[Born in Switzerland, 1745. Died there, 1827. Aged 82.]
In a year of great dearth and distress to a Swiss Canton, he found
himself in charge of half a hundred ragged and wretched children--in an
empty barn for a school--with hardly bread for them and him, and wholly
without books, or any other usual implements of that industry; but with
a heart yearning and overflowing in love towards his little helpless
ones, and with an intellect singularly given to resolve the complex
forms of knowledge into the primitive elements fitted, by their evidence
and their simplicity, for the tender and opening mind to receive. So
driven and so gifted “he made every child its own book.” These emphatic
words of the narrative tell the secret of that genius with which he
afterwards renovated instruction for the schools of Europe. To draw
forth power--to invite the native energies into spontaneous action--to
lead on the pupil, step after step, in creating thought, in
investigating and constructing, how slowly soever, knowledge for
himself--to foster intelligence under the kindliest influences, like a
plant that wins growth in dews and sunshine, in soft airs and
showers--was the new and living scholastic art which Pestalozzi opposed
to the old tyranny of inflexible rote, rule, and routine. But
intellectual training alone, he held for vain and pernicious. The roots
must strike and feed in the soil of the religious, rightly-governed
will.
[Marble. 1809. A commission from King Louis of Bavaria. The original
is in the Walhalla.]
343.* JOHANN PETER FRANK. _Physician._
[Born at Rotalben, in Germany, 1745. Died at Vienna, 1821. Aged 76.]
One of the greatest practical physicians that Germany has produced. In
1779, he published the first volume of his most famous work, the “System
of Medical Police,” which he states to have cost him ten years intense
study. Was Professor of medicine at Göttingen. In 1795, invited to
Vienna by the Emperor with commission to reform the medical department
of the army. In 1804, charged by the Emperor Alexander with the
formation of a chemical school at Wilna; and subsequently received many
tempting offers from Napoleon to establish himself in France. Has
written many interesting works in connexion with his profession; but his
fame as a writer rests upon the publication already mentioned.
[The bust, which is to come, is by Rauch, in bronze. 1841. The
original belongs to the monument raised to Frank by subscription, in
the House of the Orphans at Halle on the Saale.]