This so surprised Bancroft, that, notwithstanding the moment did not well accord with flashes of humour, yet he could not refrain from replying, "Eh, bien ! Mons. Volney! vous avez donc un Dieu à present!" To which Volney returned, with the most trembling anxiety, "Oh, oui! oui !" The ship, however, got safe; and Mr. Bancroft made every company which he went into echo with this anecdote of Volney's acknowledgment of God. The Atheist, for a considerable time, was so hurt at his "weakness," as he called it, that he was ashamed of showing himself in company at Philadelphia; but afterwards, like an infallible French philosopher, remarked that "those words escaped him in the instant of alarm, but had no meaning;" and he again utterly renounced them, and avowed his disbelief of any governing or superintending Being. "Man," said he, "like the beasts, perishes! But we will let one of his countrymen speak of him and pourtray his character. * Monsieur Bodin. * 66 Volney est, sans contredit, l'homme le plus illustre qu'ait produit l'Anjou ; il est l'ornement et la gloire de cette province: sa célébrité s'étende sur les deux hémisphères, elle est universelle. Mais plus il est élevé au-dessus du commun des hommes par son mérité littéraire, plus l'histoire doit être sévère dans la justice qu'elle lui rende: elle doit le peindre tel qu'il se montra dans sa vie publique et privée. Et, il faut l'avouer, les qualités de son cœur ne répondirent presque jamais à celles de son esprit. L'égoisme et l'avarice formaient la base de son caractère; la froideur, l'indifférence poussée jusqu'à l'ingratitude, le ton suffisant et orgueilleux, l'impatience portée jusqu'à la brusquerie, des qu'il croyait perdre quelque chose ou n'avoir plus rien á gagner dans une liaison quelconque. Souvent les caprices de l'humeur succédaient rapidement aux empressemens les plus affectueux à l'égard des mêmes individus. Jamais il n'hésita à briser les liens du sang ou de l'amitié, des qu'ils furents invoqués, surtout lorsque, parvenu aux honneurs et à la fortune, il fut dans le cas de rendre des services. Jamais sa bouche ne s'ouvrit pour consoler un ami dans la douleur; jamais sa bourse ne s'ouvrit pour soulager l'infortune; l'égoisme et l'avarice avaient desséché son cœur, qui fut toujours fermé à la compassion et aux doux épanchemens de l'amitié.” He died 25th April, 1820. Few particulars of his closing scene were divulged by those who witnessed them. But the little that transpired was gloomy in the extreme. The Atheist's anguish as to the future was avowed and almost insupportable. His fears nothing could calm; and his mental conflict nothing could soothe. His funeral took place at St. Sulpice; but what matters it where, or in what church, our ashes moulder if those who loved us best are compelled to entertain doubts as to the happiness and repose of our soul? 156 CHAP. X. The devoted Man of Science. DR. JAMES HOPE. "The device of the excellent author of Theron and Aspasia' was ingenious and instructive. At the end of a long and almost tiresome avenue in his garden a beautiful arbour promised the wished-for rest; but on reaching the attractive spot a plain surface was only found was light and shade- -a complete illusion, with the motto in the centre of the painting—‘In-visibilia non decipiunt."-THOMAS H. BURDER, M.D. - all THERE is something, such is the remark in substance of a clever writer, peculiar in the professions of medicine and surgery. The subject of study and observation in these professions is the human body- the most complicated of all God's works; and the one most calculated, in enlarged and comprehensive minds, to inspire admiration and reverence of the all-wise AUTHOR; and yet there is, probably, no class of men in which there are so many sceptics or even positive infidels, as among physicians and surgeons. Strange the frequency of religious doubt amidst the brightest evidence! Now, whether stern truth or tempting exaggeration be most apparent in this remark, from its censure he must be excluded whose name heads the present chapter. An impassioned lover of fatigable in the pursuit of science, - inde truth, — highly gifted by nature, and master of information. various, versatile, and always at command, the abiding sway of religion hallowed every acquirement, and lit up every advance in the realm of knowledge. 66 Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" was the governing question of his daily life. Nor did he fly to religion, as may be affirmed of many, when galled by the world's neglect, or when baffled in some favourite pursuit. He was a successful man. Of him it was observed, and with truth "How few at the close of life can look back |