and last voyage to Europe, at the age of 70, in circumstances very different from those in which he first visited the British shores by the advice of Sir William Keith, 52 years before. He was sent to Paris as Minister Plenipotentiary, to negociate the independence, and to find the means of securing the liberty of America, in the jealousy of two of the most arbitrary powers of Europe, against the oppression of the only country on the globe which then enjoyed freedom. At Passy, in the neighbourhood of Paris, he resided about eight years and a half, discharging the most laborious duties, often under great difficulties and discouragement. On the 3d September 1783, his country took its place among independent nations by the signature of the definitive treaty of peace at Paris; and in July 1785 he set out on his return home to pass the few years that yet remained to him, with a larger fund of happiness in the recollections of a long life of usefulness, and in the gratitude of his countrymen, than any other man perhaps ever possessed. He retired wholly from public life in 1788. Three weeks before his death he wrote in the newspapers a lively and ingenious article against those who defended slavery, for the abolition of which he had been a warm advocate. He died on the 17th April 1790, at the age of 84 years and 3 months. The chief qualities of Franklin's style seem to be simplicity, perspicuity, and conciseness. He is never tedious or confused, and seldom condescends to use the flowery language of fiction, even when he employs fictitious personages. Epithets and superlatives do not abound so much in his writings as in those of our times, and he is almost as sparing of metaphors and figurative expressions as Swift himself. Though less polished than that of Addison, Franklin's style is never feeble or diffuse, nor is it ever stained by the occasional coarseness and exaggeration of Swift's, which it most resembles perhaps, in a grave, easy tone of humour and fiction, as well as in closeness and energy. But we shall enable the reader te judge for himself by one or two extracts. Besides the obstructions thrown in the way of raising the necessary supplies during war, by the refusal of the proprietary governors to allow the estates of their constituents to bear any part of the burden, which, as we have already noticed, was the occasion of much angry discussion between them and the Assemblies, there was another difficulty in the constitution of these Assemblies themselves, the majority of the members being Quakers, who were debarred by principle from granting supplies for military purposes. Yet even with this conscientious sect a compromise was sometimes made between principle and expediency. ་ "My being many years in the assembly, a majority of which were constantly Quakers, gave me frequent opportunities of seeing the embarrassment given them by their principle against war, whenever ap plication was made to them, by order of the crown, to grant aids for military purposes. They were unwilling to offend gofusal; and their friends (the body of the vernment on the one hand, by a direct reQuakers) on the other, by a compliance contrary to their principles; using a va riety of evasions to avoid complying, and modes of disguising the compliance, when it became unavoidable. The common mode at last was, to grant money under the phrase of its being for the King's use, and never to inquire how it was applied. But if the demand was not direct ly from the crown, that phrase was found invented. Thus, when powder was want. not so proper, and some other was to be ing, (I think it was for the garrison at Louisburg,) and the government of New England solicited a grant of some from Pennsylvania, which was much urged on the house by Governor Thomas; they would not grant money to buy powder, because that was an ingredient of war; but they voted an aid to New England of 3000 pounds to be put into the hands of the Governor, and appropriated it for the purSome of the council, desirous of giving the chase of bread, flour, wheat, or other grain. house still further embarrassment, advised the Governor not to accept provision, as not being the thing he had demanded: but he replied, I shall take the money, for I understand very well their meaning, other grain is gunpowder;' which he ac cordingly bought, and they never objected to it. It was in allusion to this fact, that when in our fire company we feared the success of our proposal in favour of the lottery, and I had said to a friend of mine, one of our members, If we fail, let us move the purchase of a fire engine with the money; the Quakers can have no objection to that: and then if you nominate me and I you as a committee for that purpose, we will buy a great gun, which is certainly a fire engine.' I see, says he, you