, was born at Sully-sur-Loire in 1722, and died Feb. 25, 1761, in
, was born at Sully-sur-Loire in 1722, and died Feb.
25, 1761, in the 38th year of his age. He was a man of
great talents, and his heart was as excellent as his understanding: no man took a greater participation in the suffering of his fellow creatures. More devoted to his friends
than to himself, he always anticipated their desires,
“When my friend laughs,
” said he, “it is his business to
inform me of the reason of his joy when he weeps, it is
rnin,e to discover the cause of his grief.
” He never solicited either favours or rewards. Contented with the common necessaries of life and health, he was unconcerned
about the rest. It was a maxim with him, that, if harmony
reigned among literary men, notwithstanding the smallness
of their number, they would be the masters of the world.
Somebody once read to him a satirical piece of poetry, for
his advice, “Give up this wretched turn for ever,
” said
he, “if you would retain any connexion with me. One
more satire, and we break at once.
” Modest in the midst
of prosperity, he sometimes said to his friends: “Content
to live on terms of friendship with the distinguished characters of my times, I have not the ambition to wish for a
place among them in the temple of memory.
” Very early
in life he gave proofs of the facility of his genius, and had
the art of blending study and philosophy with pleasure.
He wrote the comedy of the “Impertinent,
” which was
much applauded. It is not indeed in the style of Moliere;
but it contains good pictures of real life, ingenious turns of
wit, judicious sentiments, and the principal character is
well drawn. 2. Miscellaneous works. A soft and light
vein of poetry, an easy and harmonious versification, a
lively colouring, delicate and well-turned thoughts, are the
characteristics of this collection, in which the “Voyage
de Saint-Germain
” rises superior to the rest. It is easy to
perceive that the author had taken Voltaire for his model,
and is not unsuccessful in his imitation. A complete edition
of his works, from his own manuscripts, appeared in 1777,
with a life of the author, Paris, 2 vols. 12mo.