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FENELON.1651—1715.
Thebe is no name more respected in the modern historyof the world, than that of Fenelon . In the ancient, thatof Socrates competes with him. It might he curious anduseful to compare Christian humility with pagan forti-tude in these illustrious men. The death of Socrates crowned his life with undying fame. Fenelon sufferedno martyrdom for his faith, but he was unchanged bythe temptations of a court, and bore injustice withcheerful resignation. Amidst the roughness and almostrusticity of Socrates , there was something majestic andsublime, that inspired awe:* the gentleness and charityof Fenelon , so simple and true in all its demonstrations,excites a tender reverence. The soul of both was love.Socrates mingled wisdom with his worship of the beau-tiful, which to him typified the supreme Being. Fenelon ,in adoring God , believed, that to love the supreme Beingwas the first, and, if properly accomplished, the onlyduty of human beings.
Francois de Salignac de la Mothe Fenelon , was bornat the chateau of Fenelon, in Perigord , on the 6th ofAugust, 1651. His family was ancient and illustrious.His father had been previously married, had severalchildren, and was advanced in years; which caused hisrelations to oppose his second marriage, especially as thelady of his choice had but small fortune. She was,however, of a high family, being of the same, though ayounger branch, as the countess of Soissons , wife of the