88 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FRANCIS ARAGO. 
opposition to M. de Laplace. The illustrious geometer 
wished a vacant place in the astronomical section to be 
granted to M. Nicollet,—a man without talent, and, more- 
over, suspected of misdeeds which reflected on his honour 
in the most serious degree. At the close of a contest, 
which I maintained undisguisedly, notwithstanding the 
danger which might follow from thus braving the power- 
ful protectors of M. Nicollet, the Academy proceeded to 
the ballot; the respected ‘M. Damoiseau, whose election I 
had supported, obtained forty-five votes out of forty-eight. 
Thus M. Nicollet had collected but three. 
“T see,” said M. de Laplace to me, “that it is use- 
less to struggle against young people; I acknowledge 
that the man who is called the great elector of the Acad- 
emy is more powerful than I am.” 
“No,” replied I; “M. Arago can only succeed in 
counterbalancing the opinion justly preponderating for 
M. de Laplace, when the right is found to be without 
possible contradiction on his side.” 
A short time afterwards M. Nicollet had run away to 
America, and the Bureau of Longitude had a warrant 
passed to expel him ignominiously from its bosom. 
I would warn those savans, who, having early entered 
the Academy, might be tempted to imitate my example, 
to expect nothing beyond the satisfaction of their con- 
science. I warn them, with a knowledge of the case, 
that gratitude will almost always be found wanting. 
The elected academician, whose merits you have some- 
times exalted beyond measure, pretends that you have 
done no more than justice to him; that you have only 
fulfilled a duty, and that he therefore owes you no 
thanks. 
Delambre died the 19th August, 1822. After the ne- 
