178 FRESNEL. 
graphic arts was nearly unequalled, and on this ground 
he could fully compete with the cleverest of his com- 
rades, even whilst imposing upon him far less work in a 
day. When Fresnel went through the course at the 
Polytechnic School, a savant, whose zeal age has not 
cooled,— whom the Academy of Sciences has the happi- 
ness to number amongst its most active and most assidu- 
ous members, and whom, as he is listening to me, I will 
only designate by the simple title of the chief of living 
geometers,—fulfilled the duties of examiner. In the 
course of the year 1804, he proposed to the pupils, as a 
subject of competition, a geometrical question. Several 
solved it; but the solution of Fresnel particularly struck 
the attention of our colleague; for superior men enjoy 
the happy privilege of discovering, even from slight 
indications, the talents which will shine brightly. M. 
Legendre (his name escapes from my lips) complimented 
the young prize-man publicly. Proofs of encourage- 
ment coming from so high a quarter revealed to Fresnel, 
perhaps for the first time, the secret of his own merit, 
and conquered an excessive feeling of mistrust, which 
with him produced the most vexatious results, because it 
prevented him from attempting new paths. 
On leaving the Polytechnic School, Fresnel passed 
into the department of the “ ponts et chaussées.” - When 
he had obtained the rank of ingénieur ordinaire, he was 
sent into the department of the Vendée, where the gov- 
ernment, desirous to efface the traces of our deplorable 
civil discord, raised up all that war had thrown down, 
opened communications destined to give life to the 
country, and laid the foundations of a new town. Every 
pupil, whatever may be the career he is about to enter 
upon, awaits with the most eager impatience the instant 
se, nail 
