Chapter 4

           Fromthisdaynaturalphilosophy,andparticularlychemistry,inthemostcomprehensivesenseoftheterm,becamenearlymysoleoccupation.Ireadwithardourthoseworks,sofullofgeniusanddiscrimination,whichmoderninquirershavewrittenonthesesubjects.Iattendedthelecturesandcultivatedtheacquaintanceofthemenofscienceoftheuniversity,andIfoundeveninM.Krempeagreatdealofsoundsenseandrealinformation,combined,itistrue,witharepulsivephysiognomyandmanners,butnotonthataccountthelessvaluable.InM.WaldmanIfoundatruefriend.Hisgentlenesswasnevertingedbydogmatism,andhisinstructionsweregivenwithanairoffranknessandgoodnaturethatbanishedeveryideaofpedantry.Inathousandwayshesmoothedformethepathofknowledgeandmadethemostabstruseinquiriesclearandfaciletomyapprehension.Myapplicationwasatfirstfluctuatinganduncertain;itgainedstrengthasIproceededandsoonbecamesoardentandeagerthatthestarsoftendisappearedinthelightofmorningwhilstIwasyetengagedinmylaboratory.

           AsIappliedsoclosely,itmaybeeasilyconceivedthatmyprogresswasrapid.Myardourwasindeedtheastonishmentofthestudents,andmyproficiencythatofthemasters.ProfessorKrempeoftenaskedme,withaslysmile,howCorneliusAgrippawenton,whilstM.Waldmanexpressedthemostheartfeltexultationinmyprogress.Twoyearspassedinthismanner,duringwhichIpaidnovisittoGeneva,butwasengaged,heartandsoul,inthepursuitofsomediscoverieswhichIhopedtomake.Nonebutthosewhohaveexperiencedthemcanconceiveoftheenticementsofscience.Inotherstudiesyougoasfarasothershavegonebeforeyou,andthereisnothingmoretoknow;