EULOGY ON AlVIPERE. 121 



in wbicli the severity of the method and the clearness of the exposition 

 seemed to vie with the importance of the results, and, which excited in 

 the mind of Ampere the most gennine enthusiasm. The public, a few 

 years later, were surprised to find a very profound chemist in the pro- 

 fessor of transcendental analysis in the Polytechnic School ; but at that 

 time nothing was known of the private readings in the Place des Corde- 

 liers in Lyons. On examining the matter closely, you will find it rare, not 

 to be able to discover in the lives of all men the thread, sometimes 

 highly attenuated, coimecting the excellences and tastes of a riper age 

 with the impressions of youth. 



The marriage of Amp6re took place the ISthThermidor, in the year VII, 

 (the 2d of August, 1799.) The family of Mademoiselle Carron having 

 no faith in the sworn priests, the only ones then recognized by the civil 

 law, considered it necessary to have the religious ceremony j)erformed 

 secretly. This circumstance, as will be readily understood, made a pro- 

 found impression on the mind of the learned geometer. 



Ampere, now enjoying the fullness of a happiness which alas was 

 destined soon to end, quietly divided his time between the pleasures of 

 lamily and friendly intercourse and the direction of the mathematical 

 studies of his private pupils. The 24th Thermidor, in the year VIII, 

 (8th of August 1800,) his happiness was increased by the birth of a 

 son, who, though still young, ranks high among the elite of French 

 literary writers, and bears with distinction an illustrious name.* 



Our friend, now feeling the responsibilities of paternity, could no longer 

 remain satisfied with the precarious living derived from the position of 

 a private teacher ; and, obtaining the chair of physics in the central 

 school of the department of Aix, in the month of December, 1801, he 

 repaired to Bourg, with a sad and sorrowful heart at the separation 

 from his family, being forced to leave his wife, then seriously ill, at 

 Lyons. 



AMPi:RE'S MEMOIE, ON PEOBABtLITIES. 



The studies, plans, and investigations of M. Ampere up to this time 

 had never been given to the public, but remained confined to the limited 

 circle of a few friends. 



It seems unnecessary to make any especial exception of the two man- 

 uscript memoirs addressed to the Academy of Lyons. Now, however, 

 the young savant began to reveal himself to the public, and, as might be 

 expected, the first occasion was the discussion of a complicated and 

 controverted question of most diflicult solution. 



The vast field of mathematics embraces on one side abstract theories, 

 and on the other their numerous applications. In the last form they 

 interest the generality of men in the highest degree ; whom we see, in 

 all ages, seeking, suggesting, and proposing new applications, founded 

 on observations of natural phenomena or the necessities of every-day 

 life, thus giving the mere amateur the privilege of having his name hon- 

 orably inscribed on the records of science. 



* Since dead. 



