THE
CABINET OF BIOGRAPHY.
CONDUCTED BY THE
REV. DIONYSIUS LARDNER, LL.D. F.R.S. L. & E.
M.R.I.A. F.R.A.S. F.L.S. F.Z.S. Hon. F.C.P.S. &c. &c.
ASSISTED BY
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.
EMINENT
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF FRANCE.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
PATERNOSTER-ROW;
AND JOHN TAYLOR,
UPPER GOWER STREET.
1839.
CONTENTS
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF FRANCE.]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF FRANCE.]
[VOLTAIRE]
[ROUSSEAU]
[CONDORCET]
[MIRABEAU]
[MADAME ROLAND]
[MADAME DE STAËL]
[INDEX]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE SECOND VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[TABLE, ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL, TO THE THIRD VOLUME OF
LIVES OF EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF ITALY, SPAIN, AND PORTUGAL.]
[INDEX]
The Analytical and Chronological Tables and Index to the Series of Lives of Eminent Literary and Scientific Men of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, are given at the end of this volume.
[TABLE,
ANALYTICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL,
TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF
LIVES OF
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN
OF FRANCE.]
MONTAIGNE.
1533-1592
A. D.
PAGE
Birth of Michel de Montaigne
1533.
Pierre Eyquem, Seigneur de Montaigne
Education of Montaigne and his five Brothers
The Public School of Guienne
Ætat 26. Friendship with Etienne de la Boétie
1559.
Death of É. de la Boétie
1563.
Ætat 33. Marriage of Montaigne
1566.
Death of his father Pierre
Troubles of France
Duke of Guise
Henry King of Navarre, afterwards Henri Quatre
Anecdotes of the Civil War
Ætat. 47. Montaigne's Journey through Switzerland to Munich,
Venice, and Rome
1580.
Ætat. 48. Citizenship of Rome granted to Montaigne by a Bull
of the Pope
1581.
Description of Rome
Devotion of Montaigne, and Offering at the Shrine of Loretto
Montaigne elected Mayor by the Citizens of Bordeaux. His
return home to fill that Office
Ætat 52. Friendship of Montaigne for Mlle. Marie de Gournay
le Jars
1585.
Ætat. 60. Decease of this celebrated Author
His Character
1592.
Montaigne's Essays edited by Mlle. de Gournay, with a Preface
by that Lady
RABELAIS.
1483-1553.
Lord Bacon's Opinion of Rabelais
Style of his Romance in Writings
Presumed Date of Birth of Rabelais
1483.
His Education in a Monastery
Rabelais assumes the Franciscan Habit, and preaches
Envy of Monks
His Condemnation to Bread and Water
On his Release he turns to the Rule of Benedict
Rabelais quits the Monks, and studies Medicine
His Edition of Hippocrates
His Visit to Cardinal du Bellay
His scarlet Gown
Established as Physician at Lyons
Rabelais' Journey to Rome
His Correspondence
Interview with Pope Paul III.
His Journey to Lyons and Paris
Rabelais, Abbot of St. Maur-des-Fosses, and Curé de Meudon
His celebrated Work, or Romance
Controversy resulting therefrom
Rome, attack on, by Rabelais
Francis I. protects him from the Sorbonne
Opinions of French Authors on Francis Rabelais
His Imitators enumerated
His various Works
His Acquirements in Languages and Science
Exemplary Conduct as a Minister of Religion
Ætat. 70. His Decease
Epitaphs for Rabelais
1553.
CORNEILLE.
1606-1684.
State of French Poetry and Literature
Birth of Corneille
1606.
Consequences of the Civil War in France
1590-1600.
Rise of the French Drama
Ætat. 23. Corneille writes "Mélite," a Comedy
1629.
Ætat. 28. His early Tragedies, &c.
1634.
Cardinal de Richelieu employs Corneille, Rotrou, Colletet,
Bois-Robert, and L'Étoile on his own Dramatic Works
Theatre of the Cardinal
Corneille retires to Rouen
1635.
