On the publication of the '316useire sir les Constellations' a new course of erudite inquiry was opened; and though the arguments and conclusions were contested by Bailly, ho gave Dupuis full credit for the ability and learning displayed in the work. He afterwards renewed his researches, and made them the subject of a course of lectures delivered from his chair in the college of Lisieux. In 1794 he published his great work entitled Origins de tons Ice Claes, ou la Religion Universelle,' 3 vela 4to, with sun Atlas ; and also, slightly abridged in one of its parts (the 'Justification '), in 12 vole. Svo. This work gave rise to much discussion, often conducted with a sectarian bitterness little creditable to philosophical or theological investigation. In 3798 he published an abridgment of the ' Origine' in one voL Svo, or rather a series of extracts from his large work, under the same title ; but a much more methodical abridgment was shortly after given to the world by Destutt.de-Tmey.
The wildly-displayed hatred towards Chriatianity which so strongly developed itself during the eventful period of the French Revolution was well calculated to create deep interest in the work of Dupuis. Ile had been led to conclude that the earliest traces of the general mythology of the southern climates would be found in Upper Egypt, if indeed they bad not their origin there. In this celebrated work therefore originated the 'Commission' to explore the ruins of that country, which was undertaken by Napoleon after his return from Italy. Nothing indeed can show so clearly the influence which this work had exercised over the ' regenerated nation,' as that the most ambitious of all the men of his time should leave the scene of the most glittering hopes to a daring spirit like his, to lead an expedition such as this. Out of that expedition what now and unexpected results have arisen 1 The very phraseology of history has been changed ; and the sacred rites and domestic manners of ancient Egypt are now scarcely, if at all, less understood than those of Greece and Rome.
The Zodiac of Tentyra (or Denderah) engaged much of the attention of Dupuis, upon which ho published a M6moire and an Explication, in the ' Revue Philosophique for May 1806, which he afterwards pub lished in an enlarged and seramto form, in 1 vol. 4to, under the title of ' 314tinoire explicatif du Zodiaque Chronologique et Mythologique.'
In this curious dissertation he compares time Greek and Egyptian zodiacs with those cf the Chinese, the Pendant's, the Arabs, and all the others of which be could obtain any distinct notices. Ile afterwards read to his class of the Institute a ' 316molre sue he Phduix.' which, as he contended, signified the reproduction of the cycle of 1401 common (vague) Egyptian yearns. In the ' Nouvel Almenasb des Mueee' for 1805 he also published • fragment of the poem of Nonuius; it is Indeed said that his astronomical system was auggosted by this poem originelly, and it is certain that his ' Original des Cultea' is but a voluminous commentary on the ideas contained In that poem.
Dupuis died at Ia•sur•Ti]le ou September 29, 1809, aged eixty.seven. his was a member of the Legion of honour. He was a man of strict probity, and much esteemed by his friends for his personal qualities. He amassed no fortune, being satisfied to expend his income upon the materials for his researches.
He left in manuscript a work on Cosmogonies and Theogonies, intended as a defence and illustrations of the doctrines of the 'Origin° dee Cultea.' In this work Leblond considered that Dupuis had at last discovered the Interpretation of the Egyptian hieroglyphic:a—a con clusion that few, alms the researches of Dr. Young and Chatnpollion, will feel disposed to admit. There Is also reason to believe that it was In consequence of conversations with Dupuis that Voluay com posed his celebrated work on the ' Ruins of Empires.' Dupuis, has been often stigmatised as a paradoxical writer. Hold and speculative he was, but there Is certainly little cause to call him paradoxical Ilia conjectures are often plausible, though Ids deduct Lions from them are frequently inconsequeatiaL Whatever might have been the immediate effect of his scepticism, there can be little doubt that the ultimate effect has been alike favourable to early history and to the Christian religion. Ile was a sincere and candid man, and always appeared to be fully impressed with the truth of the conclusions at which he had arrived. It was indeed that earnestness of character that gave so much weight to his opinions end so much influence to his euggestioua. Had this feature been wanting in the character of Dupuis, the expedition to Egypt would never have been undertaken, nor consequently would the brilliant discoveries to which It finally led have been made.