EXAMINATION BY M. LEGENDRE. 9 
I entered his study at the moment when M. T 
who was to undergo his examination before me, having 
fainted away, was being carried out in the arms of two 
servants. I thought that this circumstance would have 
moved and softened M. Legendre; but it had no such 
effect. “ What is your name,” he said to me sharply. 
“ Arago,’ I answered. “ You are not French then?” 
“Tf I was not French I should not be before you ; for I 
have never heard of any one being admitted into the 
school unless his nationality had been proved.” “TI 
maintain that he is not French whose name is Arago.” 
“T maintain, on my side, that I am French, and a very 
good Frenchman too, however strange my name may 
appear to you.” “ Very well; we will not discuss the 
point farther ; go to the board.” 
I had scarcely taken up the chalk, when M. Legendre, 
returning to the first subject of his preoccupations, said 
to me: “ You were born in one of the departments re- 
cently united to France?” “ No, sir; I was born in the 
department of the Eastern Pyrenees, at the foot of the 
Pyrenees.” “Oh! why did you not tell me that at once? 
all is now explained. You are of Spanish origin, are 
you not?” “ Possibly ; but in my humble family there 
are no authentic documents preserved which could enable 
me to trace back the civil position of my ancestors ; each 
one there is the child of his own deeds. I declare to you 
again that I am French, and that ought to be sufficient 
for you.” 
The vivacity of this last answer had not disposed M. 
Legendre in my favour. I saw this very soon; for, hav- 
ing put a question to me which required the use of 
double integrals, he stopped me, saying: “ The method 
which you are following was not given to you by the 
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