6 meinoirs of Abbe Blaiichei. March j. 



that it seemed fitted for him ; it is for this reason he 

 quitted it with regret, and preserved such a memory 

 of it, that he looked upon himself as belonging to the 

 family, where he had educated any young person. 



The singularity of this voluntary resignation, add- 

 ed to the more singular contrasts which he constant- 

 ly exhibited, naturally, and without any affectation, 

 excited a curiosity in many, who, if he had lived like 

 other people, would not have minded him. Great 

 men wilhed to be acquainted with one, who keeping 

 pain and chagrins for himself, carried good humour 

 and mirth wherever he went ; a man above all, who 

 did not know how to alk or accept ; who, from his 

 heart despised riches, but without cynicism, and 

 without boastings ; but who did not bid others 

 do so, as may be seen from the pains he took to pro- 

 vide honourably for his nephew, (M. 1' Abbe Four- 

 nier canon of the cathedral of Chartres,) very worthy, 

 without doubt, of all his affection and esteem. The 

 great knew him and loved him ; they esteemed him 

 so much as to occupy themselves about his fortune 

 in spite of himself. 



Let us observe here, that his character, for talents 

 are out of the question, offers very similiar traits 

 to that of the famous J. J. Roufseau, but there are 

 great difsimilarities. Jean Jacques was continually 

 a prey to the love of fame ; he distrusted all the 

 world, and was always unsocial ; on the other hand 

 t'le Abbe Blanchet kept as much as he could his life 

 and writings unknown, lived in perfect confidence, 

 and died in the arms of iriendHiip. 



