EPOCH OF THE REVOLUTION. 65 



Metaphysics of the Infinitesimal Calculus. I am bold 

 enough to assert that the authors, otherwise so excellent, 

 of the best treatises on the differential calculus, have not 

 sufficiently consulted the work of our colleague. The 

 advantages which ought to result from the immediate in- 

 troduction of infinitely small or elementary quantities 

 into formulas ; the considerations by help of which it may 

 be proved that the calculator, by afterwards throwing 

 aside these quantities, will arrive nevertheless at mathe- 

 matically exact results, by means of certain compensations 

 for errors ; in a word, the fundamental and characteristic 

 traits of Leibnitz's method, are analyzed by Carnot, with 

 a clearness, a certainty of judgment, and an ingenuity, 

 which we should look for in vain elsewhere, though the 

 question has been the object of the reflections and re- 

 searches of the greatest geometers of Europe. 



CARNOT BEING "FRUCTIDORISE " IS OBLIGED TO RE- 

 CUR TO FLIGHT. HE IS ERASED FROM THE LIST 



OF THE INSTITUTE, AND SUCCEEDED BY GENERAL 

 BONAPARTE. 



France has always shown itself an idolater of military 

 glory. Satisfy this passion largely in a national war, and 

 you need not be uneasy about the administration of the 

 interior, however imperfect it may be. The sympathies 

 of the people, and in case of need even their entire sub- 

 mission, may be gained by any government that takes 

 care to adorn itself monthly with a new victory over its 

 external enemies. I perceive but one exception to this 

 rule in our annals. It is also requisite, however, that, by 

 an assimilation, too often deceitful, the legal representa- 

 tives of the country should be considered as the faithful 

 interpreters of the wishes, the sentiments, the opinions 