have improved by being so long in the assembly: your equivocal project would be just a match for their wheat or other grain." As Franklin was charged by his father with a disposition towards libelling and lampooning in his youth, it is but fair to hear the sentiments of his maturer years on this contemptible propensity, the vice of a mind either destitute of other resources for attracting notice, or wincing under the merited chastisement of meanness and malignity. Franklin had no need of such weapons to fight his way to notoriety; if he ever employed them in his precocious boyhood, they were soon thrown from him with disdain, The experience of a long life, spent amid scenes of contention and civil war, in which so many friendships are dissolved, and so many calamities inflicted, will not be thought altogether unworthy of notice, even by those who, though they may never have had, like Franklin, a character to lose, are yet sufficiently alive to their own interest. "In the conduct of my newspaper, I carefully excluded all libelling and personal abuse, which is of late years become so disgraceful to our country. Whenever I was solicited to insert any thing of that kind, and the writers pleaded (as they generally did) the liberty of the press; and that a newspaper was like a stage-coach, in which any one who would pay had a right to a place; my answer was, that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself; but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction; and that having contracted with my subscribers to furnish them with what might be either useful or entertaining, altercation in which they had no concern, I could not fill their papers with private without doing them manifest injustice. Now, many of our printers make no scruple of gratifying the malice of individuals, by false accusations of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity even to the producing of duels; and are moreover so indiscreet as to print scurrilous reflections on the government of neighbouring states, and even on the conduct of our best national allies, which may be attended with the most pernicious consequences. These things I mention as a caution to young printers, and that they may be encouraged not to pollute the pres ses, and disgrace their profession by such infamous practices, but refuse steadily, as they may see by my example, that such a course of conduct will not, on the whole, be injurious to their interests." SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE. NEW PUBLICATIONS. February 1818 Mémoires et Correspondence, &c.-The Memoirs and Correspondence of Madame d'Epinay, &c.; 3 vol. in 8vo. The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau is one of the most remarkable publications of the last century, and one of those which have occasioned in all nations, and among all classes of people, the greatest sensation. The author's literary fame had spread all over Europe, and, at the same time, his reputation of being a proud, singular, and irritable man. The curiosity, which the history of his life, written by himself, could not fail to excite, was the first cause of the success of his work, success which was, however, greatly augmented by the surprise the public could not help feeling at seeing a man acknowledge, barefacedly, and without necessity, several very scurvy actions, and scandalously deprive his best friends of their reputation. But, on the other hand, the magic of his style, added to the art with which he took care to raise a general interest in his favour, by pre tending that he was an object of universal hatred, and that a terrible conspiracy was formed against him, created him many friends, and, until the present moment, no irrevocable judgment has yet been passed on his life and character. We suppose that most of our readers are acquainted with these celebrated Confessions; we need not, therefore, tell them, that Rousseau lived about two years, rent free, in a small house called the Hermitage, delightfully situated on the skirts of the forest of Montmorency, and belonging to Madame d'Epinay, the wife of an opu lent Fermier général. They will also undoubtedly recollect, that a journey to Geneva having been ordered to Madame d'Epinay for her health, her friends and those of Rousseau tried to persuade him to accompany her, which he refused, and that his refusal was the cause of their falling out, and of Rousseau's leaving the Hermitage. A rumour prevailed, many years ago, of Madame d'Epinay having written the memoirs of her life, and it was generally supposed that these memoirs might throw a great light on Rousseau's Confessions; but, having left them to her friend, M. Grimm, and thirty-five years having elapsed since Madame d'Epinay's death, and ten since Grimm's, all hopes of getting possession