The times., 1899-01-08

cipal Granger. His PASSION at this time
was for philosophy. He studied enthus las
tically the writings of Descartes. and high
ly approved that philosophers aceat prIn-
ciple that no old dictum is to rule out an
argument but that proof must accompany
every assertion. Nullius addictus iurare
in verba magistri, Given to swear hy the
words of no MASTER. the line quoted by
Lebret TO describe his friends intellectual
character was assurance that he would
strongly second Descartes in This conten-
ton.
But it was not only TO philosophical
thought of the freshest kind that he devot-
ed himself at this time. His fOndness for
poetry was such that ". Rostand has not
gone far wrong in founding upon it his
conception OF his hero as writer Of i'm
passioned verse Lebret testiies that he
has seen him surrounded by the wild up
roar CT the guardrUOm and the loud swear
ing of his fellow troopers, yet inditing an
elegy as sereuely as if he were alone in
cabinet, with not a murmur near. He be
gan like so many young poets. especially
in that age, with heroic verse and soon
produced a fye-act tragedy La Mort
d'Agrippine." He had a great fondness FOR
the stage. but, along with it, much OF be
naughty contempt for the PLAYERS which
was characteristic of the young gallanis
OF those days story is told OF him.
which shows vivdly the latter trait in his
character. Having for some unknown rea
son conceived wrath against the comedian
MonAeury. he sentenced him to a month 5
banishment from the stage. Monileury
sighted the mandate and appeared in spite
OF The prohibition. Bergerdc who in
the pit, rose when he came on and called
out TO him: on, sir, on if you don't
Z wish to be pounded. Monfieury made mis-
! exit at once. He was tat man, and BeT-
actors presumption in attempting TO dis
regard his ediCt. said: The rascal Be
cause he is so big around that you can't
thrash the whole OF him in 4 day, he
gives himself airs of Defiance
But BergeraC was no mere bully of the
dueingg ground. He fought in the king =
war with great credit to himself. Al the
siege of Moussou in the Arieunes. where
ne and his fellow guardsmen We're keep
ing out the Germans. a sOTtIc Of he gar
rison brought him musket bail through
the body. At the siege Of -Nrras. The year
foliowing-he was just twenty-oue-hc re-
ceiyed sword thrust in his throat.
These wounds. which caused him great
suffering. put an end to his military career.
He now determined TO devote himself 10
literary pursuits. II was evident. however.
that in that age no amount of genius could
enable one engaged in the literary field to
dispense with patron. As soldier.
Bergerac had preferred 20 rely on his own
strong arm. and had turned away from the
protfers made him BY the Mareohal de
Gassion. His friends convinced him that,
as a writer, he could not afford To be 50
proud To the Due d'ArpaiO. then he
dedicated the first fruits of his pom his
tragedy his comedy and e. letI,rS. The
duke lodged him I'm The Ho,el du Marais
Some time before This however and indeed
shortly after his withdrawal from the
army, he attended the lectures Of Gasscrdi
The famous traveller. Eernitr and the
great Moliere, We're al" pupils OF Gasser-
di at this time In his satiTiCal writings
produced much later, BerEerac shows alun-
J dant traces OF his interest in the master:
teachings.
The interest excited by NJ. Rosiandt
revival of the man as a striking characte
for the stage is reason enough for de
scription of his personal appearance
There are in existence four portraits o
him as we'll as Lehreu's account OF hi
characteristic features. Judging from
| these. he was handsome man. with fin
eyes. commanding nose. long hair. thin
short mustache, and clean-shaven cheek
aud chin. 1t is this brave nose of his
l Napoleon would have made a marshal o
him for (which NJ. Rostand in the pla,
: axaggerates and traVesties. Bergera
thought well of his nose, and in his stor,
OF the people OF the moon states that the
I do not allow small or fiat nose 10 be per
petuated.
, The cause of his death is to this da
somewhat of mystery. Returning to hi
lodgings in the Hotel du Narais one night
S he was badly bruised by log OF WOO
2 falling en- his head whether h. accident o
4 by the design of his enemies is uncertain
: He fingered long, the fever caused by hi