o Constantinople by Cyril Lucar, Patriarch of
Constantinople, who in 1624 gave it into the charge of the
English Ambassador for presentation to King James I.; but
owing to James' death before the presentation could be made,
it was presented instead to Charles I. It remained in the
possession of the English sovereigns until the Royal Library
was presented to the nation by George II. in 1753. With the
exception of the greater part of Matthew to Chapter xxv., two
leaves of John, and three of Second Corinthians, it contains
the whole Greek Bible, including the two Epistles of Clement
of Rome, which in early times ranked among the inspired
books. Its table of contents shows that it once included also
the "Psalms of Solomon," though, from their position and
title in the index, it is evident that they were regarded as
standing apart from the other books. The Museum has bound the
leaves of this precious manuscript in four volumes, and has
had photographic copies made of each page for the use of
students. The accompanying reproduction is from the last
chapter of the First Epistle of John, from "His Son," in
verse 9, to the end.]

DENIS DIDEROT

(1713-1784)

[Illustration: DENIS DIDEROT]

Among the French Encyclopaedists of the eighteenth century Denis
Diderot holds the place of leader. There were intellects of broader
scope and of much surer balance in that famous group, but none of such
versatility, brilliancy, and outbursting force. To his associates he
was a marvel and an inspiration.

He was born in October 1713, in Langres, Haute-Marne, France; and
died in Paris July 31st, 1784. After a classical education in Jesuit
schools, he utterly disgusted his father by turning to the Bohemian
life of a litterateur in Paris. Although very poor, he married at
the age of thirty. The whole story of his married life--the common
Parisian story in those days--reflects no credit on him; though
his _liaison_ with Mademoiselle Voland presents the aspects of a
friendship abiding through life. Poverty spurred him to exertion.
Four days of work in 1746 are said to have produced 'Pensees
Philosophiques' (Philosophic Thoughts). This book, with a little
essay following it, 'Interpretation de la Nature,' was his first open
attack on revealed religion. Its argument, though only negative, and
keeping within the bounds of theism, foretokened a class of utterances