The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-02
FREDERIC ozANAM.

Gently been made by the publication of a
portion of the works of Frederic Ozanam,
by his literary executor, NJ. Ampere. The
Frenchmen who have distinguis he'd them
selves and made their era memorable by
coming out boldly on the side of religion
and good morals, and thus stemming the
tide of a corrupting literature and an insi-
dious infidelity. Aside from his literary
labors, NJ. Ozanam will be famous in all
time for his exertions in founding an asso-
ciation-Society of st. Vincent de Paul
now established in the four quarters of the
globe. We find the following sketch of his
life in the preface of the work just pub
lished:
| ~ few words may be said as to the career
of the>~author, Frederic Ozanam, whose
name has not yet become widely known in
| this country. Me was born August 23d,
1913, at Milan, wheIe his father, who had
fallen into poverty, was residing and study
| ing medicine. His mother,~Xhose maiden
name was Marie Nantas, was daughter to
a rich Lyonese merchant, and it was-to that
city-Lyons-his parents returned in 1916.
The father obtained there considerable
reputation as a doctor, and died from the
effects of an accident in 1887. His son
pursued his studies at Paris with great
success, and was destined for the bar. He
took prominent place in the thoughtful
and religious party among the students, and
his published letters show how he became
identified with the movement set ON foot
by Lacordaire and others. He was espe-
cially distinguished, however, by the found
alton of an association of benevolence,
called the Society of st. Vincent de Paul,
which, from it's small beginnings in Paris,
spread over France, and has, ut the present
time, its conferences, composed of laymen,
in all the larger towns OF Europe. NJ.
Ozanam showed, even during his student
life, a leaning toward 1t .rary pursuits, and
a distaste for the profession of the bar, to
which he was destined; but he Joined the
bar of Lyons, obtained some success as an
advocate, and was chosen in 1889 as the
first occupant of the professional chair of
commercial law, which had just been es
tablished in that city. The courses of lee
lures given by him were well attended, the
lectures themselves were eloquent and
learned, aud NJ. Ozanam seems to have pre-
ferred inculcating the science of juTispru-
dence to practising in the courts. But. in
the course of the following year, 1910, he
| obtained an appointment which was still
more suitable to his talent-the Professor
ship Of Foreign Literature at Paris-and
which gave him perfect opportunity
for the cultivation OF his favorite pursuit
tue philosophy of history. Shortly after
his appointment, NJ. Ozanam married. and
the remaining years of his life were spent
in the duties of his calling; in travelling,
partly for the sake of health and pleasure,
partly to gain information which mi ght be
woven into his lectures; and in visits to his
many friends, chiefly those who had taken
an active part with him i'll unfolding the
interests of religion in France. He never
entered upon active political life, though he
offered himself, upon a requisition Of his
feliOW-tOwnSmen, as representative of
| Lyons in the National Assembly of 1913.
In politics, NJ. Ozanam was a decided lib
eral: in, religion, fervent Catholic. His
letters show great dislike of any alliance
between the Church and absolutism. and a
conviction that religion and an enlightened
democracy might flourish together. He
wrote in the Correspondent, which embodied
the newer ideas, and was frequently an
imadverted upon by the Inirers, which
represented the more conservative party in
Church and State. His more important
works were developed from lectures deIiv-
cred at the SOrbonne: aud his scheme was
, to embrace the history of civilization from
the fall of the Roman Empire to the time of
Dante. But failing health, although much
was completed, did not allow him entirely
to achieve the great object which he had
| originally conceived when It mere boy: and
the touching words in which he expressed
his resignation to an early death, when his
already brilliant life promised an increase
oi success, anu MS cup OF domestic nappl-
ness was entirely full. may be found among
his published writings. NJ. Ozanam seems
to have continued his literary labors as
long as rapidly increasing weakness would
permit; but, after a stay in Italy, which
did not avail to restore his broken health
he reached his native country only to die
September 9th, 1853. in the fortieth year OF
his age, and the heyday OF bright and
useful career. He was lamented by troops
of friends, old and young, rich and poor
the latter, indeed being under special OBJ
legations to his memory. His friend, NJ
Ampere, became his literary executor, and
undertook the task of giving his complete
works to the public. for which end sub
scription was quickly raised among those
who had known aud respected him at