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 



^3 



elements of mathematics, went to consult D'Alembert, 

 when this great geometer answered him, " Go on, sir, 

 go on, and faith will come to you." * 



The advice was good, and geometers have followed it 

 generally : they " go on" 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; as 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, " 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." Translator. 



