302 GIBBON. 



the whole disorderly squadron of rash and feeble volun- 

 teers who filled the ranks of his enemies, while the more 

 distinguished theological writers of the country stood 

 aloof." (' Life/ ch. ix., note 3.) 



Two years elapsed between the publication of the 

 first and the commencement of the second volume. His 

 curiosity had induced him to attend courses of lectures 

 in anatomy under Dr. William Hunter, and in chemistry 

 under Mr. Higgins; and he read some books of natural 

 history. In 1771 he went to Paris, on the invitation of 

 his friends the Neckers, who had come over to England 

 on a visit, and this excursion occupied six months, which 

 he passed very agreeably, if not very instructively, in the 

 best Parisian society. He was there, from his knowledge 

 of the language and his early habits of foreign residence, 

 more at home than most other strangers who frequent 

 those circles, and there remain testimonies of competent 

 witnesses to his success. Mme. du Deffand describes it 

 as very great indeed, praises his French, applauds also 

 the fulness of his conversation, is pleased with his man- 

 ners, though she complains that he is much too fond of 

 distinction and overrates the pleasures of French society ; 

 she is in some doubt if he is a very clever man, though 

 clear that he is a very learned one; and asserts, among 

 other things, that though he has not the abilities (Fes- 

 prit)* of Mr. Hume, "il ne tombe pas dans les menies 

 ridicules, mais se comporte d'une maniere qui ne donne 

 point de prise au ridicule, ce qui est fort difficile eviter 



* Hume's difficulty in speaking the language, and his awkward 

 though simple and unaffected manners, were often the subject of 

 merriment at Paris ; but this very naivete contributed to the repu- 

 tation of " le bon David," as he was generally termed. 



