60 CARNO.T. 



26th Floreal, to visit and receive the celebrated artists 

 of the countries in which you happen to be, we have 

 especially designated the great astronomer Oriani, of 

 Milan, as deserving of being protected and honoured by 

 the republican troops. The Directory will learn with 

 satisfaction that you have fulfilled its intentions respect- 

 ing this learned and distinguished man, and it requests 

 you consequently to relate what you have done to prove 

 to citizen Oriani the interest and the esteem that the 

 French have always felt for him, and to testify that they 

 know how to unite the love of glory and liberty with a 

 love for the arts and for talent." 



PUBLICATION OF THE WORK ENTITLED " REFLECTIONS 

 ON THE METAPHYSICS OF THE INFINITESIMAL CAL- 

 CULUS." 



The word science, which the series of events has just 

 brought to my pen, reminds me that this epoch is that of 

 the publication of one of Carnot's mathematical works. 

 I am aware how fatiguing it will be to you to listen to 

 the analysis of it ; but it is quite necessary that the 

 savant also should be occasionally represented in this 

 assembly. The early and very remarkable work on 

 machines of which we gave an idea, has sufficiently in- 

 dicated how much we may expect from the firm, lucid, 

 and penetrating mind of Carnot. It was then a brilliant 

 and glorious future which the young officer brought as 

 an offering to his country, when, obeying the voice of his 

 fellow-citizens, he exchanged the smooth, tranquil life of 

 the mathematician, for the adventurous and rock-bestrewn 

 career of the tribune. This sacrifice, moreover, he did 

 not make without regret ; for geometry was always his 

 favourite relaxation. Debarred by imperious daily du- 



