65 5 The A utobiography of St. Simon. [ J u N E , 



which are the principles I should employ in the organization of the scien- 

 tific system. 



The letters which I published had not the effect, as I hoped they would 

 have, of leading to a general discussion ; but this labour was of infinite 

 service to me, first, because it furnished me with an opportunity of elabo- 

 rating my ideas ; and, secondly, because it excited the attention of some 

 persons who communicated to me their own ideas on the subject. 



My life presents a series of falls, and yet it has not been a failure ; for 

 far from descending, I have always mounted ; none of my falls have 

 brought me down to the point from which I started. Thus I have had 

 upon the field of discovery the action of the advancing tide. At near the 

 age of fifty, a period when we generally retire from the world, I am be- 

 ginning my career. After a long and wearisome journey, I am at length 

 arrived at the point of departure. 



The public ought not to consider as definitive the opinion it has pro- 

 nounced upon my conduct. I boldly claim from its justice the revision of 

 this sentence ; and for this purpose I shall offer some observations which 

 appear to me worthy of its attention. 



On perusing the works of the few authors distinguished by their labours 

 in general science, we are induced to imagine, that in their private life 

 they have been models of wisdom and of moderation -, but reason and an 

 examination of facts prove the contrary, and demonstrate that this opinion, 

 founded upon first appearances, is altogether erroneous. Practical and 

 theoretical philosophy differ widely from each other, the same man can- 

 not follow with success two careers. Let us examine facts. 



Luther, Bacon, and Descartes, are, among the moderns, the three men 

 who, in the path of general science, have most distinguished themselves. 



Luther attacked the old scientific system. Bacon pointed out the means 

 of organizing a new system of ideas, Descartes began the organization 

 of this system. 



The first said, It is not revelation, but reason, that should form the 

 basis of our belief. 



The second indicated the means of organizing a scientific system, in 

 which revealed ideas played no part whatever. 



The last has declared that he would construct a world if they gave him 

 matter and movement ; that is to say, he undertook to explain the organi- 

 zation of the universe without having recourse to revealed ideas. 



Luther was too fond of the pleasures of the table. Bacon was ambitious 

 of honour and of riches. Descartes had a passion for women and play. 

 Thus none of the three were practical philosophers. Let me now expose 

 my reasons. 



The more the soul is exalted, the more is it accessible to passions ; but 

 the highest degree of exaltation is necessary, in order to treat the grand 

 scientific question in all its extent. We ought not therefore to be asto- 

 nished at seeing theoretical philosophers, subject, more than any other 

 savans, to the dominion of the passions. 



We may consider this same question in another point of view. 



The two sciences which form the basis of philosophy, are astronomy 

 and physiology j that is to say, he who cultivates general science ought 

 to study the universe in the great and in the little world. Astronomy is 

 the study of the great world ; in other words, it is the study of the uni- 

 verse upon a grand scale. Physiology is the study of the universe upon 



