text:  The French notwithstanding the high pitch at which they have undoubtedly arrived in mathematical investigation not withstanding the general accuracy of their experimental researches have more of the pedantry of science; their papers are too professional--too much _selon les regles_; there are too many minutiae; the reader is tempted to exclaim with Jacques--"I think of as many matters as he; but I give Heaven thanks and make no boast of them