ABSTRACT
The effect of Voltaire and Rousseau upon the revolution was very different. Voltaire, by nature a benevolent man, ever ready to sacrifice himself in the defence of innocence or weakness, spent his energies in destructive criticism, and has obtained the reputation of a cold heartlessness which he little deserved. Probably no work on the subject of education has produced much effect as the Emile of Rousseau. The reading of Robinson Crusoe is to impress Emile with the dignity of labour, and of the various occupations of mankind. It is easy to trace the sequence of philosophical tradition from Rabelais and Montaigne to Locke and Rousseau. His similarity in many respects to Locke may have made his influence less felt in England than elsewhere. The education of Emile, the ideal man, is followed by that of Sophie, the ideal woman. But Rousseau does not conceive that the woman is educated for any other purpose than to be suited to the man.
