_ MARAT INIMICAL TO THE MAYOR. 187 
the amount of the prize out of his own pocket, under an 
assumed name. 
The prize so longed for, and so singularly proposed, 
was not obtained, however, by the Duke de Villeroy’s 
candidate, but by the astronomer Flaugergues. From 
that instant, the pseudo-physicist became the bitter enemy 
of the scientific bodies of the whole universe, of whoever 
bore the title of an academician. Putting aside all shame, 
he no longer made himself known in the field of natural 
philosophy, merely by imaginary experiments, or by jug- 
gleries ; he had recourse to contemptible practices, with 
the object of throwing doubt upon the clearest and best 
proved principles of science ; for example, the metallic 
needles discovered by the academician Charles, and which 
the foreign doctor had adroitly concealed in a cake of 
resin, in order to contradict the common opinion of the 
electric non-conductibility of that substance. 
These details were necessary. I could not avoid char- 
acterizing the journalist who by his daily calumnies con- 
tributed most to undermine the popularity of Bailly. It 
was requisite besides, once for all, to strip him in this 
circle of the epithet of philosopher, with which men of 
the world, and even some historians, inconsiderately 
gratified him. When a man reveals himself by some 
brilliant and intelligent works, the public is pleased to 
find them united with good qualities of the heart. Nor 
should its joy be less hearty on discovering the absence 
of all intellectual merit in a man who had before shown 
himself despicable by his passions, or his vices, or even 
only by serious blemishes of character. 
If I have not yet named the enemy of our colleague, 
if I have contented myself with recounting his actions, it 
is in order to avoid as much as I can the painful feeling 
