The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-09
DAZZLED THE WORLD.
Ihe Remarkable Career of the Adj
mirable Crichton.


years of his life was the wonder and
admiration Of the chivalry and learn
ing or Europe. This was James
Crlchton of Cluny, best known by the
title given him by the French-the
Admirable Crichton.
He was made a master of arts bv
the University of ST. Andrews in his
twelfth year. He knew all that insti-
tuition Of learning could teach him
when he was fourteen. At the age
OF nfteen he met in public debate on
all subjects many of the best minds
IN France and vanquished them all
he knew all the learning of his day.
he was a master of twelve languages
he had memory SO wonderful that
nearing discourse Of any length. he
was able afterwards to repeat it word
Tor word and duplicate every gesture
OF the speaker. He was a poet q
musician Of excellence, an athlete.
norseman, a soldier of trusted COM
mand before he was nineteen, a won
derful actor. a swordsman of extra
ordinary skill.
Crichton's family was of consider
able Importance and wealth and
claimed royal descent. His father
was lord advocate first to Queen
Mary and afterward to King James
vi. His mother was the daughter of
sir James Stewart. Members of both
families were eminent in Scottish
history. The boy James Crichton was
sent to grammar school at Perth. He
emerged at the age of 10 and imme-
diately entered the famous university
or st. Andrews. The students there
were divided into what were called
circles, according to the talent they
exhibited. Crichton advanced from
one circle to another until, when he
was barely past eleven, the univer-
sity turned him out with the degree
OF master Of arts. 1t was the custom
or young men Of the time to finish
their education by making the grand
tour of Europe. Crichton, supplied
with letters from his family and rel
atives to the mobiles of the French
court, went to Paris first.
His first action on arrival was to
post challenge in all parts of the
city offering to meet all corners at the
College of Navarro in debate in any
one of twelve languages, "in any
science, liberal art, discipline or fac
ulty, whether practical or theoretic."
Such contests were common to the
age, but the challenge, coming from
boy of fifteen, aroused deep inter-
est. An immense crowd was present
on the day appointed. A dozen emf
nent philosophers and divines pre-
sented themselves. Crichton, without
the semblance of efforts, defeated all
who attempted to cope with him. He
was congratulated by the faculty of
the college, and Henry III, then the
gayest monarch in Europe, carried
hlm OF to his court. The next day
Crichton appeared in the tourney and
with cOnsummate ease remained VIC
tor in that martial struggle. The king
gave him an important command in
the army He remained in France
two years, dazzling the people with
his accomplishments in every direc-
ton.
l. Crichton went next to Rome and
Venice. In the latter city his friends
were Sperone Speroni, one of the
most learned names in Italian litera-
ture; John DOnati and Lorenzo Mas
sa, secretary to the republic Of Ven
ice. Several of the Latin poems
Crichton composed in this circle have
survived. He was introduced to the
doge and the senate and in their
graceful and eloquent that, according
to Imperalis, she was esteemed a
prodigy of nature" The Venetians
were enraptured over his eleganc
manners. his learning and accom-
plishments. Crichton went to Padua
to debate on the philosophy of Aris-
totle, then a subject absorbing the
educated minds of all Europe. The
argument lasted three days, and
the handsome young Scotchman was
an easy victor over all opponents.
AT Mantua a famous Italian duelist
lived who had vanquished many an
tagonists. Crichton sent him a chal-
lenge and next day ran the Italian
through the body. The Duke of Man
| tua engaged him as tutor for his SON.
| VincenZO di GOnzaza. The court of