HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE FRENCH ACADEMY. 123 
genius are liable to cross humours ; but I must at the 
same time add that the example is not dangerous, dumb- 
ness not being an efficacious method of making one’s self 
valued, or of distinguishing ourselves to advantage. 
Bailly was nominated member of the French Academy 
in the place of M. de Tressan, in November, 1783. The 
same day, M. de Choiseul Gouffier succeeded to D’?Alem- 
bert. Thanks to the coincidence of the two nominations, 
Bailly escaped the sarcasms which the expectant acade- 
micians never fail to pour out, with or without reason, 
against those who have obtained a double crown. ‘This 
time they vented their spleen exclusively on the great 
man, thus enabling the astronomer to take possession of 
his new dignity without raising the usual storm. Let us 
carefully collect, Gentlemen, from the early years of our 
academician’s life, all that may appear an anticipated 
compensation for the cruel trials that we shall have to 
relate in the sequel. 
The admission of the eloquent author of the History 
of Astronomy into the Academy, was more difficult than 
could be supposed by those who have remarked to what 
slight works certain early and recent writers have owed 
the same favour. Bailly failed three times. Fontenelle 
had before him unsuccessfully presented himself once 
oftener; but Fontenelle underwent these successive 
checks without ill-humour, and without being discour- 
aged. Bailly, on the contrary, with or without reason, 
seeing in these unfavourable results of the elections the 
immediate effect of D’Alembert’s enmity, showed himself 
much more hurt at it, perhaps, than was suitable for a 
philosopher. In these somewhat envenomed contests, 
Buffon always gave Bailly a cordial and able support. 
Bailly pronounced his reception-discourse in February, 
