Theentirenewphilosophybloomsoutinhishandswithanairofinnocence，inapastoralromance，inasimpleprayer，inanartlessletter[20]。Noneofthegiftswhichservetoarrestandfixtheattentionarewantinginthisstyle，neithergrandeurofimaginationnorprofoundsentiment，vividcharacterization，delicategradations，vigorousprecision，asportivegrace，unlooked—forburlesque，norvarietyofrepresentation。But，amidstsomanyingenioustricks，apologues，tales，portraitsanddialogues，inearnestaswellaswhenmasquerading，hisdeportmentthroughoutisirreproachableandhistoneisperfect。If；asanauthor，hedevelopsaparadoxitiswithalmostEnglishgravity。Ifhefullyexposesindecencyitiswithdecentterms。Inthefulltideofbuffoonery，aswellasinthefullblastoflicense，heiseverthewell—bredman，bornandbroughtupinthearistocraticcircleinwhichfulllibertyisallowedbutwheregood—
breedingissupreme，whereeveryideaispermittedbutwherewordsareweighed，whereonehastheprivilegeofsayingwhathepleases，butonconditionthatheneverforgetshimself。
Acircleofthiskindisasmallone，comprisingonlyaselectfew；
tobeunderstoodbythemultituderequiresanothertoneofvoice。
Philosophydemandsawriterwhoseprincipaloccupationisadiffusionofit，whoisunabletokeepittohimself；whopoursitoutlikeagushingfountain，whooffersittoeverybody，dailyandineveryform，inbroadstreamsandinsmalldrops，withoutexhaustionorweariness，througheverycreviceandbyeverychannel，inprose，inverse，inimposingandintriflingpoems，inthedrama，inhistory，innovels，inpamphlets，inpleadings，intreatises，inessays，indictionaries，incorrespondence，openlyandinsecret，inorderthatitmaypenetratetoalldepthsandineverysoil；suchwasVoltaire。—
"Ihaveaccomplishedmoreinmyday，"hesayssomewhere，"thaneitherLutherorCalvin，"inwhichheismistaken。Thetruthis，however，hehassomethingoftheirspirit。Likethemheisdesirousofchangingtheprevailingreligion，hetakestheattitudeofthefounderofasect，herecruitsandbindstogetherproselytes，hewriteslettersofexhortation，ofdirectionandofpredication，heputswatchwordsincirculation，hefurnishes"thebrethren"withadevice；hispassionresemblesthezealofanapostleorofaprophet。Suchaspiritisincapableofreserve；itismilitantandfierybynature；itapostrophizes，revilesandimprovises；itwritesunderthedictationofimpressions；itallowsitselfeveryspeciesofutteranceand，ifneedbe，thecoarsest。Itthinksbyexplosions；itsemotionsaresuddenstarts，anditsimagessomanysparks；itletsthereingoentirely；itgivesitselfuptothereaderandhenceittakespossessionofhim。Resistanceisimpossible；thecontagionistoooverpowering。Acreatureofairandflame，themostexcitablethateverlived，composedofmoreetherealandmorethrobbingatomsthanthoseofothermen；noneistherewhosementalmachineryismoredelicate，norwhoseequilibriumisatthesametimemoreshiftingandmoreexact。Hemaybecomparedtothoseaccuratescalesthatareaffectedbyabreath，butalongsideofwhicheveryothermeasuringapparatusisincorrectandclumsy。—But，inthisdelicatebalanceonlythelightestweights，thefinestspecimenmustbeplaced；onthisconditiononlyitrigorouslyweighsallsubstances；suchisVoltaire，involuntarily，throughthedemandsofhisintellect，andinhisownbehalfasmuchasinthatofhisreaders。Anentirephilosophy，tenvolumesoftheology，anabstractscience，aspeciallibrary，animportantbranchoferudition，ofhumanexperienceandinvention，isthusreducedinhishandstoaphraseortoastanza。Fromtheenormousmassofrivenorcompactscorioeheextractswhateverisessential，agrainofgoldorofcopperasaspecimenoftherest，presentingthistousinitsmostconvenientandmostmanageableform，inasimile，inametaphor，inanepigramthatbecomesaproverb。Inthisnoancientormodernwriterapproacheshim；insimplificationandinpopularizationhehasnothisequalintheworld。Withoutdepartingfromtheusualconversationaltone，andasifinsport，heputsintolittleportablephrasesthegreatestdiscoveriesandhypothesesofthehumanmind，thetheoriesofDescartes，Malebranche，Leibnitz，LockeandNewton，thediversereligionsofantiquityandofmoderntimes，everyknownsystemofphysics，physiology，geology，morality，naturallaw，andpoliticaleconomy，[21]inshort，allthegeneralizedconceptionsineveryorderofknowledgetowhichhumanityhadattainedintheeighteenthcentury。—Voltaire’sinclinationissostrongthatitcarrieshimtoofar；hebelittlesgreatthingsbyrenderingthemaccessible。Religion，legend，ancientpopularpoesy，thespontaneouscreationsofinstinct，thevaguevisionsofprimitivetunesarenotthustobeconvertedintosmallcurrentcoin；theyarenotsubjectsofamusingandlivelyconversation。Apiquantwitticismisnotanexpressionofallthis，butsimplyatravesty。ButhowcharmingtoFrenchmen，andtopeopleoftheworld！Andwhatreadercanabstainfromabookcontainingallhumanknowledgesummedupinpiquantwitticisms？Foritisreallyasummaryofhumanknowledge，noimportantidea，asfarasIcansee，beingwantingtoamanwhosebreviaryconsistedofthe"Dialogues，"the"Dictionary，"andthe"Novels。"Readthemoverandoverfiveorsixtimes，andwethenformsomeideaoftheirvastcontents。Notonlydoviewsoftheworldandofmanaboundinthem，butagaintheyswarmwithpositiveandeventechnicaldetails，thousandsoflittlefactsscatteredthroughout，multipliedandprecisedetailsonastronomy，physics，geography，physiology，statistics，andonthehistoryofallnations，theinnumerableandpersonalexperiencesofamanwhohashimselfreadthetexts，handledtheinstruments，visitedthecountries，takenpartintheindustries，andassociatedwiththepersons，andwho，intheprecisionofhismarvelousmemory，inthelivelinessofhisever—
blazingimagination，revivesorsees，aswiththeeyeitself，everythingthathestatesandashestatesit。Itisauniquetalent，therarestinaclassicera，themostpreciousofall，sinceitconsistsinthedisplayofactualbeings，notthroughthegrayveilofabstractions，butinthemselves，astheyareinnatureandinhistory，withtheirvisiblecolorandforms，withtheiraccessoriesandsurroundingsintimeandspace，apeasantathiscart，aQuakerinhismeeting—house，aGermanbaroninhiscastle，Dutchmen，Englishmen，Spaniards，Italians，Frenchmen，intheirhomes，[22]agreatlady，adesigningwoman，provincials，soldiers，prostitutes，[23]andtherestofthehumanmedley，oneverystepofthesocialladder，eachanabridgmentofhiskindandinthepassinglightofasuddenflash。
For，themoststrikingfeatureofthisstyleistheprodigiousrapidity，thedazzlingandbewilderingstreamofnovelties，ideas，images，events，landscapes，narratives，dialogues，brieflittlepictures，followingeachotherrapidlyasifinamagic—lantern，withdrawnalmostassoonaspresentedbytheimpatientmagicianwho，inthetwinklingofaneye，girdlestheworldand，constantlyaccumulatingoneontopoftheother，history，fable，truthandfancy，thepresenttimeandtimespast，frameshisworknowwithaparadeasabsurdasthatofacountryfair，andnowwithafairyscenemoremagnificentthanallthoseoftheopera。Toamuseandbeamused，"todiffusehisspiritineveryimaginablemode，likeaglowingfurnaceintowhichallsubstancesarethrownbyturnstoevolveeveryspeciesofflame，sparkleandodor，"ishisfirstinstinct。"Life，"hesaysagain，"isaninfanttoberockeduntilitgoestosleep。"Neverwasamortalmoreexcitedandmoreexciting，moreincapableofsilenceandmorehostiletoennui，[24]betterendowedforconversation，moreevidentlydestinedtobecomethekingofasociablecenturyinwhich，withsixprettystories，thirtywitticismsandsomeconfidenceinhimself，amancouldobtainasocialpassportandthecertaintyofbeingeverywherewelcome。Neverwasthereawriterpossessingtosohighadegreeandinsuchabundanceeveryqualificationoftheconversationalist，theartofanimatingandofenliveningdiscourse，thetalentforgivingpleasuretopeopleofsociety。Perfectlyrefinedwhenhechosetobe，confininghimselfwithoutinconveniencetostrictdecorum，offinishedpoliteness，ofexquisitegallantry，deferentialwithoutbeingservile，fondwithoutbeingmawkish，[25]andalwaysathisease，itsufficesthatheshouldbebeforethepublic，tofallnaturallyintothepropertone，thediscreetways，thewinninghalf—smileofthewell—bredmanwho，introducinghisreadersintohismind，doesthemthehonorsoftheplace。Areyouonfamiliartermswithhim，andofthesmallprivatecircleinwhichhefreelyunbendshimself，withcloseddoors？Younevertireoflaughing。Withasurehandandwithoutseemingtotouchit，heabruptlytearsasidetheveilhidingawrong，aprejudice，afolly，inshort，anyhumanidolatry。
