BIOGRAPHIES OF COOK AND OF GRESSET. 167 



than fifteen years to obtain the grant of this most reason- 

 able demand ? I will further remark that, unfortunately, 

 there was nothing exceptional in this ; he who sows a 

 thought in a field rank with prejudices, with private in- 

 terests, and with routine, must never expect an early 

 harvest. 



BIOGRAPHIES OF COOK AND OF GRESSET. 



The publication of the five quarto volumes of which 

 the History of Astronomy consists, together with the two 

 powerful reports that I have just described, had worn out 

 Bailly. To relax and amuse his mind, he resumed the 

 style of composition that had enchanted him in his youth ; 

 he wrote some biographies, amongst others, that of Cap- 

 tain Cook, proposed as a prize-subject by the Academy 

 of Marseilles, and the Life of Gresset. 



The biography of Gresset first appeared anonymously. 

 This circumstance gave rise to a singular scene, which 

 the author used to relate with a smile. I will here my- 

 self repeat the principal traits of it, if it be only to deter 

 writers, whoever they may be, from launching their 

 works into the world without affixing their names to 

 them. 



The Marchioness of Crequi was a lady in the high 

 circles of society, to whom a copy of the eulogium of the 

 author of Vert- Vert was presented as an offering. Some 

 days after Bailly went to pay her a visit ; did he hope to 

 hear her speak favourably of the new work ? I know 

 not. At all events, our predecessor would have been ill 

 rewarded for his curiosity. 



" Do you know," said the great lady as soon as she saw 

 him, '' a Eulogy of Gresset recently published ? The 

 author has sent me a copy of it, without naming himself. 



