M. Arago's Historical Eloge of Joseph Fourier. 23 



along with Fourier. They aie covered with marginal notes, 

 and the additions which were made in consequence, extend to 

 nearly a third part of the original discourse. In the sheets, as 

 in the work finally given to the public, we remark the com- 

 plete absence of proper names ; the only exception is for the 

 three generals-in-chief. 



I may add, that in no part of these precious proofs, belong- 

 ing to M. Champollion, do we perceive any traces of the mi- 

 serable sentiments of jealousy which have been attributed to 

 Napoleon. It is true that the Emperor, pointing to the word 

 illustrious, as applied to Kleber, said to our fellow member, 

 somebody has made vie remarl' this epithet ; but after a short 

 pause, he added, it is agreed that you shall leave it, for it is 

 just and well merited. These words, gentlemen, honoured the 

 monarch even less than they stained with infamy the somebody^ 

 whom I regret I cannot name otherwise, but who belonged to 

 those vile courtiers whose whole life is passed in studying the 

 weaknesses and bad passions of their masters, in order to make 

 them the means of arriving at honours and fortune ! 



Immediately after his return to Europe, Fourier was ap- 

 pointed (2d January 1802) Prefect of the department of Isere. 

 The old province of Dauphiny was at that time a prey to vio- 

 lent political dissensions. The Republicans, the partizans of 

 the emigration, and those who had ranged themselves under 

 the banners of the Consular Government, formed as many dis- 

 tinct parties, between whom any reconciliation seemed impos- 

 sible. Well, gentlemen, Fourier effected this impossibility. 

 His first object was to get the hotel de la prefecture considered 

 as neutral ground, where each might shew himself without even 

 the appearance of concession. Curiosity alone at first attracted 

 a crowd to it ; but the crowd returned, for, in France, it rarely 

 deserts the salons where it finds a polite and affable host, ta- 

 lented without fojipery, and learned without pedantry. 



What had been divulged about our fellow member's opinions 

 as to the antibiblical antiquity of the Egyptian monuments, 

 caused in particular lively apprehensions among the religious 

 party ; but they were dexterously informed, that the new pre- 

 fect had a saint in his family, and that the blessed Pierre 

 Fourier, founder of the establishment of Nuns connected with 



