Liebig's question to Mulder tested by morality and science / by G.T. Mulder ; translated by P.F.H. Fromberg.

Date:
1846
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Liebig's question to Mulder tested by morality and science / by G.T. Mulder ; translated by P.F.H. Fromberg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    “ Honest Mr .... does not subscribe to all your ideas; he has both written so to you and has pub- lished his views in print. But in this he nevertheless remains a man of character and of good faith. I, myself, am far from agreeing with everything you have written : Am I therefore, also, not to be exempt from your personal attacks ? If this is your pleasure—then be it so ! But I shall nevertheless remain what I was in my own estimation, and in that of the whole world. And, even although there may be nobody who shall then dare to defend me or to take my part, I shall nevertheless remain alone with a good conscience—sa- tisfied, happy, and calm, even without the aid of Che- mistry ; for these things are above all science. “ But two words more before I conclude. Perhaps this is the last time in my life that I write to you; for I am not a coward. If this is the case, then may you live in happiness, enjoy whatever is good and desir- able in life, and if you should now and then remember the iatro-chemist, believe me that nothing from with- out can trouble him.” Thus-1 wrote to Liebig' on the 12th December 1844. Was I his friend, or what else than friendly could have been my intentions ? But all in vain. Since that date he has attacked many other chemists, and in a manner which excites the highest indignation. Storming and raging, his pen flies over the paper, mad with fury against every one who dares to make a'single remark upon his opinions. Freedom of scientific opinion has never been under- stood by Liebig. For years past a tribunal has been established in Giessen, before which Liebig is at the same time accuser, witness, public prosecutor, advo- cate, and judge. Before this tribunal a case is rapidly