CONCLUSION. 367 



which I had imposed upon myself. I shall be pardoned 

 for having given so detailed an exposition of the princi- 

 pal discoveries for which philosophy, astronomy, and 

 navigation are indebted to our geometers. 



It has appeared to me that in thus tracing the glorious 

 past I have shown our contemporaries the full extent of 

 their duty towards the country. In fact, it is for nations 

 especially to bear in remembrance the ancient adage : 

 noblesse oblige! 



