The Shasta courier., 1867-09-07


year 1880.
During his residence at Venice. he fell
into bad state of health, which continued
for the space of four months. Before he was
perfectly recovered, he went by the advice
OF his friends, to Padua, the university of
which was at that time in great reputation
The day after his arrival, there was an
assembly of all the learned men of the place
at the house of Jacobus Aloysius Corne-
hus, when Crichton opened the meeting
with an extempore poem in praise of the
city, the university, and the company who
had honored him with their presence. After
this, he disputed for six hours with the most
celebrated professors on various subjects of
learning; and he exposed, in particular, the
errors of Aristotle and his commentators,
with so much solidity and acuteness, and at
the same time with so much modesty, that
he excited universal admiration In conclu.
sion, he delivered an extempore Grafton in
praise of ignorance, which was conducted
with such ingenuity and elegance, that his
hearers were astonshed. This exhibition
OF Crlchton's talents was en- the I4th of
March, 1881.
lie soon afterwards appointed day for
another disputation, to be held at the palace
OF the bishop of Padua, not for the purpose
OF afording higher proofs of his abilities,
but In compliance with the earnest solicita
tons cf some persons who were not present
at the former assembly. According to the
account of Manutius, various circumstances
occurred which prevented this meeting from
taking place; but Imperialis relates, that
he was informed by his father, who was
present on the occasions, that Crichton was
opposed by Archangelus Mercenarius, a
famous philosopher, that he acquitted him.
self so well as to obtain the appreciation of
very honorable company, and even of his
gonist himself
Amidst the high applauses that were be-
slowed upon the genius and attainments of
the young Scotchman, still there were some
who endeavored to detract from his merit
For ever, therefore, to confound these
invidious cavillers, he caused paper to be
fixed on the gates of st. John and st. Paul's
church, in which he offered to prove before
the university, that the errors of Aristotle,
and of all his followers, were almost innu-
merable and that the latter had failed both
IN explaining their masters meaning, and
in treating on theological subjects. He
promised likewise to refute the dreams of
certain mathematical professors, to dispute
in all the sciences, and to answer to whatever
should be proposed to him, or objected
against him. All this he engaged to do,
either in the common logical way, or by
numbers and mathematical figures, or in
one hundred sorts of verses, at the pleasure
of his opponents. According to Manutus,
Crichton sustained this contest without
fatigue for three days; during which time
he supported his credit and maintained his
propositions with such spirit and energy,
that he obtained, from an unusual concourse
of people, unbounded praises and acclama-
tions.
From Padua, CrichtOn set out for Man
tua, where there happened at that time
gladiator, who had foiled in his travels the
most skillful fencers in Europe, and had
lately killed three who had entered the lists
with him in that city. The duke of Mantua
was much grieved at having granted this
man his protection, as he found it attended
with such fatal consequences. Crichton
being informed of his concern, offered his
service to drive the murderer not only from
Mantua, but from Italy, and to fight him
for 1900 pistoles. Though the duke was
unwilling to expose such an accomplished
person to so great hazard, yet relying on
the report he had heard of his martial feats,
he agreed to the proposal and the time and
place being appointed, the whole court at
tended to behold the performance. At the
beginning of the combat, Crichton stood
only upon his defence; while the Italian
made his attack with such eagerness and
fury, that he began to be fatigued Crichton
now seized the opportunity of attacking bis
antagonist in return, which he did with so
much dexterity and vigor, that he ran him
through the body in three different places
so that he Immediately died of his wounds
On this occasion the acclamations of the
spectators were loud and extraordinary and
it was acknowledged by all of them, that
they had never seen art, grace or nature,
second the precepts of art, in so striking a
manner as on that day. To crown the glory
of the action, Crichton bestowed the prize
of his victory on the widows of the three per-
sons who had lost their lives in fighting with
his antagonist.
1t is asserted, that in consequence of this
and his other wonderful performances, the
duke of Mantua made choice of him as pre-
ceptor to his son, Vncentio de Gonzaga,
who is represented as being of a riotous
temper and dissolute life. The appoint
ment was highly pleasing to the court. We
are told that Crichton, to testify his gratitude
to his friends and benefactors, and to con-
tribute to their diversion, composed COM
edy, in which he exposed and ridiculed all
the weak and faulty sides of the various
employments in which men are engaged
This was regarded as one of the most in
genious satires that ever was made upon
mankind. But the most astonishing part OF
the story is, that Crichton sustained fifteen
characters in the representation of his own
play. Among the rest, he acted the divine,
the lawyer, the mathematician, the soldier,
and the physician, with such inimitable
grace, that every time he appeared upon the
theatre he seemed to be different person.
From being the principal actor in
comedy, Crichton soon became the subject
of dreadful tragedy. One night, during
the carnival, as he was walking through the
streets of Mantua, and playing upon his
guitar, he was attacked by half dozen
people in masks. The assailants found
that they had no ordinary person to deal
with, for they were not able to maintain their
ground against him. Having at length dis
armed the leader of the company, the latter
pulled off his mask, and begged his life, tell
ing him that be was the prince, his pupil
Crichton Immediately fell upon his knees,
and expressed his concern for his mistake !;
alleging, that what he had done was only in