His Amatory Poems
Ætat 29. His "Medea" acted
Corneille's Genius excited by the Study of Guillen do Castro
Unity, dramatic, considered as a Fetter on modern Talent
He composed the "Cid"
Unparalleled Success of this Drama
Critique of the "Cid" by the French Academy
1637.
Ætat. 33. Writes "Horace," a Tragedy
1639.
Ætat. 40. Corneille's Tragedy of "Rodogune"
1616.
Success of his "Œdipus"
Is elected of the French Academy
1642.
His Manners and Conversation
Thomas Corneille's Tragedies
Ætat. 62. Pierre Corneille and his Family established in Paris
1662.
Rivality of Corneille and Racine
Louis XIV.'s Court
Henrietta of England, Duchess of Orléans
Ætat. 79. Death of Pierre Corneille
1684.
Veneration for his Memory
Eloge by Racine
Account of his Sons and Daughter
ROCHEFOUCAULD.
1613-1680.
The Duke de la Rochefoucauld's Maxims
High Station of his House, and its ancient Power
Reign of Henry IV.
Reign of Louis XIII.
Cardinal de Richelieu represses the Ambition of the French
Nobles
Anne of Austria, Regent of France
1643.
Five Years of Peace and Tranquillity
Ætat. 29. The Prince de Marsillac (afterwards Duc de la
Rochefoucauld) returns to Paris
1642.
Battle of Rocroi gained by Condé over the Spaniards
1644.
Civil War in France
The Fronde
Barricades of Paris
De Retz, Cardinal, Coadjutor of the Archbishopric of Paris
Account of the Princes de Condé, de Conti, and their Sister the
Duchess de Longueville
Condé and his Brother imprisoned at Vincennes
1650.
Liberated by the Frondeurs
His Actions with Turenne
Is defeated by Turenne near Paris
Raises the Standard of Rebellion in Holland
Peace concluded between the Court and the Fronde
Louis XIV. assumes the Government of his Kingdom
War of the Fronde terminated, and the Party dissolved
1653.
Ætat. 40. Duke de la Rochefoucauld retires with his Family to
Danvilliers to recover from his Wounds
1653.
Recalled by Mazarin to Court
Literati in Paris in the Reign of Louis XIV.
Ætat. 67. Death of the Duke de la Rochefoucauld
1680.
Critique on his "Maxims"
Memoirs of the Regency of Anne of Austria, Widow of
Louis XIII.
MOLIÈRE.
1622-1673.
Distinguished Writers of the Age of Louis XIV.
Family of Poquelin
Birth of Jean Baptiste Poquelin, who assumed the Name of
Molière
1622.
His Studies at College
His Fellow-Students under Gassendi
Ætat. 19. Attends on Louis XIII. as Royal Valet-de-Chambre
1641.
Execution of Cinq-Mars
Cardinal de Richelieu's Plays, and Encouragement of Actors
Ætat. 21. Molière studies the Law
1643.
Molière's taking the Stage for his Profession offensive to his
Relatives
His Theatrical Company
The Fronde and Civil War injurious to the Theatre
Molière's Company perform at Bordeaux, where he produces an
unsuccessful Tragedy
His early Comedies
His excellent Farcical Interludes performed at the Prince de
Conti's Mansion of Pezenas
Molière and his Comedians established in Paris
They perform at Court
"Les Précieuses Ridicules," a Satire on the Hôtel Rambouillet
The Poet Voiture
Ætat. 37. Molière's Satire of the Affectation then in Fashion
1659.
Fête given by the Finance Minister Fouquet to Louis XIV.
Le grand Condé patronises Molière
Molière decried for being an Actor, is protected in his duties as
Royal Valet-de-Chambre by Louis XIV.
Molière's Marriage
He writes "l'Ecole des Femmes"
The Court Ballets
"Tartuffe"
The Soldiers of the King's Body Guard, deprived of their free
Admission to the Theatre, create a Riot
Ætat. 44. "Le Misanthrope"
1666.
