It was unfortunate for Necker, but the natural conse quence nf his situation, that his political views, being formed in the closet, had too much of a speculative cast, too little fulness of detail, for comprehending all the multifarious elements which influenced the result, when tried in practice. He had visited England, and admired our constitution; but hc knew only its outlines, and ap plied them too hastily to France, where so much was at variance with their application. In another point of View, it vyas also unfortunate that his ambition was at once so high, and so urgent for immediate gratification. Yet it ought to be remembered, that if this love of po pularity, too undistinguishing and too eager for perpetual nourishment, betrayed a want of the firmness essential to a great man, it had a close kindred with many of the qualities which constitute an amiable one. It appeared in the shape of vanity at times, but of vanity nearly alli ed to those benevolent affections which rendered Necker's conduct no less simple and exemplary on the theatre of politics, than it was endearing in his domestic circle. In the latter respect, whatever may be the thought of the former, few indeed can lay claim to an equal tribute of praise. By his family he was viewed with a sentiment approaching to idolatry, and his daughter never consol ed herself for his loss.
As an author, Necker displays much irregular force of imagination, united with considerable perspicuity and compass of thought ; theugh his speculations are de formed by an undue attachment to certain leading ideas, which, harmonizing with his habits of mind, had acquir ed an excessive preponderance in the course of his long and uncontroverted meditations. He possessed exten
sive knowledge, and his works bespeak a philosophical spirit ; but their great and characteristic excellence pro ceeds from that glow of fresh and youthful admiration for every thing that is amiable or august in the charac ter of man, which, in Necker's heart, survived all the blighting vicissitudes it had passed through, combining, in a singular union, the fervour of the stripling with the experience of the sage.
We subjoin a list of his writings, and those of Ma dame Necker. Reponse a 11 forellet (on the India Trade, 1769 ) Eloge de Colbert, 1773. Sur le Commerce des Grains. 111emoires sur les Administrations Provinciales, 1781. Reponse. (to Calon's accusation before the Nota bles, 1787.) Le Compte Rendu. Nouveaux Eclaircis semens sur le Compte Rendu, 1788. De l'Importance des Opinions Religieuses, 1788. Observations sur 1%4-vont Propos du Livre Rouge, 1790. Sur l'Administration de 111. Necker,par lui-meme, 1791. De la Revolution Fran I797.—By Madame Necker. Des inhumations Precipitees, 1790. ltlemoire sur l'Etablissement des Hospices, 1794. Rejlexions stir le Divorce, 1795. And eight volumes of Illelanges, selected from her various unpublished writings.