DEATH OF FRESNEL. 279 



are in the inexhaustible range of science, a great number 

 of questions of public utility, of which, perhaps, I might 

 have had the happiness of finding the solution.&quot; Fresnel 

 was still in the country when the Royal Society of Lon 

 don charged me with the office of presenting to him the 

 Eumford Medal. His powers, then almost exhausted, 

 scarcely permitted him to cast a glance of his eye over 

 this testimony, so rarely bestowed, of the estimation of 

 that illustrious society. All his thoughts were directed 

 towards his approaching end : all were concentrated on 

 that object. &quot; I thank you,&quot; he said to rne, in a feeble 

 voice, &quot; for having undertaken this mission. I guess how 

 much it must have cost you, for you have perceived, is it 

 not so ? that the most beautiful crown is worth little when 

 it is only to be deposited on the tomb of a friend ! &quot; 



Alas ! these melancholy anticipations were not long in 

 being accomplished. Eight days more had hardly elapsed 

 when our country lost one of its most virtuous citizens ; 

 the Academy one of its most illustrious members ; and 

 the scientific world, a genius of the highest order. 



Newton, on learning the premature death of Cotes, a 

 young geometer whose first labours had led to great ex 

 pectations, pronounced those words, so simple, so expres 

 sive, that the history of science has treasured them up : 

 &quot; If Cotes had lived we should have known something ! &quot; 

 From the mouth of Newton this short eulogy might pass 

 without comment ; it belongs to genius to pronounce such 

 sentences, and we shall always believe its word. For 

 myself, Gentlemen, devoid of all such authority I have 

 felt myself bound laboriously to go through so many de 

 tails, not to affirm, but to prove to you, that we know 

 some things although Fresnel lived so short a time. 



