S Biographical Memoir of Michel Adanson. 



duce this neglect, and the enjoyments by which it is amply com- 

 pensated. Both arise from the same principle. The man who 

 is devoted to the discovery of truth, being too much satisfied 

 with the ineffable charm attached to his research, does not suffi- 

 ciently attend to the opinion of others ; and, in reality, it is al- 

 most always his own indifference which causes that of his age, 

 — an indifference which is certainly culpable, since it has the 

 effect of defrauding genius of its noble destination. 



The historical eulogy of M. Adanson will afford evidence of 

 all these truths, and will derive from them its principal interest. 

 The various qualities of that learned and singular man, their 

 origin and their effects, their agreement and opposition, their 

 influence upon his labours and upon his fortune, will equally 

 concur toward this object. Unbending courage and infinite 

 patience, profound genius and offensive singularity, ardent de- 

 sire of a speedy reputation, and misconception of the means 

 which afford it ; lastly, calmness of mind in the midst of all 

 sorts of privations and sufi'erings, — every thing during his long 

 life deserves to be pondered, and will, in its turn, become a 

 noble example for emulation, or a salutary admonition for the 

 conduct. 



Michel Adanson,* member of the Institute, and of the 

 Legion of Honour, foreign member of the Royal Society of 

 London, ci-devant pensionary of the Academic des Sciences^ 

 and royal censor, was born at Aix, in Provence, on the 7th of 

 April 1727. He was of a Scotch family, which had attached 

 itself to the fate of King James. His father, a servant of 

 M. de Vintimille, archbishop of Aix, followed that prelate, when 

 he was appointed to the archbishoprick of Paris, and took along 

 with him to the capital, .the young Michel, then three years of 

 age. M. Adanson, the father, had four other children also, and 

 was not rich ; but the protection of the archbishop assisted him 

 in their education. Each of them received a small benefice, and 

 Michel Adanson, in particular, had, at the age of seven years, 

 a canonicate at Champeaux en Brie, which served to defray his 

 expences at the College of Plessis. 



• The correct orthography of the name, as the family was from Scotland, 

 will be Adamson,mm''Ej}i'i. 



