, a French priest of the oratory, who made considerable approaches
, a French priest of the oratory, who
made considerable approaches to liberality and good sense
in his writings, was born at Brignolle, in the diocese of
Aix in Provence, in 1661, and became celebrated for his
knowledge of ecclesiastical history and antiquities; on which
subjects he lectured in the seminary of St. Magloire, at
Paris, for thirteen years. His first publication appears to
have been against the illusion of the divining rod; “Lettres
pour prouver l'illusion des philosophes sur la baguette,
”
Paris, Histoire critique des pratiques superstitieuses, &c.
” Of this there was a new edition in 3 vols.
12mo, 1732, with a life of the author by M. Bellon, his
nephew, and in 1737 the abbe Granet printed a collection
of pieces intended as a fourth volume. He also wrote
against the theatre, as an amusement improper for Christians; but his more elaborate work was that on “Liturgies,
”
published in 4 vols. 8vd, containing a history of liturgies,
prayers, ceremonies, &c. including those of the church of
England. This, owing to some liberal opinions, involved
him in a controversy, in which he defended himself with
great ability, but before the contest was over he died,
Jan. 6, 1729.