Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-20
Monday Morning.
SINGULAR CHARACTER

A@&hAS SIIAhAO Elk.
III U0tums third of the dIemoirs the Du1cs
OF Sally, aInder the date of the year 16Os.
IS The .tottOl0ing character, CaS giren bv
me DHte) Of iSerUiR, the celebrated
French Comedian
The beginning of June set OUT for "a
las, where L was to embark, having with
me retinue Ofupwards of 200 gentlemen.
or who called themselves such of whom n
considerable number were of fine FIRST die.
JUNCTION Just before my departure, old
oerVln came and presented his son to me.
and begged l would make him man of
some worth and honesty; but he confessed
1t was what he dare not hope-not through
any want of understanding or CAPACITY in
the young man, but from his incIiuation to
all kinds of vice. The old man was in the
right. " - - '"o
What he told me having excited nv cu-
rloslty to gain thorough knowledge of the
young Servin - fonnd ~,
to be both wonder and monster-for
gave no other idea of that assemblaee of the
most excellent and pernicious qualities.-
Let the reader represent to himself man
OF genus SO lively, and an understanding
So extensive, as to render him scarce igno.
rant OF any thing that could be known: of
SO vast and ready comprehension. that he
Immediately made himself master of what
heattempted, and of so prodigious memo
ry that he never forgot what he had once
learned lie possesse ali the parts of
philosophy, and the mathematics, particu-
larIy IortItcatiOn and drawing Even in
theology he was an excellent preacher
whenever he had mind to exert that IA.
Tents and an able disputant for & against
the reformed religion indifferentIv' He
pot onl understands Greek. Hebrew, and
all the languages which we call learned. but
also all the different iargons or modern dia-
lecls he accented and pronounced them ca
naturally, and so perfectly initiated the
gestures and manners both of the several
nations OF Europe and particular provinces
IN france, that he might have been taken
Tor native OF all or many of these coun-
trles-and this quality he applied to conn
terlelt all sorts Of persons. wherein he suc-
ceeded wonderfully. He was, moreover
the best comedian and greatest droIl that
perhaps ever appeared; he had genius
Tor poetry, and wrote many verses; he
played upon almost all instruments. and
was perfect master of music, and sum-
most asreeably and justly; Ire likewise
could say mass, for he was of disuosition
to 90 as well as to know all things.
Ills body was perfectly we'll suited TO his
mind he was light, nimble. dexterous, and
ut tor al exercises He could ride well.
and IN dancing, wrestling. and leapipg, he
was admired there are not any recreative
game, that he did not know and he was
skilled IN almost all mechanic arts. But
now the reverse Of the medal here il an
peared that he was treaCherous, cruel. COW
ard,ly' deceitful, a liar, cheat, drunkard.
and gIutton, sharper in play, immersed
~ every species Of vice, blasphener. an
attfhelst, IN word, in him might be found
az 'he wees contrary to nature, honor, re-
lIgIon and society; the truth of which he
h!msel' eyinced with his last breath, for he
died IN the flower of his age, in a common
brotheI, perfectly corrupted bv his debancb.
cries. aud expired with glass in his hand
cursing and denying God!