Depont was the son of a French family who stayed with the Burkes. Burke describes him as “a very young gentleman at Paris, who did him the honour of desiring his opinion” on the events taking place in France. By the time Reflections was published, Depont had become a radical Jacobin and later expressed regret at having solicited Burke’s unfavorable opinions of the French Revolution.
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Charles-Jean Francois Depont Character Timeline in Reflections on the Revolution in France
The timeline below shows where the character Charles-Jean Francois Depont appears in Reflections on the Revolution in France. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Section 1
...towards the Revolution and Constitution, too frequently wander from their true principles,” and he assures Depont that he is not a member of either the Constitutional or the Revolution Society.
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...evident, giving good reason for concern. Because of this concern, Burke will not only address Depont’s concerns, but his own, “with very little attention to formal method.”
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Section 3
...widespread contempt for “all ancient institutions,” and the preference for “present […] convenience.” He tells Depont that he mustn’t be taken in by “counterfeit wares” smuggled across the English channel as...
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Section 6
Burke points out to Depont that the French might have benefited from the English example. After all, they still possessed...
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...contrast, however, France’s “present confusion […] has attacked the fountain of life itself.” Burke cautions Depont that “those who attempt to level, never equalize;” those who attempt to level “pervert the...
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Section 8
Burke asks, “Is this a triumph to be consecrated at altars?” He assures Depont that, while the Revolution Society might applaud these events, most people in England do not....
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Section 9
Burke goes on to tell Depont, “I am bold enough to confess, that we are generally men of untaught feelings […]...
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Section 10
...the state was willed by God as a means of perfecting human virtue. He assures Depont that the majority of English people have always thought this way, and that they do...
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Section 17
...he considered as tyranny.” He does not know that his beliefs are likely to change Depont’s, but perhaps they will someday be of some use to him, “in some future form...
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