108 PREFACE. 



Ill the teachings of the College of France, 

 surrounded by so many safeguards, this 

 suppression of speech seems to me par- 

 ticularly out of place. The nomination of 

 the Professors to that institution is made 

 on the presentation of the Professors of 

 the College, met together for the purpose, 

 and on that of the requisite class of the 

 Institute. This double presentation is not 

 an indisputable authority ; but it suffices, at 

 least, to show that he who is honoured with 

 it cannot be accused of presumptuous inten- 

 tions, when he ascends a chair to which he has 

 been appointed by suffrages so empowered. 



I was desirous that the form of this first 

 lecture should not mislead the public as 

 to the nature of my teaching. Downwards, 

 from Yatable and Mercier to M. Quatre- 

 mere, the chair to which I have had the 

 honour to be presented and named, has 

 borne a scientific [technique) and special 

 character. Without fettering in any way 

 my liberty or that of my successor, I should 



