352 FOUR-EYES FOURIER tors of the Methode de nomenclature chimique, which appeared in 1787, and marked a new era in the progress of that science. He meanwhile published many papers upon chemistry, and en- larged and improved his lectures. In 1792 he was elected assistant deputy to the convention, and for 18 months devoted his whole time and energy to extracting and purifying saltpetre, which was then much needed in France for the manufacture of gunpowder. During the reign of terror, Desault, Chaptal, and Darcet were in- debted to him for their safety ; but all his exer- tions were powerless to save Lavoisier. After the 9th Thermidor, being appointed a member of the committee of public safety, he endeav- ored to improve the system of public education ; he organized the polytechnic school, caused the establishment of three schools of medicine, and suggested the idea of the normal school. On the adjournment of the convention he was elected to the council of ancients, resumed his public discourses on science, and remodelled his lectures, which, under the title of Systeme des connaissances chimiques, et de leur appli- cation aux phenomenes de la nature et de Vart (6 vols. 4to or 11 vols. 8vo, Paris, 1801), be- came "the greatest monument erected to chemical science in the 18th century." Bo- naparte appointed him director general of public instruction ; under his care the public schools flourished, and no fewer than 300 col- leges or lyceums were established. The organ- ization of the new university of France was de- vised by him, and he expected to be appointed grand master ; but Napoleon gave the place to Fontanes. This preyed seriously upon his mind, and hastened his death. Besides the works mentioned above, he wrote La medecine eclairee par les sciences physiques (4 vols. 8vo, 1791), La philosophic chimique (8vo, 1792), Tableaux synoptiques de chimie (atlas folio, 1805), and many scientific papers in the Memoires de V aca- demic des sciences and other learned collections. FOUR-EYES, a fish. See ANABLEPS. FOURIER, Pierre, called also PIEEEE DE MA- TAINCOUET, a French religious reformer and founder, born at Mirecourt, Lorraine, Nov. 30, 1565, died in Gray, Franche-Comte, Dec. 9, 1640. After having graduated in the universi- ty of Pont-a-Mousson, he became a canon reg- ular of the order of Premontre in the abbey of Chamousey, near ]pinal. In 1595, the perse- cutions of the degenerate monks having forced him to leave the abbey, he was appointed at his own request pastor of the parish of Ma- taincourt, where his zeal for the education of the poor and his exemplary life soon produced wonderful fruits. He opened a school in his residence, established free schools in the most populous localities, and laid the foundations of the congregation of Notre Dame for the education of young girls. This society was confirmed by Paul V. Oct. 6, 1616, and soon spread all over France and into Canada. In 1621 he was associated by Gregory XV. with Jean de Porcelet, bishop of Toul, for the pur- pose of effecting a reform of the order of PreV montre. Having persuaded the canons of St. Mary in Pont-a-Mousson to enter into the views of the pope, Fourier went with them to the abbey of St. Remi in Luneville, where after the ordinary novitiate they bound themselves by solemn vows to a new congregation called St. Saviour, one of whose main obligations was to educate Christian youth. In a few years there were nine houses of these reformed canons, and in 1632 Fourier was elected superior general. The king of France having taken possession of Lorraine in 1634, Fourier and his followers were compelled to seek an asylum in Franche- Comte. They settled in Gray, and there Fou- rier continued to labor with ever-increasing energy and fruit until his death. He was beati- fied Jan. 29, 1730, and is generally spoken of as Blessed Peter Fourier. The order was sup- pressed at the revolution. Of late years an effort has been made to restore the canons regular of Premontre with the rule of Fourier. The sisterhood of Notre Dame (not to be con- founded with the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur) in America has its central house in Montreal, and possesses flourishing establish- ments in New England and Chili. FOURIER, Francois Marie Charles, a French writer on social science, born in Besancon, April 7, 1772, died in Paris, Oct. 10, 1837. From his earliest infancy he manifested a sin- gular originality and force of character. At school he was diligent and quick to learn. The prizes for French themes and Latin verse are assigned to him in the records of the town school for the year 1785. But his favor- ite early studies were geography, botany, and music. His pocket money was spent in buying globes and charts, and much of his leisure time he devoted to the cultivation of flowers. He was sufficiently master of music to be enabled to construct a new musical notation by which all the different voices and instruments may give the same name to the same note, instead of employing seven or eight different keys or particular scales. On leaving school he was sent to Lyons, where he entered as clerk in a commercial house; but having a desire to travel, he engaged soon after with a house whose business connections extended over France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, and Belgium. This gave him the opportunities for observation which he desired. In 1793, hav- ing received about 100,000 francs as his share of his father's property, he began business for himself in Lyons, embarking his whole fortune in colonial produce, which he purchased at Mar- seilles, and expected to sell at the former city. But just then the troops of the convention oc- cupied Lyons, and pillaged the inhabitants, taking the greater part of Fourier's fortune. The Lyonnese rose against the revolutionists, and Fourier joined them, but the insurrection was promptly suppressed. Fourier was cast into prison for five days, hourly expecting to be led out to the guillotine, and only escaped
