Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-25
Fourier.

Fourier is described as man rather UNI
der the usual height, with delicate fea-
lures, and peculiarly expressive counte-
nance. His blue eyes were brilliant when
animated, and remarkable for mildness in
repose. His light brown hair, changed
by age into silvery white, encircled a
forehead distinguished for the beauty of
its form, its height and smoothness. In
youth he is said to have been of lively
and sarcastic humor, which he indulged
In satirical verses and lampoons. But as
he increased in years his countenance &C
quired a cast of melancholy, and he was
rarely seen to smile. He became so reti-
cent as seldom to speak, except to answer
a direct question, which he did as briefly
rs possible, and then relapsed into silence.
When alone with few intimate friends,
however, he would expound his views
with facility and eloquence: his habitual
pensiveness would vanish, and the fire of
enthusiasm rekindle i'm his eye. He gen.
orally went about with his stick properly
notched as measuring-rule, and would
take the dimensions of any building that
struck him. He would stop suddenly in
the street, or i'm the middle of converse
ton, pull out his note book, and make an
entry Of whatever brilliant idea had passed
through his brain. He lived almost ell
tirely alone, and in his solitary walks he
would talk aloud and declaim with ener-
gy to himself, habit that led him not
unfrequently to be mistaken for lunatic.
Very different estimates have been formed
OF the extent of his knowledge. In youth
he read much, and collected great deal
of crude information upon many subjects.
To this he added his own speculation,
which he was apt at times to substitute
Tor more positive knowledge. In later
years he read very little except the cur
rent newspapers or magazine literature.
His time was prir ,ipally devoted to writ
ing and the elaboration of his own theo-
ries. 1t was his habit to begin work early
in the morning and to 90 for a short walk
after every two hours application. His
works are very long they are filled with
strange words, and repetidons. They
affect extreme scientific precision, and Ia
bles of analysis abound. They are adorned
by occasional hieroglyphics, and by let
tiers or numerals turned upside down.
They are curious to look at, but most tire
some to read. Fourier spoke in public
with clearness and ease, but without any
pretension to oratorical effect. He was
very fond of animals, and especially of
cats. He had an intense horror OF cater
pillars, the emblem, he said, OF civillza-
ton, and would not, on their account, sit
upon the grass. He once beheld spider
upon the ceiling over his bed. He
jumped up, and, almost naked, rushed
frantically about the house to implore as
sistapce to remove the terrible apparition.
lie was kind and generous friend: de
would take any amount of trouble TO per,
form service; and, out of his own small
income, he was able to do many works OF
unostentatious charity. He was never
married. 1t was said that he was peculi-
arly tickle i'm his attachments, and, not
withstanding the conjecture of his biogra-
pher to the contrary, we may doubt II
ever his heart had been touched by the
purifying influence OF loye.-FortHightty
Rsuiesc.