GEOMETRY OF POSITION. 77 



again into private life ; I will not say with joy, Gentle 

 men, for in our colleague s bosom the virtues of a citizen 

 always occupied the principal place ; for he had hoped, 

 that, like another Washington, General Bonaparte would 

 avail himself of this unique opportunity to found in 

 France order and liberty on a stable basis ; for no man 

 initiated in public affairs, and endowed with some fore 

 sight, could without uneasiness see the reins of govern 

 ment placed beyond control, and without guarantee, in 

 the hands of an ambitious soldier. I shall be able at 

 least to show you that Carnot s leisure was nobly and 

 gloriously employed. 



PUBLICATION OF THE GEOMETRY OF POSITION. 



There is a story told of a young student who, almost 

 discouraged with some difficulties inherent in the first 

 elements of mathematics, went to consult D Alembert, 

 when this great geometer answered him, &quot; Go on, sir, 

 go on, and faith will come to you&quot; * 



The advice was good, and geometers have followed it 

 generally : they &quot; go on&quot; also : they perfect methods, 

 and multiply the applications of them, without pre 

 occupying themselves about the two or three points 

 where the metaphysics of the science offer obscurities. 

 Shall it be said on that account that the filling up of 



* D Alembert s advice requires much explanation; s it stands it 

 would be a good motto for Jesuits. It reads altogether contrary to 

 the spirit of mathematics, where one step is made sure of before 

 looking out for another, where the self-secured truth is in place of 

 any faith. It is meant, perhaps, to encourage the student to disregard 

 contingent apparent puzzles ; it should then be rendered, &quot; Hold on 

 in the path whose truth is evident to you, and after a time, you will 

 get a clearer view of those collateral circumstances which now con 

 fuse you, while looking every way at once.&quot; Translator. 



