D'ALEMBEKT. 441 



In the deep grief with which these irreparable losses 

 struck him, his friends hastened to administer such 

 consolation as their sympathy could afford. Among 

 others, Frederick II. wrote him several letters, which 

 are superior in point of feeling, and at least equal in 

 ability, to any other f his works ; and by that mon- 

 arch's wise advice he was guided, and with success ; 

 for the only real relief which he experienced was in 

 his favourite pursuit, his fast friend in good and in 

 evil fortune, as Frederick advised him, ((Euv. Vol. 

 XIII. p. 267.) He plunged into the depths of geome- 

 trical investigation, which he had too long abandoned, 

 and he found the most salutary effects from this exer- 

 tion. ((Euv. Vol. XVIII. p. 95.)* 



The change which took place in D'Alembert's habits, 

 when he became a member of those circles to which 

 we have been referring, and passed in them no little 

 portion of his time and all his leisure, may be supposed 

 to have disinclined him towards his studious occupa- 

 tions, if it did not unfit him for them. But this was 

 not the case. He had a great love of these pursuits, 

 and a remarkable facility in following them ; and the 

 principal alteration which took place in his studies was, 

 that he no longer confined himself to the mathematics, 

 but undertook those other works of which mention has 

 already been made. When he was chosen to succeed 

 Duclos, in 1772, as Secretary to the Academy, the fur- 

 ther labour devolved upon him of writing the Eloges 

 of deceased members ; and not content with this, he 

 undertook to give the Eloges of those who had died 

 between 1700 and 1772, and had not been commemo- 



* It must be added as a sufficient reason for our regarding the affair of 

 Mdlle. de Espinasse in the light of a publicly avowed matter, and not one 

 only belonging to the immediate parties, that D' Alembert himself printed 

 the letter to Count Fuentes on Mora's death, and also allowed Frederick's 

 letters on Mdlle. de 1'Espinasse's death to be copied, circulated, and pub- 

 lished, Frederick was exceedingly offended with this ; it produced a 

 serious dryness, which lasted some time. (Vol. XVIII. p. 143. 155.) 



