was born at Avignon, Jan. 29, 1679, of a noble and ancient family.
was
born at Avignon, Jan. 29, 1679, of a noble and ancient
family. After having embraced the ecclesiastical profession, he became not only distinguished by the excellence
of his doctrines, but particularly by his charitable exertions
during the plague in 1721; and his subsequent promotions
had no other effect on him than to increase his zeal and
his piety. Pope Clement XII. informed of his talents and
conciliating spirit, employed him in the capacity of apostolic vicar, to settle the disgraceful disputes that had arisen
among the missionaries of China. Achards, who was then
bishop of Halicarnassus, undertook this commission; and
after a tedious voyage of two years, and two years’ residence in China, where he ineffectually laboured to accomplish the object of his mission, died at Cochin, April 2,
1741, a martyr to his indefatigable and benevolent zeal.
The Abbe Fab re, his secretary, published an account of
this mission, entitled “Lettres edifiantes et curieusessurla
visite apostolique de M. de la Baume, eveque d'Halicarnasse, a la Cochinchine,
” Venice, 1746, 4to, & 1753,
3 vols. 12mo, with the translation of a funeral oration delivered on his death by a Chinese priest.
, an eminent French officer and author, famous for his skill and knowledge in the military art, was born at Avignon, in 1669, of a noble but not a rich family.
, an eminent French officer and author, famous for his skill and knowledge in the military art, was born at Avignon, in 1669, of a noble but not a rich family. He discovered early a happy turn for the sciences, and a strong passion for arms; which last was so inflamed by reading Cxsar’s Commentaries, that he actifally enlisted at sixteen years of age, and although his father obtained his discharge, and shut him up in a monastery, he made his escape in about two years after, and entered himself a second time in quality of cadet. His inclination for military affairs, and the great pains he took to accomplish himself in every branch of the art, recommended him to notice; and he was admitted into the friendship of the first-rate officers. M. de Vendome, who commanded in Italy in 1720, made him his aid-de-camp, having conceived the highest regard for him; and soon after sent him with part of his forces into Lombardy. He was entirely trusted by the commander of that army; and no measures were concerted, or steps taken, without consulting him. By pursuing his plans, many places were taken, and advantages gained; and his services were remunerated by a pension of four hundred livres, and the cross of St. Lewis. He distinguished himself greatly, Aug. 15, 1705, at the battle of Cassano; where he received such a wound upon his left hand, as entirely deprived him of the use of it. M. de Vendome, to make him some amends, tried to have him made a colonel, but did not succeed. It was at this battle, that Folard conceived the first idea of that system of columns, which he afterwards prefixed to his Commentaries upon Poly bins.
, a French monk, who became a zealous protestant, was born at Avignon in 1487. At the age of fifteen he entered himself
, a French monk, who became a zealous protestant, was born at Avignon in 1487. At the age of fifteen he entered himself among the Franciscan friars, and continued in the comrnunijty twenty years; during which time he acquired celebrity as a preacher, and was made general of the order. Much addicted to reading and reflection, in the course of his investigations he saw reason to renounce the doctrines of the catholic church, and to adopt those of the reformation; but on that account found it necessary to go to Switzerland, where he arrived in 1522. Here he became a popular preacher among the protestants, and having continued some time at Ba,sil, he set out for Wittemberg to visit Luther, in 1523. With that eminent reformer he grew into high esteem, and it was determined he should go to Zurich, to assist in disseminating the principles of the reformation through France; but this scheme was altered for some employment in the university of Wittemberg, where he most probably continued till 1526. In the following year he was appointed divinity-professor at the university of Marpurg, and in 1530 he died, at the age of forty-three. He was author of commentaries on almost all the parts of the Old and New Testament, and of many theological and controversial pieces.
, an eminent French mathematician, was born at Avignon, in Provence, March 3, 1604, and entered the
, an eminent
French mathematician, was born at Avignon, in Provence,
March 3, 1604, and entered the army at fourteen, for
which he had been educated with extraordinary care. Ir>
1620 he was engaged at the siege of Caen, in the battle of
the bridge of Ce, and other exploits, in which he signalized
himself, and acquired a reputation above his years. He
was present, in 1G21, at the siege of St. John d'Angeli, as
also at that of Clerac and Montauban, where he lost his
left eye by a musket-shot. At this siege he had another
loss, which he felt with no less sensibility, viz. that of the
constable of Luynes, who died there of a scarlet fever.
The constable was a near relation to him, and had been
his patron at court. He did not, however, sink under his
misfortune, but on the contrary seemed to acquire fresh
energy from the reflection that he must now trust solely
to himself. Accordingly, there was after this time, no
siege, battle, or any other occasion, in which he did not
signalize himself by some effort of courage and conduct.
At the passage of the Alps, and the barricade of Suza, he
put himself at the head of the forlorn hope, consisting of
the bravest youths among the guards; and undertook to
arrive the first at the attack by a private way which was
extremely dangerous; but, having gained the top of a very
steep mountain, he cried out to his followers, “See the
way to glory!
” and sliding down the mountain, his companions followed him, and coming first to the attack, as
they wished to do, immediately began a furious assault;
and when the army came up to their support, forced the
barricades. He had afterwards the pleasure of standing
on the left hand of the king when his majesty related this
heroic action to the duke of Savoy, with extraordinary
commendations, in the presence of a very full court. When
the king laid siege to Nancy in 1633, our hero had the
honour to attend his sovereign in drawing the lines and
forts of circumvallation. In 1642 his majesty sent him to
the service in Portugal, in the post of field-marshal; but
that year he had the misfortune to lose his eye-sight.
, a celebrated French marine painter, was born at Avignon in 1712, and received the early part of his
, a celebrated French marine painter, was born at Avignon in 1712, and received the early part of his education at Rome. While there he contracted au acquaintance with Mr. Drake, of Sharlowes, in Buckinghamshire, then on his travels. Mr. Drake employed him to paint six pictures, and left the subjects to his own choice. They are very capital performances, in the painter’s best manner, and are now in the drawing-room at Sharlowes.