of them began to vanish, when at last they were found in the hands of a secretary of the late M. Grimm, who was persuaded, without much difficulty, to publish them. Their authenticity is beyond a doubt. The picture which these memoirs present of the state of morals in the higher classes of society in France, during the latter end of the reign of Louis XV., is, beyond description, shocking and disgusting. The husbands, it seems, were all rakes and spendthrifts, and the wives still worse than their husbands; for the men had at least no pretensions to respectability, whereas the women were for ever preaching up virtue and morality. The author of the memoirs had two publicly acknowledged lovers during her husband's life, and still she is by far the most respectable character that appears in the work. This may give an idea of the others. The fact is, she had many amiable qualities. A sound judgment in whatever her passions were not concerned; a noble and generous heart, capable of forgiving injuries and feeling true and constant friendship, a well informed mind, and the talent of writing in a degree supcrior to many of her sex. If Madame d'Epinay had lived in a better age, or if her husband had been a worthy man, she would undoubtedly have remained virtuous; but unfortunately she was weak, and the conduct of M. d'Epinay was equally scandalous in the world, and brutal towards her. Her last lover, M. Grimmn, governed her with a most absolute sway. Though the evidence of Rousseau is not conclusive in regard to M. Grimm, whom he disliked, still many of the traits he mentions of this gentleman are undisputed truths. He usually passed above an hour every morning at his toilet, and painted his checks red and white. The pride he showed towards his equals, and the hauteur with which he treated his in feriors, will scarcely be believed. Though he had neither birth nor riches, he never deigned to address his servant by his name. Who's there?' was his accustomed way of calling him, and when he had an account to settle, he usually threw the money on the ground, and let the servant pick it viour towards Madame d'Epinay was rash, inconsiderate, and unjust in the highest degree, though, on the other hand, we hardly believe the quarrel would have been so serious if Grimm had not blown the fire. The motive of the interest which Grimm and Diderot felt for the old Madame Le Vas seur, who was by no means an object wor thy of their care, is, and probably always will remain, a mystery. However, the result of our reflections on the character of the celebrated philosopher of Geneva is, that he was altogether a bad tempered man; one with whom it was difficult to live, and almost impossible to keep up friendship. He was proud, and had formed to himself an exaggerated idea of independence, which would not permit him to receive favours, or, when he did accept them, made him seek all sorts of pretences to shake off gratitude as an insufferable load. Many people have charged him with being false; this we think a mistaken ac cusation. The appearance of falsehood his conduct did in some occasions bear, we at tribute to his lively imagination, fancying wrongs where they did not exist, whilst his pride taught him to cover his resentments with a gloss of generosity. A Prospectus of a complete edition of Marmontel's Works. The works of Marmontel have had so much success in England, that we imagine our readers will not be sorry to learn, that a new and complete edition of them is about being published by subscription, in 18 volumes in 8vo, with a portrait of the author and cuts. This work will be printed by M. Didot, price for the subscribers six francs each volume. Two volumes will appear every two months from the first of April. The following is the distribution of the different parts: Memoirs, 2 vols. Moral Tales, 4 vols. Belisarius, 1 vol. The Incas, 1 vol. Dramatic Works, 1 val. Miscellanies and Poetry, 1 vol. The Pharsalie, 1 vol. Elements of Literature, 4 vols. Grammar, Moral, Logic, and Metaphysics, 2 vols. History of the Regency, 1 vol. Les Plaisirs d'un Prisonnier, &c.—The Pleasures of a Prisoner in Scotland, a Poem. By M. de Lezecerne, in 12mo. This is a pretty little poem, composed in Scotland by a French prisoner of war. M. de Lezeverne describes his amusements during a year in the north. He follows the four seasons, and each season gives him an opportunity for some local description. In the spring, he observes how backward the season is in Scotland, when compared to France. He passes the time mostly in rambling on the banks of the Clyde, and reading French and Scottish authors. Among the latter, he quotes Ramsay and Burns. Here also he gives an animated description of the labours of a Scottish family. In the description of autumn, he borrows many ideas from Ossian's Poems. Summer and winter being nearly alike in all countries, have afforded to M. de Lezeverne few particulars. This poem recommends itself by a sweet and flowing verse, and several very energetic ideas and expressions. In some places the metaphors are not quite exact, and we have also observed a few neologisms. If, as we suppose, M. de Lezeverne be a young man, his poem leaves room to expect much from his maturer talents. In the preface to this production, the author passes a high encomium on Scottish humanity and hospitality. Des Depenses et des Recettes, &c.