16 The Wine-Dark Sea - Libro della tutto

Patrick O'Brian The Wine-Dark Sea
Catholic Swiss. The leader and his brother, the
two Brissacs, are mathematicians, measuring
the force of gravity and the height of various
mountains; the other two are said to be naturalists.
The fifth, who speaks very good Spanish,
seems merely to arrange their expeditions.
They brought a letter of introduction from
Humboldt, or what purported to be a letter of
introduction from Humboldt, and they were
well received at the university. They are evidently
men of considerable learning.'
'What progress have they made?'
'Not very much. The elder Brissac, Charles, is
a man of real ability and he has entered into
serious conversation with some who are in favour
of the new order. But the present French
position on slavery cannot please the sort of
people he usually sees, who are abolitionists,
and he has nothing like enough money to
tempt those who are both open to temptation