Therealfigure，misshapen，odiousordull，suddenlyappearsinthisinstantaneousflash；weshrugourshoulders。Thisistherisibilityofanagile，triumphantreason。Wehaveanotherinthatofthegaytemperament，ofthedrollimprovisator，ofthemankeepingyouthful，achild，aboyeventothedayofhisdeath，andwho"gambolsonhisowntombstone。"Heisfondofcaricature，exaggeratingthefeaturesoffaces，bringinggrotesquesonthestage，[26]walkingthemaboutinalllightslikemarionettes，neverwearyoftakingthemupandofmakingthemdanceinnewcostumes；intheverymidstofhisphilosophy，ofhispropagandaandpolemics，hesetsuphisportabletheaterinfullblast，exhibitingoddities，thescholar，themonk，theinquisitor，Maupertuis，Pompignan，Nonotte，Fréron，KingDavid，andcountlessotherswhoappearbeforeus，caperingandgesticulatingintheirharlequinattire。—Whenafarcicaltalentisthusmovedtotellthetruth，humorbecomesall—powerful；foritgratifiestheprofoundanduniversalinstinctsofhumannature:tothemaliciouscuriosity，tothedesiretomockandbelitte，totheaversiontobeinginneedorunderconstraint，thosesourcesofbadmoodswhichtaskconvention，etiquetteandsocialobligationwithwearingtheburdensomecloakofrespectandofdecency；momentsoccurinlifewhenthewisestisnotsorrytothrowthishalfasideandevencastitoffentirely。—Oneachpage，nowwiththeboldstrokeofahardynaturalist，nowwiththequickturnofamischievousmonkey，Voltaireletsthesolemnorseriousdraperyfall，disclosingman，thepoorbiped，andinwhichattitudes！[27]Swiftalonedaredtopresentsimilarpictures。Whatphysiologicalcruditiesrelatingtotheoriginandendofourmostexaltedsentiments！Whatdisproportionbetweensuchfeeblereasonandsuchpowerfulinstincts！Whatrecessesinthewardrobesofpoliticsandreligionconcealingtheirfoullinen！Welaughatallthissoasnottoweep，andyetbehindthislaughtertherearetears；heendssneeringly，subsidingintoatoneofprofoundsadness，ofmournfulpity。Inthisdegree，andwithsuchsubjects，itisonlyaneffectofhabit，orasanexpedient，amaniaofinspiration，afixedconditionofthenervousmachineryrushingheadlongovereverything，withoutabreakandinfullspeed。Gaiety，letitnotbeforgotten，isstillaincentiveofaction，thelastthatkeepsmanerectinFrance，thebestinmaintainingthetoneofhisspirit，hisstrengthandhispowersofresistance，themostintactinanagewhenmen，andwomentoo，believeditincumbentonthemtodiepeopleofgoodsociety，withasmileandajestontheirlips[28]。
Whenthetalentofawriterthusaccordswithpublicinclinationsitisamatteroflittleimportwhetherhedeviatesorfailssinceheisfollowingtheuniversaltendency。Hemaywanderofforbesmirchhimselfinvain，forhisaudienceisonlythemorepleased，hisdefectsservinghimasadvantageouslyashisgoodqualities。Afterthefirstgenerationofhealthymindsthesecondonecomeson，theintellectualbalanceherebeingequallyinexact。"Diderot，"saysVoltaire，"istoohotanoven，everythingthatisbakedinitgettingburnt。"Orrather，heisaneruptivevolcanowhich，forfortyyears，dischargesideasofeveryorderandspecies，boilingandfusedtogether，preciousmetals，coarsescorioeandfetidmud；thesteadystreamoverflowsatwillaccordingtotheroughnessoftheground，butalwaysdisplayingtheruddylightandacridfumesofglowinglava。Heisnotmasterofhisideas，buthisideasmasterhim；heisundersubmissiontothem；hehasnotthatfirmfoundationofcommonpracticalsensewhichcontrolstheirimpetuosityandravages，thatinnerdykeofsocialcautionwhich，withMontesquieuandVoltaire，barsthewaytooutbursts。Everythingwithhimrushesoutofthesurchargedcrater，neverpickingitsway，throughthefirstfissureorcreviceitfinds，accordingtohishaphazardreading，aletter，aconversation，animprovisation，andnotinfrequentsmalljetsaswithVoltaire，butinbroadcurrentstumblingblindlydownthemostprecipitousdeclivitiesofthecentury。Notonlydoeshedescendthustotheverydepthsofanti—religiousandanti—socialdoctrines，withlogicalandparadoxicalrigidity，moreimpetuouslyandmoreobstreperouslythand’Holbachhimself；butagainhefallsintoandsportshimselfintheslimeoftheage，consistingofobscenity，andintothebeatentrackofdeclamation。Inhisleadingnovelshedwellsalongtimeonsalaciousequivocation，oronasceneoflewdness。
Cruditywithhimisnotextenuatedbymaliceorglossedoverbyelegance。Heisneitherrefinednorpungent；isquiteincapable，liketheyoungerCrébillon，ofdepictingthescapegraceofability。Heisanew—comer，aparvenuinstandardsociety；youseeinhimacommoner，apowerfulreasoner，anindefatigableworkmanandgreatartist，introduced，throughthecustomsoftheday，atasupperoffashionablelivers。Heengrossestheconversation，directstheorgy，orinthecontagionoronawager，saysmorefilthythings，more"gueulées，"
thanalltheguestsputtogether[29]。Inlikemanner，inhisdramas，inhis"EssaysonClaudiusandNero，"inhis"CommentaryonSeneca，"
inhisadditionstothe"PhilosophicalHistory"ofRaynal，heforcesthetoneofthings。Thistone，whichthenprevailsbyvirtueoftheclassicspiritandofthenewfashion，isthatofsentimentalrhetoric。Diderotcarriesittoextremesintheexaggerationoftearsorofrage，inexclamations，inapostrophes，intendernessoffeeling，inviolences，indignation，inenthusiasms，infull—orchestratirades，inwhichthefireofhisbrainsfindsemploymentandanoutlet。—
Ontheotherhand，amongsomanysuperiorwriters，heistheonlygenuineartist，thecreatorofsouls，withinhismindobjects，eventsandpersonagesarebornandbecomeorganizedofthemselves，throughtheirownforces，byvirtueofnaturalaffinities，involuntarily，withoutforeignintervention，insuchawayastoliveforandinthemselves，safefromtheauthor’sintentions，andoutsideofhiscombinations。Thecomposerofthe"Salons，"the"PetitsRomans，"the"Entretien，"the"ParadoxeduComédien，"andespeciallythe"Rêveded’Alembert"andthe"NeveudeRameau"isamanofanuniquespeciesinhistime。HoweveralertandbrilliantVoltaire’spersonagesmaybe，theyarealwayspuppets；theiractionisderivative；alwaysbehindthemyoucatchaglimpseoftheauthorpullingthestrings。WithDiderot，thestringsaresevered；heisnotspeakingthroughthelipsofhischaracters；theyarenothiscomicalloud—speakersorpuppets，butindependentanddetachedpersons，withanactionoftheirown，apersonalaccent，withtheirowntemperament，passions，ideas，philosophy，styleandspirit，andoccasionally，asinthe"NeveudeRameau，"aspiritsooriginal，complexandcomplete，soaliveandsodeformedthat，inthenaturalhistoryofman，itbecomesanincomparablemonsterandanimmortaldocument。Hehasexpressedeverythingconcerningnature，[30]artmoralityandlife[31]intwosmalltreatisesofwhichtwentysuccessivereadingsexhaustneitherthecharmnorthesense。Findelsewhere，ifyoucan，asimilarstrokeofpowerandagreatermasterpiece，"anythingmoreabsurdandmoreprofound！"[32]—Suchistheadvantageofmenofgeniuspossessingnocontroloverthemselves。Theylackdiscernmentbuttheyhaveinspiration。Amongtwentyworks，eithersoiled，roughornasty，theyproduceacreation，andstillbetter，ananimatedbeing，abletolivebyitself，beforewhichothers，fabricatedbymerelyintellectualpeople，resemblesimplywell—dressedpuppets。—HenceitisthatDiderotissogreatanarrator，amasterofdialogue，theequalinthisrespectofVoltaire，and，throughaquiteoppositetalent，believingallhesaysatthemomentofsayingit；forgetfulofhisveryself，carriedawaybyhisownrecital，listeningtoinwardvoices，surprisedwiththeresponseswhichcometohimunexpectedly，bornealong，asifonanunknownriver，bythecurrentofaction，bythesinuositiesoftheconversationinwardlyandunconsciouslydeveloped，arousedbytheflowofideasandtheleapofthemomenttothemostunexpectedimagery，extremeinburlesqueorextremeinmagnificence，nowlyricaleventoprovidingMussetwithanentirestanza，[33]nowcomicanddrollwithoutburstsunheardofsincethedaysofRabelais，alwaysingoodfaith，alwaysatthemercyofhissubject，ofhisinventions，ofhisemotions；themostnaturalofwritersinanageofartificialliterature，resemblingaforeigntreewhich，transplantedtoaparterreoftheepoch，swellsoutanddecaysononesideofitsstem，butofwhichfiveorsixbranches，thrustoutintofulllight，surpasstheneighboringunderwoodinthefreshnessoftheirsapandinthevigoroftheirgrowth。
