12 Historical Eulogy on the Marquis De Laplace. 



Surrounded by a beloved fanily, under the eyes of a spouse whose 

 tenderness had aided him in supporting the inseparable troubles of 

 life, whose graces and whose sweetness of disposition had made 

 known to him the worth of domestic happiness, he received from M. 

 le Marquis de Laplace, his son, impressive testimonials of the most 

 affecting filial piety. 



He appeared deeply affected with gratitude for the reiterated 

 marks of interest given to him by the King and Dauphin. 



Those who comforted him in his last moments, reminded him of 

 the tides of his glory, and his most brilliant discoveries. He answer- 

 ed : " Ce que nous connaissons est pen de chose ; ce que nous igno- 

 rons est immense" This is, at least as far as could be gathered, the 

 sense of his last words, scarcely articulated ; as to the rest, we have 

 often heard this thought expressed, and almost in the same terms. 



His last hour had arrived : the powerful genius which had so long 

 animated him, at last separated from "this mortal coil," and returned 

 to the skies. He expired without a struggle. 



****** 



The name of Laplace honors one of our provinces already so 

 teeming with great men, ancient Normandy. He was born March 

 23, 1749; he died, in the seventy eighth year of his age, on May 

 5, 1827, at nine o'clock in the morning. 



Shall I remind you. Gentlemen, of the deep gloom that spread 

 like a cloud over this palace, when the fatal news was announced to 

 you ? It was the very day and hour of your wonted sittings. Each 

 of you kept a mournful silence : each lamented the fatal blow with 

 which the sciences had been smitten. The faces of all were direct- 

 ed to the very spot he had so long occupied among you. A single 

 thought was with you ; every other had become impossible. You 

 dissolved with a unanimous vote ; and at this time only, have your 

 usual labors ever been interrupted. 



It is undoubtedly beautiful, it is glorious, it is worthy of a power- 

 ful nation to decree brilliant honors to the memory of its celebrated 

 men. In the country of Newton, the ministers of State desired that 

 the mortal remains of this great man should be solemnly deposited 

 amid the royal sepulchres. France and Europe have offered to the 

 memory of Laplace an expression of their regret less ostentatious, 

 without doubt, but perhaps more touching and more true. 



* M. Magendie. 



