(23)
Yet there have been many great men of science who have proved
efficient men of business. We do not learn that Sir Isaac Newton
made a worse Master of the Mint because he was the greatest of
philosophers. Nor were there any complaints as to the efficiency
of Sir John Herschel, who held the same office. The brothers
Humboldt were alike capable men in all that they undertook--
whether it was literature, philosophy, mining, philology,
diplomacy, or statesmanship.
Niebuhr, the historian, was distinguished for his energy and
success as a man of business. He proved so efficient as secretary
and accountant to the African consulate, to which he had been
appointed by the Danish Government, that he was afterwards
selected as one of the commissioners to manage the national
finances; and he quitted that office to undertake the joint
directorship of a bank at Berlin. It was in the midst of his
business occupations that he found time to study Roman history, to
master the Arabic, Russian, and other Sclavonic languages, and to
build up the great reputation as an author by which he is now
chiefly remembered.
Having regard to the views professed by the First Napoleon as to
men of science, it was to have been expected that he would
endeavour to strengthen his administration by calling them to his
aid. Some of his appointments proved failures, while others were
completely successful.
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