The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-28
MONTAIGNE.

Mr. L. Saviour, who is giving. in French, series Of
literary conferences at the Union League Theatre on
Twentyslxh street, near Madison avenue, took for hts
subject yesterday afternoon, "Monaigne," the great
French author and philosopher OF the sixteenth CEN
fury. The speaker explained Monaigne's system OF
doubt in graceful and enthusiastic manner which led
his hearers TO surmise that he himself was
an ardent disciple Of the great sceptic.
Mr. Sauveur, by way Of preface, remarked that Soc.
rates In Pato's dialogues Is always represented as de-
moshine the arguments OF Others and, alter he has
worsted oil his opponents, just when you think him
about to establish something ne finishes the dialogue
ana leaves you nothing but doubt ''Tnis," said the
lecturer, sis precisely the system OF Montague"
Emerson's admiration for Montague was next dwelt
upon and 1t shown how much OF the latters great
ness was derived from the study OF the formers writ
ings Another argument show Montaigne' S
great learning was the number OF differ
ent words he employs. There between so, 600 and
100 900 words in the English French language Com
people country places hardly use more than 500
900. well educated gentlemen who mixes in soci-
ETY. aud reads the newspapers uses perhaps 700 words
II he IS a great orator writer, and has genius
like Lord Macauley, Ire may reach as high rs 10 600
words In the ancient Testament @, 400 words en-
ployed Milton uses 5000, the great Shakespeare en-
ployed 10 900 words TO express his thoughts. Mon
taigne does not fall far short OF him.
Ii was precisely because OF the continual application
OF his system tnat Montaigne had such a flow OF
thoughts The eternal balancing OF the Eyes" and the
ton and depth thought He takes up the questions
OF faith natural thcoogy-tnat is, theology proved
by natural reasons some attack this Idea by saying,
.sYou should attempt tamper with these ques-
lions to prove supernatural things by natural ones
To these he says "You right Faith should not DO
proved by natural reasons, only do not see the latin
you speak Of. " Others oppose It by saving You can
not prove iai,h by natural reasons" To these Mon.
tagne answers III faith can notbc proved by natural
rcasons, then nothing can be-" Then he launches
forth into mis- system nothing be known, that
our only safe position IN all questions is doub-uni-
| l.tou a
hesitate at The vestibue OF the church and do not
enter when we begin TO see that eternal truths are
NOT so simple easy OF belief as the catechlsm tells
us Take all philosophical systems, they destroy each
other and leave us only interrogation points every
where "What Jolly to have confidence IN human
| reason like that!'' Montague would say, "WhaI,
then arc all our Of the SOUL OF immortality and
a future life? Merely" he would rcpy, 'the somnid
optanfis tho dreams OF men who desire them. There
| Is only one teing leit--to believe without ques-
ton - II once met PASTOR" said the lecturer ITO
whom propounded such philosophical questions, and
| he answered me everywhere by negations. Here
| have very philosophical PASTOR thought hnally
asked him If he believed IN the immortality OF the
soul He said yes, and that he was very content to
believe It, but could give more reason Tor doing SC
| than Tor not doing They are all son,,id opfdWtS
The next lecture will deal with the works Of Alfred
| do