Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-01
aslisesllausuas gsadiag.
DAzzLED THE WORLD.
The Remarkable Career of the Admir-
able Crichton.


two who in the last eight years Of his
life was the wonder and admiration OF
the chivalry and learning of Europe
This was James Crichton Of Cluny
best known by the title given him by
the French-the Admirable Crichton.
He was made master Of arts by 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
fifteen 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 a memory so wonderful that, hear
ing a discourse of any length, he was
able afterward to repeat 1t word fol-
word and duplicate every gesture OF
the speaker. He was poet, musi-
clan of excellence, an athlete, horse
man, a soldier Of trusted command be-
fore he was nineteen, wonderful ac-
tor, q swordsman Of extraordinary
skill.
Crichton's family was Of considera-
BILE importance and wealth and claimed
royal descent. His father was lord
advocate first to Queen Mary and af-
terward to King James vi. His moth
er 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 at 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 un-
til, 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 on arrival was to
post a challenge in all parts Of the city
offering to meet all comers at the Col
lege of Navarro in debate in any one
Of twelve languages, ''in any science, H.
beral art, discipline or faculty, wheth-
er practical or theoretic." Such con-
tests were common to the age, but the
challenge, coming from a boy of hf-
teen, aroused deep interest. An i'm
mense crowd was present on the day
appointed. A dozen eminent philoso-
pliers and divines presented them
selves. Crichton, without the SEM
blance of efforts, defeated all who at
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 OH
to his court. The next day Crichton
appeared in the tourney and with con-
summate ease remained victor In that
martial struggle. The king gave MIN
an important command in the army.
He remained in France two years, daz-
zling the people with his accomplish
ments 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. Several
of the Latin poems Crichton composed
in this circle have survived. He was
introduced to the dose and the senate
and in their presence delivered an ora
ton so graceful and eloquent that, ac-
cording to Imperalis, "he was esteemed
a prodigy Of nature" The Venetians
were enraptured over his elegant man
ners, his learning and accomplishments.
Crichton went to Padua to debate on
the philosophy Of Aristotle, then sub
ject absorbing the educated minds OF
all Europe. The argument lasted three
days, and the handsome young Scotch
man was an easy victor over all oppo-
nents.
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
Mantua was celebrated for its patron
age Of the Italian drama. The finest
troupe Of actors in Europe, denominat-
ed 1 Gelosi, was attached to it. Crich-
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 characters
in the piece. Even the actors were
carried away with enthusiasm, so mar
velous was Crichton's acting.
The young Duke Vincenzo, his pupil,
was jealous Of Crichton, who found fa-
vor in the eyes Of beautiful young
noblewoman whom Vincenzo had wooed
in vain. One night Crichton, walking
home through the streets, playing as
he went along on his guitar, was sud-
denly attacked by six masked men. He
flung away the guitar, drew his sword
and quickly killed two of his antago-
nists, put two more to flight and dis
armed the leader. The latter's mask
fell Off 1t was the younk Duke Vim
cenzo. Crichton dropped on his knee
and presented his own sword to his pu-
pill. The duke took it and thrust 1t
through Crichton's body. He fell on
his back dead.
PHEASAk E SHOOTING IN CHINA.
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