D'ALEMBERT. 459 



traits of the worthy old politician. The taste and judg- 

 ment shewn in some is of a very equivocal character. 

 Thus Massillon is described with some reference to his 

 finer sermons, but very indifferent passages are selected 

 for illustrating his prodigious merits; and his funeral 

 sermons are plainly undervalued, without any exception 

 being made in favour of the most magnificent passage, 

 and the most successful that was perhaps ever delivered 

 from the pulpit, the opening of the sermon on Louis le 

 Grand's death.* Bossuet is plainly preferred to him; 

 and some passages are given as master-pieces that are 

 far exceeded by others in that great preacher's discourses. 

 The " article" on the Abbe Dubois is entertaining ; but, 

 as if to shew the incurable vices of the Eloge, a memoir 

 being inserted written by one who had access to know 

 the Abbe's history, D'Alembert admits his having sup- 

 pressed those portions which reflected discredit upon him. 

 It is necessary to add that the Eloges which D'Alembert 

 composed officially as Secretary were, according to the 

 custom of the Academy, read at the general or public 

 meetings, which are attended by all who can obtain 

 tickets of admission from the Academicians. At the 

 same meetings were read other pieces of a popular 

 description, as the ' Dialogue between Queen Christina 

 and Descartes in Elysium,' that between ' Philosophy and 

 Poetry,' and the ' Discourses on Poetry,' on ( Eloquence/ 

 and others, upon the annual distribution of the prizes. 

 That D'Alembert suffered himself to be seduced by the 

 comparatively poor and passing gratification of pleasing 



* The body was lying in the church when Massillon began, 

 " Dieu seul est grand, mes freres !" 



