Notes on the Life of Arago. 69 



gained for him the marked attention of his colleagues, who 

 always, astonished to see so many happy talents united, 

 listened to him with a feeling of pleasure mixed with admira- 

 tion. When protracted illness had deprived him of sight, 

 the resources of his vast genius became manifest to all 

 those who surrounded him. "Works on the most difficult and 

 complicated subjects were analysed by him in a clear, dis- 

 tinct, and logical manner. Thanks to his unfailing memory, 

 all his intellectual work was done easily, and without any 

 visible labour. The very facility of its reproduction dis- 

 guised from the listener the wonder of the intellectual pro- 

 is r 



cess. 



As the historian of the Academy, M. Arago manifested in 

 this so difficult and formidable office of high priest, as it may 

 be called — in which capacity he had to foretell the judgment 

 of posterity — a conscientious study, a force of investigation, 

 a desire to be completely impartial, which procured for his 

 eloge a very high rank. In these writings of the eloquent 

 secretary, we find all the qualities of the great mind : a bril- 

 liant style, vigour, and enthusiasm, along with a charming 

 good nature. As interpreter of the feelings of that Academy 

 in which M. Arago had enjoyed a seat for nearly half a century, 

 I was willing to speak of the man in so far as he belonged 

 to us. He will live for ever, as one of the scientific illustra- 

 tions of our country. The noble veterans of science in all 

 parts of the civilized world, in Berlin, London, St Peters- 

 burg, and Philadelphia, will mix their grief with ours. The 

 generation of scholars who have followed each other for the 

 last forty years will tell to that intelligent and patriotic 

 youth which to-day occupy their places in our brilliant 

 schools how much beloved he was, and what power there 

 was in the kind sympathies of that master on whose tomb 

 they lay down at this moment the homage of their grief. 

 Arago knew well the sweets of filial piety. The ties of his 

 affection became extended without getting weaker. His 

 brother and sisters were along with him under the same pa- 

 ternal roof; their children and his belonged to him alike. 

 He also found a niece, whose touching and pious solicitude 

 for him receives to-day the grateful tribute of the Academy. 



