Biographical Memoir ofDr Thomas Young. 269 



And what could be opposed to the unjust criticism which pro- 

 ceeded from such a quarter ? I am not ignorant that there are 

 certain minds which derive constancy, from the conviction that 

 they are right ; and from the certainty that the truth will triumph, 

 sooner or later ; but I also know that we only act wisely in not 

 counting too much on such exceptions. 



Listen, for example, to Galileo himself, who, after his abjura- 

 tion, exclaims in a whisper, *- E. pur si muove ! "" And seek 

 not in these immortal words any idea of the future, for they are 

 the expression of the bitter vexation which the illustrious old 

 man was suffering. Thus Young, too, in a small pamphlet in 

 answer to the Edinburgh Review, shewed that he was greatly 

 discouraged. The vivacity and vehemence of his expressions 

 but ill disguise the feelings which oppressed him. In conclusion, 

 we hasten to add that justice, complete justice, was ere long ren- 

 dered to the illustrious philosopher ! and for several years the 

 whole world regarded him as one of the principal luminaries of 

 our times. It was ^from France, and Young himself delighted 

 to proclaim it, that the signal was given for this tardy act of jus- 

 tice. I shall add, that, at a much earlier period, when the doc- 

 trine of interferences had not yet made proselytes either in Eng- 

 land or on the Continent, Young found in his own family one 

 who comprehended it, and whose suffrages must have consoled 

 him for the contempt of the public. This distinguished person 

 whom I here point out to the commendation of all the philoso- 

 phers of Europe, will, I trust, excuse me for my indiscretion. 



In the year 1816, I passed over to England with my learned 

 friend M. Gay-Lussac. Fresnel had then just entered in the 

 most brilliant manner into the career of science by publishing his 

 Memoire sur la Diffraction. This work, which, according to 

 us, contained a capital experiment, irreconcileable with the New- 



of ingratitude. It may, however, be demanded, Could you not now, at the 

 time of the publication of the work, entirely suppress everything which was 

 connected with such an unfortunate discussion ? Assuredly I could, and the 

 idea, in truth, occurred to me ; but I speedily dismissed it. I knew too well 

 the high feeling of my illustrious friend, to fear that he would take offence in 

 a question in which, I have the deepest conviction, that even the immense 

 extent of his powers has not put him above the possibility of error. The 

 homage which I thus pay to the noble character of my Lord Brougham, in 

 now publishing, without any alteration, this paper of the eloge of Young, is, 

 in my opinion, so significant, that I shall not attempt to say more upon the 

 subject. 



