FONTENELLE (Bernard de)

, a celebrated French author, was born at Rouen in 1657, and died in 1756, when he was near 100 years old. He was a universal genius: at a very early age he wrote several comedies and tragedies of considerable merit; and he did the same at a very advanced age. Voltaire declares him the most universal genius the age of Lewis the 14th produced; and compares him to lands situated in so happy a climate, as to produce all sorts of fruits. His last comedies, though they shewed the elegance of Fontenelle, were however, little fitted for the stage; he then also produced an Apology for the Vortices of Des Cartes; upon which Voltaire says, “We must excuse his comedies, on account of his great age; and his Cartesian opinions, as they were those of his youth, when they were universally received all over Europe.”

In his poetical performances and Dialogues of the Dead, the spirit of Voiture was discerned, though more extended and more philosophical. His Plurality of Worlds is a work singular in its kind : his design in this was, to present that part of philosophy to view in a gay and pleasing dress.

Fontenelle applied himself also to mathematics and natural philosophy; in which he proved not less successful than he had been in polite literature. Having been appointed perpetual secretary to the Academy of Sciences, he discharged that trust above 40 years with universal applause: his History of the Academy often throws great light upon their memoirs, which are sometimes obscure; and it has been said, he was the first who introduced elegance into the sciences. The Eloges, which he pronounced on the deceased members of the Academy, have this peculiar merit, that they excite a respect for the sciences as well as for the authors.

Upon the whole, Fontenelle must be looked upon as the great master of the new art of treating abstract sciences, in a manner that make their study at once easy and agreeable: nor are any of his works of other kinds void of merit. All those talents which he possessed from nature, were assisted by a good knowledge of history and languages: and he perhaps surpasses all men of learning who have not had the gift of invention.

Beside his poetical and theatrical works, with those of Belles lettres, &c, he published Elemens de Geometrie de l'Infini, in 4to, 1727; also the Theorie des Tourbillens Cartesiens; and Discours moraux & philosophiques. All his different works were collected in eleven volumes, 12mo, under the title of Oeuvres Diverses.