Scene from the "Amphitryon"
Molière writes "l'Avare"
Scene from the Comedy of "George Dandin"
Unprecedented Success of "Tartuffe"
Friendship of Molière with Boileau, Racine, and the Wits of his
Time
A Supper Party described
"Monsieur de Pourceaugnac"
Molière's Comedy of "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme"
Scene from "Les Femmes Savantes"
Molière writes "Le Malade Imaginaire"
1673.
Ætat. 51. Is carried from the Stage in a dying State
Funeral Rites denied him
Character of Molière
His Charity
His Style
His Troop of Comedians dispersed
LA FONTAINE.
1621-1695.
Birth of Jean de la Fontaine
1621.
His Father a Keeper of the Royal Domains in his District
La Fontaine enters the Oratoire, a religious Order
He throws off the fetters of a monastic Life, and marries Marie
d'Héricart
The Keepership of the Royal Domain is devolved on him
La Fontaine reads an Ode by Malherbe, and commences Poet
He studies the Classics
His Style simple, unaffected, and something antiquated
His Study of the great Italian Writers, of Rabelais, and of Clement
Marot
Writes "Adonis" in Heroic Verse
Is jealous of M. Poignan, a military Man, and fights him
His Wife's Temper
His own Forgetfulness, and Anecdotes explanatory of its
intensity
The Duchess de Bouillon notices him
His Appointment in the Duke of Bouillon's House
The Duchess takes him to Paris
Account of the Mancinis, Duchesses of Mazarin, and of
Bouillon
La Fontaine's Parisian friends, Molière, Racine, and Boileau
His Distractions, or Absences of Mind
Forgets home and his Wife
His Journeys to Château Thierry
Receives a Pension from Fouquet
Elegance of his fugitive Poetry
Fouquet disgraced
La Fontaine endeavours to soften Louis XIV. towards this
unfortunate Minister
"Contes et Merveilles, en Vers," of La Fontaine
His "Psyche and Cupid"
His Fables
"Joconde," his most popular Tale
He lives under the Roof of Madame de la Sablière
La Fontaine writes "Daphne," an Opera, for Lulli, and takes
just Offence at that Musician
He is elected of the French Academy
After some hesitation, Louis XIV. confirms his Election
The Abbé Furetière, and Academic Disputes
Anecdotes illustrative of La Fontaine's Mind and Simplicity ,of
Conduct
Account of Madame de la Sablière and her Concerns
La Fontaine invited to England, declines the Journey
He resides with Madame d'Hervart, wife of a Financier
Sickness of this celebrated Poet and Fabulist
He is taxed as to his Indifference in Religion
The Clergy exact a Reparation, or Testimony of his Penitence
His Submissiveness
Recovers from Illness, and publishes a few more Tales
His Death
1695.
Criticism on his Works
Beauty of his "Adonis"
Nature of his Tale of "Psyche and Cupid"
La Fontaine's Dramatic Pieces
His Fables and Tales
Comparison with Gay
His Conversation and Habits
PASCAL.
1623-1662.
Bayle's Praise of the Genius of Pascal's Works
His Family
Birth of Blaise Pascal
1623.
Ætat. 9. His Father superintends his Studies
1631.
Philosophy of Descartes
Ætat. 12. Pascal's Study of Physics
1635.
Being restricted to the Study of Greek and Latin, he occupies his
leisure Moments with the Study of Geometry
His Father surprising him in his eager Pursuit of Mathematics,
is overjoyed, and consults a Friend
Blaise Pascal comprehends Euclid without a Master's
Instructions
Ætat. 16. His "Essay on Conic Sections"
His Father Etienne, being compromised in some Political Affairs,
flies from Paris to Auvergne
Jaqueline Pascal's Performance at fourteen Years of Age in the
Theatre of Cardinal de Richelieu; recites Verses declaratory of
her Father's Innocence
Ætat. 16. Richelieu pardons M. Pascal, and Blaise is presented to
him as a young Mathematician
1639.
