CONCLUSION. 367 



which I had imposed upon myself. I shall be pardoned 

 for having given so detailed an exposition of the princi 

 pal discoveries for which philosophy, astronomy, and 

 navigation are indebted to our geometers. 



It has appeared to me that in thus tracing the glorious 

 past I have shown our contemporaries the full extent of 

 their duty towards the country. In fact, it is for nations 

 especially to bear in remembrance the ancient adage : 

 noblesse oblige ! 



