, an author to whom the curious in literary history are greatly indebted,
, an author to whom the curious in literary history are greatly indebted, was probably
a native of Paris, and born towards the conclusion of the
seventeenth century. He was bred up as a bookseller in
that city, a business which always requires some knowledge
of books, but which he carried to an extent very unusual,
and for forty years employed almost the whole of his time
in inspecting the works of eminent authors, inquiring into
their history, their editions, differences, and every species
of information which forms the accurate bibliographer.
During the time that Mr. Bernard published the “Nouvelles de la Republiques des Lettres,
” Marchand was his
constant correspondent, and contributed all the literary
anecdotes from Paris, which appeared in that journal.
Being, however, a conscientious protestant, and suspecting that in consequence of the repeal of the edict of Nantz,
he might be interrupted in the exercise of his religion, he
went to reside in Holland, and carried on the bookselling
trade there for some time, until meeting with some lack of
honesty among his brethren (pen de bonne-foi qiCil avoit trouvej, he relinquished business, and devoted his time entirely to literary history and biography. In both his knowledge was so conspicuous, that the booksellers were always happy to avail themselves of his opinion respecting intended publications, and more happy when they could engage his assistance as an editor. In the latter character, we find that he superintended an edition, 1. of Bayle’s “Dictionary,
” and “Letters,
” both which he illustrated with notes. 2. “Satyre Menippee,
” Ratisbonne (Brussels), Cymbalum mundi,
” by Bonaventure de
Perrieres, Amst. Direction pomla conscience d'un roi,
” Hague, Histoire des Revolutions de Hongrie,
” ibid. Lettres, Memoires, et Negociations du comte d'Estrades,
”
London (Hague)^ Histoire de
Fenelon,
” Hague, Oeuvres de Brantome,
” ibid. Oeuvres de Villon,
”
ibid.