Pascal studies Logic and Physics
1641.
Ætat. 19. He invents an Arithmetical Computing Machine
1642.
Galileo's Investigations of the Atmosphere
Torricelli pursues this Inquiry
Father Mersenne explains this matter to Blaise Pascal
Ætat. 24. Account of Pascal's Discovery of the Atmospheric
Pressure, and his Experiments made on the Puy de Dôme
1647.
Descartes claims a Priority in this Invention
Ætat. 30. Pascal's Treatises "On the Weight of the Atmosphere,"
and "On the Equilibrium of Liquids"
1653.
He quits the Study of Mathematics to devote himself to
Religion
His Sister Jaqueline imitates his Devotion
He falls into a State of general Debility
Death of Etienne Pascal
1651.
Jaqueline takes the Veil in the Abbey of Port Royal aux
Champs
Ætat. 37. Pascal meets with an alarming Accident, which injures
his already feeble Health
1654.
Is delirious, and makes a Record of some supposed Vision
He renounces the World, and lives solitarily, using monastic
Rules of Self-denial
Description of the Abbey of Port Royal, and of the Arnauld
Family
Pascal frequents the Society of Abbé Arnauld and his Friends
Controversy between the Jansenists and Molinists
The Jesuit Molina
Cornelius Jansen, Bishop of Ypres
"Five Propositions" of Jansenius condemned by the Pope at
the Desire of the Jesuits
Antoine Arnauld's Defence of Jansenism
Ætat. 33. Pascal's "Lettres Provinciales"
1656.
Jaqueline Pascal, a Nun of Port Royal, cured by Miracle of a
Fistula of the Eye
Pascal writes his "Pensées"
He subjects himself to Privations and Mortifications, for
Religion
Ætat. 35. Entails chronical sufferings thereby on his frame
1658.
Pascal solved many difficult Problems in Mathematics
Ætat. 35. He challenged scientific Men to solve the same; and
when Huygens, Wallis, and Wren were foiled, he published
his Solutions
1658.
New Persecution of the Jansenists
Ætat. 38. His "Lettres Provinciales" condemned to be burnt
1661.
The Nuns of Port Royal expelled from their Convent
Jaqueline Pascal, the Sub-Prioress of Port Royal, dies in
consequence of it
Pascal declares the "Five Propositions" to be in accordance
with St. Paul
His dying Sentiments
Ætat. 39. His Death
1662.
His admirable Character
Eloquence of his Works
His Address to Atheists
MADAME DE SÉVIGNÉ.
1626-1696.
Birth of Marie de Rabutin-Chantal
1626.
Account of this noble Family
Her Father, Baron de Chantal, slain at the Isle of Rhé
1627.
Account of the De Coulanges Family
The Breton Race described
Ætat. 18. Mademoiselle de Rabutin-Chantal marries Henry
Marquis de Sévigné
1644.
Cardinal de Retz and the Fronde
Count de Bussy-Rabutin, Cousin of Madame de Sévigné
Ninon de l'Enclos
Marquis de Sévigné falls in a Duel with the Chevalier d'Albret
The Prince de Conti
Hôtel de Rambouillet
Cardinal de Retz imprisoned, and escapes
Disgrace and Trial of Fouquet, Minister of Finance
Letters of Madame de Sévigné
Fêtes at Versailles
1664.
Louis XIV. takes a Part in the Tournament and Jousts
His Affection for Mademoiselle de la Vallière
Benserade, the Court Poet
Mademoiselle de Sévigné appears in the Ballets at Court
Her Marriage with the Count de Grignan
1669.
Correspondence of the Marchioness de Sévigné addressed to her
Daughter, Madame de Grignan
Count and Countess de Grignan repair to Provence, of which he
is Lieutenant-Governor
Ninon de l'Enclos again the Cause of Affliction
Countess de la Fayette
Monsieur and Madame de Coulanges, Cousins of Madame de
Sévigné
Dialogue, Supposititious, of M. de Coulanges and M. de
Bussy-Rabutin
Celebrity for Talent of Madame de Coulanges
Poetry of that Lady's Husband
M. Corbinelli
Madame de Maintenon
D'Argenson and Corbinelli, amusing Anecdote of
Death of Turenne
1675.
