404 JOSEPH FOURIER. 
his instructions, by his counsels, or, if we choose, by his 
imperative orders, in the composition of the essay of 
Fourier. What was not long ago nothing more than a 
plausible conjecture, has now become an incontestable 
fact. Thanks to the courtesy of M. Champollion-Figeae, 
I held in my hands, within the last few days, some parts 
of the first proof sheets of the historical preface. These 
proofs were sent to the Emperor, who wished to make 
himself acquainted with them at leisure before reading 
them with Fourier. They are covered with marginal 
notes, and the additions which they have occasioned 
amount to almost a third of the original discourse. Upon 
these pages, as in the definitive work given to the public, 
one remarks a complete absence of proper names; the 
only exception is in the case of the three Generals-in- 
Chief. Thus Fourier had imposed upon himself the 
reserve which certain vanities have blamed so severely. 
I shall add that nowhere throughout the precious proof 
sheets of M. Champollion do we perceive traces of the 
miserable feelings of jealousy which have been attributed 
to Napoleon. It is true that upon pointing out with his 
finger the word illustrious applied to Kléber, the Em- 
peror said to our colleague: “Some ONE has directed 
my attention to THIS EPITHET;” but, after a short 
pause, he added, “it is desirable that you should leave 
it, for it is just and well deserved.” These words, 
Gentlemen, honoured the monarch still less than they 
branded with disgrace the some one whom I regret not 
being able to designate in more definite terms,—one of 
those vile courtiers whose whole life is occupied in spy- 
ing out the frailties, the evil passions of their masters, 
in order to make them subservient in conducting them- 
selves to honours and fortune ! 
