134 MEMOIR OF DELAMBRE. 
offence he offered to none, and envy itself respected his repose. How few are 
the distinguished men to whom such a lot was granted; and how easily could 
this reflection be made more striking by a recital of some of the exalted names 
which preceded him. How melancholy the contrast which is presented in the 
exile of Tycho, the indigence of Kepler, the illustrious misfortunes of Galileo. 
Delambre has left works whose extent and nature place him in the first rank of 
the promoters of science. Both poetry and friendship have been exerted in his 
praise; and if anything is wanting to his memory, it is a successor who might 
more worthily have executed the present attempt to do justice to his character 
and genius. But history, with its eloquent and faithful voice, will redress even 
this disadvantage in perpetuating to after ages the recollection of so many useful 
and noble labors. 
