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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 
