154 MEMOIRS OF 



moralist, who derives his precepts from that 

 pure light which shines on all who seek it. The 

 subject is the distribution of the prizes founded 

 by M. de Montyon for virtuous actions. This 

 philanthropist had spent a life of usefulness, and 

 particularly sought to ameliorate the condition 

 of the lower classes, " that class of beings, 

 which," to use M. Cuvier's expressions, " he 

 saw exposed to poverty and disease ; forced to 

 undergo severe and painful, even dangerous and 

 unliealthy labours ; almost entirely deprived of 

 education ; particularly open to the seductions 

 of vice, the torrent of passions, and brutal plea- 

 sures ; often obliged to listen to the suggestions 

 of want and hunger, and having no resource 

 against these temptations in mental acquire- 

 ment, in the habit of reflection, in public esteem, 

 in the hope of a better fate, or that ease of cir- 

 cumstances, which in other conditions is ac- 

 quired by labour and good conduct." 



M. de Montyon left legacies to hospitals ; and 

 thinking, that after quitting these asylums in 

 too weak a state to work, the poor needed still 

 further aid, he destined a certain sum to this 

 purpose. Besides this, he left funds for bestow- 

 ing prizes on those who invented machines to 

 be used in agriculture or mechanical arts, and 



