M. Arago''s Historical Eloge of Joseph Fourier. 21 



magnificent valley which it fertilizes, of the frightful desert of 

 Libya, and of the colossal pyramids of Gizeh ; it was in pre- 

 sence of the twenty different races included within the vast cir- 

 cumference of Cairo, before the bravest soldiers that ever trod 

 that soil, where, nevertheless, the names '^of Alexander and 

 Caesar are still famous ; it was in the midst of all which could 

 affect the heart, elevate the thoughts, and excite the imagina- 

 tion, that Fourier unfolded to view the noble life of Kleber, 

 He was listened to with religious silence ; but very soon^ 

 addressing the soldiers ranged in order of battle before him, 

 lie exclaims, *' Ah ! how many of you would have aspired 

 to the honour of throwing yourselves between Kleber and his 

 assassin ! I call you to witness, intrepid cavalry, who rushed 

 to save him on the heights of Koraim, and instantaneously dis- 

 persed the numerous enemies who had surrounded him."" At 

 these words, the whole army are as it were electrified, the colours 

 are lowered, the ranks close, arms clash against each other, a 

 deep groan bursts from thousands of breasts covered with sabre 

 and shot wounds, and the voice of the orator is drowned in 

 sobs. 



A fevf months afterwards, on the same bastion, and before 

 the same soldiers, Fourier celebrated, with no less eloquence, 

 the exploits and virtues o^ the general whom the conquered 

 tribes in Africa saluted by the flattering name of Sultan juste, 

 and who had just sacrificed his life at Marengo to insure the 

 triumph of the French arms. 



Fourier only quitted Egypt with the last remains of the 

 army, after the capitulation signed by Menou. On his return, 

 to France, his first and most constant occupations had for their 

 object the illustration of the memorable expedition, of which he 

 liad been one of the most active and useful members. The idea 

 of collecting into one focus the various works of all his brother 

 members undoubtedly belongs to him. I find this proved by 

 an unpublished letter, written to Kleber from Thebes, the 

 20th vendcmiaire, year vii. No public document in which men- 

 tion is made of this great literary monument is of prior date. 

 The Institute of Cairo, on adopting, after the month ofyj*?- 

 maire, year viii., the project of a work on Egypt, entrusted 



