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



tion of algebraic equations ; researches on the methods of eli- 

 mination ; the demonstration of a new algebraic theorem ; a 

 memoir on indeterminate analysis; essays on general mechanics; 

 a technical and historical work on the aqueduct which con- 

 veys the waters of the Nile to the castle of Cairo ; remarks 

 on the Oases ; the plan of statistical researches to be made on 

 the state of Egypt ; the programme of the proposed excava- 

 tions on the site of the ancient Memphis, and throughout>the 

 whole extent of the tombs ; an account of the revolutions and 

 of the customs of Egypt since its conquest by Selim. 



I find, moreover, in the Decade Egyptienne, that on the 

 first complementary day of the year VI., Fourier presented to 

 the Institute the description of a machine destined to facilitate 

 the process of irrigation, and which was to be moved by wind. 



This description, so foreign to the ordinary current of our fel- 

 low member's ideas, has not been printed. It would naturally 

 find its place in a work, for which the expedition to Egypt might 

 still furnish the materials, notwithstanding the numerous and 

 beautiful publications to which it has given rise : this work would 

 consist in the description of the manufacture of steel, arms, pow- 

 der, cloth, machines, all of which our army had to make on the 

 spur of the moment. If, during our childhood, our interest is 

 Avarmly excited by the expedients which Robinson Crusoe falls 

 upon, to escape from the romantic dangers which are constantly 

 assailing him : how, when at a mature age, could we regard with 

 indifference, a handful of Frenchmen cast on the inhospitable 

 shores of Africa, without any possible communication with their 

 own country ; forced to struggle, at the same time, against the 

 elements and formidable armies ; in want of provisions, clothing, 

 arms and ammunition ; and supplying every thing by the power 

 of genius ! 



The great space which I have still to go over will scarcely 

 allow me to add a few words on the official services of the illus- 

 trious geometrician. As French commissioner to the divan of 

 Cairo, he had become the official organ of communication be- 

 tween the general-in-chief and any Egyptian who might have 

 any complaints to make of an attack against his person, pro- 

 perty, customs, habits, or religion. Manners always mild, scru- 

 pulous attention to prejudices which it would have been in vain 



