D'ALEMBERT. 393 



Ms library, and from the degree to which in his edu- 

 cation and his subsequent studies he was left to him- 

 self, it happened that he was constantly making what 

 seemed to him discoveries, and as constantly finding 

 in some book, which he had not before been able to 

 consult, that he had been anticipated. He drew from 

 hence a very inaccurate inference ; he supposed that 

 nature had refused him the gift of original genius, and 

 that he must rest satisfied with studying what others 

 had discovered. But this gave him no pain; the 

 gratification of investigating mathematical truth was 

 all he desired, and with having that enjoyment in his 

 studies he was abundantly contented, regarding the 

 glory of first making the step a very subordinate con- 

 sideration, and esteeming the pleasure of the contem- 

 plation a sufficient reward of his labour. This most 

 interesting circumstance was related by himself to M. 

 Condorcet, a profound and accomplished geometrician, 

 who enjoyed his entire confidence, and succeeded him 

 in the Academy. 



While, however, his time thus passed in tranquil 

 enjoyment, the very moderate income which he pos- 

 sessed rendered it advisable that he should seek for 

 some means of increasing it, and rendering himself in- 

 dependent, as well as helping more actively those he 

 cared for. He was advised to study the law, and in 

 the law he took his degrees. But nothing could less 

 suit his taste than this study, and he changed it for 

 that of medicine. 



Finding that his passion for the mathematics inter- 

 fered with this pursuit, he adopted the singular expe- 

 dient of sending his books to a friend's house, that he 

 might keep temptation out of his way. The resolution 

 was, that he should not be allowed to have them again 

 until he had taken his Doctor's degree. For some 

 time this arrangement succeeded ; but his mind han- 

 kering after the forbidden scene, he would be ever 

 haunted with the vision of some quantity, some func- 



