the Government which persecuted them. Such, briefly sketched, was the condition of French literary society at the period when Shelburne was received into it on his return from Italy.
Of all the leaders of the new learning none was more prominent than the Baron d'Holbach, and none was more eager to welcome Englishmen, for no small portion of his own writings consisted in translations from English authors. He was himself of German origin, but a Frenchman by naturalization. His house was not only the resort of the ablest literary and scientific men in Paris, but from the cosmopolitan character of the company which gathered under its roof, had gained the title of the Café de l'Europe. At his house Shelburne now became a frequent guest, and his visits seem to have been repeated nearly every year till France finally ranged herself on the side of the American Colonies.
Amongst other distinguished men whom Shelburne visited in Paris was Malesherbes. He returned profoundly impressed. "I have seen," he said, "what I had previously considered could not possibly exist, a man, absolutely free from fear and hope alike, yet full of life and warmth. Nothing in the world can disturb his repose; he lacks nothing himself and interests himself actively in everything good. I have never been so profoundly struck by any one in the course of my travels, and I feel sure that if I ever accomplish anything great in what remains of my life, I shall do so encouraged by my recollection of M. de Malesherbes."[1] It was but a few months since the illustrious jurist had been disgraced for his courageous protest in favour of the rights of the Parliament, the only constitutional check on royal authority in France which had hitherto escaped destruction.[2]
But by far the most valuable acquaintance which Shelburne made was that of the Abbé Morellet, one of the most distinguished members of the society which gathered
