8 Historical Eulogy on the — De Laplace. 
Ll L ge RE | 
grange, tt ; it hasbeen enlightened 
by the objections themselves of oe and by the philosophical 
views of Condorcet. Laplace has reunited and fixed its principles. 
From thence it has become a new science, subject to a single ana- 
lytical method, and of a prodigious extent. Rich in common applica- 
tions, it will one day enlighten up with a vivid light all the branches 
of natural philosophy. Were it permitted us here to express a per- 
sonal opinion, we will add that the solution of one of the principal 
questions, one which the illustrious author has treated in the tenth 
chapter of his work, does not appear to us exact; and yet, consid- 
ered in its ensemble, this work is one of the 1 most precious monu- 
ments of his genius. 
After having cited discoveries so brilliant, it will be useless to add 
that M. Laplace belonged to all the great Academies of Europe. 
I could also, I perhaps ought, to recall the high political dignities 
with which he was clothed ; but this enumeration belongs only indi- 
rectly to the object of this discourse. It is the great GromeTeEr, 
whose memory we celebrate. We have separated the immortal 
author of the Mécanique Céleste from all the accidental facts that 
interest neither his glory nor his genius. In reality, gentlemen, of 
what consequence is it to posterity, that will have so many other de- 
tails to forget, to learn whether or no Laplace was some moments 
minister of a Great State? That which is of importance, is the eternal 
truths which he has discovered ; it is the immutable laws of the sta- 
bility of the world, and not the ah which he for some years occu- 
pied i in the senate, called conservateur. That which is of i importance, 
tlemen, and still more so perhaps than his discoveries, is the ex- 
amples which he has left to all those to whom the sciences are dear ; 
it is the remembrance of this persévérance incomparable, that hes 
sustained, directed, and crowned so many glorious efforts. 
I will omit these accidental, and,'so to speak, fortuitous circum- 
stances, of the particulars that have no relation with the perfection 
of his works. But I will say, that, in the first body of State, the 
memory of Laplace was celebrated ny an ‘eloquent ne hiendiy: mole 
whom important services, 
and to the State, had a long time rendostd illustrious.* 
I will especially recall to mind, that literary solemnity which at- 
tracted the attention of the capital. The French Academy, uniting 
@ 
* M. le Marquis de Pastoret. 
