Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-06-04
DAzzLEO THE WORLD
The Remarkable Career OF the
Admirable CriChtOn.
A VERITABLE BOY WONDER.

This Marvel, a Master of Arts at
Twelve, Died When Only Twenty
two by His Own Sword, Which He
Handed to a Defeated Foe.
On July 8, 1888, In night encounter
in Mantua there died il boy Of twenty
two who in the last eight years OF his
life was the wonder and admiration Of
the chiyalry and learning of Europe.
This was James Crlchton Of Cluny,
best known by the title given him by
the French--the Admirable Crichton.
He was made Il master Of arts by
the University Of st. Andrews In his
twelfth year He knew all that instl-
tuition of learning could teach him
when he was fourteen. AT the age OF
fifteen he met I'm public debate on all
subjects many Of the best minds In
France and vanqulshed them all. He
knew all the learning of his day. He
was master Of twelve languages. He
had Il memory so wonderful that, hear
ing IL discourse Of any length, he was
able afterward to repeat it word for
word and duplicate every gesture OF
the speaker. He WAS poet, musi-
clan of excellence, an athlete, horse
man. q soldier of trurted command be-
fore he was nineteen, Il wonderful ac-
tor. Il swordsman Of extraordinary
skill.
Crichton's family was Of consider
able Importance and wealth and claim
ed royal descent. His father was lord
advocate first to Queen Mary and aft
erward to King James VI. His moth
err was the daughter of Sir James Stew
art. Members of both families were
eminent in Scottish history. The boy
James CrichtOn was sent to grammar
school at Perth. He emerged ut the
age Of ten and immediately entered
the famous University Of st. Andrews.
The students there were divided into
what were called circles, according to
the talent they exhibited. Crichton ad-
vanced from one circle to another I'M
ill. when he was barely past eleven,
the university turned him out with the
degree of master of arts. 1t was the
custom of young men Of the time to
finish their educations by making the
grand tour Of Europe. Crichton, sup
piled with letters from his family and
relatives to the mobiles of the French
court, went to Paris first.
His first action OH 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 sci.
ence, liberal art. discipline or faculty.
whether practical or the0retic." Such
contests were common to the age, but
| the challenge. coming from boy OF
| fifteen, aroused deep interest. An I'M
mense crowd was present on the day
appointed. dozen eminent philoso-
piers aud divines presented them
selves. Crichton. without the sem
( blance of effort, defeated all who ut
tempted to cope with him. He was
| congratulated by the faculty OF the
,, college, and Henry Ill. then the gay
est monarch in Europe, carried him
off to his court. The next day erich
ton appeared in the tourney and with
| consummate ease remained victor III
| 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 direction.
Crichton went next to Rome and
Venice. In the latter city his friends
were Sperone Speroni one of the most
learned names in Italian literature;
John Donati and Lorenzo Massa. secre-
tary to the republic Of Venice. Sew
eral Of the Latin poems Crichton COM
posed in this circle have survived
He WAS introduced to the doge and
| the senate and in their presence deliv-
cred an Grafton SO graceful and elo-
quent that. according 10 lmperalis, "ho
was esteemed prodigy of nature"
The Venetians were enraptured over
his elegant planners, his learning and
accomplishments. Crichton went 10
Puduu 10 debate OH the philosophy
Of Aristotle, then Il subject absorbing
the educated minds of I'LL Europe.
| The argument lasted three days. and
the handsome young Scotchman was
all easy victor over all opponents.