ig6 THE RURAL SOCRATES. 



* I aril unable to cxprefs the tendernefs and refpedk 

 ^ with which I was penetrated at this moment. I em- 

 ^ braced the virtuous old man. I made myiclfknovv^n 

 *- to him ; and intreated, if he defigned to give me plca- 



* fure, that he would acquaint me how 1 could be of 

 ^ life to hiiTirdf or to lonie one of his family. 



' He pointed to the houfes, fields of grain, and gar- 



* dens, which lurrounded us- '^ The profpedt before 

 ^^ you (faid he) fupplies our wants ; and Providence 

 ''" having blelTed our labors, we have even Tome means 

 *' left for comfoiting the wretched. Every thing be- 

 *' yond what is needful for our fmall expences, would 

 " be ufelefs : it might even become pernicious, by ex- 

 *' citing inordinate defirts in our children. But, Sir, 

 ^' you have the happincfs to be in liigh office near our 

 ^' dear and auguft fovereign : Deign to tell him, that 

 *' all our fcveral families lift their prayers to heaven 

 '' for the continuance of his precious life ; and that the 

 *^ Fleuriots will always endeavor to be ufeful to the 

 *' diflrefTed, that they may be ranked among the bed 

 ^' fubjecls of the mofl beneficent of all monarchs*.'' 



^ If a relation were required of multiplied compound 

 ^ fra(n:ures cured in the fame patient, I could furnilh not 

 ^ only one, but many accounts ; for which I could 



* vouch upon the evidence of my own eye-fight. 



' The Marquis dc Voyer and M. de St. Lambert, 

 ^ whofe abilities and information are fo univerfally 



' known. 



* Stanifiaus, then Ex-King of Poland, lit kept his throne while 

 Chhile.-i XII. of Sweden was in power ; but afterwards gave way to the 

 beaer fojtunes of King Auguftus II. who was fupported hy the Rii(lian.«. 



His daughter wa$ married to Louis XV. of France. By her influence 

 he was not only allowed to retain his tills ; but had Lcrraine given to him 

 to govern for iife. He fucceedcd fome of tlie melt popular piioces in 

 that country that have been known any ivhere in modern times, and add- 

 ed one to the number. He was the oflenfihle author of the CEui^res d^un 

 phiiojophe hievfaifimfy puhiifhed in 4 volumes 8vo. and not only did 

 n-.ucfsgood in Lorraine, but ornamenied it with /everal buildings, which 

 are well known lo iravelkrs. E. 



