12 CARNOT. 
had almost said of the new organs—which man had just 
received from the hands of Montgolfier. The physical 
philosopher, transported into the region of meteors, and 
catching Nature in the act, penetrated at a glance the 
mystery of the formation of lightning, of snow, and of 
hail. The geographer, profiting by a favourable wind, was 
to explore, without danger or fatigue, as well those polar 
zones which the accumulated ice of centuries seems to 
wish to conceal for ever from our curiosity, as those 
central parts of Africa, New Holland, Java, Sumatra, 
and Borneo, forbidden to our enterprises not less by a 
deadly climate than by the fierce animals and tribes 
which live there. Certain generals thought it an urgent 
duty to study the systems of fortification and artillery 
which it would be necessary to oppose to enemies moving 
in balloons; others elaborated new principles of tactics 
applicable to aérial battles. One would say that projects 
such as these, which might have been fathered on Ariosto, 
should certainly have satisfied the most adventurous and 
enthusiastic spirits: such was not the case, however. 
The discovery of balloons, notwithstanding the brilliant 
accessories with which each one enthusiastically sur- 
rounded it, appeared to be only the forerunner of still 
greater discoveries ; henceforward nothing was to be im- 
possible to one who had conquered the atmosphere. This 
idea was continually reproducing itself; it put on every 
shape; youth seized it with joy; old age made it the 
text of a thousand bitter regrets. See the Maréchale de 
Villeroi, an octogenarian and an invalid: she is led to 
one of the windows of the Tuileries almost by force, for 
she does not believe in balloons; the balloon neverthe- 
less detaches itself from its moorings; our colleague, 
Charles, seated in the cradle, gaily salutes the spectators, 
4 a 
