288 Biographical Memoir of'M. Ha'dfj. 



which he gave at the Normal School created in 1795 by the Con- 

 vention, and which only lasted a few months. But these titles 

 were not sufficient in his eyes ; he doubted especially whether he 

 was permitted to give up, even for a short time, the researches to 

 which it seemed to him that Providence had directed him ; nor 

 would he engage in business until he had consulted the Abbe 

 Emery, the superior of Saint Sulpice. " Do not hesitate," said 

 M. Emery to him, " you will be much to blame, if you lose this 

 opportunity, in treating of nature, to speak of its author-,.... and 

 do not forget," he added, "to put on the frontispiece, your title 

 of Canon of the Metropolis." M. Emery, who has not been less 

 celebrated for his abilities, than for the purity of his sentiments, 

 knew that there is no profession which may not be honoured by 

 the talents of those who exercise it ; and he remembered that the 

 period when Christianity made most conquests, and at which 

 its ministers obtained most respect, was that in which they 

 carried among the converted nations the light of letters, and in 

 which they formed at once the most eminent and the most en- 

 lightened order. 



If this treatise on physics did not add much to M. Haiiy's 

 scientific reputation, it did not injure his literary character. It 

 was distinguished by the same clearness and purity of style as 

 his Mineralogy, and was still more interesting than that work. 

 It is one of the books best adapted to inspire in youth a taste 

 for the natural sciences, and it may be read with pleasure by all 

 ages. It has passed through three editions. 



The author was keenly and repeatedly pressed to make known 

 what he wished might be done for him. He merely asked that 

 he might be put in a condition to bring his family near him, 

 that they might take care of him in his old age and infirmities; 

 and his desire was instantly gratified, by giving the husband of 

 his niece a small situation in the finances, 



Who would have imagined that a recompense so well merit- 

 ed should have disappeared at the first reform, and that M. 

 Haijy's friends could obtain no other answer to their solicita- 

 tions, than that there is no connection between the taxes and 

 crystallography. 



Newton was also recompensed by a situation in the finances, 

 and a much more important one, for the glory which his genius 



