The Charismatic Professor of Chemistry

Partly from curiosity, and partly from idleness, I went into the lecturing room,

which M. Waldman entered shortly after. This professor was very unlike his

colleague. He appeared about fifty years of age, but with an aspect expressive of the

greatest benevolence; a few gray hairs covered his temples, but those at the back of his head

were nearly black. His person was short, but remarkably erect; and his voice the sweetest I had ever

heard. He began his lecture by a recapitulation of the history of chemistry and the

various improvements made by different men of learning, pronouncing with fervour the names

of the most distinguished discoverers. He then took a cursory view of the present state of the science,