It was the worst of times.

Sorry, that's someone else's line.

But those words from Dickens, a tale of two cities,

also apply to the tale we are about to tell. While John Calvin wasn't born in Geneva, he did

spend many years of his life there. When he first went there, the city wasn't so

sure about him. The town council referred to him as that

Frenchman. Eila Galicus as the council's records have it and as the story goes the

city did kick him out.

But they also invited him back.

Over the years, the city of Geneva grew to love Calvin.

His legacy made a lasting impression.

Long after Calvin died, the city revered him.

In 1712, along came one who was born in Geneva, the Enlightenment philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

In one of his books, Emil, he makes the argument that human beings are inherently good.

Society constrains them, and leads them into darker environs.

In another book, The Social Contract,

Russo has this as his opening line.

Man is born free, he declares,

and everywhere he is in chains.

Russo promoted a philosophy and an ethic that would break the chains.

Russo had an influence on 19th century painter Paul Gogne, who had spent time in Tahiti and painted

many depictions of what he called the noble savage.

...