Madame de Sévigné attacked with Rheumatism
1676.
Ætat 51. Visited by her Daughter, who falls ill also
1677.
Their Residence in Paris
Account of the Chevalier de Grignan
Ætat. 54. Madame de Sévigné visits her Estate of Aux Rochers,
in Britany
1680.
Marriage of the Marquis de Sévigné, Son of Madame de
Sévigné
Further Letters to Madame de Grignan
James II. established at St. Germain
Duke and Duchess de Chaulnes
Ætat. 64. Marchioness of Sévigné resides with Madame de
Grignan in Provence
1690.
The Family of de Grignan
Pauline de Grignan married to the Marquis de Simiane
1695.
Ætat. 70. Death of Madame de Sévigné
1696.
Count de Bussy-Rabutin's Character of his celebrated
Cousin
Countess de la Fayette's Portrait of her
Voltaire's opinion of her Taste
Her Character
Madame de Sévigné was a Jansenist
The Dragonnades against the Protestants of France
No Posterity existent of the Family of de Sévigné
BOILEAU.
1636-1711.
Celebrated Era of Louis Quatorze
Birth of Nicholas Boileau, known also by the Name of M.
Despréaux
1636.
He displays a turn for Poetry at the College of Beauvais
His first Ode
Ætat. 20. Boileau studies the Law
1656.
He addicts himself to Letters
Rise of Literature in France
The Dramatic Poets
Jean Chapelain’s Poem of “La Pucelle”
Colbert, Prime Minister
Satire of Boileau
French Poets
Prince de Condé’s Society of Literary Men at Chantilly
Boileau’s Learned Friends
Ætat. 30. He publishes his Satires
1666.
His Eighth Satire
1667.
"L'Art Poétique"
"Le Lutrin"
Parallel of Boileau and Pope by Mr. Leigh Hunt
Ætat. 41. Is pensioned by Louis XIV.
1677.
Friendship of Boileau for Racine
They are appointed Historiographers
They attend Louis XIV. to the Siege of Ghent
1678.
Campaign of these Poets
Boileau, leaves the military duties to Racine
Abbé Arnauld and the Jansenists
Boileau joins the Jansenists
He is elected of the French Academy
Ætat. 51. Visits the Baths of Bourbon for Health
1687.
Ætat. 56. His attack on Charles Perrault
1692.
Boileau's Satire on Women
Racine's explanations of his and Boileau's Pensions
Boileau's great Regard for Jean Racine
His House at Auteuil
Ætat. 62. Is named sole Historiographer on the Death of
Racine
1698.
Latter Years of the Satirist passed in Tranquillity and
Happiness
Louis Racine, Son of the Dramatic Poet
Boileau sells his House at Auteuil
His Piety and strict Observances
Prepares a complete Edition of his Works
His "Dialogue on the Romances"
Ætat. 75. His Death
1711.
His Character for Wit
The "Lutrin" his best Poem
RACINE.
1639-1699.
Birth of Jean Racine
1639.
His Education at Beauvais
Ætat. 16. Received as a Pupil at Port Royal
1655.
Rivalry of the Jesuits and Jansenists
His Enthusiasm for the Tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides
Marriage of Louis XIV.
1660.
Racine on this Occasion writes the Ode "Nymphes de la
Seine"
Chapelain recommends him to the Minister Colbert
Racine resides with his Uncle le Père Sconin at Uzès, in
Provence
His Poem, "The Bath of Venus"
Returned to Paris, and employed by Molière in Dramatic
Composition
Ætat. 25. His "Alexandre"
1664.
