"I am infinitely delighted," he wrote to James Watt, "with observing the growth of its little soul, and particularly with its numberless instincts, which formerly passed unheeded.

I thank the French theorists for more forcibly directing my attention to the finger of God, which I discern in every awkward movement and every wayward whim.

They are all guardians of his life and growth and power.

I regret indeed that I have not time to make infancy and the development of its powers my sole study." One of the sorest trials of a man's temper and patience was that which befell Abauzit, the natural philosopher, while residing at Geneva; resembling in many respects a similar calamity which occurred to Newton, and which he bore with equal resignation.

Amongst other things, Abauzit devoted much study to the barometer and its variations, with the object of deducing the general laws which regulated atmospheric pressure.
During twenty-seven years he made numerous observations daily, recording them on sheets prepared for the purpose.