FIRST SCIENTIFIC PAPERS. | 183 
he was able to renew his acquaintance with his old 
fellow students, and to prepare for those scientific re- 
searches which he designed to pursue in the retreat 
where his younger years had been passed. At this time 
Fresnel had but a very confused idea of the brilliant dis- 
coveries, which, in the early years of the present cen- 
tury, entirely changed the aspect of optical science. 
FRESNEL’S FIRST SCIENTIFIC PAPERS. 
The first memoir on science which Fresnel drew up, 
dates from this same year, 1814. It was an essay whose 
object was to rectify the explanation, considered as 
imperfect, of the phenomenon of the aberration of the 
light of the stars hitherto generally followed in elemen- 
tary works. Both geometry and physical science equally 
bore out this new administration; but, unfortunately, it 
too closely resembled that already given by Bradley him- 
self and by Clairault. I say unfortunately, because, if 
we should suppose that such coincidences are pleasing to 
the self-love of a débutant, or stimulate his zeal, it would 
be a mistake. On the other hand, an author may sup- 
port with philosophy, I admit, the unpleasant fact of 
having uselessly employed his powers for years in the 
search after a truth already long since established ; he 
may give up, with the best grace, the flattering hope of 
seeing his name associated with some brilliant discovery ; 
but might he not feel much more disquieted when there 
was ground to fear, that from mere ignorance of the 
existence of prior researches, of which no one dreamed, 
he might stand charged with plagiarism ? when he might 
apprehend that an irreproachable character was no safe- 
guard against such imputations? ‘The public, notwith- 
standing the most express denials, will always believe 