-On the Expences and Income of the State for the year 1818. By the Count Lanjuinais, Peer of France. This is an antiministerial pamphlet on the budget. M. Lanjuinais is a man of great talents, which he, unfortunately, too often employs in supporting sophistical arguments. M. Lanjuinais has been an actor in every period of the Revolution, and in some of them he has shown a noble character, and acquired general esteem; but he has imbibed from it several notions, incompatible with the peaceful state of a country governed by a legitimate monarch and a good constitution. In the pamphlet we have before us, he insists on two measures, which he looks upon as necessary to consolidate the happiness and credit of the nation; the dismission of the Swiss guards, and the recal of the regicides, who M. Lanjuinais pretends have been condemned without judgment. The unshaken fidelity of the former have made them objects of insuperable hatred to all the partisans of the Revolution; and as for the others, their names alone ought to be, in the eyes of every honest man, sufficient conviction against them. Exaltation et Piété, &c.-Exaltation and Piety; Four Tales published by Madame La Baronne de Montolieu, in 12mo, with a Frontispiece. The author of this volume is advantageously known in England by the interesting and well written novel of Caroline de Litchfield. Many years have elapsed since the publication of that work; and during that time, Madame de Montolieu has, by turns, given to the public a considerable number of novels, some original and others translations, or imitations from English or German productions. But, unfortunately, she seems to have exhausted her talents and imaginative faculties in Caroline de Litchfield. Her translations are tolerably exact ;-the style is easy, but weak, diffuse, and not always pure. The chief fault of her original productions is a great want of interest. The small volume we have now perused contains four tales. The first, entitled Philosophy and Religion, is a true or supposed adventure attributed to the celebrated English Historian Hume, who first gives to, and afterwards receives hospitality from, a Swiss curate. The picture of the simple and innocent manners of the curate, his family, and flock, is well delineated and touching. The second tale, which is a supposed love adventure of William Penn at the Court of France; and the third, entitled Eliza, or the Recollections of a young Moravian Sister, are both tedious and uninteresting. The last is called Christmas Eve, or the Convert. It is an imitation from the German, and by far the best of all. The adventure is supposed to take place in the fourteenth century. A young woman lies dangerously ill on bed. Her child, a son of eight years old, just recovered himself from a severe illness, sits next her. He asks the cause of the light and noise in the streets. His mother tells him that it is Christmas Eve, and that, according to the old German custom, the city is illuminated in commemoration of the Saviour's birth-day, which happens to be the child's also. "Perhaps, Mamma," says the little Gottfried, "our good Saviour will come down to fetch me, that I may participate in the pleasures of the evening."-"Seek him, my son, and you will find him," answers the mother. The child, taking her words literally, flies out of the room, and into the streets. He enters the cathedral, and is struck with the magnificence of the place. The congregation had not yet assembled. The Duke, an impious and profligate man, stands alone, leaning against à pillar, and looking at a fine picture of the holy family. The child places himself near the prince, who takes him in his arms, and starts at his resemblance to the Saviour in the picture. He sets him down again. The that he is immediately converted. He ac companies the corpse home with the Archbishop, and a crowd of people. They find the mother ready to breathe her last, and the Duke discovers in her a virtuous young woman he had seduced many years before. Gottfried was his own child. Quatre nouvelles, &c.