- tration of the Work of Father Valois, on the Philosophy
of Descartes," published by Boyle. 7. "A Treatise on Free Will."
The travels of Bernier, which enjoy a vast reputation among the learned, have never, perhaps, been popular, and can never become so, unless the various letters and treatises of which the work is composed be properly arranged, and the whole illustrated with copious notes. As an acute observer of manners, however, he has seldom been surpassed. His history of the revolutions of the Mogul empire entitles him to a high rank among the historians of India; and his description of Cashmere, though brief, is perhaps the best which has hitherto been given of that beautiful country. In his private character he appears to have been generous, humane, and amiable, constant in his friendship, and capable, as may be inferred from the singular affection entertained for him by Gassendi and Danekmend Khan, of inspiring a lasting and powerful attachment. Still, his inclination for the dull, unimaginative, unspiritual philosophy of Epicurus bespeaks but little enthusiasm or poetical fervour of mind; and this feature in his intellectual character may account for the inferior degree of romance with which we contemplate his adventures.
SIR JOHN CHARDIN.
Born 1643.—Died 1713.
Sir John Chardin was born at Paris on the 16th
of November, 1643. He was the son of a rich Protestant
jeweller, who, as soon as his education, which
appears to have been carefully conducted and liberal,
was completed, intrusted him with the management