Rousseaualsoisanartisan，amanofthepeople，ill—adaptedtoelegantandrefinedsociety，outofhiselementinadrawingroomand，moreover，oflowbirth，badlybroughtup，sulliedbyavileandprecociousexperience，highlyandoffensivelysensual，morbidinmindandinbody，frettedbysuperioranddiscordantfaculties，possessingnotact，andcarryingthecontaminationofhisimagination，temperamentandpastlifeintohisausteremoralityandintohispurestidylls；[34]besidesthishehasnofervor，andinthisheistheoppositeofDiderot，avowinghimself"thathisideasarrangethemselvesinhisheadwiththeutmostdifficulty，thatcertainsentencesareturnedoverandoveragaininhisbrainforfiveorsixnightsbeforeputtingthemonpaper，andthataletteronthemosttriflingsubjectcostshimhoursoffatigue，"thathecannotfallintoaneasyandagreeabletone，norsucceedotherwisethan"inworkswhichdemandapplication。"[35]Asanoffsettothis，style，inthisardentbrain，undertheinfluenceofintense，prolongedmeditation，incessantlyhammeredandrehammered，becomesmoreconciseandofhighertemperthaniselsewherefound。SinceLaBruyèrewehaveseennomoreample，virilephrases，inwhichanger，admiration，indignation，studiedandconcentratedpassion，appearwithmorerigorousprecisionandmorepowerfulrelief。HeisalmosttheequalofLaBruyèreinthearrangementofskillfuleffects，intheaptnessandingenuityofdevelopments，inthetersenessofimpressivesummaries，intheoverpoweringdirectnessofunexpectedarguments，inthemultiplicityofliteraryachievements，intheexecutionofthosepassagesofbravura，portraits，descriptions，comparisons，creations，wherein，asinamusicalcrescendo，thesameidea，variedbyaseriesofyetmoreanimatedexpressions，attainstoorsurpasses，atthelastnote，allthatispossibleofenergyandofbrilliancy。Finally，hehasthatwhichiswantinginLaBruyère；hispassagesarelinkedtogether；heisnotawriterofpagesbutofbooks；nologicianismorecondensed。Hisdemonstrationisknittedtogether，meshbymesh，forone，twoandthreevolumeslikeagreatnetwithoutanopeninginwhich，willinglyornot，weremaincaught。Heisasystematizerwho，absorbedwithhimself；andwithhiseyesstubbornlyfixedonhisownreverieorhisownprinciple，burieshimselfdeeperiniteveryday，weavingitsconsequencesoffonebyone，andalwaysholdingfasttothevariousends。Donotgonearhim。Likeasolitary，enragedspiderheweavesthisoutofhisownsubstance，outofthemostcherishedconvictionsofhisbrainandthedeepestemotionsofhisheart。Hetremblesattheslightesttouch；everonthedefensive，heisterrible，[36]besidehimself；[37]evenvenomousthroughsuppressedexasperationandwoundedsensibility，furiousagainstanadversary，whomhestifleswiththemultipliedandtenaciousthreadsofhisweb，butstillmoreredoubtabletohimselfthantohisenemies，sooncaughtinhisownmeshes，[38]believingthatFranceandtheuniverseconspireagainsthim，deducingwithwonderfulsubtletytheproofsofthischimericalconspiracy，madedesperate，atlast，byhisover—plausibleromance，andstranglinginthecunningtoilswhich，bydintofhisownlogicandimagination，hehasfashionedforhimself。
Withsuchweaponsonemightaccidentallykilloneself，butoneisstronglyarmed。Rousseauwaswellequipped，atleastaspowerfulasVoltaire；itmaybesaidthatthelasthalfoftheeighteenthcenturybelongstohim。Aforeigner，aProtestant，originalintemperament，ineducation，inheart，inmindandinhabits，atoncemisanthropicandphilanthropic，livinginanidealworldconstructedbyhimself，entirelyopposedtotheworldasitis，hefindshimselfstandinginanewposition。Nooneissosensitivetotheevilsandvicesofactualsociety。Nooneissoaffectedbythevirtuesandhappinessofthesocietyofthefuture。Thisaccountsforhishavingtwoholdsonthepublicmind，onethroughsatireandtheotherthroughtheidyll。—
Thesetwoholdsareundoubtedlyslighteratthepresentday；thesubstanceoftheirgrasphasdisappeared；wearenottheauditorstowhichitappealed。Thefamousdiscourseontheinfluenceofliteratureandontheoriginofinequalityseemstousacollegiateexaggeration；aneffortofthewillisrequiredtoreadthe"NouvelleHélo？se。"Theauthorisrepulsiveinthepersistencyofhisspitefulnessorintheexaggerationofhisenthusiasm。Heisalwaysinextremes，nowmoodyandwithknitbrows，andnowstreamingwithtearsandwitharmsoutstretchedtoHeaven。Hyperbole，prosopopaeia，andotherliterarymachineryaretoooftenandtoodeliberatelyusedbyhim。Wearetemptedtoregardhimnowasasophistmakingthebestuseofhisarts，nowasarhetoriciancudgelinghisbrainsforapurpose，nowasapreacherbecomingexcited，thatistosay，anactorevermaintainingathesis，strikinganattitudeandaimingateffects。
Finally，withtheexceptionofthe"Confessions"hisstylesoonweariesus；itistoostudied，andtooconstantlyoverstrained。Theauthorisalwaystheauthor，andhecommunicatesthedefecttohispersonages。HisJuliearguesanddescantsfortwentysuccessivepagesondueling，onlove，onduty，withalogicalcompleteness，atalentandphrasesthatwoulddohonortoanacademicalmoralist。
Commonplaceexistseverywhere，generalthemes，arakingfireofabstractionsandarguments，thatistosay，truthsmoreorlessemptyandparadoxesmoreorlesshollow。Thesmallestdetailoffact，ananecdote，atraitofhabit，wouldsuitusmuchbetter，andhenceweoftodaypreferthepreciseeloquenceofobjectstothelaxeloquenceofwords。Intheeighteenthcenturyitwasotherwise；toeverywriterthisoratoricalstylewastheprescribedceremonialcostume，thedress—coathehadtoputonforadmissionintothecompanyofselectpeople。Thatwhichseemstousaffectationwasthenonlyproper；inaclassicepochtheperfectperiodandthesustaineddevelopmentconstitutedecorum，andarethereforetobeobserved。—Itmustbenoted，moreover，thatthisliterarydraperywhich，withusofthepresentday，concealstruthdidnotconcealittohiscontemporaries；
theysawunderittheexactfeature，theperceptibledetailnolongerdetectedbyus。Everyabuse，everyvice，everyexcessofrefinementandofculture，allthatsocialandmoraldiseasewhichRousseauscourgedwithanauthor’semphasis，existedbeforethemundertheirowneyes，intheirownbreasts，visibleanddailymanifestedinthousandsofdomesticincidents。Inapplyingsatiretheyhadonlytoobserveortoremember。Theirexperiencecompletedthebook，and，throughtheco—operationofhisreaders，theauthorpossessedpowerwhichheisnowdeprivedof。Ifweweretoputourselvesintheirplaceweshouldrecovertheirimpressions。Hisdenunciationsandsarcasms，theharshthingsofallsortshesaysofthegreat，offashionablepeopleandofwomen，hisrudeandcuttingtone，provokeandirritate，butarenotdispleasing。Onthecontrary，aftersomanycompliments，insipiditiesandpettyversificationallthisquickensthebluntedtaste；itisthesensationofstrongcommonwineafterlongindulgenceinorgeatandpreservedcitron。Accordingly，hisfirstdiscourseagainstartandliterature"liftsoneatonceabovetheclouds。"Buthisidyllicwritingstouchtheheartmorepowerfullythanhissatires。Ifmenlistentothemoralistthatscoldsthemtheythronginthefootstepsofthemagicianthatcharmsthem；especiallydowomenandtheyoungadheretoonewhoshowsthemthepromisedland。
