Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/409

Rh persons assembled, gens-d'armes, women, and men, some ill and others better dressed, and amidst this throng now stood, and now moved about, a tall, thin gentleman in plain clothes, with gray hair, pale countenance, and handsome features, the expression of which was insignificant, while his demeanor was animated. He seemed to speak with every person, receiving the while, or returning, great numbers of papers. His quick gray eye soon perceived me and my friend, on which he called to a servant, who conducted us through the crowd into a vestibule, and thence to the minister's private room. After a few minutes he came.

“Have I the honor of seeing His Excellency Bianchini?” I asked, rising at the same time. “Yes, madame,” he replied. “I am that Bianchini of whom so much notice has been taken in Europe! My work has been translated into many different languages, and in Belgium they have established a professor's chair for the sole purpose of enunciating my doctrines. I have received for that work decorations from fourteen crowned heads. All my predecessors have deceived themselves, all have treated science as the highest popular good;—one-sided this, and imperfect. I alone have treated it in its completeness, and have given it a sure basis; I am the first who has comprehended the question in its whole breadth, the first,” &c., &c.

Thus continued the speaker, while I sat amazed in silent wonder at his naïve self-glorification. When at length he gave me the opportunity of saying any thing, I inquired about his system.