Upon the death of Lemontey, the French Academy, where Laplace and Cuvier already represented the sciences, called also Fourier into its bosom.  The literary titles of the most eloquent of the writers connected with the work on Egypt were incontestable; they even were not contested, and still this nomination excited violent discussions in the journals, which profoundly grieved our colleague.  And yet after all, was it not a fit subject for discussion, whether, these double nominations are of any real utility?  Might it not be maintained, without incurring the reproach of paradox, that it extinguishes in youth an emulation which we are bound by every consideration to encourage?  Besides, with double, triple, and quadruple academicians, what would eventually become of the justly boasted unity of the Institute?  Without insisting further on these remarks, the justness of which you will admit if I mistake not, I hasten to repeat that the academic titles of Fourier did not form even the subject of a doubt.  The applause which was lavished upon the eloquent eloges of Delambre, of Breguet, of Charles, and of Herschel, would sufficiently evince that, if their author had not been already one of the most distinguished members of the Academy of Sciences, the public would have invited him to assume a place among the judges of French literature.

FOOTNOTE: 

[41] In allusion to the military traitor Colonel Labedoyere, who was condemned to death for espousing the cause of Napoleon.—­Translator.

CHARACTER OF FOURIER.—­HIS DEATH.

Restored at length, after so many vicissitudes, to his favourite pursuits, Fourier passed the last years of his life in retirement and in the discharge of academic duties. To converse had become the half of his existence.  Those who have been disposed to consider this the subject of just reproach, have no doubt forgotten that constant reflection is no less imperiously forbidden to man than the abuse of physical powers.  Repose, in every thing, recruits our frail machine; but, Gentlemen, he who desires repose may not obtain it.  Interrogate your own recollections and say, if, when you are pursuing a new truth, a walk, the intercourse of society, or even sleep, have the privilege of distracting you from the object of your thoughts?  The extremely shattered state of Fourier’s health enjoined the most careful attention.  After many attempts, he only found one means of escaping from the contentions of mind which exhausted him:  this consisted in speaking aloud upon the events of his life; upon his scientific labours, which were either in course of being planned, or which were already terminated; upon the acts of injustice of which he had reason to complain.  Every person must have remarked, how insignificant was the state which our gifted colleague assigned to those who were in the habit of conversing with him; we are now acquainted with the cause of this.