Allaccumulateddissatisfactions，wearinessoftheworld，ennui，vaguedisgust，amultitudeofsuppresseddesiresgushforth，likesubterraneanwaters，underthesoundinglinethatforthefirsttimebringsthemtolight。Rousseauwithhissoundingsstruckdeepandtruethroughhisowntrialsandthroughgenius。Inawhollyartificialsocietywherepeoplearedrawingroompuppets，andwherelifeconsistsinagracefulparadeaccordingtoarecognizedmodel，hepreachesareturntonature，independence，earnestness，passion，andeffusion，amanly，active，ardentandhappyexistenceintheopenairandinsunshine。Whatanopeningforrestrainedfaculties，forthebroadandluxuriousfountaineverbubblinginman’sbreast，andforwhichtheirnicesocietyprovidesnoissue！—womanofthecourtisfamiliarwithloveasthenpracticed，simplyapreference，oftenonlyapastime，meregallantryofwhichtheexquisitepolishpoorlyconcealstheshallowness，coldnessand，occasionally，wickedness；inshort，adventures，amusementsandpersonagesasdescribedbyCrébillionjr。Oneevening，abouttogoouttotheoperaball，shefindsthe"NouvelleHelo？se"onhertoilet—table；itisnotsurprisingthatshekeepsherhorsesandfootmenwaitingfromhourtohour，andthatatfouro’clockinthemorningsheordersthehorsestobeunharnessed，andthenpassestherestofthenightinreading，andthatsheisstifledwithhertears；forthefirsttimeinherlifeshefindsamanthatloves[39]。Inlikemannerifyouwouldcomprehendthesuccessof"Emile，"calltomindthechildrenwehavedescribed，theembroidered，gilded，dressed—up，powderedlittlegentlemen，deckedwithswordandsash，carryingthechapeauunderthearm，bowing，presentingthehand，rehearsingfineattitudesbeforeamirror，repeatingpreparedcompliments，prettylittlepuppetsinwhicheverythingistheworkofthetailor，thehairdresser，thepreceptorandthedancing—master；alongsideofthese，littleladiesofsixyears，stillmoreartificial，boundupinwhalebone，harnessedinaheavyskirtcomposedofhairandagirdleofiron，supportingahead—
dresstwofeetinheight，somanyveritabledollstowhichrougeisapplied，andwithwhichamotheramusesherselfeachmorningforanhourandthenconsignsthemtohermaidsfortherestoftheday[40]。
Thismotherreads"Emile。"Itisnotsurprisingthatsheimmediatelystripsthepoorlittlething，anddeterminestonursehernextchildherself。—ItisthroughthesecontraststhatRousseauisstrong。
Herevealedthedawntopeoplewhonevergotupuntilnoon，thelandscapetoeyesthathadthusfarrestedonlyonpalacesanddrawing—rooms，anaturalgardentomenwhohadneverpromenadedoutsideofclippedshrubsandrectilinearborders，thecountry，thefamily，thepeople，simpleandendearingpleasures，totownsmenmadewearybysocialavidity，bytheexcessesandcomplicationsofluxury，bytheuniformcomedywhich，intheglareofhundredsoflightedcandles，theyplayednightafternightintheirownandinthehomesofothers[41]。Anaudiencethusdisposedmakesnocleardistinctionbetweenpompandsincerity，betweensentimentandsentimentality。
Theyfollowtheirauthorasonewhomakesarevelation，asaprophet，eventotheendofhisidealworld，muchmorethroughhisexaggerationsthanthroughhisdiscoveries，asfarontheroadtoerrorasonthepathwayoftruth。
Thesearethegreatliterarypowersofthecentury。Withinferiorsuccesses，andthroughvariouscombinations，theelementswhichcontributedtotheformationoftheleadingtalentsalsoformthesecondarytalents，likethosebelowRousseau，—BernardindeSt。
Pierre，Raynal，Thomas，Marmontel，Mably，Florian，Dupaty，Mercier，MadamedeSta？l；andbelowVoltaire，—thelivelyandpiquantintellectsofDuclos，Piron，Galiani，PresidentDesBrosses，Rivarol，Champfort，andtospeakwithprecision，allothertalents。Wheneveraveinoftalent，howevermeager，peersforthabovethegrounditisforthepropagationandcarryingforwardofthenewdoctrine；scarcelycanwefindtwoorthreelittlestreamsthatruninacontrarydirection，likethejournalofFreron，acomedybyPalissot，orasatirebyGilbert。Philosophywindsthroughandoverflowsallchannelspublicandprivate，throughmanualsofimpiety，likethe"Théologiesportatives，"andinthelasciviousnovelscirculatedsecretly，throughepigramsandsongs，throughdailynovelties，throughtheamusementsoffairs，[42]andtheharanguesoftheAcademy，throughtragedyandtheopera，fromthebeginningtotheendofthecentury，fromthe"OEdipe"
ofVoltaire，tothe"Tarare"ofBeaumarchais。Itseemsasiftherewasnothingelseintheworld。Atleastitisfoundeverywhereanditfloodsallliteraryefforts；nobodycareswhetheritdeformsthem，contentinmakingthemserveasaconduit。In1763，inthetragedyofManco—Capac[43]the"principalpart，"writesacontemporary，"isthatofasavagewhouttersinverseallthatwehaveread，scatteredthrough’Emile’andthe’ContratSocial，’concerningkings，liberty，therightsofmanandtheinequalityofconditions。"Thisvirtuoussavagesavesaking’ssonoverwhomahigh—priestraisesaponiard，andthen，designatingthehigh—priestandhimselfbyturns，hecries，"Beholdthecivilizedman；hereisthesavageman！"
Atthislinetheapplausebreaksforth，andthesuccessofthepieceissuchthatitisdemandedatVersaillesandplayedbeforethecourt。
Thesameideashavetobeexpressedwithskill，brilliancy，gaiety，energyandscandal，andthisisaccomplishedin"TheMarriageofFigaro。"Neverweretheidealsoftheagedisplayedunderamoretransparentdisguise，norinanattirethatrenderedthemmoreattractive。Itstitleisthe"Follejournee，"andindeeditisaneveningoffolly，anafter—supperlikethoseoccurringinthefashionableworld，amasqueradeofFrenchmeninSpanishcostumes，withaparadeofdresses，changingscenes，couplets，aballet，asinginganddancingvillage，amedleyofoddcharacters，gentlemen，servants，duennas，judges，notaries，lawyers，music—masters，gardeners，pastoureaux；inshort，aspectaclefortheeyesandtheears，forallthesenses，theveryoppositeoftheprevailingdramainwhichthreepasteboardcharacters，seatedonclassicchairs，exchangedidacticargumentsinanabstractsaloon。Andstillbetter，itisanimbrogliodisplayingasuperabundanceofaction，amidstintriguesthatcross，interruptandreneweachother，throughapêle—mêleoftravesties，exposures，surprises，mistakes，leapsfromwindows，quarrelsandslaps，andallinsparklingstyle，eachphraseflashingonallsides，whereresponsesseemtobecutoutbyalapidary，wheretheeyeswouldforgetthemselvesincontemplatingthemultipliedbrilliantsofthedialogueifthemindwerenotcarriedalongbyitsrapidityandtheexcitementoftheaction。Buthereisanothercharm，themostwelcomeofallinasocietypassionatelyfondofParny；accordingtoanexpressionoftheComted’Artois，whichIdarenotquote，thisappealstothesenses，thearousingofwhichconstitutesthespicinessandsavorofthepiece。Thefruitthathangsripeningandsavoryonthebranchneverfallsbutalwaysseemsonthepointoffalling；allhandsareextendedtocatchit，itsvoluptuousnesssomewhatveiledbutsomuchthemoreprovoking，declaringitselffromscenetoscene，intheCount’sgallantry，intheCountess’sagitation，inthesimplicityofFanchette，inthejestingsofFigaro，inthelibertiesofSusanne，andreachingitsclimaxintheprecocityofCherubino。Addtothisacontinualdoublesense，theauthorhiddenbehindhischaracters，truthputintothemouthofaclown，maliceenvelopedinsimpleutterances，themasterdupedbutsavedfrombeingridiculousbyhisdeportment，thevaletrebelliousbutpreservedfromacrimonybyhisgaiety，andyoucancomprehendhowBeaumarchaiscouldhavetheancientregimeplayedbeforeitshead，putpoliticalandsocialsatireonthestage，publiclyattachanexpressiontoeachwrongsoastobecomeaby—word，andevermakingaloudreport，[44]gatherupintoafewtraitstheentirepolemicsofthephilosophersagainsttheprisonsoftheState，againstthecensorshipofliterature，againstthevenalityofoffice，againsttheprivilegesofbirth，againstthearbitrarypowerofministers，againsttheincapacityofpeopleinoffice，andstillbetter，tosumupinonecharactereverypublicdemand，givetheleadingparttoacommoner，bastard，bohemianandvalet，who，bydintofdexterity，courageandgood—humor，keepshimselfup，swimswiththetide，andshootsaheadinhislittleskiff，avoidingcontactwithlargercraftandevensupplantinghismaster，accompanyingeachpullontheoarwithashowerofwitcastbroadsideatallhisrivals。
