Publication of the works of Arago and Laurent. 263 
h 
was the Perpetual Secretary for the Mathematical Scie 
nominations are held very select. It is hence understood why the elec- 
tion of a perpetual secretary is an occurrence of great importance, a 
should have been with the Academy the subject of constant delibera- 
tion, ever since the death of Arago. When the decision was to be 
made, a large number of names were put on the roll; and finally the 
commission for preparing the list of candidates, fixed upon three names, 
taken from the Mathematical class, MM. Charles Dupin, Lamé, and 
Pouillet. On the proposition of M. Cauchy, the Academy added to those 
names that of the able geologist, Elie de Beaumont. The Academy 
Was nearly complete in its attendance. Members detained at home for 
@ long ti ast, on account of health, were conveyed to the meeting. 
Two ballotings took place, and on the second, the name of Elie de 
Beaumont was drawn ot the urn victorious, to the great disap- 
it from 
pointment of the Mathematicians, already inferior in nym 
whose votes were divided between the three candidates. 
A fifth name was obstinately put into the urn: it was that of M. de 
Senarmont, to whom mineralogical physics owes so much of its recent 
Progress, r ime M. de Senarmont was the preferred candi- 
date: but he deciined the honor, excusing himself on the ground of his 
h 
Elevation, which he has developed and extended. He is an elegant 
8, 
reports, historical eulogies, several of which have not yet been pub- 
esl and a popular Astronomy. The printing Is rapidly going for- 
ard, 
' Circumstances have hindered thus far the entire publication of the 
Work left by Laurent,—a work in which this chemist, so prematurely 
aken from science, rapidly collected together his views on chemical 
, along with a historical account of organic chemistry, in the 
