AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS ARAGO. 155 



measurement iuterrupted by the deatli of Mecbain. TVe submitted our 

 project to Laplace, who received it with ardor, procured the necessary 

 lands, and the government confided to us two this important mission. 



M. Blot, I, and the Spanish commissary Eodriguez departed from 

 Paris in tlie commeucemeut of 1806. AVe visited, on our way, the 

 stations indicated by Mechaiu, we made some important modifications 

 in the projected triangulation, and at once commenced operations. 



An inaccurate direction given to the reflectors established at Iviza, 

 on the mountain Campve^^, rendered the observations made on the con- 

 tinent extremely difficult. The light of the signal of Campvey was 

 very rarely seen, and I was, during six months, in the Bcsierto de las 

 Falmas, without being able to see it, while at a later period the light 

 established at theDesierto, but well directed, was seen every evening from 

 Campvey. It will easily be imagined what must bo the ennid experienced 

 by a young and active astronomer, confined to an elevated peak, having 

 for his walk only a space of twenty square meters, and for diversion 

 only the conversation of two Carthusians, whose convent was situated 

 at the foot of the mountain, and who came in secret, infringing the rude 

 of their order. 



At the time when I write these lines, old and infirm, my legs scarcely 

 able to sustain me, my thoughts revert involuntarily to that epoch of 

 my life when, young and vigorous, I bore the greatest fatigues, and 

 walked day and night, in the mountainous countries which separate the 

 kingdoms of Valencia and Catalonia from the kingdom of Aragon, in 

 order to reestablish our geodesic signals which the storms had overset. 



I was at Valencia toward the middle of October, 180G. One morning 

 early the French consul entered ray room quite alarmed: "Here is sad 

 news," said M. Lanusseto me; "make preparations for your departure; 

 the whole town is in agitation ; a declaration of war against France 

 has just been published; it appears that w^e have exi)erieuced a great 

 disaster in Prussia. The Queen, we are assured, has put herself at the 

 head of the cavalry and of the royal guard; a part of the French army 

 has been cut to pieces ; the rest is completely routed. Our lives Avould 

 not be in safety if we remained here ; the French ambassador at Mad- 

 rid will inform me as soon as an American vessel now at anchor in the 

 'Grao' of Valencia can take us on board, and I will let you know as 

 soon as the moment is come." This moment never came; for a few 

 days afterward the false news, which one must suppose had dictated 

 the proclamation of the Prince of the Peace, was replaced by the bul- 

 letin of the battle of Jena. People who at first played the braggart 

 and threatened to root us out suddenly became disgracefully cast down ; 

 we could w^alk in the town, holding up our heads, without fear hence- 

 forth of being insulted. 



This proclamation, in which they spoke of the critical circumstances 

 in which the Spanish nation was placed ; of the dilidculties which encom- 

 passed this people; of the safety of their native country; of laurels, 



