37 



view, can compare with Mr. Desmarest. He made, as he 

 says, a discovery in natural history, which .had hitherto 

 escaped the most penetrating philosophers. He published a 

 new theory, and the world instantly adopted his opinions: 

 and with such zeal, that we find many respectable writers, of 

 the time, catch at opportunities (even out of their ^vay) to 

 express their approbation of them. 



It is a bold undertaking to convince the world, that 

 it has been in the wrong; nor can I expect a favourable 

 reception, 



Dum veteres avias tibi de pulmone revello: 



and the rather, as I have a double task to perform; for 

 I must not only shew, that Mr. Desmarest's opinions are 

 perfectly unfounded, but I have also to account for their 

 miraculous propagation. 



In this latter part, I have the assistance of the same 

 person, who discovered to us Mr. Desmarest's original in- 

 tention. Abbe Barruel; who states, that, at the time the 

 Memoir was published, upon which the whole theory rests, 

 (1771), the public opinion, in philosophical matters, was 

 very much governed by the authority of the Academy of 

 Sciences; the leading members of which Avere all Mr. 

 Desmarest's associates in his hostility to Moses, and in 

 pursuit of the same end (the extirpation of Christianity); 

 that they countenanced, or rather puffed, all opinions 

 ■ which they (being in the confidence of the authors) knew 

 had a tendency to favour their grand object. 



VOL. X. F" This 



