BIOGRAPHIES OF COOK AND OF GRESSET. 167 
than fifteen years to obtain the grant of this most reason- 
able demand? I will further remark that, unfortunately, 
there was nothing exceptional in this; he who sows a 
thought in a field rank with prejudices, with private in- 
terests, and with routine, must never expect an early 
harvest. 
BIOGRAPHIES OF COOK AND OF GRESSET. 
The publication of the five quarto volumes of which 
the History of Astronomy consists, together with the two 
powerful reports that I have just described, had worn out 
Bailly. To relax and amuse his mind, he resumed the 
style of composition that had enchanted him in his youth ; 
he wrote some biographies, amongst others, that of Cap- 
tain Cook, proposed as a prize-subject by the Academy 
of Marseilles, and the Life of Gresset. 
The biography of Gresset first appeared anonymously. 
This circumstance gave rise to a singular scene, which 
the author used to relate with a smile. I will here my- 
self repeat the principal traits of it, if it be only to deter 
writers, whoever they may be, from launching their 
works into the world without affixing their names to 
them. 
The Marchioness of Créqui was a lady in the high 
circles of society, to whom a copy of the eulogium of the 
author of Vert-Vert was presented as an offering. Some 
days after Bailly went to pay her a visit; did he hope to 
hear her speak favourably of the new work? I know 
not. At all events, our predecessor would have been ill 
rewarded for his curiosity. 
“Do you know,” said the great lady as soon as she saw 
him, “a Eulogy of Gresset recently published? The 
author has sent me a copy of it, without naming himself. 