Afterall，inFranceatleast，thechiefpowerisintellect。
Literatureintheserviceofphilosophyisall—sufficient。Thepublicopposesbutafeebleresistancetotheircomplicity，themistressfindingnotroubleinconvincingthosewhohavealreadybeenwonoverbytheservant
Notes:
[1]HowrightTainewas。The20thcenturyshouldseearebirthofviolentJacobinisminRussia，China，Cambodia，Korea，Cuba，Germany，Italy，YugoslaviaandAlbaniaandofsoftandcreepingJacobinismintheentireWesternworld。（SR。）
[2]。"Who，bornwithinthelastfortyyears，everreadawordofCollins，andToland，andTindal，orofthatwholeracewhocalledthemselvesfreethinkers？"（Burke，"ReflexionsontheFrenchRevolutions，"1790）。
[3]。The"Oedipe，"byVoltaire，belongstotheyear1718，andhis"LettressurlesAnglais，"totheyear1728。The"LettresPersanes，"
byMontesquieu，publishedin1721，containthegermsofalltheleadingideasofthecentury。
[4]。"Raison"（cultof）。CultproposedbytheHébertistsandaimedatreplacingChristianityundertheFrenchRevolution。TheCultofReasonwascelebratedinthechurchofNotreDamedeParisonthe10thofNovember1793。ThecultdisappearedwiththeHébertists（March1794）andRobespierrereplaceditwiththecultoftheSuperiorBeing。（SR。）
[5]。JosephdeMaistre，Oeuvresinédites，"pp。8，11。
[6]。Diderot’slettersontheBlindandontheDeafandDumbareaddressedinwholeorinparttowomen。
[7]。"CorrespondenceofGouverneurMorris，"（inEnglish），II，89。
（LetterofJanuary24，1790）
[8]。JohnAndrewsin"Acomparativeview，"etc。（1785）。—ArthurYoung，I。123。"Ishouldpitythemanwhoexpected，withoutotheradvantagesofaverydifferentnature，tobewellreceivedinabrilliantcircleinLondon，becausehewasafellowoftheRoyalSociety。ButthiswouldnotbethecasewithamemberoftheAcademyofSciencesatParis，heissureofagoodreceptioneverywhere。"
[9]。"ImetinParisthed’Alemberts，theMarmontels，theBaillysatthehousesofduchesses，whichwasanimmenseadvantagetoallconcerned……Whenamanwithusdevoteshimselftowritingbooksheisconsideredasrenouncingthesocietyequallyofthosewhogovernasofthosewholaugh……Takingliteraryvanityintoaccountthelivesofyourd’AlembertsandBaillysareaspleasantasthoseofyourseigniors。"（Stendhal，"Rome，NaplesetFlorence，"377，inanarrativebyCol。Forsyth）。
[10]。"Entretiend’unphilosopheaveclaMaréchale—。"
[11]。Thetelevisionaudiencetodaycannotthreatenneveragaintoinvitetheboring"philosopher"todinner，butwillzapaway，amovethatthesystemaccuratelysenses。TherulesthatTainedescribesare，alas，thereforeoncemorevalid。（SR。）
[12]。Thesameprocessisobservableinourdayinthe"Sophismeséconomiques"ofBastiat，the"Elogeshistoriques"ofFlourens，andin"LeProgrès，"byEdmondAbout。
[13]。The"PortierdeChartreux。"（Aninfamouspornographicbook。
（SR。））
[14]。"ThéresePhilosophe。"Thereisacompleteliteratureofthisspecies。
[15]。SeetheeditionofM。Daubaninwhichthesuppressedpassagesarerestored。
[16]。"EspritdesLois，"ch。XV。bookV。（Reasonsinfavorofslavery）。The"DefenceoftheEspritdesLois，"I。Replytothesecondobjection。II。Replytothefourthobjection。
[17]。Letter24（onLouisXIV。）
[18]。Letter18（onthepurityandimpurityofthings）。Letter39
（proofsofthemissionofMohammed）。
[19]。Letters75and118。
[20]。Letters98（onthemodernsciences），46（onatruesystemofworship），11and14（onthenatureofjustice）。
[21]。Cf"Micromégas，""L’hommeauxquarantesécus，""DialoguesentreA，B，C，"Dic。Philosophique，"passim。—Inverse，"Lessystèmes，""Laloinaturelle，""Lepouretlecountre，"，"Discourssurl’homme，"etc。
[22]。"Traitédemétaphysique，"chap。I。p。1（onthepeasantry）。
—"LettressurlesAnglais，"passim。—"Candide，"passim。—
"LaPrincessedeBabylone，"ch。VII。VIII。IX。andXI。
[23]"Dict。Phil。"articles，"Maladie，"（Repliestotheprincess）。
—"Candide，"atMadamedeParolignac。Thesailorinthewreck。
NarrativeofPaquette。—The"Ingénu，"thefirstchapters。
[24]。"Candide，"thelastchapter。Whentherewasnodisputegoingon，itwassowearisomethattheoldwomanonedayboldlysaidtohim:"IshouldliketoknowwhichisworsetoberavishedahundredtimesbyNegropirates，tohaveone’srumpgashed，orbeswitchedbytheBulgarians，tobescourgedorhunginanauto—da—fé，tobecuttopieces，torowinthegalleys，tosufferanymiserythroughwhichwehavepassed，orsitstillanddonothing？"—"Thatisthegreatquestion，"saidCandide。
[25]。Forexample，inthelinesaddressedtothePrincessUlriqueintheprefaceto"Alzire，"dedicatedtoMadameduChatelet:
"Souventunpeudeverité，"etc。
[26]Thescholarinthedialogueof"LeMais，"（Jenny）。—ThecanonizationofSaintCucufin。—AdvicetobrotherPediculuso。—
ThediatribeofDoctorAkakia。—ConversationoftheemperorofChinawithbrotherRigolo，etc。
[27]。"Dict。Philosophique，"thearticle"Ignorance。"—"LesOreillesduComtedeChesterfied。"—"L’hommeauquaranteécus，"
chap。VII。andXI。
[28]。Bachaumont，III，194。（ThedeathoftheComtedeMaugiron）。
[29]。"ThenovelsoftheyoungerCrébillonwereinfashion。MyfatherspokewithMadamedePuisieuxontheeasewithwhichlicentiousworkswerecomposed；hecontendedthatitwasonlynecessarytofindanarousingideaasapegtohangothersoninwhichintellectuallibertinismshouldbeasubstitutefortaste。Shechallengedhimtoproduceonofthiskind。Attheendofafortnighthebroughther’Lesbijouxindiscrets’andfiftylouis。"（MémoiresofDiderot，byhisdaughter）。—"LaReligieuse，"hasasimilarorigin，itsobjectbeingtomystifyM。deCroismart。
[30]。"LeRêveded’Alembert。"
[31]。"LeneveaudeRameau。"
[32]。ThewordsofDiderothimselfinrelationtothe"Rêveded’Alembert。"
[33]Oneofthefineststanzasin"Souvenir"isalmostliterallytranscribed（involuntarily，Isuppose），fromthedialogueonOtaheite（Tahiti）。
[34]。"NouvelleHéloise，"passim。，andnotablyJulie’sextraordinaryletter，secondpart，number15。—"émile，"thepreceptor’sdiscoursetoémileandSophiethemorningaftertheirmarriage。—LetterofthecomtessedeBoufflerstoGustavusIII。，publishedbyGeffroy，（"GustaveIII。etlacourdeFrance"）。"I
entrusttoBarondeLederheim，thoughwithreluctance，abookforyouwhichhasjustbeenpublished，theinfamousmemoirsofRousseauentitled’Confessions。’Theyseemtomethoseofacommonscullionandevenlowerthanthat，beingdullthroughout，whimsicalandviciousinthemostoffensivemanner。Idonotrecurtomyworshipofhim（forsuchitwas）IshallneverconsolemyselfforitshavingcausedthedeathofthateminentmanDavidHume，who，togratifyme，undertooktoentertainthatfilthyanimalinEngland。"
[35]。"Confessions，"partI，bookIII。
[36]。LettertoM，deBeaumont。
[37]。"émile，"letterIV。193。"Peopleoftheworldmustnecessarilyputondisguise；letthemshowthemselvesastheyareandtheywouldhorrifyus，"etc。
[38]。See，especially，hisbookentitled"RousseaujugedeJean—
Jacques，"hisconnectionwithHumeandthelastbooksofthe"confessions。"
[39]。"Confessions，"part2。bookXI。"Thewomenwereintoxicatedwiththebookandwiththeauthortosuchanextentthattherewerefewofthem，evenofhighrank，whoseconquestIcouldnothavemadeifIhadundertakenit。IpossessevidenceofthiswhichI
donotcare，topublish，andwhich，withouthavingbeenobligedtoproveitbyexperience，warrant，mystatement。"Cf。G。Sand，"Histoiredemavie，"I。73。
[40]。SeeanengravingbyMoreaucalled"LesPetitsParrains。"—
Berquin，passim。，andamongothers"L’épée。"—Remarktheready—
madephrases，thestyleofanauthorcommontochildren，inBerquinandMadamedeGenlis。
[41]。Seethedescriptionofsunrisein"émile，"oftheélysée（anaturalgarden），in"Héloise。"Andespeciallyin"Emile，"attheendofthefourthbook，thepleasureswhichRousseauwouldenjoyifhewererich。
[42]。SeeinMarivaux，（"Ladoubleinconstance，"）asatireonthecourt，courtiersandthecorruptionsofhighlife，opposedtothecommonpeopleinthecountry。
[43]Bachmaumont，I。254。
[44]。"Acalculatorwasrequiredfortheplacebutadancergotit。"—"Thesaleofofficesisagreatabuse。"—"Yes，itwouldhebettertogivethemfornothing。"—"Onlysmallmenfearsmallliterature。"—"Chancemakestheinterval，themindonlycanalterthat！"—"Acourtier？—theysayitisaverydifficultprofession。"—"Toreceive，totake，andtoask，isthesecretinthreewords，"etc，—AlsotheentiremonologuebyFigaro，andallthesceneswithBridoisin。
