The works of Helvetius are probably less read now than -formerly. This may be partly the effect of the influence of indiscriminate acrimonious censure ; and, although their merit is not of the highest order, it may in a short time give way, among some readers, to an equally indiscriminate ad miration. It is therefore useful to be aware of some of their tendencies, which must, on consideration, be allowed to be injurious by men of all varieties of theoretic opinion. One of the most untenable of the opinions of Helvetius was, that any differences in the original endowments of men are of no account in giving origin to the differences between mind and mind, which appear on the great theatre of the world.
The conflict which took place between the sentiments of' this author and those of the age in which he lived, only af forded a specimen of a scene of hostility in moral litera ture which was much more extensive ; and, when we eon 'sider the spirit of mutual defiance in which both parties in dulged, we cannot wonder at the antipathies which it creat ed, and the dismal political dissensions which flowed from it as soon as the restraints imposed by existing institutions were withdrawn.
The works of Helvetius were, through the influence of the French clergy, condemned by the Roman inquisition ; but they were universally read and much admired in Italy and the whole of Europe. Even the dignitaries of the church, among whom was Cardinal Passionei, wrote com plimentary letters, to thank the author for the fund of in struction and delight which he had afforded them.
The tide of popular sentiment, however, was so adverse to him in France, that he found it prudent to leave that country for a time. He visited England, and was much pleased with some favourable features in the state of Eng lish society as contrasted with that of France, particularly the happiness and contentment of the lower orders, the pre valent warmth of parental affection, and he even construed the want of free association among adults to their exemp tion from ennui, and from all dependence on frivolous amuse ments. He also visited Prussia, where he was received with great attention by the king, lodged in his palace, and freely admitted into his familiar parties.
When the storm raised against him in France had sub sided, he returned home, and prosecuted his studies at his estate of \Tore. He employed himself in extending the doctrines of his first work, in a " Treatise on Alan, his Faculties and Education ;" but had the prudence to give nothing more on the subject to the public. B ing attack ed with the gout in his stomach, he died in December 1771.
The private character of Helvetius was distinguished by great humanity. He was a most indulgent landlord ; and Madame Helvetius and he concurred in the execution of continual plans of beneficence. His lands being infested by poachers, he sometimes was provoked to punish them ; but the slightest appearance of suffering produced instant reconciliation, and awakened all his benignity.
After his decease, his poem De Bonheur, on which he had long laboured, was given to the public. The object of this poem is to recommend literary improvement as the only source of true enjoyment. For this he has been blam ed as restricting happiness to the possession of advantages which are confined to a small part of mankind. But, when we consider the life which he recommends as opposed to gross-sensuality, vulgar ambition, and the pursuit of wealth, we shall find his poem to contain much valuable truth. It is equally true, that if we withdraw our attention from these limited contrasts, and leave out of view the interests of persons, who, in consequence of indulging in an inordi nate passion for particular objects, have become the victims of chagrin and disappointment, we shall find happiness an object which is better Secured by measures of a different kind, but which were condemned by Helvetius as haughty, stoical delusions.
His work on man was also published after his death. It is in some respects more profound than his former work ; but it is written in a similar strain, and liable to the same objections. His disquisitions were conducted on a limited scale : he was betrayed by a love of simplicity into precipitate conclusions : and his pretensions were by far too gigantic, either for the extent of his talents or the success of his researches. (H. D