D'ALEMBERT. 457 



man she most esteemed. The ground taken by this 

 furious bigot was the known scepticism of the philoso- 

 pher's opinions, though every one is aware that he never 

 obtruded them on any society, and never gave to the 

 world a single line in which religion and its institutions 

 were treated with disrespect. 



In the deep grief with which these irreparable losses 

 struck him, his friends hastened to administer such con- 

 solation as their sympathy could afford. Among others, 

 Frederick II. wrote him several letters, which are superior 

 in point of feeling, and at least equal in ability, to any 

 other of his works; and by that monarch's wise advice 

 he was guided, and with success ; for the only real relief 

 which he experienced was in his favourite pursuit, his 

 fast friend in good and in evil fortune, as Frederick 

 advised him, (CEuv. Vol. XIII. p. 267.) He plunged into 

 the depths of geometrical investigation, which he had too 

 long abandoned, and he found the most salutary effects 

 from this exertion. (CEuv. Vol. XVIII. p. 95.)* 



The change which took place in D'Alembert's habits, 

 when he became a member of those circles to which we 

 have been referring, and passed in them no little portion 

 of his time and all his leisure, may be supposed to have 

 disinclined him towards his studious occupations, if it did 

 not unfit him for them. But this was not the case. He 



* It must be added as a sufficient reason for our regarding the 

 affair of Mdlle. de Espinasse in the light of a publicly avowed 

 matter, and not one only belonging to the immediate parties, 

 that D'Alembert himself printed the letter to Count Fuentes on 

 Mora's death, and also allowed Frederick's letters on Mdlle. de 

 1'Espinasse's death to be copied, circulated, and published. Frederick 

 was exceedingly offended with this; it produced a serious dryness, 

 which lasted some time. (Vol. XVIII. p. 143. 155.) 