CHAPTERII。THEFRENCHPUBLIC。
I。THENOBILITY。
TheAristocracy。—Noveltycommonlyrepugnanttoit。—
Conditionsofthisrepugnance。—ExampleinEngland。
Thispublichasyettobemadewillingtobeconvincedandtobewonover；beliefoccursonlywhenthereisadispositiontobelieve，and，inthesuccessofbooks，itsshareisoftengreaterthanthatoftheirauthors。Onaddressingmenaboutpoliticsorreligiontheiropinionsare，ingeneralalreadyformed；theirprejudices，theirinterests，theirsituationhaveconfirmedthembeforehand；theylistentoyouonlyafteryouhaveutteredaloudwhattheyinwardlythink。
Proposetothemtodemolishthegreatsocialedificeandtorebuilditanewonaquiteanoppositeplan:ordinarilyyouauditorswillconsistonlyofthosewhoarepoorlylodgedorshelterless，wholiveingarretsorcellars，orwhosleepunderthestars，onthebaregroundinthevicinityofhouses。Thecommonrunofpeople，whoselodgingsaresmallbuttolerable，dreadmovingandadheretotheiraccustomedways。Thedifficultybecomesmuchgreateronappealingtotheupperclasseswhooccupysuperiorhabitations；theiracceptanceofyourproposaldependseitherontheirgreatdelusionsorontheirgreatdisinterestedness。InEnglandtheyquicklyforeseethedanger。
Invainisphilosophythereindigenousandprecocious；itdoesnotbecomeacclimatized。In1729，Montesquieuwritesinhismemorandum—
book:"NoreligioninEngland；fourorfivemembersoftheHouseofCommonsattendmassorpreachingintheHouse……Whenreligionismentionedeverybodybeginstolaugh。Amanhavingsaid:
Ibelievethatasanarticleoffaith，everybodylaughed。A
committeeisappointedtoconsiderthestateofreligion，butitisregardedasabsurd。"Fiftyyearslaterthepublicmindundergoesareaction；allwithagoodroofovertheirheadsandagoodcoatontheirbacks[1]seetheconsequenceofthenewdoctrines。Inanyeventtheyfeelthatclosetspeculationsarenottobecomestreetpreaching。Impietyseemstothemanindiscretion；theyconsiderreligionasthecementofpublicorder。Thisisowingtothefactthattheyarethemselvespublicmen，engagedinactivelife，takingapartinthegovernment，andinstructedthroughtheirdailyandpersonalexperience。Practicallifefortifiesthemagainstthechimerasoftheorists；theyhaveprovedtothemselveshowdifficultitistoleadandtocontrolmen。Havinghadtheirhandonthemachinetheyknowhowitworks，itsvalue，itscost，andtheyarenottemptedtocastitasideasrubbishtotryanother，saidtobesuperior，butwhich，asyet，existsonlyonpaper。Thebaronet，orsquire，ajusticeonhisowndomain，hasnotroubleindiscerningintheclergymanofhisparishanindispensableco—workerandanaturalally。
Thedukeormarquis，sittingintheupperhousebythesideofbishops，requirestheirvotestopassbills，andtheirassistancetorallytohispartythefifteenhundredcurateswhoinfluencetheruralconscience。Thusallhaveahandonsomesocialwheel，largeorsmall，principaloraccessory，andthisendowsthemwithearnestness，foresightandgoodsense。Oncomingincontactwithrealitiesthereisnotemptationtosoarawayintotheimaginaryworld；thefactofonebeingatworkonsolidgroundofitselfmakesonedislikeaerialexcursionsinemptyspace。Themoreoccupiedoneisthelessonedreams，and，tomenofbusiness，thegeometryofthe"ContratSocial’
ismerelyintellectualgymnastics。
II。CONDITIONSINFRANCE。
TheoppositeconditionsfoundinFrance。—Indolenceoftheupperclass。—Philosophyseemsanintellectualdrill。—Besidesthis，asubjectforconversation。—Philosophicconversationinthe18thcentury。—Itssuperiorityanditscharm。—Theinfluenceitexercises。
ItisquitethereverseinFrance。"Iarrivedtherein1774，"[2]
saysanEnglishgentleman，"havingjustleftthehouseofmyfather，whonevercamehomefromParliamentuntilthreeo’clockinthemorning，andwhowasbusythewholemorningcorrectingtheproofsofhisspeechforthenewspapers，andwho，afterhastilykissingus，withanabsorbedair，wentouttoapoliticaldinner……InFranceIfoundmenofthehighestrankenjoyingperfectleisure。
Theyhadinterviewswiththeministersbutonlytoexchangecompliments；inotherrespectstheyknewaslittleaboutthepublicaffairsofFranceastheydidaboutthoseofJapan；andlessoflocalaffairsthanofgeneralaffairs，havingnoknowledgeoftheirpeasantryotherthanthatderivedfromtheaccountsoftheirstewards。
Ifoneofthem，bearingthetitleofgovernor，visitedaprovince，itwas，aswehaveseen，foroutwardparade；whilsttheintendantcarriedontheadministration，heexhibitedhimselfwithgraceandmagnificencebygivingreceptionsanddinners。Toreceive，togivedinners，toentertainguestsagreeablyisthesoleoccupationofagrandseignior；henceitisthatreligionandgovernmentonlyservehimassubjectsofconversation。Theconversation，moreover，occursbetweenhimandhisequals，andamanmaysaywhathepleasesingoodcompany。Moreoverthesocialsystemturnsonitsownaxis，likethesun，fromtimeimmemorial，throughitsownenergy，andshallitbederangedbywhatissaidinthedrawing—room？Inanyeventhedoesnotcontrolitsmotionandheisnotresponsible。Accordinglythereisnouneasyundercurrent，nomorosepreoccupationinhismind。
Carelesslyandboldlyhefollowsinthetrackofhisphilosophers；
detachedfromaffairshecangivehimselfuptoideas，justasayoungmanoffamily，onleavingcollege，laysholdofsomeprinciple，deducesitsconsequences，andformsasystemforhimselfwithoutconcerninghimselfaboutitsapplication[3]。
Nothingismoreenjoyablethanthisspeculativeinspiration。Themindsoarsamongthesummitsasifithadwings；itembracesvasthorizonsinaglance，takinginallofhumanlife，theeconomyoftheworld，theoriginoftheuniverse，ofreligionsandofsocieties。
Where，accordingly，wouldconversationbeifpeopleabstainedfromphilosophy？Whatcircleisthatinwhichseriouspoliticalproblemsandprofoundcriticismarenotadmitted？Andwhatmotivebringsintellectualpeopletogetherifnotthedesiretodebatequestionsofthehighestimportance？—FortwocenturiesinFrancetheconversationhasbeenrelatedtoallthat，andhenceitsgreatcharm。
Strangersfinditirresistible；nothinglikeitisfoundathome；LordChesterfieldsetsitforthasanexample:
"Italwaysturns，hesays，onsomepointinhistory，oncriticismorevenphilosophywhichismuchbettersuitedtorationalbeingsthanourEnglishdiscussionsabouttheweatherandwhist。"
Rousseau，soquerulous，admits"thatamoralsubjectcouldnotbebetterdiscussedinasocietyofphilosophersthaninthatofaprettywomaninParis。"Undoubtedlythereisagooddealofidletalk，butwithallthechattering"letamanofanyauthoritymakeaseriousremarkorstartagravesubjectandtheattentionisimmediatelyfixedonthispoint；menandwomen，theoldandtheyoung，allgivethemselvesuptoitsconsiderationonallitssides，anditissurprisingwhatanamountofreasonandgoodsenseissues，asifinemulation，fromthesefrolicsomebrains。"Thetruthisthat，inthisconstantholidaywhichthisbrilliantsocietygivesitselfphilosophyistheprincipalamusement。Withoutphilosophytheordinaryironicalchit—chatwouldbevapid。Itisasortofsuperioroperainwhicheverygrandconceptionthatcaninterestareflectingmindpassesbeforeit，nowincomicandnowinsoberattire，andeachinconflictwiththeother。Thetragedyofthedayscarcelydiffersfromitexceptinthisrespect，thatitalwaysbearsasolemnaspectandisperformedonlyinthetheaters；theotherassumesallsortsofphysiognomiesandisfoundeverywherebecauseconversationiseverywherecarriedon。Notadinnernorasupperisgivenatwhichitdoesnotfindplace。Onesitsatatableamidstrefinedluxury，amongagreeableandwell—dressedwomenandpleasantandwell—informedmen，aselectcompany，inwhichcomprehensionispromptandthecompanytrustworthy。Afterthesecondcoursetheinspirationbreaksoutintheliveliestsallies，allmindsflashingandscintillating。
Whenthedessertcomesonwhatistopreventthegravestofsubjectsfrombeingputintowitticisms？OntheappearanceofthecoffeequestionsontheimmortalityofthesoulandontheexistenceofGodcomeup。
