friend Lagrange. His father was a farmer, but appears to have been
in a position to provide a good education for a son who seemed
promising. Considering the unorthodoxy in religious matters which is
generally said to have characterized Laplace in later years, it is
interesting to note that when he was a boy the subject which first
claimed his attention was theology. He was, however, soon introduced
to the study of mathematics, in which he presently became so
proficient, that while he was still no more than eighteen years old,
he obtained employment as a mathematical teacher in his native town.

Desiring wider opportunities for study and for the acquisition of
fame than could be obtained in the narrow associations of provincial
life, young Laplace started for Paris, being provided with letters of
introduction to D'Alembert, who then occupied the most prominent
position as a mathematician in France, if not in the whole of
Europe. D'Alembert's fame was indeed so brilliant that Catherine the
Great wrote to ask him to undertake the education of her Son, and
promised the splendid income of a hundred thousand francs. He
preferred, however, a quiet life of research in Paris, although there
was but a modest salary attached to his office. The philosopher
accordingly declined the alluring offer to go to Russia, even though
Catherine wrote again to say: "I know that your refusal arises from
your desire to cultivate your studies and your friendships in quiet.
But this is of no consequence: bring all your friends with you, and I
promise you that both you and they shall have every accommodation in
my power." With equal firmness the illustrious mathematician
resisted the manifold attractions with which Frederick the Great
sought to induce him, to take up his residence at Berlin. In reading
of these invitations we cannot but be struck at the extraordinary
respect which was then paid to scientific distinction. It must be