He teaches the celebrated Champmélé to recite
He replies to M. Nicole
His Tragedies of "Andromach" and "Britannicus"
He writes "Bérénice" in rivalry of Corneille on the same
Subject
Henrietta of England, Duchess of Orléans
Partisans of Corneille
Racine's Comedy of "Les Plaideurs"
He is admitted of the French Academy
1673.
Duke of Montauzier
Racine's "Iphigénie," "Bajazet," and "Mithridate"
"Phèdre," and Madame des Houlières' Sonnet on that Tragedy
Racine and Boileau, supposed to have written a Reply to Madame
des Houlières, are threatened by the Duke of Nevers
Racine resolves on renouncing the Tragic Muse
Ætat. 38. He meditates becoming Chartreux, but is counselled
by his Confessor to marry
1677.
Character of Madame Racine
Their Sons, intended for monastic Life, are thrown into more
active Pursuits
Their Daughters take the Veil
Racine reconciles himself with M. Nicole and the Abbé Arnauld
of Port Royal
He is named Historiographer conjointly with Boileau
His Devotion
His Fondnesss for Home, and Paternal Benevolence
He attends Louis XIV. in his Campaigns
Ætat. 45. His Eloge of Corneille before the French Academy
1684.
His "Idyl on Peace"
His Attendance at Court
His excellent Recitation
"Esther"
"Athalie," his best Tragedy
Madame de Maintenon and Racine
Death of Racine
1699.
Criticism on the Tragedies of Jean Racine
FÉNÉLON.
1651-1715.
Birth of François de Salignac de la Mothe Fénélon
1651.
His charitable and devout heart
His Father the Count de Fénélon
His Mother of an illustrious Family
His early Acquaintance with Greek and Latin Literature, and
Powers of Composition
Ætat. 18. The Abbé de Fénélon takes his Degree in the
University of Cahors
1669.
Visits his Uncle, the Marquis de Fénélon, at Paris
Ætat. 19. His Success in Preaching
1670.
Ætat. 24. His Zeal in Ministerial Duties
1675.
Wishes to go as Missionary to Canada
His religious fervour
Louis XIV. commissions him to preach to the Huguenots in
Poitou
Fame of Bossuet, then Bishop of Condom
Le Père Bourdaloue surpasses in eloquent Discourses his Master
Bossuet
Bossuet, Governor of the Dauphin, writes his "Discours sur
l'Histoire Universelle"
Fénélon "on Female Education"
Ætat. 38. Duke de Beauvilliers appoints Fénélon a Preceptor to
the Grandsons of Louis XIV.
1689.
Celebrated Men employed as Preceptors to the Princes
Fénélon appointed Archbishop of Cambrai
Controversial Spirit of the Age
Affair of Madame Guyon's Visions and Mysticism
Bossuet and other Divines commissioned to inquire into her
Doctrines
Bossuet, now Bishop of Meaux, writes the "Instruction sur les
États de l'Oraison," and desires Fénélon's Approval thereof
The Archbishop of Cambrai refuses, and writes his "Explication
des Maximes des Saints sur la Vie Intérieure"
The Controversy of the Two celebrated Divines has an unfortunate
Result in the Division of the Gallican Church on the
Doctrines in question
Louis XIV. prejudiced against Fénélon
Madame de Maintenon's Coldness to him
Ætat. 46. Fénélon exiled to his See
1697.
The Dispute between MM. de Meaux and Cambrai referred to
Rome
Innocent XII. appoints a Commission, and calls upon those Prelates
for a formal Statement of their Opinions
Louis XIV. erases the Name of Fénélon from the List of Preceptors
to the Princes
Calmness and Charitable Sentiments of Fénélon under the indignities
offered him
Ætat. 48. The Pope's Brief condemning the "Maximes des
Saints" of Fénélon
1699.
Exemplary Obedience of Fénélon, and his Pastoral Letter on the
Occasion
The Brief against him is registered, and Bossuet draws up a
Report
Death of Bossuet, without any Reconciliation with Fénélon
1714.
"Télémaque"
Admirable Deportment of Fénélon in the See of Cambrai