Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-29
DAzzLED THE WORLD
The Remarkable Career OF the
Admirable Crichton.
A vERITABLE BOY WONDER.
This Marvel, q Master Of Arts at
Twelve, Died When Only Twenty.
two by His Own Sword, Which He
Handed to a Defeated Foe.


Handed to a Defeated Foe.
On July 3, 1888, in night encounter
In Mantua there died 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 a 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 discourse of any length, he was
able afterward to repeat 1t word for
word and duplicate every gesture of
the speaker. He was a poet, n musi-
clan of excellence, an athlete, horse
man, soldier OF trusted command be-
fore he was nineteen, n wonderful ac-
tor, a swordsman of extraordinary
skill
Crlchton'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
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-
I'll. 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 Quotations 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 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, Gin any SCI
ence, liberal art, discipline or faculty,
whether practical or theoretic." 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. A 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 by the faculty Of the
college. and Henry Ill. then the gay
est monarch in Europe. carried him
of to 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. 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 to Imperalis, "he
was esteemed a prodigy OF nature"
The venetians were enraptured over
his elegant manners, his learning and
accomplishments. Crichton went to
Padua TO debate on the philosophy
Of Aristotle. then 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 famous Italian duelist
lived who had vanquished many an
tagonists. Crlchton sent him 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 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-
tiers in the piece. Even the actors
were carried away with enthusiasm,
so marvellous was Crichton's acting.
The young Duke vincenzo. his pu-
pill. was Jealous of Crichton. who
found favor In the eyes Of a 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.
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