. The rest of his life he devoted to his pastoral duties, and to his numerous works, which prove him one of the most indefatigable writers of his time. He died Feb.
, a protestant divine, and voluminous writer, was born at Senlis, Oct. 20, 1543, and studied divinity at Geneva, where he was ordained in October 1566, and was appointed one of the ministers of that city, a situation which he filled for the long space of sixtytwo years. His residence at Geneva was never discontinued but on account of three journies he took to France, on matters relating to the protestant churches, the one in 1576, when he went to Forez; the second in 1582, to Champagne, and the third in 1600, to Grenoble. The rest of his life he devoted to his pastoral duties, and to his numerous works, which prove him one of the most indefatigable writers of his time. He died Feb. 3, 1628, in his eighty-fifth year, and in full possession of his faculties. He preached but seven days before his death. Scaliger, who had a great esteem for him, says he was an ingenious man, who learnt all he knew without the assistance of a master.
, one of the most indefatigable writers of his time, was born in 1643,
, one of the most indefatigable
writers of his time, was born in 1643, at Troyes, of a good
family. He soon made himself known in the literary world
by ingenious pasquinades, and other jeux d'esprit. He was
once attorney-general to the parliament of Metz but his
bad conduct having involved him in difficulties, he was
accused of drawing up false acts for his own advantage, confined at the Chatelet, and there sentenced to
make amende honorable, and to be banished nine years.
From this sentence he appealed, and being removed to the
Conciergerie, became there the lover and advocate of
Gabrielle Perreau, commonly called la belle Epiciere (the handsome grocer’s wife), whom her husband had shut up
in that prison for her irregular conduct, and wrote several
memoirs and other pieces in her favour, which were much
read. Le Noble finding means to get out of the Conciergerie, 1695, lived a long time concealed with this woman,
who had escaped from a convent to which she had been
transferred, and had three children by her; but, being
retaken, was condemned, notwithstanding his eloquent speech
to his judges, while at the bar, March 24, 1698. The
sentence passed upon him was for forgery, and condemned
him to make an amende seche, privately, in the hall of the
Chatelet, and to be banished for nine years. He left his
prison four days after, and obtained a repeal of the sentence of banishment the next year, on condition that he
should exercise no judicial office. His mistress was tried
in May following, and le Noble was charged, by her sentence, with the three children, who were declared bastards. He died at Paris, January 31, 1711, aged 68, so
poor, that the alms-house, in the parish of St. Severin,
was obliged to bury him. His works have been printed at
Paris, 19 vols. 12mo. The principal are, “Dialogues sur
les affaires du Terns.
” “Le Bouclier de la France, ou les
Sentimens de Gerson et des Canonistes touchant les diflerends des Rois de France avec les Papes.
” A prose “Translation of the Psalms.
” “Relation de PEtat de Gnes.
”
Hist, de PEstablissement de la Republique d'Hollande.“This is little more than an extract from Grotius. He wrote
also tales and fables; and romances, or historiettes, founded
on facts;
” L'Ecole du Monde,“4 vols. 12mo, consisting of twenty-four dialogues; and published a translation
of the
” Travels of Gemelli Carreri," Paris, 1727, 6 vols.
12mo.