RECORDS 



OF 



GENERAL SCIENCE. 



Article I. 

 « 



Biograi^hy of M. le Comte Lagrange. 



{Concluded from page 251.) 



During his residence in Berlin, M. de Lagrange married, 

 not so much for any inclination for the state, it is said, as 

 because it was customary for the academicians to be married. 

 This union was followed by several misfortunes. M. de 

 Lagrange had a child, who died, we are informed, while 

 young. His wife died, likewise, after a tedious and painful 

 disease. M. de Lagrange took care of her during her illness 

 with the most inviolable attachment, hardly ever leaving 

 her, and contriving new methods for her cure. This second 

 loss rendered his abode in Berlin disagreeable : besides, he 

 was afraid that the tranquillity of Prussia would be inter- 

 rupted. These motives caused him to listen to the offers 

 which were made to induce him to go to France, where he 

 hoped to enjoy greater tranquillity. He reached that country 

 in 1787, and was soon after surprised by the Revolution. 

 He passed through it without experiencing any personal 

 misfortune. About this period his Mecanique Analytique 

 appeared. M. de Lagrange had sent the manuscript from 

 Berlin, and had entrusted the publication of it to one of 

 the most celebrated French mathematicians. It had been 

 printed for two years before Lagrange even thought of 

 opening it ; and when a gentleman, to whom he communi- 

 cated the circumstance, expressed his astonishment at so 

 much indifference, *' I was disgusted," said he, *' with these 



VOL. IV. 2d 