-Four Tales by R. T. Durdent; 2 vols. in 12mo. We were already acquainted with M. Durdent in the character of a political writer. Several pamphlets published by this gentleman, about the time of the Restoration, are not without merit. This is, how ever, the first specimen we have seen of his lighter productions, and we must acknowledge that it has afforded us considerable pleasure. The stories are simple and interesting; the language correct and elegant. We trust our readers will not take it unkindly if we give them a short abstract of each of these four tales. The first is called Lismore, or the Scotch Minstrel. Lismore is a young minstrel, nephew to the old M'Neir. His abilities have already, notwithstanding his youth, raised him to high repute in all the neigh bouring castles. One day, at a feast given by the Lady Forland, Lismore meets for the first time Lady Clara Kerries, widow to the late Laird of Leonell, who, after having passed the years of her mourning at a convent, appears again amongst her friends. Her beauty is so striking, that Lismore falls immediately in love with her, and the heart of Lady Leonell is not ungrateful to his flame. The lovers soon agree, but the prejudice of birth prevents their marriage. Lady Leonell has no other means to secure the happiness of both, than by soliciting the king of Scotland to ennoble Lismore. This she resolves to effect, but unfortunately she keeps her plan a secret from her lover. Lismore, despairing ever to obtain the hand of the beautiful Clara, takes advantage of her love and weakness, and ruins her in an unguarded moment. Lady Leonell, struck with remorse, quits her castle, and throws herself into a nunnery. Lismore loses his senses, but recovers them, though with much difficulty. He is going to be united to his mistress, when the Laird of Forland, who already had poisoned his own lady, in hopes of marrying Clara, meets Lismore, and stabs him. Lismore dies, and Lady Leonell follows him to the grave. Theresa, or the Peruvian Girl, is the title of the second tale. A noble Spaniard, called Don Ramiro, crosses the seas, to gather at Lima a rich inheritance. He falls in love with Theresa, a beautiful young Peruvian, but without fortune, who lives with her mother, the widow of a seaofficer. The Spaniard offers his hand, the mother gives a ready consent to the match, and Theresa obeys, though she feels no inclination for Don Ramiro. A few days before the wedding, the son of an old friend of the bridegroom comes to Lima, with a letter of introduction from his father. He sees Theresa, loves her, and is repaid with equal tenderness. However, he sacrifices himself to his friend's happiness, and leaves Peru, to all appearance, for ever. An unexpected circumstance carries him to Lima several years after wards, and precisely on the day of the great earthquake in 1746. He saves Don Ramiro and Theresa's life; but the former having received a wound, dies, and the lo vers are united. Lycoris, or the Enchantments of Thessa ly, is an ancient pastoral. Two lovers are protected by Cupid, who delivers them from the magical arts of a hated rival, and joins their hands. The style is the chief ornament of this little tale, which might offer an agreeable subject for a ballet. The fourth tale is called Endosia and Ste Stephanos, or the Modern Greeks. It is remarkably interesting, and the local customs are perfectly well preserved phanos is a young Greek merchant of the island of Rhodes. His mistress, Eudosia, is insulted in the street by a Turk, the son of the Cadi. Stephanos, being at hand, rescues his mistress, and gives the infidel a blow. He is immediately brought be fore the tribunal of the Cadi, and sentenced to receive five hundred strokes upon the soles of his feet. Happily the bashaw is an equitable man. He revises the sentence, lets Stephanos free, and sends the Cadi to Constantinople. Stephanos sets out on a trading voyage, and, after many adventures, returns to Rhodes, and mar ries Eudosia. Le Concordat justifié, &c.—The Concor. dat justified, or an Inquiry into the recla mations contained in some pamphlets which have been published against the Concordat, by the Abbé Clansel de Montals, King's Preacher, and honorary Canon of Amiens, in 8vo. The talents and respectability of M. Clausel have placed this worthy clergyman among the first ecclesiastical writers of the present period. His style wants elegance, and one might perhaps sometimes desire à better order in his arguments. But notwithstanding these literary defects, and as far as our circumscribed knowledge of the matter permits, it appears to us, that he has triumphantly refuted his antagonists. The same reason which induced us not to enter into particulars on Bishop Grégoi rés work, (vide our Survey of January,) induces us to remain equally silent on this. Lettres d'un Curé de Cunton, &c.-Letters of a Country Curate on the Lancastrian Method of Instruction, in 8vo. This small production consists of three |