8 Historical Eulogy on the Marquis De Laplace. 



grange, have brought this doctrine to perfection ; it has been enlightened 

 by the objections themselves of D' Alembert, and by the philosophical 

 views of Condorcet. Laplace has reunited and fixed its principles. 

 From thence it has become a new science, subject to a single ana- 

 lytical method, and of a prodigious extent. Rich in common applica- 

 tions, it will one day enlighten up with a vivid light all the branches 

 of natural philosophy. Were it permitted us here to express a per- 

 sonal opinion, we will add that the solution of one of the principal 

 questions, one which the illustrious author has treated in the tenth 

 chapter of his work, does not appear to us exact ; and yet, consid- 

 ered in its ensemble, this work is one of the most precious monu- 

 ments of his genius. 



After having cited discoveries so brilliant, it will be useless to add 

 that M. Laplace belonged to all the great Academies of Europe. 



I could also, I perhaps ought, to recall the high political dignities 

 with which he was clothed ; but this enumeration belongs only indi- 

 rectly to the object of this discourse. It is the great Geometer, 

 whose memory we celebrate. We have separated the immortal 

 author of the Mecanique Celeste from all the accidental facts that 

 interest neither his glory nor his genius. In reality, gentlemen, of 

 what consequence is it to posterity, that will have so many other de- 

 tails to forget, to learn whether or no Laplace was some moments 

 minister of a Great State ? That which is of importance, is the eternal 

 truths which he has discovered ; it is the immutable laws of the sta- 

 bility of the world, and not the rank which he for some years occu- 

 pied in the senate, called conservateur. That which is of importance, 

 gentlemen, and still more so perhaps than his discoveries, is the ex- 

 amples which he has left to all those to whom the sciences are dear; 

 it is the remembrance of this perseverance incomparable, that has 

 sustained, directed, and crowned so many glorious efforts. 



I will omit these accidental, and, so to speak, fortuitous circum- 

 stances, of the particulars that have no relation with the perfection 

 of his works. But I will say, that, in the first body of State, the 

 memory of Laplace was celebrated by an eloquent and friendly voice, 

 whom important services, rendered to the historical sciences,'to letters, 

 and to the State, had a long time rendered illustrious.* 



I will especially recall to mind, that literary solemnity which at- 

 tracted the attention of the capital. The French Academy, uniting 



M. le Marquis de Pastoret. 



