410 Biographical Account of [JtwJB^ 



put intd the hands of M. Prony the complete rnftnuscript of the. 

 second volume, in which will be found important additions, and 

 sections entirely written anew. By the care of an editor so skilful, 

 and so devoted to the memory of the author, the philosophical 

 world is sure of obtaining with the greatest accuracy and dispatch 

 what is wanting to complete the woik, and perhaps even memoirs 

 entirely new. 



" During this conversation, which lasted more than two hours, 

 his memory often failed him ; he made vain efforts to recover names 

 and dates, hut his discourse was always connected, full of strong 

 thoughts and bold expressions." This exercise of his faculties 

 wasted the whole remains of his strength. Scarcely had his friends 

 left him, when he fell into a fainting fit, and he died two days 

 after, on the 10th of April, 1813, at three quarters past nine 

 o'clock in the morning. 



M. Lagrange was of a delicate but good complexion. His 

 tranquillity, his moderation, an austere and frugal regimen, from 

 which he rarely deviated, prolonged his life to the age of 77 years, 

 two months, and ten days. He was twice married : first at Berlin, 

 in order to be on a f(X)ting with tlie rest of the academicians, none 

 of whom were bachelors. He brought from Turin one of his 

 relations. He married her, and lost her after a long illness, during 

 which he hud bestowed on her the most tender and unremitted 

 care. When he afterwards married, in France, Mademoiselle 

 Lemonnier, daughter of the celebrated astr )nomer of that name, 

 he said to us, " 1 »nid no children by my first marriage ; I do not 

 know if I shall have tliem by my second ; but I scarcely desire 

 them." What he principally wished was an amiable companion, 

 whose society might afford him some amusement during the inter- 

 vals of his studies, and in this respect he was very successful. 

 ]\Iadame Lagrange, daughter, grandaughffcr, and niece, of members 

 of the Academy of Sciences, was deserving of the name which he 

 gave her. This advantnge in her eyes making up for the difference 

 of their ages, slic soon felt for h.im the tenderest regard. He was 

 so grateful that he could scarcely bear to be separated from her, and 

 it was on her account alone that he felt any regret at relinquishing 

 this life ; and he v.as often heard to say., that of all his good for- 

 tune, that which he prized the most w;i3 having obtained a com- 

 panion so tender and attached to him. During the ten days that 

 his illness lasted she never quitted him for a moment, and was con- 

 stantly employed in recruiting his sti'ength and prolonging his 

 existence. 



He loved retirement ) but did not insist upon his young wife 

 following his example. On her account he went out more fre- 

 quently, and indeed his high situations obliged him to show himself 

 in the v.orld. It wts often apparent that he continued the medita- 

 tions in public which he had begun in his cabinet. It has been said 

 that he was not insensible to the charms of music. In fact, in a 

 numerous company he was not displeased at a concert. On one of 



