Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-29

work on meteoroogy It is that work by which you make
yourself the rival Of Matthieu Laensburg work that
dsgraces your old age Continue abors in natural
history and win receive your productions with plea
sure accept this volume only from consideration for
your gray hairs. Here, take it." And he handed the
volume to one of his aid de-camps.
Poor Lamarck who at the close Of each OF the harsh
and offensive observations Of the Emperor had been try
ing in to stammer out 'It is work natural his
tory that offering to you was weak enough to burst
into tears.
But the Emperor next met with rude tilter In
the person of Lanjunais Lanunas had approached the
Emperor with book in his hand when Napoleon, sneer
ing accosted him with:
What is the entire Senate melting away into the In
stute? :"
Sire" replied Lapjuinais, the Senate is the public
body which has present most leisure to busy itself with
literature"
The Emperor dspeased at this reort turned short off
from the civil uniforms and joined the big epauettes
that were filing the saloon
Immediately after my nomination became the subject
Of strange annoyances the part of the military auho
rites. When had left for Spain had preserved my
title pupil of the Polytechnic School My inscription
upon the rolls could not continue longer than four years
consequently had been ordered to return to France in
order to undergo the final examinations But in the
time Lelande had died, and place had become vacant
at the Bureau Of Longitudes, and had been appointed
astronomer adjunct As these places to which the
Emperor had nominated me, NJ LacuGe director of the
conscrpton considered that fact evidence that had
satisfied the requirements law and authorized
to continue my scientific pursuits but NJ Matthieu,
Of NJ Lacuee took different view Of the ques
ton and he ordered to furnish substitute to join
person the contingent of the twelfth reimbursement of
Paris. Finding that nothing could urge against this
decision all that my friends could say, had any effect
announced to the honorable general that would make
my appearance upon the place de Estrapade where the
conscrpts under orders to leave had been required to
rendezvous in the costume Of member of the Institute
and that would traverse the city of Paris in that uni
FORM afoo Gen. Matthieu Dumas, alarmed at the effect
which such scene would produce upon the Emperor,
who was himself member Of the Institute, was glad
enough after my threat to confirm the decision Of Gen.
Lacuee.
In the year 1909 was chosen by the Council Of I'm
prouemet of the Polytechnic School to NJ.
Monge in the professorshp of Analysis applied to Geo.
metry The circumstances which attended this election
have remained secret. improve the first opportunity
which offers itself to me to make them known. y
NJ Monge took the trouble day to to the OBJ
servatory and ask to lecture for him when he found
it nconvenent to occupy the chair himself declined
this honor alleging project Of travel that was con-
tempating in company with M. de Humboldt into Central
Asia. But it will certainly be months yet before
you leave" said the illustrous geomeer; you can
therefore act for short time at any rate" replied
Your proposition is infinitely fattering to me but
do not know whether ought to accept oft. have
read your great work Equations differences PARTICLES
and am, therefore, by no means sure that should be
qualified to give lectures to the pupils Of the Polytechnic
School so difficult theory"
'Try " he replied, and you will that this theory
is clearer than is generally supposed" did try, and
found in fact that NJ Monge had sad the thing was
not difficult But the public at that time could not
understand how it happened that the kind hearted NJ
Monge should resoute persist in refusing confde his
course of lectures to his tutor NJ Bnet whose zeal was
well known. will now disclose the reason.
There was at that time, in the wood Of Boulogne,
house called la Aaon grise where accustomed
assemble around NJ Coessn, the high priest of
gion, certain number of disciples, such as Lesueur
the musician Colin tutor OF theSchoo Of Chemistry NJ
Bnc &C. Areport of the Prefect Police had sgnaized
to the Emperor the frequentcrs of Ia Maison grse
members Of the Society of Jesuts The Emperor mani
tested uneasiness and Irritation this intelligence
9 So 7! said he one day to NJ Monge here are your
dear pupils becoming disciples of Loyola Monge pro-
tested against the charge You deny it, reoined the
Emperor Well let me inform you that the tutor
nected with your of lectures belongs this clique
Every body will understand how, after interview of
this Kind Monge could not consent to allow his chair to
be filed by NJ. Binet.
Entering the Academy young enthusiastic, impulsiye,
took more active part in elections than beftng
my position and age. Having now reached period in
nay life when may look back and scrutnize my conduct
with calmness and impartiaty, do myself the jus
tce to that except three four occasions my
vote and efforts always bestowed upon tho most
worthy candidate; and more than have succeeded
in preventing the Academy from making deporabe cleo
tons. Who can blame for having warmly supported
the candidacy OF Mans when it is reflected that his rival
M Girard, unknown physician received twenty-five
votes out of fifty three and that change Of five votes
would have caused him triumph over aarant who had
just discovered polarization by reflection, sapan
whom all Europe would have nominated by accamation
The remarks applicable to the nomination of
Poisson who woudhave been defeated by this same Gil
rard if there had been displacement Of four votes Does
not that suffice to justify the extraordinary ardor ofmy eff
forts And although, upon the occasion Of third cleo
on the Academy in favor of this engineer
cannot repent Of having supported up to the very
last moment with conviction and earnestnes the candi
dacy of his rival, NJ Dulong.
do not suppose that any body in the scientific world
is disposed blame for having preferred NJ Liouylle
to NJ de Pontecoulant.
1t sometimes happened that the Government denied to
thn hroda fha of ito ~
right invariably resisted all these inunctons. Upon one
occasion this resistance visited severely upon one of
my friends upon the venerable Legendre For my own
part had prepared myself in advance for all the perse-
cuton of which might become the object. Having re-
ceved from the Minister of the Interior an invitation to
vote for NJ Bnet and against NJ Navier to fill vacancy
in the section of mechanics NJ Legendre nobly replied
that he would vote according to his conscientious convc
tons. Legendre Immediately deprived Of pension
which had been accorded to him in consideration of his
great age and long services The proge of Government
defeated and this result at the time generally
attributed the zeal with which demonstrated in the
Academy against this unbecomng interference of the
Minister Of the Interior.
Upon another occasion the King desired that the Aca-
deny should elect Dupuytren eminent surgeon, but
to whom very grave obliques Of character were
preached. Dupuytren was elected; but several blank
ballots protested against the interference of Government
in Academic elections.
would recommend savans, who, entering the Acade-
my at early age, should be tempted to follow my
AMPLE to count solely upon the testimony of their own
consciences. warn them, and do from my own ex
perience, that gratitude will almost be manifested
where they would expect to find it. The academician
nominated, and whose merit you have perhaps exalted
beyond measure pretends that you merely doing him
justice that you have only performed your duty and that
consequently he is not at all bound to set any thing down
To your credit