ahundredyearsagotodayamandied.hediedimmortal.hedepartedladenwithyears,ladenwithworks,ladenwiththemostillustriousandthemostfearfulorresponsibilities,theresponsibilityofthehumanconscienceinformedandrectifies.hewentcursedandblessed,cursedbythepast,blessedbythefuture;andthesearetwosuperformsofglory.onthedeathbedhehad,ontheonehand,theacclaimofcontemporariesandofposterity;ontheother,thattriumphofhootingandofhatingwhichtheimplacablepastbestowsonthosewhohavecombatedit.hewasmorethanamanwas;hewasanage.hehadexercisedfunctionsandfulfilledamission.hehadbeenevidentlychosenforthework,whichhehaddonebythesupremewill,whichmanifestsitselfasvisiblyinthelawsofdestinyasinthelawsofnature.

　　theeighty-fouryears,whichthismanlived,spantheintervalbetweenthemonarchyatitsapogeeandtherevolutionatitsdawn.whencewasborn,luisxivstillreigned;whenhedied,louisofxvialreadyworecrown;sothathiscradlesawthelastraysofthegreatthrone,andhiscoffinthefirstgleamsfromthegreatabyss.

　　inthepresenceofthissociety,frivolousanddismal,voltairealone,havingbeforehiseyesthoseunitedforces,thecourt,thenobility,capital;thatunconsciouspower,theblindmultitude...