Historical Eulogy on the Marquis De Laplace. 13 



He has received an unaccustomed homage ; he has received it 

 from his own fellows in the bosom of a learned society which alone 

 could appreciate all his genius. The voice of science in tears 

 has been heard in every part of the world where philosophy has pen- 

 etrated. We have before our eyes multiplied communications from 

 all parts of Germany, England, Italy, New Holland, of the British 

 possessions in India, of the two Americas ; and we find in them the 

 same sentiments of admiration and of regret. Certainly the univer- 

 sal sorrow of the sciences, so nobly and so freely expressed, has no 

 less truth and glory than the sepulchral pomp of Westminster. 



Let me be permitted, before terminating this discourse, to add here 

 a reflection which is presented of itself, when I have brought to your 

 recollection within these limits, the great discoveries of Herschel, 

 but which is applied still more directly to those of Laplace. 



Your successors, gentlemen, will see accomplished the great phe- 

 nomena of which he has discovered the laws. They will observe 

 in the lunar movements, the changes which he has predicted, and of 

 which he only has been able to assign the cause. The continual 

 observation of the satellites of Jupiter will perpetuate the memory 

 of the discoverer of the theories which govern its course. The 

 great inequalities of Jupiter and of Saturn, pursuing their long periods, 

 and giving to these stars new situations, will incessantly bring to mind 

 one of his most astonishing discoveries. Here are the titles of true 

 glory, which nothing can annihilate. The appearance of the heavens 

 will be changed ; but at these distant epochs, the glory of the discov- 

 erer will last forever : the traces of his genius will bear the seal of 

 immortality. 



I have presented to you, gentlemen, some anecdotes of an illus- 

 trious life consecrated to the glory of science ; may your remem- 

 brances supply the defects of such feeble accents ! may the voice 

 of the country, may that of all humanity, be raised to celebrate the 

 benefactors of nations, the only homage worthy of those that have 

 been able, like Laplace, to enlarge the domains of thought, and to 

 testify to man the dignity of his being, by unfolding to view the 



WHOLE MAJESTY OF THE HEAVENS ! 



Brief chronological sketch of the Life of Laplace; by the Translator. 



1749.— Bom 23rd of Mareh. 



1773. — Member of the Academy of Sciences, and soon after. Member of the Na- 

 tional Institute, and also Member of the Board of Longitude. 

 1775. — Commenced his theory des Maries. 



