290 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



they are the children of their age, juft like other 

 men. The vices which are laid to their charge, 

 belong partly to their Nation, partly to the times 

 in which they live, to the political conflicution of 

 the State, and to their education. Ours are French- 

 men, like ourfelvesj they are our kinfmen, fre- 

 quently facrificed to our own fortune, through the 

 ambition of our fathers. Were we charged with 

 the performance of their duties, we ihould fre- 

 quently acquit ourfelves worfe than they do. I 

 know of none fo painful, none fo worthy of rtfpeâ:, 

 as thofe of a good ecclefiafhic. 



I do not fpeak of thofe of a Bifhop, who exer- 

 cifes a vigilant care over his diocefe, who inftitutes 

 judicious feminaries of inftruftion, who maintains 

 regularity and peace in communities, who refifts 

 the wicked, and fupports the weak, who is always 

 ready to fuccour the miferable, and who, in this 

 age of error, refutes the objeftions of the enemies 

 of the faith, by his own virtues. He has his re- 

 ward in the public efteem. It is poffible to pur- 

 chafe, by painful labours, the glory of being a 

 Fenelon, or a Jitipié. I fay nothing of thofe of a 

 parifh minifler, which, from their importance, 

 fomeiimes attract the attention of Kings ; nor of 

 thofe of a mifTionary, advancing to the crown .of 

 martyrdom. The conflids of this laft frequently 

 endure but for a fingle day, and his glory is im- 

 mortal. 



