author:Jean Baptiste Cotton des Houssayes

“ The author of this little almost unknown chef-d'œuvre is scarcely known himself except to the literary profession; since he belonged to the race, almost wholly extinct at this day, of modest and laborious scholars who cultivate learning for its own sake, and find more pleasure in adorning and strengthening their minds in the silence of the cabinet, than satisfaction in taking the universe into confidence in their smallest labours or most insignificant discoveries. ”

“ It seems, in fact, scarcely possible to bring together more happily so many thoughts in so limited a space, and not less difficult to present them with greater precision and elegance. We have endeavoured to make our translation worthy of so perfect an original. ”

“ THE short discourse of which we here offer to our readers a translation, has never received a great degree of publicity. Delivered in Latin, before a grave meeting of learned doctors, it was designed, undoubtedly, for none but the friendly ears of the venerable assembly to which it was addressed. ”