4-79-7. James Joseph Sylvester to H. Poincaré

3^d Feb 1892

New College – Private

Dear M. Poincaré,

In the Annuaire de l’Institut which I have just received, I observe that the symbol of the Legion of Honor is not set against my name.

Neither is it against that of M. Cayley.

In every other case known to me, it appears to be appended.

Is there any reason for this or is it a mere accident? Is it possible that I ought to have dressed my thanks in an official form to the Academy of Sciences for the part M. Hermite and other members of that Academy took in procuring for me this valued and much coveted distinction so far beyond my deserts? If I have erred it has been from ignorance and from fear of appearing presumptuous in treating the matter as one with which the Academy was concerned in its corporate capacities. My intimation from M. Hermite was of a private character and it was not until after a long delay that M. Waddington wrote to me officially on the subject and my official reply was therefore addressed to him.

Believe me, Dear M. Poincaré, with profound respect and regard,

Yours most truly,

J. J. Sylvester

ALS 3p. Private collection, Paris 75017.

Time-stamp: "27.07.2022 22:03"

Notes

• 1 William Henry Waddington (1826–1894) served as Prime Minister of France in 1879, and from 1883 to 1893, Ambassador to the United Kingdom.