ABSTRACT
In 1735 Reginald Outhier decided to leave Bayeux for Paris where, unexpectedly, he renounced possible patronage from the Cassinis to associate himself with Maupertuis. This must have made him a marked man in Cartesian circles, while nevertheless promoting him from possibles to probables for the Lapland expedition. Maupertuis and the main party chose to take the land route, while Sommereux and the domestiques set out by ship, carrying the supplies and instruments. The land journey took the main party first to Uppsala, where Celsius was able to arrange what would likely be the last chance to be feted in style. Impatient to resume the journey to Paris, they continued with the minimum of courtesies, but allowed themselves time in Copenhagen to visit the Astronomer Royal, Horrebow, who showed them the celebrated Astronomical Tower, where the instruments of Tycho Brahe were preserved.
