ABAUZIT, FIRMIN, a learned Frenchman, was born at Usez, in Languedoc, in November 1679. His father died when he was but two years of age. In consequence of the revocation of the edict of Nantz, in the time of Louis XIV. to avoid the rigours of persecution to which the Protestants of France were exposed, young Abauzit's mother, who was a Protestant, not without difficulty, escaped with her son to Geneva, where he remained secure from danger, and enjoyed the benefit of education. From his 10th to his 19th year, his time was wholly devoted to literature; and having made great progress in languages, he studied mathematics, physics and theology. In the year 1698, he travelled into Holland, where he became acquainted with the learned Bayle, with Basnage and Jurieu. Thence he passed over to England, and was introduced to Sir Isaac Newton, who entertained a very high opinion of his merit. For this philosopher afterwards sent him his Commercium Epistolicum, accompanied with a very honourable testimony. "You are well worthy," says Newton, to judge between Leibnitz and me." The reputation of Abauzit reached the ears of King William, who encouraged him by a very handsome offer to settle in England; which he declined, and returned to Geneva. In 1715 he entered into the society formed for the purpose of translating the New Testament into the French language, and contributed valuable assistance to this work. The chair of philosophy in the university was offered to him by that body in 1723, which he refused on account of his health and diffidence of his talents. But in 1727 he accepted of the office of librarian to the city, the duties of which were neither burdensome, nor subjected him to any particular restraint.

Abauzit, who was deeply conversant in physical and mathematical knowledge, was one of the first who embraced the grand truths which the sublime discoveries of Newton exhibited to the world. He defended the doctrines of that philosopher against Father Castel; and discovered an error in the Principia, which was corrected by Newton in the second edition of his work. He was a perfect master of many languages; he understood history so exactly, that he remembered the names of the principal characters and the dates of the events; his knowledge of physics was deep and extensive, and he was well acquainted with medals and ancient manuscripts. The different sciences which he had studied, were so well digested and arranged in his retentive mind, that he could at once bring together all that he ever knew on any subject. A remarkable instance of this occurred in a conversation with Rousseau. Rousseau on the music of the ancients, while the latter was employed in compiling his Dictionary of Music. He had been at great pains in giving an accurate account of ancient music. But how much was he surprised to find that Abauzit could give him a full and clear history of all that he had with much labour collected; and the more so, when he was informed that 30 years had elapsed since his inquiries led him to consider that subject. It was probably in consequence of this incident that Rousseau addressed to Abauzit one of the finest panegyrics which he ever wrote.

A very fine compliment is said to have been paid to Abauzit by Voltaire. A stranger having addressed the poet in a flattering manner, by saying he had come to Geneva to see a great man, Voltaire asked him, whether he had seen Abauzit?

This excellent man having enjoyed that otium cum dignitate, so much talked of, and so eagerly sought after, but rarely obtained, having thus lived universally respected to the great age of 87 years, died in the year 1787, lamented by the republic, and regretted by the learned.

Abauzit was a sincere Christian; his piety was pure and unaffected; his benevolence was extensive. Liberal in his opinions, he was indulgent and forbearing to those whose sentiments and opinions were different from his own. Simple and easy in his manners, everything about him, his house, his person, and his way of life, discovered a strong aversion to show and luxury. He carefully avoided the officious observances of ceremony, and anxiously withdrew from the tushme praise of flattery. His conversation, free from pedantry and ostentation, instructive and entertaining, was always heard with eagerness, and listened to with attention.

The writings which Abauzit left behind him are chiefly on religious subjects. He wrote an "Essay on the Apocalypse," in which he endeavoured to show, that the predictions in that book were to be applied to the destruction of Jerusalem. This work was translated into English; to which a refutation was added, which satisfied Abauzit so much that he was mistaken in his views, that he ordered an edition then ready for publication in Holland to be stopped. His other works are, "Reflections on the Eucharist; On Idolatry; On the Mysteries of Religion; Paraphrases and Explanations of sundry parts of Scripture; Several Critical and Antiquarian Pieces; and various Letters."