Toformanyideaofthisattractiveandboldconversationwemustconsultthecorrespondenceoftheday，theshorttreatisesanddialoguesofDiderotandVoltaire，whateverismostanimated，mostdelicate，mostpiquantandmostprofoundintheliteratureofthecentury；andyetthisisonlyaresiduum，alifelessfragment。Thewholeofthiswrittenphilosophywasutteredinwords，withtheaccent，theimpetuosity，theinimitablenaturalnessofimprovisation，withtheversatilityofmaliceandofenthusiasm。Eventoday，chilledandonpaper，itstillexcitesandseducesus。WhatmustithavebeenthenwhenitgushedforthaliveandvibrantfromthelipsofVoltaireandDiderot？Daily，inParis，supperstookplacelikethosedescribedbyVoltaire，[4]。atwhich"twophilosophers，threecleverintellectualladies，M。PintothefamousJew，thechaplainoftheBatavianambassadorofthereformedchurch，thesecretaryofthePrincedeGalitzinoftheGreekchurch，andaSwissCalvinistcaptain，"seatedaroundthesametable，forfourhoursinterchangedtheiranecdotes，theirflashesofwit，theirremarksandtheirdecisions"onallsubjectsofinterestrelatingtoscienceandtaste。"
Themostlearnedanddistinguishedforeignersdailyvisited，inturn，thehouseoftheBarond’Holbach，—Hume，Wilkes，Sterne，Beccaria，Veri，theAbbéGaliani，Garrick，Franklin，Priestley，LordShelburne，theComtedeCreutz，thePrinceofBrunswickandthefutureElectorofMayence。WithrespecttosocietyingeneraltheBaronentertainedDiderot，Rousseau，Helvétius，Duclos，Saurin，Raynal，Suard，Marmontel，Boulanger，theChevalierdeChastellux，thetravelerLaCondamine，thephysicianBarthèz，andRouelle，thechemist。Twiceaweek，onSundaysandThursdays，"withoutprejudicetootherdays，"
theydineathishouse，accordingtocustom，attwoo’clock；asignificantcustomwhichthusleavestoconversationandgaietyaman’sbestpowersandthebesthoursoftheday。Conversation，inthosedays，wasnotrelegatedtonightandlatehours；amanwasnotforced，asatthepresentday，tosubordinateittotheexigenciesofworkandmoney，oftheAssemblyandtheExchange。Talkingisthemainbusiness。"Enteringattwoo’clock，"saysMorellet，[5]"wealmostallremaineduntilsevenoreighto’clockintheevening……Herecouldbeheardthemostliberal，themostanimated，themostinstructiveconversationthatevertookplace……
Therewasnopoliticalorreligioustemeritywhichwasnotbroughtforwardanddiscussedproandcon……Frequentlysomeoneofthecompanywouldbegintospeakandstatehistheoryinfull，withoutinterruption。Atothertimesitwouldbeacombatofoneagainstone，ofwhichtherestremainedsilentspectators。HereI
heardRouxandDarcetexposetheirtheoryoftheearth，Marmonteltheadmirableprincipleshecollectedtogetherinhis’ElementsdeLaLittérature，’Raynal，tellingusinlivres，sousanddeniers，thecommerceoftheSpaniardswithVera—CruxandoftheEnglishwiththeircolonies。"Diderotimprovisesontheartsandonmoralandmetaphysicalsubjects，withthatincomparablefervorandwealthofexpression，thatfloodoflogicandofillustration，thosehappyhitsofstyleandthatmimeticpowerwhichbelongedtohimalone，andofwhichbuttwoorthreeofhisworkspreserveeventhefeeblestimage。
IntheirmidstGaliani，secretaryoftheNeapolitanEmbassy，acleverdwarf；agenius，"asortofPlatoorMachiavelliwiththespiritandactionofaharlequin，"inexhaustibleinstories，anadmirablebuffoon，andanaccomplishedskeptic，"havingnofaithinanything，onanythingoraboutanything，"[6]noteveninthenewphilosophy，bravestheatheistsofthedrawing—room，beatsdowntheirdithyrambswithpuns，and，withhisperruqueinhishand，sittingcross—leggedonthechaironwhichheisperched，provestotheminacomicapologiathattheyraisonnent（reason）orrésonnent（resoundorecho）ifnotascruches（blockheads）atleastascloches（bells）；"inanyeventalmostaspoorlyastheologians。Oneofthosepresentsays，"Itwasthemostdivertingthingpossibleandworththebestofplays。"
Howcanthenobles，whopasstheirlivesintalking，refrainfromthesocietyofpeoplewhotalksowell？Theymightaswellexpecttheirwives，whofrequentthetheatereverynight，andwhoperformathome，nottoattractfamousactorsandsingerstotheirreceptions，Jelyotte，Sainval，Préville，andyoungMoléwho，quiteillandneedingrestoratives，"receivesinonedaymorethan2，000bottlesofwineofdifferentsortsfromtheladiesofthecourt，"Mlle。Clairon，who，consignedtoprisoninFortl’Eveque，attractstoit"animmensecrowdofcarriages，"presidingoverthemostselectcompanyinthebestapartmentoftheprison[7]。Withlifethusregarded，aphilosopherwithhisideasisasnecessaryinadrawingroomasachandelierwithitslights。Heformsapartofthenewsystemofluxury。Heisanarticleofexport。Sovereigns，amidsttheirsplendor，andattheheightoftheirsuccess，invitethemtotheircourtstoenjoyforonceintheirlifethepleasureofperfectandfreediscourse。WhenVoltairearrivesinPrussiaFredericII。iswillingtokisshishand，fawningonhimasonamistress，and，atalaterperiod，aftersuchmutualfondling，hecannotdispensewithcarryingonconversationswithhimbyletter。CatherineII。sendsforDiderot，and，fortwoorthreehourseveryday，sheplayswithhimthegreatgameoftheintellect。GustavusIII。，inFrance，isintimatewithMarmontel，andconsidersavisitfromRousseauasthehighesthonor[8]。ItissaidwithtruthofVoltairethat"heholdsthefourkingsinhishand，"thoseofPrussia，Sweden，DenmarkandRussia，withoutmentioninglowercards，theprinces，princesses，granddukesandmarkgraves。Theprincipalr？leinthissocietyevidentlybelongstoauthors；theirwaysanddoingsformthesubjectofgossip；peopleneverwearyofpayingthemhomage。Here，writesHumetoRobertson，[9]"Ifeedonambrosia，drinknothingbutnectar，breatheincenseonlyandwalkonflowers。EverymanImeet，andespeciallyeverywoman，wouldconsiderthemselvesasfailinginthemostindispensabledutyiftheydidnotfavormewithalengthyandingeniousdiscourseonmycelebrity。"Presentedatcourt，thefutureLouisXVI，agedtenyears，thefutureLouisXVIII，agedeightyears，andthefutureCharlesX，agedfouryears，eachrecitesacomplimenttohimonhisworks。IneednotnarratethereturnofVoltaire，histriumphantentry，[10]theAcademyinabodycomingtowelcomehim，hiscarriagestoppedbythecrowd，thethrongedstreets，thewindows，stepsandbalconiesfilledwithadmirers，anintoxicatedaudienceinthetheaterincessantlyapplauding，outsideanentirepopulationcarryinghimoffwithhuzzahs，inthedrawing—roomsacontinualconcourseequaltothatoftheking，grandseigniorspressedagainstthedoorwithoutstretchedearstocatchaword，andgreatladiesstandingontiptoetoobservetheslightestgesture。"ToformanyconceptionofwhatIexperienced，"saysoneofthosepresent，"oneshouldbreathetheatmosphereofenthusiasmIlivedin。Ispokewithhim。"Thisexpressionatthattimeconvertedanynew—comerintoanimportantcharacter。Hehad，infact，seenthewonderfulorchestra—
leaderwho，formorethanfiftyyears，conductedthetumultuousconcertofseriousorcourt—vêtuesideas，andwho，alwaysonthestage，alwayschief，therecognizedleaderofuniversalconversation，suppliedthemotives，gavethepitch，markedthemeasure，stampedtheinspiration，anddrewthefirstnoteontheviolin。
III。FRENCHINDOLENCE。
Furthereffectsofindolence。—Theskeptical，licentiousandseditiousspirit。—Previousresentmentandfreshdiscontentattheestablishedorderofthings。—Sympathyforthetheoriesagainstit。
—Howfaraccepted。
Listentotheshoutsthatgreethim:HurrahfortheauthoroftheHenriade！thedefenderofCalas，theauthorofLaPucelle！Nobodyofthepresentdaywouldutterthefirst，norespeciallythelasthurrah。
Thisindicatesthetendencyofthecentury；notonlywerewriterscalleduponforideas，butagainforantagonisticideas。Torenderanaristocracyinactiveistorenderitrebellious；peoplearemorewillingtosubmittorulestheyhavethemselveshelpedtoenforce。
