Page:Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat.djvu/54

32 publish it, and bring himself out of his voluntary obscurity.

In fact (as his working notes prove), he perceived the existing relation between heat and mechanical work; and after having established the principle to which savants have given his name, he devoted himself to the researches which should enable him to establish with certainty the second principle, that of equivalence, which he already clearly divined. Thermodynamics was established from that time.

But these researches were rudely interrupted by a great event—the Revolution of July, 1830.

Sadi welcomed it enthusiastically—not, however, it is evident, as a personal advantage.

Several old members of the Convention were still living, even of those who had become celebrated; no favor of the new government was accorded them. To the son of Philippe-Egalité was ascribed a saying which, if it was untrue, at least agreed well with the sentiment of his position: "I can do nothing for the members of the Convention themselves," he said, "but for their families whatever they will."

However it may be, some of those about him vaguely questioned my brother as to his desires in case one of us should be called to the Chamber of