(Antony), born at Rheims in 1688, merited by his engaging manners and proficiency in the belles-lettres the appointment of humanist in the university of that city. Two years after he obtained the professor of rhetoric's chair, and was admitted into holy orders. The bishop of Laon (Clermont) informed of his talents, offered him the direction of the college of his episcopal city. By his industry and superior knowledge, a proper order and subordination soon took place in it; but some particular opinions respecting the affairs of the time disturbed his tranquility, and obliged him to quit his office. The intendant of Rouen, at the request of the celebrated Rollin, entrusted him with the education of his son. Abbé Pluche having filled that place with success and great honour to himself, left Rouen and went to Paris, where, by the patronage of some literary friends and his own excellent writings, he acquired a very distinguished reputation for learning. He published, 1. Le Spectacle de la Nature (Nature Displayed), in 9 vols in 12mo. This work, which is equally instructive and entertaining, is written with perspicuity and elegance; but the form of dialogue which he adopted has drawn him into the fault of being rather too prolix. The speakers, who are the Prior, the Count, and Countess, are not distinguished by any striking features; but they have all the common character, which is tolerably pleasing, not excepting even that of the little chevalier De Breuil, who is, however, a mere scholastic. This is the opinion which Abbé Desfontaines has formed of this work. Though the author has given some conversations a pretty ingenious turn, and even some vivacity, yet they now and then fall into the tone of the college. 2. Histoire du Ciel, or History of the Heavens, in 2 vols in 12mo. In this performance we find two parts almost independent of one another. The first contains some learned inquiries into the origin of the poetic heavens. It is nearly a complete mythology, founded upon ideas which are new and ingenious. The second is the history of the opinions given by philosophers reflecting the formation of the world. The author shows the inutility, the inconclusiveness, and uncertainty, of the most esteemed systems; and concludes with pointing out the excellence and sublime simplicity of the Mosaic account. Besides a noble and well-turned expression, we find in it an erudition which does not fatigue the mind. As to the foundation of the system explained in the first part, though it appears extremely plausible, we will not take upon us to say how far it is true: Voltaire called it Fable du Ciel, or a Fable of the Heavens. 3. De Linguarum aritificio; a work which he translated with this title, La Mécanique des Langues, in 12mo. In this treatise he proposes a short and easy method of learning languages, which is by the use of translations instead of themes or exercises; and we must admit his reflections on that subject are both judicious and well expressed. 4. Harmony of the Psalms and the Gospel, or a Translation of the Psalms and Hymns of the Church, with Notes relative to the Vulgate, the Septuagint, and Hebrew Text, printed at Paris in 1674, in 12mo. In 1749, Abbé Pluche retired to Varrenne-St Maure, where he gave himself up entirely to devotion and study. Having become so deaf that he could not hear without the help of a trumpet, the capital afforded him very little entertainment. It was in this retreat that he died of an apoplexy on the 20th of November 1761, at the age of 73 years. He possessed those qualities which form the scholar, the honest man, and the Christian: temperate in his meals, true to his word, an affectionate parent, a sensible friend, and a humane philosopher; he gave lessons of virtue in his life as well as in his writings. His submission to all the dogmas of religion was very great. Some Deists having been surprised that, in matters of faith, he should think and speak like the vulgar, his answer was, "I glory in doing so: it is infinitely more rational to believe the word of God, than to follow the glimmering lights of a reason which is limited and subject to error."