470 D'ALEMBERT. 



the neatness of the investigation, whether of the steps by 

 which the analysis had guided his course, or of the 

 synthetical deduction by which he demonstrated the 

 proposition. His own observation was, " Let us discover 

 truths, and there will never want those who can put them 

 in shape." Possibly his quickness (or facilite) the only 

 quality beside " some talent,"* which he modestly 

 claimed for himself, may have had its share in producing 

 this carelessness about any elaboration of his analysis. 

 He is generally clear enough in his explanations, always 

 logical in his reasonings, but we enjoy not the pleasure of 

 seeing the truth unfolded by the most striking methods, 

 or traced in its most surprising relations and connected by 

 remarkable analogies with kindred matters. 



If, from contemplating the eminent merits of this 

 illustrious geometrician, we turn to regard him in his 

 literary capacity, there is, unquestionably, a signal falling 

 off. He cannot be said here to occupy even a second 

 place. It is to be observed, that his entering upon 

 the belles-lettres, and, indeed, upon moral and his- 

 torical subjects also, was a deviation from his original, 

 and, as it were, his appointed course; nor ought the 

 failures of great men ever to be visited with censure, but 

 under the influence of this candid and just consideration. 

 The accidental relations of society first seduced him 

 from geometry, and the appointment of Secretary to the 

 Academy completed the desertion of his mistress, lead- 

 ino; him to indulge in the meretricious course of deliver- 



o o 



* " II a apporte dans 1'etudc de la haute geometric, quelque talent 

 et beaucoup de facilite ; ce qui lui a fait un assez grand nom de 

 tres-bonne heure." Portrait par lui-ineme. (CEuv. i. xliv.) 



