40 EIOGE ON BUFFOK. 



a stability of heart which nature does not give ; confi- 

 dence in their chiefs, the love of their companions, and 

 regard for each other ! Their studies are pursued in 

 silence, and the source of their judicious 1 conduct escapes 

 less attentive eyes ; for they love science, not for parade 

 but for usefulness. Satisfied with being learned rather 

 than appearing so, some learn from history how to 

 judge of men and events ; others, in calculation and the 

 abstractions of the higher departments of geometry, rise 

 to the most sublime efforts of the human mind. Others 

 still (for many different routes lead to wisdom) take the 

 works of nature for their study, and conceive a taste, or 

 rather a passion for this pursuit, which never becomes 

 extinct in the heart where it has once been kindled 

 by the eloquence of Buffon. The mention of this 

 name reminds me of all the difficulties of my under- 

 taking. I apprehend, however, that if you consent 

 to throw a glance at these sketches of a hand which 

 cannot be much exercised, you will not think me inex- 

 cusable, for having selected, from among the subjects 

 you proposed to the meeting, that least suited to my 

 powers. And why ? Because I intend to praise only 

 what appears to me most deserving of praise. I shall 

 be silent as to the rest. To speak of my inability would 

 be to suppose, either that you cannot perceive it, or 

 that you do not hold me accountable for it. 



When the works of Newton appeared, they were re- 

 ceived in Europe with a kind of distrust ; for, whether 

 it was that he disdained to make himself intelligible to 



