ELOGE OK BUFFOIT. 



us how his pen learned the art of painting nature in a 

 style equal to the subject. As for myself, I cannot 

 enter upon these useful researches, because I am sepa- 

 rated from all the monuments of literature, as well as 

 from the small number of individuals, who having lived 

 with these heroes of a past age, yet retain some recol- 

 lection of them. In what I have to say of Buffon, I 

 can only consult my memory, full, as it is, of his great 

 works, but silent as to his life. The extent of his repu- 

 tation is scarcely known to me ; and such, in a word, is 

 the disadvantage of my position, that having to cele- 

 brate a man whose name is already too great for a voice 

 like mine, I am reduced to the necessity of being unable 

 to praise in him any thing but what is expressly above 

 all praise. I must, however, speak to you of his im- 

 mortal work. The further I advance with my subject, 

 the more does my courage fail me ; and notwithstand- 

 ing the law I imposed on myself when commencing A 

 task, the importance of which alarmed me, I cannot 

 avoid to remind you again of my incompetency, and to 

 solicit your indulgence. 



If I were referring to this magnificent work under 

 the different aspects in which it may be regarded, and 

 holding up to admiration a genius which showed its 

 superiority in every department where it was called 

 upon to excel, in order to succeed in my attempt, this 

 discourse would not only exceed the limits you have 

 prescribed to me, but would form a work of consider- 

 able extent ; for there is no In'n.d of knowledge which 



