north of Europe. Diderot paid a visit to the Russian Court at the invitation of the Empress. He conversed very freely, and gave the younger members of the Court circle a good deal of lively atheism. The Empress was much amused, but some of her councillors suggested that it might be desirable to check these expositions of doctrine. The Empress did not like to put a direct muzzle on her guest's tongue, so the following plot was contrived. Diderot was informed that a learned mathematician was in possession of an algebraical demonstration of the existence of God, and would give it him before all the Court, if he desired to hear Diderot gladly consented: though the name of the mathematician is not given, it was Euler. He advanced towards Diderot, and said gravely, and in a tone of perfect conviction: Monsieur, , done Dieu existe; répondez! Diderot, to whom algebra was Hebrew, was embarrassed and disconcerted; while peals of laughter rose on all sides. He asked permission to return to France at once, which was granted.
An examination of the Astronomical doctrine of the Moon's rotation. By J. L. Edinburgh, 1847, 8vo.
A systematic attack of the character afterwards made with less skill and more notice by Mr. Jellinger Symons.
July 1866, J. L. appears as Mr. James Laurie, with a new pamphlet 'The Astronomical doctrines of the Moon's rotation.…' Edinburgh. Of all the works I have seen on the question, this is the most confident, and the sorest. A writer on astronomy said of Mr. Jellinger Symons, 'Of course he convinced no one who knew anything of the subject.' This 'ungenerous slur' on the speculator's memory appears to have been keenly felt but its truth is admitted. Those who knew anything of the subject are 'the so-called men of science,' whose three P's were assailed; prestige, pride, and prejudice: this the author tries to effect for himself with three Q's; quibble, quirk, and quiddity. He explains that the Scribes and Pharisees would not hear Jesus, and that the lordly bishop of Rome will not cast his tiara and keys at the feet of the humble presbyter who now plays the part of pope in Scotland. I do not know whom he means but perhaps the friends of the presbyter-pope may consider this an ungenerous slur. The best proof of the astronomer is just such as might have been expected from the merest of blockheads but as the giver is of course not a blockhead, this circumstance shows how deeply blinded by prejudice he must be.
