, a very able mineralogist, was born in Dauphiny, June 24, 1750.
, a very able mineralogist, was born in Dauphiny,
June 24, 1750. Of his early history our authorities give
but a confused account. He was inspector of the mines,
and commander of the order of Malta. He first went to
sea at the age of eighteen, when being insulted by one of
his companions, who was on board the same ship, he fought
and killed him; for which, on his return to Malta, he was
sentenced to death by the chapter of the order. The
grand-master, however, granted him his pardon, but as it
was necessary that it should be confirmed by the pope, and
as his holiness was at that time out of humour with the
knights, he remained inflexible, and Dolomieu was confined for nine months in a dungeon in the island. He afterwards resumed his studies, and accompanied the regiment of carabineers in which he was an officer. At Metz
he took his first lessons in chemistry and natural history,
and his progress became so rapid, that the academy of
sciences granted him the title of corresponding member,
which favour attached him entirely to natural philosophy.
He then quitted the service, and almost immediately began his travels through Sicily, which produced “Voyage
aux Isles de Lipari,
” Memoire sur le tremblemens de terre de la
Calabre in 1783,
” 8vo, which the following year was translated into Italian; and in 1788, “Memoire sur les isles
Ponces, et Catalogue raisonne de PEtna,
” 8vo.