200 EULOGY OX ARTHUR AUGUSTE DE LA RIVE. 



tries, to fiiruish geometers the means for the basis for a new and better 

 theory of electricity. The three volumes of his Treatise npon Theoretical 

 and Practical Electricity contain a statement of all the facts observed, 

 with the comment ot savaus and his own opinion in regard to each one 

 of them. There never was a more impartial compiler nor disinterested 

 narrator. The work shows throughout with what perseverance each 

 individual question was examined, and the care with which they were 

 all subordinated to a general and high order of ideas. " I construct," 

 said he, " a ladder to the top of which 1 shall never climb, but, as a con- 

 scientious workman, I wish those who shall mount it to find every round 

 of good material, solid, and without defect." 



The Bibliotheqiie Universelle de Geneve numbered Auguste De La Eive 

 among its most faithful contributors for nearly half a century. He for 

 a long time directed with indefatigable zeal not only the scientific divis- 

 ion considered as his natural domain, but also the literary department, iu 

 which he was at first regarded as a usurper. The public acknowledged 

 that, in assuming the control of the perio(iical, he insured tor it an impor- 

 tant scientific value, but questioned the wisdom of intrusting the literary 

 part to the direction of a savant, considering that the study of science 

 tends to lessened sensibility to the delicate charm of letters. But never 

 had this portion of the review been as replete with matter of an inter- 

 esting and entertaining character. Many of the charming productions 

 of Toi)pfer first saw in it the light of day, and it this an)iable artist man- 

 ifested great vigor in his humorous sketches, Auguste De La Eive also 

 showed his good taste iu selecting and appreciating the merit of these 

 eliusions. 



It was not without reflection that Auguste De La Eive partially aban- 

 doned his laboratory and favorite studies, to devote a portion of his time, 

 talents, and fortune to the support of a scientific and literary publica- 

 tion which, from the beginning of the century, sustained the moral and 

 intellectual authority of Geneva. He was convinced that the Biblio- 

 tkdgue Universelle exercised, like the Edinburgh Eeview, a salutary influ- 

 ence. The articles selected gave full information on all the important 

 questions of the day, although regarding them from a national point of 

 view, and thus, while imparting knowledge, kept patriotism alive. His 

 comments upon literature and art, full of elevated sentiment and respect 

 for human understanding, left a very pleasing impression upon the mind 

 of the reader. Nothing was admitted into the journal w hich could not be 

 read aloud in the parlor, or could cause uneasiness to the mother of a fam- 

 ily. Somewhat of puritanism in ideas, and a certain austerity in conduct, 

 was not displeasing to DeLa Eive. He admitted that, if carried to excess, 

 these qualities became ridiculous; but their absence he thought led to dis- 

 order. A small country, he said, can exist only under the double condition 

 of having a fixed faith in certain principles, and in conforming the life to 

 theui; it must have a physiognomy of its own, and keep it intact; must be 

 itself, and not everybody else; must preserve its own identity, a very diflfi- 



