484 D'ALEMBERT. 



generous minds, how much soever we may be disposed to 

 admit that they carried their indignation beyond just 

 bounds when they confounded the use with the abuse, 

 and made religion answerable for the faults of its pro- 

 fessors.*" 



* The character given of D'Alembert by Grimm, is certainly more 

 remarkable for its epigrammatic composition than its truth ; though 

 it may contain an approximation to some features. " Les personnes 

 qui ont vecu le plus avec D'Alembert le trouvaient bon sans bonte, 

 sensible sans sensibilite, vain sans orgueil, chagrin sans tristesse;" 

 all this he explains by ascribing to him a combination of " roideur, 

 faiblesse, et activite.'' He allows his conversation to have been 

 admirable , that he could give attraction to the most dry and for- 

 bidding subjects, and gave his sallies with a grace and a readiness 

 not easily surpassed. 



