Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-06-16

'~o oy His Own Sword. Which -.
Handed 70 a Defeated Foe.
On July 3. 1888, I'm a night epconn,s,
IN Mantua there died boy OF twenty.
TWO who In the last eight years NJ his
lIe was the wonder and admiration Of
tne ehivalry and learning OF Europe
rms was James Crichton OF Clunv
pest known by the title given him bv
'he trench-the Admirable Crichton
nc was made n master OF arts Inv
the University OF st. Andrews I'm bis
tWeiith year. lie knew all that instt.
tuition OF learning could ,each hin,
wnen he was fourteen. At the age OF
niteen he met IN public debate on all
SUBJECTS many OF the best minds in
france and vanquished them all Ua
knew 1.-THE learning OF his day. Ue
was master OF twelve languages. He
had memory SO wonderful that. hear.
ing discourse OF any length. he was
aole afterward to repeat il word for
word and duplicate every gesture 81
tne speaker He was a poet. a musI-
can OF excellence. an athlete. a horse
man. a soldier Of trusted command be-
fore he was nineteen. n wonderful ac.
tor. swordsman OF extraordinary
skill.
Orichton's family was OF consider.
aple Importance and wealth and claim
co royal descent. His father was lord
advocate Grst To Queen Mary ana aft.
efWard to King James VI. His moth.
CT was the daughter OF Sir James Stew.
art Members OF both families were
eminent in Scottish history. The hoy
James Crichton vas sent 10 grammar
school nj Perth. He emerged at the
age or ten and immediately entered
the Famous University OF St. Andrews
The students there were divided into
what were called circles, according 10
the talent they exhibited. Crichton nd.
Vanced from one circle TO another un.
III, when he was barely past eleven.
the university turned him out with the
degree OF master OF arts. IL was the
custom OF young men OF the time TO
hhish their Quotations by making the
grand tour OF Europe. Crichton. sup
piled with letters from his family and
relatives 60 the mobiles OF the French
court, went 10 Paris first.
His first action on arrival was TO
post a challenge IN all parts Of the
city Offering to meet all corners at the
College OF Navarro In debate I'm any
one OF twelve languages. I'm any sci.
ence, liberal art. discipline or faculty.
whether practical or theorctic." Such
contests were common to the age. bur
the challenge. coming from a boy OF
fifteen. aroused deep interest. An i'm.
mense crowd was present on the day
appointed. \ dozen eminent philoso-
piers and divines presented them
selves. Crichton. without the sem
blance OF effort. defeated all who at
tempted TO cope with him. He was
congratulated 10y the faculty Of the
college. ond Henry Ill. then the gay
est monarch In Europe. carried him
OF 20 his court. The next day erich
ton appeared in the tourney and with
consummate ease remained victor In
that martial struggle. The king gave
him an important command in the
army. lie remained in France two
years. dazzling the people with his
accomplishments In every direction.
Crichton went next 20 Rome and
Venice. Ia the latter city his friends
were Spcrone Speroni. one OF the most
learned names In italian literature:
John Donatl and Lorenzo Massa. score
tary 60 the republic OF Venice. Sev-
eral OF The Latin poems Crichton COM
posed IN this circle have survived.
He WAS introduced 10 the doge and
the senate and In their presence deliv-
cred an Grafton 50 graceful and clio
Quent that according 20 Imperalis, me
was esteemed prodigy of nature"
The Nenetians were enrGptured over
his elegant manners. his learning and
accomplishments. Crichton went To
Padua 10 debate on the philosophy
OF Aristotle. then subject absorbing
the educated minds ~ all Europe.
The argument lasted three days. and
the handsome young Scotchman was
an easy victor over az opponents.
At Mantua 4 famous Italian duellst
lived who had vanquiShed many an
taSonists. Crichton sent him 4 chal-
lengc and next day ran the Italian
through the body The Duke OF Man
tua engaged him rs tutor for his son.
NincGnzo III GonZaZa. The court Of
Mantua was celebrated for its patron
age OF the Italian drama. The finest
troupe or actors in Europe. denominat-
Ell l Gelosi, was attached to II. erich
ton composed a species OF comedy for
the company. satiriZing the Weakness
es OF the various occupations in life,
then undertook TO sustain himself the
most prominent and difficult charac-
ters in the piece Even the actors
were carried away with enthusiasm.
SO marvellous was Crichton's acting.
The young Duke Viuccnzo. his ~
pill, was jealous Of Crichton, who
found favor in the eyes of beautiful
young nCb'ewoman whom NincenZo had
woOcd in vain. one night Crichton,
walking home through the streets.
playing as he went along ON his guitar.
was suddenly attacked by six masked
men. He flung away the guitar. drew
his sword and quickly killed two of
his antagonists, put two more To flight
and disarmed the leader The lattcr'S
mask fell OF. 1t was the young Duke