Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-21

yesterday, the following brief but interesting
sketch of the late eminent French astronomer
NJ. Arago, whose death has deprived science of
one of its most useful, learned, and distinguished
votaries.
The late NJ. Araso.
FRANCOIS DOMINIQUE ARAGo, tie distinguished
French astronomer, whose death was announced
| in this paper of yesterday, was born at Estage,
in the south of France, and near the Spanish
frontier, on February 26, 1886. His age was,
accordingly siXtyseven years and seven months.
He died at Paris on the evening of Sunday, the
lst instant.
NJ. Arago's life was eventful. He allowed
himself but little time for inaction. His pro-
found scholarship and great scientific abilities
rendered his opinions much sought after; and
his ready sympathy with popular movements
made him a prominent actor in the French
revolution of l848, which resulted IN the estab-
lishment of the provisional government. His
father was called by the revolution of 1892 to
Perpignan, and distinguished himself Fran
cos meantime was sent to school at Toulouse,
and afterwards presented himself as candi-
date for admission to the polytechnic school at
Paris At this institution he gained place and
celebrity, and sgnalized himself, while still
youth, by refusing his adhesion to the constitu-
ton of the empire. On leaving the polytechnic
school he became attached to the observatory
at Paris, and presently received an order to
Join NJ. Blot in the measurement of an arc of
the meridian in Spain.
While young Arago was in Maorca, war was
declared between France and Spain, and by a
curious pretence or misapprehension he was
seized BY the populace, who imagined or pre-
tended to believe that the fires used for his pur-
80 laln
for the descent of the French troops upon the
coast of that island The first attempt to inn
prison him failed by his escape in disguise to
the coast but he was refused admission to
| French vessel, the Mystique, and was forced to
return and place himself under the protection
of the authorities On his return he was as
sailed by the mob and received severe stab.
| Finally escaping from prison, through the con-
nivance of the officials, he reached Algiers, and
re-embarked for France, but when the vessel
arrived within sight of Marseilles she was at
tackled by Spanish corsair, and Arago was
again taken prisoner. Efforts were made by
his captors to compel him to the declaration
that he was an emigrant Spaniard; confess
sion which would have ensured them the pos
session Of the vessel in which he was but he
stood firm, and was imprisoned, A lower dun
geon was assigned him, and he endured much
| suffering. A lucky circumstance procured his
release. The Algerine vessel in which he had
sailed had carried two lions, intended by the
4 Dey as present to the Emperor. One of the
animals having died on the passage Arago
found means to excite the anger of the Dey
against the Spanish government for the seizure
of the ship, and, as the final result, Arago was
set at liberty. He again departed for Algiers
narrowly escaped destruction there under new
dynasty; made another erattempt to reach France,
was stopped by an English naval force but
escaped and arrived safely in Paris in the year
1909. Here he was soon elected member of
the Institute.
The discoveries of Arago in science have
been numerous and important. His determi-
nation of the dialneters of planets was subse-
| quently adopted by Laplace. His discovery of
colored polarization and that of magnetism by
rotation, gained him the Copley medal. As
secretary of the Academy of Sciences, he had
vast field for research, and published many
notices of new applications and discoveries.
He was member of nearly all the scientific
societies of Europe and of some in this country.
A paper on the physical constitution of the sun,
submitted by him to the French Academy, en-
braced many of his own Investigations and
results, and comprised some remarkable obser-
vations on the true plane of the sun in the
universe, the conclusions of which may be
star, and its physical constitution is identical
with that Of the millions Of stars with which the
armament is strewed.'
In addition to his regular duties as royal as
tronomer, NJ. Arago was in the habit of deliv-
ering each season a course of popular lectures
at the Obse,vatoire on astronomical subjects.
These discourses were delivered extemporane-
ously but they were gathered by Belgian and
English publishers, and attained wide circu.
lation. One series OF the lectures was pub
lished in this city in popular form in lS45, with
annotations by DR.. Lardner.
1t was not alone as n scientific man that
Arago achieved celebrity. He was distinguished /
in literature, in oratory and in politics. Dur
ing the brief existence Of the provisional gov
ernment in France, in l84s, he held the i'm
portant post of Minister of Marine, and ably /
discharged its duties Since the advent of Ma
poleon Ill. NJ. Arago has not been known
politically, but has devoted himself with his /
accustomed industry, to the pursuits of his pro-
fession.
In his DEATH science loses an earnest laborer,
and France profound and accomplished
scholar.