The desultory, careless mode, in which the materials of the Essays are arranged, indicates a feature in the author's character, to which his style has likewise a re semblance. With him, more than with any other, words may be called the garment of thought ; the expression is frequently moulded to fit the idea, never the idea to fit the expression. The negligence, and occasional ob scurity of his manner, are more than compensated by the warmth of an imagination, bestowing on his language a nervousness, and often a picturesque beauty, which we should in vain seek elsewhere.
From the perusal of those Essays, it is natural to in fer, that the author must have studied men, not only in the closet but the world. Accordingly, we find, that Montaigne had travelled over France, entertained the King in his chateau, and more than once visited the court, where Charles IX. gratified him by spontaneously be stowing the collar of the order of St. Michel. After the first publication of his Essays, he did not long con tinue stationary. In this case, however, the desire of viewing Foreign countries was but secondary to that of freeing himself from a nephritic disorder which had af flicted him for several years, and which, having no faith in physicians, he sought to alleviate by the use of mine ral waters. With this intention he left home in 1581, and, attended by several of his friends, traversed Lor raine, Switzerland, Bavaria, and Italy. From the baths of Plombierc, Baden, and Lucca, he came to Rome, where, among other honours that awaited him, he rectised the freedom of the city, and soon afterwards re ceivcd intelligence that his countrymen of Bourdeaux had elected him their mayor.* At the King's com mand, he returned from Italy to undertake this office ; and his constituents signified their of his conduct in it, by continuing his appointment for another two years.
The remaining portion of Montaigne's life was chiefly spent in revising his Essays. It was disturbed by the tumults of the League, and finally by the ravages of the pestilence, which compelled him for a short period to leave his home. One of his last journeys was to Paris, for the publication of his works; and during his return, he remained some days at Blois, to witness the proceed ings of the States-General assembled there in 1588. He
is said to have predicted to his friend, the famous de Thou, that Henry IV. would embrace the catholic reli gion, and restore peace to France.
But the use of mineral waters had not banished Mon taigne's hereditary distemper ; and his constitution, weakened by it, was unable to sustain the attack of an inflammation of the throat, which seized him in Septem ber, 1592. On the 17th of that month, the disorder had deprived him of the use of speech; but as his mental fa culties remained unimpaired, he desired his wife, in writing, to send for certain of his neighbours, that he might bid them farewell. After the arrival of these persons, mass was said in his chamber. At the eleva tion °•ile host, Montaigne, wjth an effort, raised himself upon his bed, and, clasping his hands together, expired in that pious attitude. He had almost completed his year.
The character of Montaigne is amply delineated in his Essays. On contemplating this picture, we are surpris ed to find the principles of a stoic incongruously mingled with the practice of an epicure ; and the/Ill/ow of doubt, upon which, during the flow of health, he professed to repoO, exchanged in sickness for the opiates of super stition. But notwithstanding these inconsistencies, it is impossible to avoid admiring the continued benignity and pensive gaiety which distinguished his temper. The amiableness of his private live is attested by the fact, that under the five monarchs who, during his time, suc cessively s Nayed the sceptre of a kingdom torn with fanatical divisions, his person and property were always respected by both parties; and few, at an advanced age, can say, like him, that they are yet untainted with a quarrel or a law-suit.
His Essays have been abridged, translated, and given to the world in various shapes. The most valued edition is that of London, 1724, in which the original expressions are scrupulously retained, and ably illustrated by the notes of M. Caste. (T. c.)