A SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF THE

ABBÉ FLEURY.

THOSE who have profited by the works of the learned and pious, naturally wish to know who the persons were from whom they have received so much instruction; and are glad to meet with any account of lives, which they know must have been spent not only innocently but usefully. This disposition, so natural to man, has been deeply studied by the inspired writers; hence their works abound with biography and biographical anecdotes: and thus truth teaches not only by precept, but also by example, and hereby seems to assume a body and render itself palpable. Of the Abbé Fleury I have been able to meet with few anecdotes which can be particularly interesting to the pious reader, as most accounts which have been hitherto published of him relate chiefly to his literary history. The following memoirs, which I have collected from the most authentic sources, are, I must confess, very scanty, but they are such as cannot fail to give some pleasure to those who are admirers of the invaluable work to which they are prefixed.

Claude Fleury, in Latin, Claudius Florus, was born at Paris, Dec. 6, 1640; he was son of a lawyer originally of the diocese of Rouen, and was brought up to the bar. In 1658 he was received advocate to the parliament in Paris, in which employment he continued for nine years, devoting all his time to the study of jurisprudence and the belles lettres; in which he made uncommon proficiency. This kind of life, not entirely suiting his natural inclination, which was gentle, peaceable, and benevolent, he abandoned it, devoted himself to the study of theology, entered into the ecclesiastical state, and soon arrived at the order of priesthood.

From this time he devoted himself to the study of the Sacred Writings, divinity, ecclesiastical history, the canon law, and the works of the fathers. He confined himself for a considerable time to these studies alone, from a persuasion that they were most suitable to his clerical functions, and that a more extensive range in the sciences, by diffusing the attention too much, must render the judgment and understanding less profound.

His deep piety and solid learning gained him great reputation and Lewis XIV. who was well qualified to discern great and useful talents, and well knew how to employ them, made him preceptor to the princes of Conti, in 1672: whom he caused to be educated with the Dauphin his son. These princes were, Lewis Armand, and Francis Lewis, sons of Armand de Bourbon, prince of Conti, and chief of that illustrious family.

The fidelity and accuracy with which this amiable man discharged the duties of his office in this important business, procured him another pupil from the royal family; for in 1080, the king made him preceptor to

the Prince de Vermandois, adufral of France; one of his legitimated natural sons; but this prince died in 1683.

In 1684, the king, highly pleased with his fidelity and success in the office of preceptor to the princes, gave him the Abbey of Loc-Dieu, in the diocese of Rhodes; and in 1689, he appointed him subpreceptor to his three grand-children, Lewis duke of Burgundy; Philip duke of Anjou; and Charles duke of Berri, sons of the Dauphin. In this important employment he was associated with that most accomplished scholar, and most amiable of men, Monsr. Fenelon, afterwards archbishop of Cambray. Like his assistant, the Abbé Fleury had the happy art of rendering virtue amiable by connecting delight with instruction, and of making the precepts of religion pleasant by exemplifying them in a placid, steady, and upright conduct. Thus precept and example went hand in hand, and mutually supported each other. Never had pupils greater advantages; and never were teachers more revered by their pupils. Lewis duke of Burgundy, became dauphin, April 14, 1711, and died Feb. 18, 1712. Philip duke of Anjou became king of Spain in 1700, with the title of Philip V.

In 1696 the French Academy chose him for one of its forty members: the highest literary honour in France. A choice due to the merit of the Abbé Fleury, and which was at the same time an honour to the Academy itself.

The studies of the three princes being ended in 1706, the king, who knew as well how to reward merit, as to distinguish it, presented him with the priory of Nôtre Dame d'Argenteuil, in the diocese of Paris: but this learned and conscientious man, an

exact observer of the canons, (which indeed he had made a particular object of study) gave a rare example of disinterestedness in delivering up into the hands of the king the Abbey of Loc- Dieu, which he refused to hold in conjunction with his priory! An example, which in the present day we may hope in vain to find, as sinecures and pluralities are sought after with an extreme avidity, every one seeking his gain from his own quarter, and never saying in his heart, it is enough.

In 1716 the duke of Orleans, regent of the kingdom, made him Confessor to the young king Lewis XV, son to the duke of Burgundy. In this important empleyment he continued till 1722, when his age and infirmities obliged him to give it up. Had it not been well known that the Abbé had executed the office of preceptor to the father with the strictest zeal and integrity, we may rest assured that he never would have been entrusted with the dearest interests of the son, and indeed of the whole French nation. This was the highest eulogium that could possibly be given to the merit of this extraordinary man.

For many years he had been in the very high-road to preferment, but his deadness to the world induced him steadily to avoid any farther advancement; and being completely satisfied with his priory, he refused to have any thing in addition.

Though he lived in the midst of a court where pleasure reigned, and rational devotion to God was unfashionable; yet he steadily pursued his course, and lived in the centre of fashion and folly, as if he had been in the inmost recesses of a cell; constantly refusing th slightest compliance with any thing that was not conformed to the purest principles of the gospel of CHRIST.

Having spent a long life in exemplary piety, and laborious usefulness, he died of an apoplexy July 14, 1723, in the 83d year of his age.

The portrait of this excellent man was painted in 1700 by Gobert, and engraved by Thomassin; he was then in his 60th year and from a copy of this original, the elegant print prefixed to this work was taken. The motto, Glorificavit illum Deus in conspectu regum: God hath glorified him in the sight of kings, is taken from Ecclus. xlv. 3, and is there applied to Moses. The editor of the Nismes edition of his Opuscula, 5 vols. 8vo. explains the motto as follows: "God glorified him in the sight of Lewis XIV. who judged him worthy to be entrusted with the education of the princes of the blood royal of France. GOD glorified him before Philip V. king of Spain, formerly duke of Anjou, one of his pupils. Gon glorified him before Lewis XV. whose Confessor he was by the appointment of the duke of Orleans the regent; having been before preceptor to the duke of Burgundy, the father of the young king. Thus GoD glorified him successively in the sight of three kings."

On his death several of the academicians signalized themselves by eulogiums. to his memory: a few extracts from which will shew in what estimation he was held by that learned body. Mr. Adam, who was chosen to succeed him in the academy, speaks of him in the following terms in his inaugural discourse, delivered before that august assembly, Dec. 2, 1723.

"Where shall we find so many inestimable qualities united in one person? An excellent understanding, cultivated with intense labour; profound knowledge; a heart full of uprightness: not only innocent in his manners, but leading a simple, laborious and edifying life, always accompanied with sincere modesty : an