216 
MEMOIR OP DAUBENTON. 
It seemed naturally to arise from this, that he had 
seen little of them ; and being exclusively occupied 
with the contemplation of Nature, he never took any 
share in the proceedings of the active part of society. 
But it sometimes went to an astonishing length. Al- 
though of such delicate tact in detecting error, he never 
seemed to suspect a falsehood; he always manifested 
new surprise when intrigue or interest, concealed under 
a fair exterior, was exposed to him. Whether this 
ignorance was natural to him, or he had voluntarily 
disregarded the knowledge of mankind, in order to spare 
himself the annoyance endured by those who know them 
best, it did not fail to throw over his conversation an 
air of charity and good nature, the more to be admired, 
as it contrasted so strongly with the spirit of keen dis- 
crimination he displayed in all matters of pure reason- 
ing. It was impossible, accordingly, to have intercourse 
with him without loving him ; and never did any man 
receive more numerous proofs of affection or respect 
from others, at all periods of his life, and under all suc- 
cessive governments. 
He has been blamed for having received honours 
unworthy of him, and odious from the very names of 
those who ottered them ; but this was a consequence of 
the system, with which he judged even statesmen, which 
led him never to suppose their motives to be different 
from what they expressed; a dangerous method, no 
doubt, but which, perhaps, we have too much aban- 
doned in the present day. 
