445 
State of the National Institute in Francei [Dec. 1, 
ing tlie species of influence by which it 
is governed. It is, in fact, only neces¬ 
sary to read the addresses whicli the In¬ 
stitute has presented to the Emperor 
within the four last years, and to remark 
the political mummeries, ’in which most 
of the prominent members are habitually 
engaged, to be satisfied how complete is 
iheir debasement, and how absolute their 
prostitution. There never has been dis* 
played, nor is it possible to conceive, any 
adulation more disgusting, or abject, or 
extravagant, than that which the depu¬ 
tations from this body offered to their 
grkn master, on the occasion of his late 
marriage. 
A complete victory over the Institute 
was of some importance to the views of 
Bonaparte, and of a most pernicious 
tendency, with regard to the interests of 
temperr^te freedom and of sound litera¬ 
ture in France. The subordiiiate classes 
of this body embrace with very few ex¬ 
ceptions, those wlio are most deservedly 
eminent, throughout the empire, for their 
learning, and their success in the arts of 
composition. The first clas*, as a scien¬ 
tific association, ranks Inglier than any 
otlier in the world. Reflect now upon 
the potency of such instruments as these, 
unremittingly employed to debauch the 
public mind into a slavish admiration, 
and to bend it to the yoke, of a ferocious 
military despotism. Tlie ascendency 
■which the professors of liteiature, the 
dramatic writers, and the luminaries of 
science exert o*ver the opinions of the 
French metropolis, and indeed of the 
w hole empire, is, even in its political ef¬ 
fects, of no small moment. The mem¬ 
bers of the Institute, in dedicating their 
powers and attainments to the celebra¬ 
tion of “ the sublime virtues” of the Em¬ 
peror, throw a false lustre about his 
name, and heigliten the splendor of tlie 
purple. By their talents and ingenuity 
they are extremely useful to him, even 
as public functionaries, in the business 
of domestic administration; and at tlie 
same time serve tiie cause of his despo¬ 
tism, most efficaciously, by their readi¬ 
ness to propagate in all tlieir writings the 
speculative principles of servitude, as a 
justification of tlieir ow;n obsequiousness. 
The contagious example of tliose who 
now compose the Institute, and the 
slavish' spirit which must every day 
become more general, will, as long as 
Bonaparte- deems it polljc to employ 
such an engine of state, secure to liim, 
upon tlie same cciuiitions, whatever 
pre'euiineatly strong or cultivated minds 
may be found in liis empire. The place 
of an Institute will be eagerly sought, 
and not unworthily or siugi^ishly filled, 
let the nature of the fealty attached to it 
be what it may. 
The despotic influence of whicli I am 
speaking, has not as yet been productive 
of any.visible injury to the labours of 
the first class of the Institute. The phy¬ 
sical and mathematical sciences must 
continue to flourish as long as they at¬ 
tract the affections, and exercise tlie in¬ 
dustry, of the French havans, whatever 
may be the political superstitions of the 
empire. But it must be obvious, that 
those affections and that industry will 
be diverted to other objects, if po¬ 
litical intrigue, and public employments, 
and tiie emoluments of office, interfere 
with the speculations and experiments of 
astronomy and chemistry. These studies 
cannot long he very successfully pursued 
by men, whose ambition is perpetually ir¬ 
ritated by the prospect of rewards, quite 
distinct from the common premium and 
privilege of scientifle labours, and wliose 
time is occupied by court parade, politi¬ 
cal juggles, and administrative duties. 
Such is now' the case with many of the 
most distinguished members of the first 
class of the Institute. 
Tliere is among a certain descriptien 
of these gentlemen an incessant political 
strife ; an emulous contention for the 
honors of the empire, and the spoils of 
the treasury; plots and counterplots, jea¬ 
lousies and feuds without number, and 
all relating to objects widely dissimilar 
li’orn the combination of algebraic quan¬ 
tities, or the conclusions of experimental 
philosophy. Those who are distinguish¬ 
ed by the imperial favor, exercise a most 
despotic sway over their brethren, in 
their weekly meetings, and are there 
the instruments and organs of the Im¬ 
perial will. It was not difficult to re¬ 
cognise in the geometrician La Place, 
the chuncelior of the legion of lionor, 
an ambitious and successful courtier; a 
jealous rival to the Berthollets ami LacC- 
pedes {:unans of inferior renown in 
science, but of equal rank in the state), 
and a l.auglity, positive, peevish dictator 
o\er such of his associates as were ilius- 
trated by fewer marks of tiie Imperial 
bounty. 1 could not but liiurh fur the 
dignity of knowledge, and of human na¬ 
ture, wiien I obseived the liumble rie- 
lerence and the profound obeisance dis¬ 
played by the majoriiy of all tlje classes, 
toviards those of thsir number who were 
clothed not, in all cases, with the higii- 
