220 BAILLT. 



This celebrated astronomer passed his time in reading 

 novels. He sometimes said with a bitter smile : " My 

 day has been well occupied ; since I got up, I have put 

 myself in a position to give an analysis of the two, or of 

 the three first volumes of the new novel that the reading- 

 room has just received." From time to time these ab- 

 stractions were of a more elevated tone ; he owed them 

 to two young persons, who having reached an advanced 

 age may now be listening to my words. Bailly discoursed 

 with them of Homer, of Plato, of Aristotle, of the prin- 

 cipal works in our literature, of the rapid progress of the 

 sciences, and chiefly of those of astronomy. What our 

 colleague chiefly appreciated in these two young friends, 

 was a true sensibility, and great warmth of feeling. I 

 know that years have not effaced or weakened these rare 

 qualities in the bosoms of those two Bretons. M. Pariset, 

 our colleague, and M. Villenave, will therefore think it 

 natural in me to thank them here, in the name of science 

 and literature, in the name of humanity, for the few 

 moments of sweet peace and happiness that they afforded 

 to our learned colleague, at a time when the inconstancy 

 and ingratitude of men w r ere lacerating his heart. 



Louis XVI. had perished ; dark clouds hung over the 

 horizon ; some acts of odious brutality showed our pro- 

 scribed philosopher how little he must thenceforward 

 depend on public sympathy ; how much times had 

 changed since the memorable meeting (of the 7th of 

 October, 1791), at which the National Assembly decided 

 that the bust of Bailly should be placed in the hall of 

 their meetings ! The storm appeared near and very 

 menacing ; even persons usually of little foresight were 

 meditating where to find shelter. 



During these transactions, Charles Marquis de Casaux, 



