very early in life. This was the father of Charles de
Secondat, author of the 'Spirit of Laws.' These particulars may seem
superfluous in the eulogy of a philosopher who stands so little in need
of ancestors; but at least we may adorn their memory with that lustre
which his name reflects upon it.

The early promise of his genius was fulfilled in Charles de Secondat. He
discovered very soon what he desired to be, and his father cultivated
this rising genius, the object of his hope and of his tenderness. At the
age of twenty, young Montesquieu had already prepared materials for the
'Spirit of Laws,' by a well-digested extract from the immense body of
the civil law; as Newton had laid in early youth the foundation of his
immortal works. The study of jurisprudence, however, though less dry to
M. de Montesquieu than to most who attempt it, because he studied it as
a philosopher, did not content him. He inquired deeply into the subjects
which pertain to religion, and considered them with that wisdom,
decency, and equity, which characterize his work.

A brother of his father, perpetual president of the Parliament of
Bordeaux, an able judge and virtuous citizen, the oracle of his own
society and of his province, having lost an only son, left his fortune
and his office to M. de Montesquieu.

Some years after, in 1722, during the king's minority, his society
employed him to present remonstrances upon occasion of a new impost.
Placed between the throne and the people, like a respectful subject and
courageous magistrate he brought the cry of the wretched to the ears of
the sovereign--a cry which, being heard, obtained justice.
Unfortunately, this success was momentary. Scarce was the popular voice
silenced before the suppressed tax was replaced by another; but the good
citizen had done his duty.

He was received the 3d of April, 1716, into the new academy of Bordeaux.
A taste for music and entertainment had at first assembled its members.
M. de Montesquieu believed that the talents of his friends might be
better employed in physical subjects. He was persuaded that nature,
worthy of being beheld everywhere, could find everywhere eyes worthy to
behold her; while it was impossible to gather together, at a distance
from the metropolis, distinguished writers on works of taste. He looked
upon our provincial societies for belles-lettres as a shadow of
literature which obscures the reality. The Duke de la Force, by a prize
which he fo