Spanish government; furnished the patriots with arms and treasure, and even marched a considerable force into the Peninsula to their assistance. And though the conflict has at times assumed different features, such have been the effects of the Spaniards, fighting under many disadvantages, that while Buonaparte, by the energies of his wonderful mind, was enabled in a few campaigns to subdue and annihilate the disciplined forces of neighbouring states, the French armies (whose losses have been immense) have hitherto been able to make but little progress towards the subjugation of that country. The war in Portugal, in which the British (taking a more decisive part in aid of a nearer ally) have acquired immortal glory, has already proved no less disastrous to the French legions than creditable to the valour of the Portugueze. On the issue of this magnanimous struggle of the two nations, for the preservation of their liberties and independence, upheld by the resources and the troops of England, the eyes of Europe have long been fixed. Should success attend the lawless projects of Buonaparte, he can reap, after what has passed, no honour in the contest. Should he fail, neither the splendour of his alliance with the house of Austria, nor the sense of his former achievements, will be ever able to cover his disgrace.

BUFFON.

GEORGES-LOUIS LE CLERC, DE BUFFON, born at Montbard, on the 7th of September 1707, son of a counsellor of the parliament of Burgundy, commenced his studies at the college of Dijon. At the age of nineteen, he formed an intimacy in the same town with Lord Kingston, whose preceptor cultivated the sciences; and in consequence of this connection they made together the tour of Italy. Buffon at that time manifested a prevailing taste for the mathematics. This journey appears to have altered the course of his studies. In Italy the arts and the important recollections of history take possession of lively imaginations and impassioned minds. Buffon, more contemtemplative than tender, was only struck with the grand scenes of nature, and returned impressed with the zeal of the naturalist. But his father, who had destined him for the magistracy, sent him to Ancers to take his degrees. Buffon there fought with an Englishman, whom he wounded, and returned to Paris. He afterwards made a journey to England, where he remained three months. At this period his travels and his youth ended. The first literary labours of Buffon, which he published, were translations of some English works. Hales's Vegetable Statics in 1735, and of Newton's Fluxions, in 1740. These he enriched with prefaces, in which is observable the lofty and dignified tone which characterises the style of his natural history. He was appointed in 1739, superintendant of the Royal

Garden and Cabinets, which by his care were considerably enriched and improved. To adorn these collections and augment the means of study, he laid every quarter of the globe under contribution. Kings he rendered in some sort tributary to him, and pirates who despoiled the cases of natural history destined for the king of Spain, sent according to the address, those which bore the name of Buffon.

Buffon appears to have imitated nature, which produces her secrets slowly and silently. He employed ten years in collecting facts, in combining them, and exercising himself in the difficult art of writing. In 1749, appeared the first part of his great work" Natural History, general and particular," which was not completed till 1767. To it were afterwards added several volumes more by way of supplement. He published successively the different parts of his Natural History. In 1771, his "History of Birds," and in 1779, he began the History of Minerals. He adopted this plan to conceal, it is said, the chain of his ideas from vulgar minds, and to protect himself from the persecution which the clergy and the parliament might exercise against books and their authors. In effect, he was attacked by the Sorbonne almost as soon as he began to publish. He had the prudence to produce satisfactory explanations for his tranquillity, which rather satisfied the Sorbonique vanity than the conscience of its professors. This is an example of the condescension which wise men owe to themselves and their enterprises. Instead of involving themselves in quarrels and persecutions, which trouble their existence, they suffer envy and authority to have full scope; and by useful labours, by works which command, not obe