Pièce 13 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

Paris - JDF was 'gladdened' by WW's letter. Dominique F. Jean Arago 'with his confounded politics, is beyond all calculation. JDF is unsure whether Arago will now be coming to Cambridge with him: 'it is not yet settled that he does not do so - but the minister at war having become ill, a debate was put off which our savant thought fit to embroil himself in, about the fortifications of Paris, and so we are all in the clouds still'. JDF has nevertheless booked his boat at Calais and will be traveling with Quetelet. JDF is very disappointed with the Parisian savants: 'science in general is at the lowest possible ebb'. Further, 'I have been disgusted with the total and predominant selfishness apparent everywhere'. WW 'need not have the least apprehension of your work being translated - Religion even though [filled] with science is a bitter pill here' [JDF is probably referring to WW's Astronomy and General Physics Considered with Reference to Natural Theology, 1833].