Fourier had no sooner returned to Europe, than he was named (January 2, 1802) Prefect of the Department of l’Isere.  The Ancient Dauphiny was then a prey to ardent political dissensions.  The republicans, the partisans of the emigrants, those who had ranged themselves under the banners of the consular government, formed so many distinct castes, between whom all reconciliation appeared impossible.  Well, Gentlemen, this impossibility Fourier achieved.  His first care was to cause the Hotel of the Prefecture to be considered as a neutral ground, where each might show himself without even the appearance of a concession.  Curiosity alone at first brought the people there, but the people returned; for in France they seldom desert the saloons wherein are to be found a polished and benevolent host, witty without being ridiculous, and learned without being pedantic.  What had been divulged of the opinions of our colleague, respecting the anti-biblican antiquity of the Egyptian monuments, inspired the religious classes especially with lively apprehensions; they were very adroitly informed that the new prefect counted a Saint in his family; that the blessed Pierre Fourier, who established the religious sisters of the congregation of Notre-Dame, was his grand uncle, and this circumstance effected a reconciliation which the unalterable respect of the first magistrate of Grenoble for all conscientious opinions cemented every day more and more.

As soon as he was assured of a truce with the political and religious parties, Fourier was enabled to devote himself exclusively to the duties of his office.  These duties did not consist with him in heaping up old papers to no advantage.  He took personal cognizance of the projects which were submitted to him; he was the indefatigable promoter of all those which narrow-minded persons sought to stifle in their birth; we may include in this last class, the superb road from Grenoble to Turin by Mount Genevre, which the events of 1814 have so unfortunately interrupted, and especially the drainage of the marshes of Bourgoin.

These marshes, which Louis XIV. had given to Marshal Turenne, were a focus of infection to the thirty-seven communes, the lands of which were partially covered by them.  Fourier directed personally the topographic operations which established the possibility of drainage.  With these documents in his hand he went from village to village, I might almost say from house to house, to fix the sacrifice which each family ought to impose upon itself for the general interest.  By tact and perseverance, taking “the ear of corn always in the right direction,” thirty-seven municipal councils were induced to contribute to a common fund, without which the projected operation would not even have been commenced.  Success crowned this rare perseverance.  Rich harvests, fat pastures, numerous flocks, a robust and happy population now covered an immense territory, where formerly the traveller dared not remain more than a few hours.