150 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

riety by assuming the Armenian dress. All singularityin externals is foolish; and, though he excuses himselfon the score of convenience, it was certainly unwise inhim to dress so as to attract universal observation—espe-cially in a country where the ignorant are easily taughtto hate and fear that which they do not understand.But this fault is trivial. His second crime was hisparticipating in the communion. He had re-enteredthe protestant church, some years before, at Geneva. Heannounced the greatest respect for the religion of theGospel; but, as his Confession of a Savoyard Vicarargues against the divine nature of our Saviour, he hadbetter have abstained from making this outward mani-festation of orthodox belief.

The fault most urged against him was his renunciationof the citizenship of Geneva. No further attack on himhad been made by the government of that city duringthe space of a year; and, considering the spirit of per-secution abroad against him, it had been more pru-dent to have remained tranquil: but this very spirit,manifested in all writings, in all societies, roused himto assert himself. He had committed no crime, andhe was sentenced as guilty. He had endeavoured topersuade his fellow citizens to rescind their decree;various representations were made to the council, notonly by himself, but by the citizens and burgesses ofGeneva. There could be no evil motive in his desire,or in the attempts he made to be reinstated in his rightsin his native city; but this justice was refused him;and with anger and disdain he renounced his claimsas citizen, and thus withdrew from their jurisdiction.This act can scarcely.be deemed blameable; he, however,was attacked, and the council was defended, in severalpamphlets, with acrimony and violence. The chief amongthese were “ Lettres ecrites de la Campagne,” by M.Tronchin. The talent of the author gained the fieldfora moment. “ Siluit terra!” Rousseau exclaims:no defender rose for him; it was deemed that he alonewas able to reply. For a time he refused; but at last