Wouldyourallythemtothesupportofthegovernment？Thenletthemtakepartinit。Ifnottheystandbyasanonlookerandseenothingbutthemistakesitcommits，feelingonlyitsirritations，anddisposedonlytocriticizeandtohootatit。Infact，inthiscase，theyareasifinthetheater，wheretheygotobeamused，and，especially，nottobeputtoanyinconvenience。Whatinconveniencesintheestablishedorderofthings，andindeedinanyestablishedorder！—Inthefirstplace，religion。Totheamiable"idlers"
whomVoltairedescribes，[11]to"the100，000personswithnothingtodobuttoplayandtoamusethemselves，"religionisthemostdisagreeableofpedagogues，alwaysscolding，hostiletosensibleamusementandfreediscussion，burningbookswhichonewantstoread，andimposingdogmasthatarenolongercomprehensible。Inplaintermsreligionisaneyesore，andwhoeverwishestothrowstonesatheriswelcome。——Thereisanotherbond，themorallawofthesexes。Itseemsoneroustomenofpleasure，tothecompanionsofRichelieu，LauzunandTilly，totheheroesofCrebillontheyounger，andallothersbelongingtothatlibertineandgallantsocietyforwhomlicensehasbecometherule。Ourfinegentlemenarequitereadytoadoptatheorywhichjustifiestheirpractices。[12]Theyareverygladtobetoldthatmarriageisconventionalandathingofprejudice。Saint—Lambertobtainstheirapplauseatsupperwhen，raisingaglassofchampagne，heproposesasatoastareturntonatureandthecustomsofTahiti[13]。Thelastfetterofallisthegovernment，themostgalling，foritenforcestherestandkeepsmandownwithitsweight，alongwiththeaddedweightoftheothers。Itisabsolute，itiscentralized，itworksthroughfavorites，itisbackward，itmakesmistakes，ithasreverses:howmanycausesofdiscontentembracedinafewwords！Itisopposedbythevagueandsuppressedresentmentoftheformerpowerswhichithasdispossessed，theprovincialassemblies，theparliaments，thegrandeesoftheprovinces，theoldstockofnobles，who，liketheMirabeau，retaintheoldfeudalspirit，andlikeChateaubriand’sfather，calltheAbbé
Raynala"master—man。"Againstitisthespiteofallthosewhoimaginethemselvesfrustratedinthedistributionofofficesandoffavors，notonlytheprovincialnobilitywhoremainoutside[14]whilethecourtnobilityarefeastingattheroyalbanquet，butagainthemajorityofthecourtierswhoareobligedtobecontentwithcrumbs，whilethelittlecircleofintimatefavoritesswallowdownthelargemorsels。Ithasagainstittheill—humorofthoseunderitsdirectionwho，seeingitplaythepartofProvidenceandprovidingforall，accusesitofeverything，thehighpriceofbreadaswellasofthedecayofahighway。Ithasagainstitthenewhumanitywhich，inthemostelegantdrawing—rooms，laystoitschargethemaintenanceoftheantiquatedremainsofabarbarousepoch，ill—imposed，ill—
apportionedandill—collectedtaxes，sanguinarylaws，blindprosecutions，atrociouspunishments，thepersecutionoftheProtestants，lettres—de—cachet，andprisonsofState。AndIdonotincludeitsexcesses，itsscandals，itsdisastersanditsdisgraces，—Rosbach，thetreatyofParis，MadameduBarry，andbankruptcy。—
Disgustintervenes，foreverythingisdecidedlybad。Thespectatorsoftheplaysaytoeachotherthatnotonlyisthepieceitselfpoor，butthetheaterisbadlybuilt，uncomfortable，stiflingandcontracted，tosuchadegreethat，tobeatone’sease，thewholethingmustbetorndownandrebuiltfromcellartogarret。
Justatthismomentthenewarchitectsappear，withtheirspeciousargumentsandtheirready—madeplans，provingthateverygreatpublicstructure，religiousandmoral，andallcommunities，cannotbeotherwisethanbarbarousandunhealthy，since，thusfar，theyarebuiltupoutofbitsandpieces，bydegrees，andgenerallybyfoolsandsavages，inanyeventbycommonmasons，whobuiltaimlessly，feelingtheirwayanddevoidofprinciples。Asfarastheyareconcerned，theyaregenuinearchitects，andtheyhaveprinciples，thatistosay，Reason，Nature，andtheRightsofMan，straightforwardandfruitfulprincipleswhicheverybodycanunderstand，allthathastobedoneistodrawtheirconsequencesmakingitpossibletoreplacetheimperfecttenementsofthepastwiththeadmirableedificeofthefuture。—Toirreverent，Epicureanandphilanthropicmalcontentsthetemptationisagreatone。Theyreadilyadoptmaximswhichseeminconformitywiththeirsecretwishes；atleasttheyadoptthemintheoryandinwords。Theimposingtermsofliberty，justice，publicgood，man’sdignity，aresoadmirable，andbesidessovague！Whatheartcanrefusetocherishthem，andwhatintelligencecanforetelltheirinnumerableapplications？Andallthemorebecause，uptothelast，thetheorydoesnotdescendfromtheheights，beingconfinedtoabstractions，resemblinganacademicoration，constantlydealingwithNaturalMan（hommeensoi）ofthesocialcontract，withanimaginaryandperfectsociety。IsthereacourtieratVersailleswhowouldrefusetoproclaimequalityinthelandsoftheFranks！—Betweenthetwostoriesofthehumanintellect，theupperwhereabstractreasoningisspunandthelowerwhereanactivefaithreposes，communicationisneithercompletenorimmediate。Anumberofprinciplesneverleavetheupperstories；theyremainthereascuriosities，somanyfragile，clevermechanisms，freelytobeseenbutrarelyemployed。Iftheproprietorsometimestransfersthemtothelowerstoryhemakesbutapartialuseofthem；establishedcustoms，anteriorandmorepowerfulinterestsandinstinctsrestricttheiremployment。Inthisrespectheisnotactinginbadfaith，butasaman；eachofusprofessingtruthswhichhedoesnotputinpractice。
OneeveningTarget，adulllawyer，havingtakenapinchfromthesnuff—boxoftheMaréchaledeBeauvau，thelatter，whosedrawingroomisasmalldemocraticclub，isamazedatsuchmonstrousfamiliarity。
Later，Mirabeau，onreturninghomejustafterhavingvotedfortheabolitionofthetitlesofnobility，takeshisservantbytheear，laughinglyproclaiminginhisthunderousvoice，"Lookhere，yourascal，ItrustthattoyouIshallalwaysbeMonsieurleComte！"—
Thisshowstowhatextentnewtheoriesareadmittedintoanaristocraticbrain。Theyoccupythewholeoftheupperstory，andthere，withapleasingmurmur，theyweavethewebofinterminableconversation；theirbuzzinglaststhroughoutthecentury；neverhavethedrawing—roomsseensuchanoutpouringoffinesentencesandoffinewords。Somethingofallthisdropsfromtheuppertothelowerstory，ifonlyasdust，Imeantosay，hope，faithinthefuture，beliefinReason，aloveoftruth，thegenerousandyouthfulgoodintentions，theenthusiasmthatquicklypassesbutwhichmay，forawhile，becomeself—abnegationanddevotion。
IV。UNBELIEF。
Thediffusionamongtheupperclass。—Progressofincredulityinreligion。—Itscauses。—ItbreaksoutundertheRegency。—
Increasingirritationagainsttheclergy。—Materialisminthedrawing—room。—Estimateofthesciences。—Finalopiniononreligion。—Skepticismofthehigherclergy。
Letusfollowtheprogressofphilosophyintheupperclass。
Religionisthefirsttoreceivetheseverestattacks。Thesmallgroupofskeptics，whichishardlyperceptibleunderLouisXIV，hasobtaineditsrecruitsinthedark；in1698thePalatine，themotheroftheRegent，writesthat"wescarcelymeetayoungmannowwhoisnotambitiousofbeinganatheist。"[15]UndertheRegency，unbeliefcomesoutintoopendaylight。"Idoubt，"saysthisladyagain，in1722，"if；inallParis，ahundredindividualscanbefound，eitherecclesiasticsorlaymen，whohaveanytruefaith，orevenbelieveinourLord。Itmakesonetremble……"Thepositionofanecclesiasticinsocietyisalreadydifficult。Heislookedupon，apparently，aseitherapuppetoradickey（afalseshirtfront）[16]。
"Themomentweappear，"saysoneofthem，"weareforcedintodiscussion；wearecalledupontoprove，forexample，theutilityofprayertoanunbelieverinGod，andthenecessityoffastingtoamanwhohasallhislifedeniedtheimmortalityofthesoul；theeffortisveryirksome，whilethosewholaugharenotonourside。"Itisnotlongbeforethecontinuedscandalofconfessionticketsandthestubbornnessofthebishopsinnotallowingecclesiasticalpropertytobetaxed，excitesopinionagainsttheclergy，and，asamatterofcourse，againstreligionitself。"Thereisdanger，"saysBarbierin1751，"thatthismayendseriously；wemaysomedayseearevolutioninthiscountryinfavorofProtestantism。"[17]"Thehatredagainstthepriests，"writesd’Argensonin1753，"iscarriedtoextremes。