EULOGY ON AMPERE. 153 



THE USTFLUENCE EXERCISED BY A PRIVATE EDUCATION ON AMPi:RE'S 



MIND AND MANNERS. 



Ampere, enjoyiug the wide reputation we have indicated, suggests 

 in himself too stiili:iug a comparison between the advantages of a 

 private education and one acquired in the tumult of pubhc schools not 

 to excite eager discussion. I only refer to this discussion, however, to 

 deny its utiUty. At the time of his departure from the mountains of 

 Poleymeux, our future associate possessed an immense amount of infor- 

 mation, an extraordinary memory', a strong intellect, and a rare aptitude 

 in mastering all subjects ; but who would dare affirm that these qualities 

 woidd not have been as well developed at a i^ublic school? An isolated 

 fact could lead to no positive cou elusion on so nice a point. 



The adversaries of private education remembered that Ampere con- 

 tracted in his secluded life habits which they tax with siugidarity. 

 Amongst others is cited the impossibility he found in giving a clear ex- 

 planation, when professor, of subjects with which he was jjerfectly 

 famiUar ; without calling, as it were, to his aid peculiar movements of. 

 the body. This is undeniably true. There was always, iutellectually 

 speaking, a great diftereuce between Ampere in repose and Ampere in 

 action. I, especially, have always sincerely regretted that the illustrious 

 savant, in his riper years, should have felt his eminent powers and all 

 enthusiasm decline as soon as seated at his desk, without having, how- 

 ever, the temerity to ascribe it to the solitude in which his jouth had 

 been passed. 



What is known, in fact, of the mental struggle accompanying the 

 birth and development of an idea? Like the first uncertain ghmmer- 

 ings of a star, an idea begins its dawn on the very verge of the intel- 

 lectual horizon, at first so small and faint that its unsteady, w avering 

 light seems to reacn us through an almost impenetrable mist. It in- 

 creases in size, until sufficiently developed to display a delicate outhue; 

 and finally, its contom- clearly defined, it stands sharply out from all 

 around — from all that is not itself. At this last stage language seizes it, 

 clothes and stamixs it with the definite, the impressive form which will 

 engrave it indelibly upon the memory of future generations. 



The causes accelerating or retarding the bu'th of a thought, and its 

 various transformations, are numerous and evanescent; and there is, 

 moreover, neither regularity nor consistency in their mode of action. 

 Paesiello composed wrapped uj) in his bed-covers. Cimerosa, on the 

 contrary, received the inspirations that gave to the world the beautiful 

 themes with which his operas abound in the midst of the mirth and 

 bustle of a crowd. The historian Mezerai wrote, even at mid-day in 

 the month of July, hy the light of wax candles. Eousseau, on the 

 other hand, gave himself up to his most profound meditations in the 

 full light of the sun, while engaged in herborizing. 



If Ampere were only inspired while standing and in motion, Descartes 



