Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-24
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French Profess0rS.-Those who have read the no.
ice OF Prot Cousin, in he article upon Intellectual
Sn,o=opny IN The last number Of the North American
Review, will read the following extract from letter
Of traveller in Europe, published in the New-Yo
Evening Post, viii. a particular interest:
Ii was one oimy first objects in Paris 70 see and hear
rome oil those great literary and scientific who are
filing the world with their reno7n. As primary s,ep
presented myself at the Sorbonne where many Of The
principal lectures are delivered, 10 obtain card adj
mission.-Noi'ng more was necessary than my sigma
ture The ticket and in the register of the institution
This admitted to the academy of sciences and 10 that Of
letters There are also lectures at the college Of France
the School of Mines and tho Jardn di Ro which are
all thrown open ia the same unreserved and liberal man
ner The professors pensioned by the king for the
delight and instruction Of tie world The first lecture
which attended was one by NJ Cousin, the sarond'of
course, on the philosophy OF the eighe enh century
il was to be delivered in the Hall ofe Sorbonne. Un-
terandnS that he was one OF the popular lecturers
IN Faris went thither an hour before the time and
found the room, though large enough 10 contain from
l5O0 TO 1000 persons already thronged that thought
myself happy 10 obtain seat the door. Il was
curious TO observe the habits of French audience
Some were reading as quietly az il at home but .he
greater part engaged in the active use of tongue
and eye The room was filed with incessant and loud
cries, OF which could not at first ascertain Che mean.
ing. AZ length, however perceived that they pro.
ceeded from persons who had retained yocfsrang
the names OF their friends, aud from individuals in search
OF accommodation calling TO their acquaintance in order
obtain it, Our American would scarcely rel
ssh this proclamation OF name; nor would hmeri-
notions Of the rights of things and persons' ner.
init individual 10 retain room th AN ne could &C.
cupy hmself.-The lecturer was received on his an.
pearance with loud burst of applause which was sue
seeded by a breathess silence. The French appjaud
on every occasion except, believe, in church. and on
the other hand maintain profound stiffness in the in
fsrvas Of exclamation This is carried far that all
coughing, moving, &C. take place in he pauses of the
orator. Instead obeing scattered the whole time of
the discourse. Frenchman will not even sneeze m
reasonably But to return.-The lecturer on the pre.
sent occasion, NJ Cousin, is tall thin man. about for
~ years OF ago. Ills face is long and dark and of
melancholy and contemplating character His eyes are
large and exceedingly expressive lie dressed in
the ordinary habit OF gentleman, and delivered his lee
ture standing in easy Independent and dgried os-
ture.--Though his subject OF an abstract nature
lie spoke extemPore with uninterrupted luencY Iii.
manner approached very TO ones idea OF nspira
iion The whole man, head, eyes, hands and body as
well as voice, seemed 10 be engaged, and that too with
ont The least awkwardnes nffectaon, in the express
F9n Of MS IDEAS IL al any time he piused 'oT mo-
snent, you could perceive, by the glowing eye, the
thought burning within him, and could almost anci-
pate lis general nature from the scous motions of
his hands lie commenced his lecture with some alb
slruse distinctions between religion and pliloophy as
signing in general, inspiration the source OF the one
and reflection oil the oher. lie next proceeded TO az
se that religion Is properly the cradle OF phiIosophy-a
fact which he illustrated at some length from llic his.o.
~ Of the East Of Egypt and Of Greece. At length he
came 20 christianity, which he asserted be the last
and best, the contamination Of all religions, containing
whatever purest in morals and most correct in The
oogy and adding the mysterious and elevating doctrine
OF the incarnation Of the Son Of God This religion he
asserted 10 be the foundation Of modern philosophy
brei outline OF the history Of which ne then gave du-
ring the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Thus
having taken. in connection with Che principle above
slated, general survey Of all philosophy down 10 the
period which constitutes the peculiar subject Of his
course, never shall forget the animated dignity With
which he made profession Of his belief in christian
ity Conscious that the ority Of s brother saDanfs
aud perhaps Of his audience, In heart II not openly
would be inclDed TO sreer, and that his reputation az
philosopher, ana among philosophers at stake he
seemed to erect his person and elevate his voice aud
expand each glowing FEATURE n in noble defiance OF
expected obioquy. lie is accused by biz enemies Of
tendency 10 the exploded tenes Of Plato which tneaos
ia reality, suppose tendency 10 the spiritual and tru
ly intellectual Doctrines Of revelation Hs lecture last
cd than an hour and half and though II was in a
foreign language and required therefore tie closer an
pieation on my part, my attention was not suffered TO
dag even foF moment.
On the next day, accepted the invitation OF vovno
yhysicisn 10 accompany him 10 aecture of Boi,ss,is
one Of the most distinguished Of the French phvsicians
end the great rival and opponent Of Cousin Owing 10
his principles, (he sa maeralist0 lac has never been
dpponted to any chair Of philosophy medicine hut he
npermted TO lecture TO his pupils at The Val De Grace
aroya military hospital Of which lo is superintendent
we iouns him a man Of forty Eve, with figure and
lace, whose massiyeness might well serve to remind
youo his system, though from HE quick bright eye
rocked out something which might serve still better
20 retule a. The expression Of hs couptenance was
benevolent, and denoted remarkable activity Of mind
tnough deficient, thought IN the grave and delbera.
we ch2facter Of wisdom, lie commenced his Lesson
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