MEMOIR OF DAUBENTON. 



It seemed naturally to arise from this, that he had 

 seen little of them; and being exclusively occupied 

 with the contemplation of Nature, he never took any 

 share in the proceedings of the active part of society. 

 But it sometimes went to an astonishing length. Al- 

 though of such delicate tact in detecting error, he never 

 seamed to suspect a falsehood; he always manifested 

 new surprise when intrigue or interest, concealed under 

 a fair exterior, was exposed to him. Whether this 

 ignorance was natural to him, or he had voluntarily 

 disregarded the knowledge of mankind, in order to spare 

 himself the annoyance endured by those who know them 

 best, it did not fail to throw over his conversation an 

 air of -charity and good nature, the more to be admired, 

 as it contrasted so strongly with the spirit of keen dis- 

 crimination he displayed in all matters of pure reason- 

 ing. It was impossible, accordingly, to have intercourse 

 with him without loving him ; and never did any man 

 receive more numerous proofs of affection or respect 

 from others, at all periods of his life, and under all suc- 

 cessive governments. 



He has been blamed for having received honours 

 unworthy of him, and odious from the very names of 

 those who offered them ; but this was a consequence of 

 the system, with which he judged even statesmen, which 

 led him never to suppose their motives to be different 

 from what they expressed; a dangerous method, no 

 doubt, but which, perhaps, we have too much aban- 

 doned in the present day. 



