ENTRANCE INTO THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 437° 
something else than an indigestible mass of figures and 
tables. 
ENTRANCE OF FOURIER INTO THE ACADEMY OF SCI- 
ENCES.—HIS ELECTION TO THE OFFICE OF PERPET- 
UAL SECRETARY.—HIS ADMISSION TO THE FRENCH 
ACADEMY, 
The Academy of Sciences seized the first occasion 
which offered itself to attach Fourier to its interests. 
On the 27th of May, 1816, he was nominated a free 
academician. This election was not confirmed. The 
solicitations and influence of the Dauphin whom circum- 
stances detained at Paris, had almost disarmed the au- 
thorities, when a courtier exclaimed that an amnesty was 
to be granted to the civil Labédoyére!* This word,— 
for during many ages past the poor human race has been 
governed by words,—decided the fate of our colleague. 
Thanks to political intrigue, the ministers of Louis 
XVIII. decided that one of the most learned men of 
France should not belong to the Academy ; that a citizen 
who enjoyed the friendship of all the most distinguished 
persons in the metropolis, should be publicly stricken with 
disapprobation ! 
In our country, the reign of absurdity does not last 
long. Accordingly in 1817, when the Academy, without 
being discouraged by the ill success of its first attempt, 
unanimously nominated Fourier to the place which had 
just been vacant in the section of physics, the royal con- 
firmation was accorded without difficulty. I ought to 
add that soon afterwards, the ruling authorities whose 
repugnances were entirely dissipated, frankly and unre- 
* In allusion to the military traitor Colonel Labédoyére, who was 
condemned to death for espousing the cause of Napoleon.— Translator. 
197 
