One sole thought animated these diverse minds--the renovation of human ideas.

Arithmetic, science, history, economy, politics, the stage, morals, poetry, all served as the vehicle of modern philosophy; it ran in all the veins of the times; it had enlisted every genius, it spoke every language.

Chance or Providence had decided that this period, which elsewhere was almost barren, should be the age of France.

From the end of the reign of Louis XIV.

to the commencement of the reign of Louis XVI., nature had been prodigal of men to France.