12 Historical Eulogy on the Marquis De Laplace. 
Surrounded by a beloved fanily, under the eyes of a spouse whose 
tenderness had aided him in supporting the inseparable troubles of 
life, whose graces and whose sweetness of disposition had made 
known to him the worth of domestic happiness, he received from JM. 
le Marquis de Laplace, his son, impressive testimonials of the most 
affecting filial piety. 
He appeared deeply affected with grothade for the reiterated 
marks of interest given to him by the. King and Dauphin. 
Those who comforted him in his last moments, reminded him of 
the titles of his glory, and his most brilliant discoveries. He answer- 
ed: Ce que artes connaissons est peu de chose; ce que nous 1gn0- 
rons est immense.” ‘This is, at least as far as could be gathered, the 
sense of his last words, scarcely articulated ;. as to the rest, we have 
often heard this thought expressed, and stipes in the same terms. 
His last hour had arrived: the powerful genius which had so long 
animated him, at last separated from “this mortal co ae and retuned 
to the nite’ He — me a — a 
# 
The name of Aya se one of our provinces Panis so 
teeming with great men, ancient Normandy. He was born March 
23, 1749; he died, in the seventy eighth year of his age, on May 
5, 1827, at nine o’clock in the morning. 
Shall I remind you, Gentlemen, of the deep gloom that spread 
like a cloud over this palace, when the fatal news was announced to 
you? It was the very day and hour of your wonted sittings. Each 
of you kept a mournful silence: each lamented the fatal blow with 
which the sciences had been smitten. The faces of all were direct- 
ed to the very spot he had so long occupied among you. A single 
thought was with you; every other had become impossible. You 
dissolved with a unanimous vote; and at this time only, have your 
usual labors ever been interrupted. 
It is undoubtedly beautiful, it is glorious, it is worthy of a power- 
ful nation to decree brilliant honors to the memory of its celebrated 
men. In the country of Newton, the ministers of State desired that 
the mortal remains of this great man should be solemnly deposited 
amid the royal sepulchres. France and Europe have offered to the 
memory of Laplace an expression of their regret less ostentatious, 
without doubt, but perhaps more touching and more true. 
7 
* M. Magendie. 
