The Last Years

Abstract

In the shadow of an impending war, in March 1870, Boussingault made great efforts to secure for his only son, Joseph, an assayer’s appointment at Besançon. Joseph Bou0ssingault (1842—1925) graduated in 1861 and after a short period in the laboratory of Henri Sainte-Claire-Deville he became a demonstrator in December 1862 to his father at the Conservatoire and assisted him in his agricultural work in the laboratory at Liebfrauenberg. This was followed by a post as assistant to the two assayers at the Paris assay office, the Bureau de Garantie. The Besançon watchmaking industry, dating from the eighteenth century, was experiencing the effect of strong competition from nearby Switzerland and in 1859 the staff of the assay office there, established in 1797, was increased in order to examine the watchcases from over the border.¹ The Besançon application was the subject of a letter to Dumas who represented the Académie des Sciences on the Mint Committee, the Commission des Monnaies, and therefore could exert some influence. Wrote Boussingault, “In a long scientific career I have obtained so little for myself that there is some justice in allowing something for my son”.² Dumas secured an audience of the Emperor for Boussingault on March 10th, 1870, but to his chagrin Dumas did not attend, no doubt tactfully absenting himself. Wrote Boussingault afterwards, “I was very disappointed in not seeing you yesterday at the Tuileries, I counted on you for the prologue”.³