By this course of persevering diligence, they were enabled, for a long time, to maintain, with credit, themselves and their aged parent.

It was observed of these young men, by the neighbours, that they did not associate much with their acquaintances in the village, when a holiday or any

other occasion invited them out to their accustomed sports. Instead of this, they employed their vacant time in the study of a few books, which chance had thrown in their way. This singu larity brought them into some notice; and they became frequently the subjects of conversation among their neighbours.

Their fame at last began to spread through Leeds, a place which abounds with opulent, generous, public-spirited and discerning men. A subscription was entered into (afterwards extended, by a public collection, through every quarter of the town) to educate, and send to college, one of these young men; and Joseph, as the eldest, and one who then displayed the greatest maturity of talent, was fixed upon as the object of their patronage. Isaac after this was, for some time, thrown into the back ground, though destined at last to come forward, and exceed even the capacity (in mathematical learning), and the fortunes of his brother.

Joseph was sent to the grammarschool at Leeds; and the lessons he learnt there by day, on his return home, he taught Isaac; who discovered not only a high relish for this novel study, but uncommon quickness of parts, most comprehensive memory, and judgment in proportion. passed three years; in the course of which Isaac had gained a pretty familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin languages.

Thus

But the time arrived when Joseph was to be sent to college. This deprived the younger brother of an as-, sistant who was the best able and most willing to give him instruction. The foundation of knowledge was, however, laid, and it was only necessary to raise the superstructure. This, by a similar course of industry, with which he had set out was effectually done; so that at the age of nineteen, he might be fairly deemed a good classic..

Having arrived at that age when it is usual to put boys to some trade, he was bound apprentice to a weaver. Previously tutored as Isaac had been, the loom may not be supposed to have agreed with his disposition better than the distaff with Hercules; he had, however, the soft influence of attendant charms to reconcile him to his temporary captivity; for Apollo and the Nine, both in labour and recreation, were his constant companions.