304 LAPLACE. 



de Mecanique Celeste, the Exposition du Systems du 

 Monde, and the Theorie Analytique des Prolabilites. 

 In the present day (1842) there is no longer to be found 

 a single copy of this last work at any bookseller's estab- 

 lishment in Paris. The edition of the Mecanique Ce- 

 leste itself will soon be exhausted. It was painful then 

 to reflect that the time was close at hand when persons 

 engaged in the study of the higher mathematics would be 

 compelled, for want of the original work, to inquire at 

 Philadelphia, at New York, or at Boston for the English 

 translation of the chef d'ceuvre of our countryman by 

 the excellent geometer Bowditch. These fears, let us 

 hasten to state, were not well founded. To republish the 

 Mecanique Celeste was, on the part of the family of the 

 illustrious geometer, to perform a pious duty. Accord- 

 ingly, Madame de Laplace, who is so justly, so pro- 

 foundly attentive to every circumstance calculated to 

 enhance the renown of the name which she bears, did 

 not hesitate about pecuniary considerations. A small 

 property near Pont 1'Eveque was about to change hands, 

 and the proceeds were to have been applied so that 

 Frenchmen should not be deprived of the satisfaction of 

 exploring the treasures of the Mecanique Celeste through 

 the medium of the vernacular tongue. 



" The republicatioii of the complete works of Laplace 

 rested upon an equally sure guarantee. Yielding at once 

 to filial affection, to a noble feeling of patriotism, and to 

 the enthusiasm for brilliant discoveries which a course of 

 severe study inspired, General Laplace had long since 

 qualified himself for becoming the editor of the seven 

 volumes which are destined to immortalize his father. 



" There are glorious achievements of a character too 

 elevated, of a lustre too splendid, that they should con- 



