THE RURAL SOCRATES. 193 



^ This family, whofe name is Fleuriot^ is better dil^ 



* tinguifhed by that of Valdajon^ given to the country 



* and village which it inhabits. 



' For many years paf>, the chiefs have principally (lu- 

 ' died that part of furgery v/hich refpeds fradures and 



* d'tjlocations , Repeated cures have added reputation 

 ^ to their knowledge ; whild remarkable piety and ex- 

 ' emplary charity havejuRly acquired them the charac- 

 ' ter of virtuous men. 



•• The moft peculiar iriodcfty, the fincerefl: fraternal 

 ' tcndernefs, are confpicuous in the manners of this 

 ' happy family ; which is nov/ fufficiently numerous and 

 ' remote from its common ftock not to be obliged to 



* contra(^ foreign alliances. . 



' The late Duke Leopold^, touched with admiration 

 ' for the virtues inherent in the Fleuriots, and fenfible 



* that every part of their condud merited a Civic Crov/n, 

 ^ and that they had proved the greatnefs of their fouls 

 ^ by the mod difintereflcd beneficence ; was defirous to 

 ^ ennoble them. 



' The families aflembled ; and the heads of them were 



* unanimous to return their grateful thanks to their ^o- 

 *- vereign for the honor he intended them, but declined 

 ' the acceptance of it. " Our poflerity, (laid they, in 

 *' an addrefs equally wife and dutiful) may, perhaps, 

 *^ fee objedcs in a different light from ourfelves ; intox- 

 *^ icated with the pride of nobility, they may difpenfe 

 '' themfelves from the duty of relieving the poor ; de- 

 ** fpife the cultivation of their eflate ; the bleffing of 

 ^^ heaven will no longer profper their undertakings 5 

 *^ difcord will divide them ; and ihey will ceafe to be 

 '' happy." — ' They refufed a patent of nobility ; but 

 ^ that, traced in thsir fouls, has always remained indel-= 



* iblc ! 



' The 



* One ri \\\t Lorra'.ne famtly : a family (ince united to the AuQrUn 

 Toval faini?y, 'Xht \%\t Qreen of France fprang froti? ibe united hcufes, E, 



