Unable in some measure, both from his studious habits and the defect of his hearing, to'participate in the bustle and amusements of active life, he sought in domestic happiness for those • comforts which na ture had denied' him. In 1756, he married one of the family of De La Rive, the aunt of the celebrated Saussure. This lady contributed greatly to the hap piness of Bonnet, whom she had the misfortune to survive.
In the is-ar 1762, Bonnet published at Amster dam, in 2 vols 8vo, a work entitled; Contemplations sur les Corps Organist's. From some misappiehension of the principles which this Work inculcated, M. des Malesherbes prohibited it from being sold in France ; but the interdict was removed, in consequence of a re monstrance from the author. His next production, entitled, The Contemplation of Nature, appeared in 1764', in 2 vols 8vo. This popular and entertaining work, adonied with all the charms of simple clo= , quence and enlightened piety, was translated into' most of the languages of EUrope. In 1769, he pub lished at Geneva, in 2 vols 8vo, his Palingenesie Phi losophique ; a work which treats on the past and fu ture state of living beings. To this work he annex ed an " Enquiry into the Evidence of the Christian Revelation, and the Doctrines of Christianity," which was published separately at Geneva in 1770, along with a Dissertation on the Existence of God. The German translator of this work dedicated it to a learned Jew, whom' hdsummoned either to refute it, or acknowledge his conviction.' Bonnet hearing of this improper challenge, assured the Jest, that he was not a party to such a defiance.
The study of natural again invited his attention, he published in Rozier's 'Journal a me thod of preserving insects' and fish in cabinets; and in 1774, a paper on the loves of plants, in conse quence of his having observed a kind of opening in the pistil of a lily. The other subjects with which he was at this time occupied were, the reproduction of the heads of snails, the water salamander, the pipa or Surinam toad, the manners of bees, the blue co lour acquired by exposing mushrooms to the air, and Other branches of natural. history:
The reputation of Bonnet was now fully establish ed, and'he had the honour of corresponding With many:a the 'most distinguished naturalists of • En rope. In 1746, he had been chosen a member of the Academy of Bologna, and introduced to the ac quaintance of the celebrated Zanotti ; and he was, in 1783, elected one of the foreign associates of the Academy of Paris. From 1752 to 1768, m Bonnet continued a member of the great council of the republic. A love of retirement, however, indu= eed him to withdraw from this active situation, and spend the remainder of his life among the simple plea sures of the country, and in the select society of his friends. • His time was chiefly spent' in revisal of his works, which appeared in French at Neufchatel, in 9 'vols. 4to, and 18 vols. 8vo. with these labours;his health began visibly to decline -in 1788,,when a dropsy in the -chest assailed his consti tution. In 1793 it had reached an alarming height, and, after numerous and severe sufferings, lie expired on the 20tit of May 1793, at the age of 73. A public funeral was decreed to him by his fellow citi zens ; and his nephew, the celebrated Saussure, pro nounced upon him a funeral eulogy.
' The talents of Bonnet; though not of the first or der, were such as to entitle him to a high rank among the naturalists of the 18th century. His discoveries were useful, but not brilliant ; and, if his writings are not distinguished by that depth of thought and acuteness of penetration which indicate a powerful mind, they are marked by an originality of concep tion, a clearness of illustration, and a simplicity of eloquence, which' entitle them to no ordinary praise. The excellence of his private character, the wisdom and moderation of his public measures, and his ra tional piety and 'regard for the Christian religion, are qualities which posterity gill long admire. See illonoire pour sermr .a Histoire de la vie et des outrages de M.. Charles Bonnet.- Berne, 179•. (u) - BONNETIA, a genus of plants of the class Po lyandria, and order .See;BorANy. (to)