New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-10-17
DEATH OF ARAGO.


The serious illness of Francois DOMINIQUE ARAGo.
the celebrated French savant of which we have been
informed by our previous European adyices prepares
for the tdings Of his death, which is announced
among the news of the morning by the arrival of the
Atlantic. His loss will create chasm in the scientific
world, that will be deeply and widely felt in both hem
ispheres.
NJ Arago was born at Estage in the south OF France,
February 26, l7s6, and consequently in his sixty
eighth year at the time of his death Atsthe age of
eighteen he entered the Polytechnic School at Paris,
and after remaining two years in that institution, he
received the appointment of Secretary in the Bureau
of Longitudes In this capacity, in conjunction with
NJ. Blot and the Spanish Commission, he continued
the measurement of an of the meridian in Spain,
which had been commenced by Delambre and Michan.
While at Majorca, the Spaniards against Ma
pOleOn and being suspected of aiding the French troops
NJ Arago arrested and thrown into prison. After
remaining several months in the citadel of Belver he
made his escape to Algiers from which port he took
passage in an Agerne vessel TO Marseiles On the vOy
age however, he again taken by Spanish cruzer
and carried prisoner to Fort of Rosas. Released
at length by the Intervention of the Dey OF Algers
with the Spanish Government he more attempted
70 return TO Agiers but when almost in port the YES
gel in which he had embarked suffered shipwreck. He
was thrown on the Sandman Coast, whence he made
bis way for the second time to Algiers. Here he
found the old Dey had just been assassnaed He was
placed by the new Dey on the list of slaves and sent
on board piratical vessel to act as Interpreter It
was Lot until 1909 that the demands of the French
Consul for bis freedom were complied with, and he
was permitted to set sail for his native country After
making narrow escape from an English frigate, he
landed safely in France and at repaired to Paris
As reward for the sufferngs he had experienced in
the discharge of his scientific duties be elected at
the age of %, member of the Academy Of Sciences,
in place of Laande, and received from the Emperor,
WHO held him in high esteem, the appointment Of Pro-
essor at the Polytechnic School For several years,
he devoted himself to instruction at this institution ia
various branches Of mathematics. Subsequently. his
attention was chiefly given to physics and astronomy
in each of which departments he distinguished himself
by important discoveries. Among these may be men
toned the method Of determining the diameters of
planets aerwsrd adopted by La Place, the discovery
of colored polarization and of magnetism by rotation
which gained the COpley medal of the Royal Society
the first time that honor was ever conferred on
Freedman.
tons and Memoirs of Paris are numerous and i'm
portant. With Gay-Lussac be was the founder of the
" Annals Of Chemistry and Physics His writings
for the eearness and beauty Of their expo
sitions in the most difficult branches of science.
In the sphere Of politics. the influence Of Aago has
been conspicuous and effective. He took an active
part in the Revolution OF July in favor Of the republic
party, and used bis efforts to persuade his friend
General MannOnt not to FIRE upon the people In 1881,
be elected to the Chamber Of Deputies from Per
pignan and took prominent rank at once with the
party Of tie extreme Left.
During the Revolution of l5i3. Arago was member
If the Provisional Government in which he acted for
short time as minister of marine, and aterward IS
Minister Of His political predictions were in
avOr of the institutions Of the United States. With
darrast and Marie he headed the republicans who de-
fred similar form Of Government for France By
lis great popularity in bis native district be prevailed
4 the excited population Of the Department OF the
ast Pyrenees to abstain from the acts Of violence and
oodsted to which they were disposed He was chosen
member Of the National Assembly from this Depart
cent. Alfer the Provisional Government PAS dscon-
inued, be WAC appointed by the Assembly member Of
be Executive Committee. In dis Office, ss showed
rest courage and sagaeity in the June out
reak After this event, be was made member OF the
Var. Committee He early declared himself an OPpo-
ent Of Louis Napoleon, and since his accession to
,ower, has taken little part in politics.
Arago possessed vigorous physical organization,
7reposGessirg exterior and great yivaeiy as well as
persistence Of intellect With On ardent love Of PoPu-