350

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

of error ; but earnestly replied, “ Moriamur in simpli-citate nostra?”

Great indeed were the indignities that were heapedon Fenelon ; if the untainted can he said to receive in-dignity from insult. A miserable maniac, who pre-tended to an improper intercourse with madame Guyon,was brought forward. She, then imprisoned in thecastle of Vincennes, heard the accusation with calmcontempt, and the confirmed madness of the poorwretch soon caused it to fall to the ground. Bossuet then published his “ Account of Quietism,” whichbrought forward many private letters, papers, and con-versations, which tended to throw light on the cha-racters of the partisans, which entertained all Paris ,and excited a curiosity which this great man ought tohave despised. The work, however, is decisive as tothe folly and injurious nature of Quietism. Bossuet said that he had long condemned Fenelon ’s notions con-cerning prayer, and was glad when madame Guyon referredto him, as this would afford him an opportunity to expresshis own opinions. She confided to him all her manu-scripts, and a history of her life, which for some reasonshe kept hack from Fenelon. Bossuet saw much in herecstacies and enthusiasm to disapprove, especially whenrendered public, as well as in her pretended spirit of pro-phecy and of working miracles. He saw still more to con-demn in her principles with regard to prayer, when shesaid that it was contrary to her doctrine to pray for theremission of her sins. Bossuet expressed his disappro-bation to F'enelon, who defended her; and the writerremarks, that he was astonished to see a man of so greattalent admire a woman of such slender knowledge andsmall merit, who was deceived also by palpable delusions.Bossuet then goes on to express his opinion of the* dan-gerous tendency of the “ Maxims of the Saints,” againstwhich the outcry had been spontaneous and general.“ Can it be said,” he continues, “ that we wish to ruinM. de Cambray ? God is witness ! But without callingso great a testimony, the fact speaks. Before his book