Retrospect of French Literature—Biography. 
the idea, that his reputation was en- 
tirely exempt from criticism, immedi: ately 
changed from the excess of confidence to 
the excess of discouragement, and now 
renounced all hopes from the theatre, In 
consequence of this resolution, he de- 
voted more of his time to general niet. 
ture, which seemed to be, at this period, 
his favourite element. 
The academic institutions, so common 
at this period in most of the cities of 
’ France, presented an opportunity for 
young men to distinguish themselves, and 
aiso procured for them, ue they were so 
fortunate as to obtain a prize, consider- 
able pecuniary resources. ‘he French 
Academy had introduced the custom of 
proposing e! ither the eulogies of great 
men, or the solition of some great ques- 
tion, either moral or ere yhical.. MM. 
de la Harpe entered into this career, in 
which Thomas had already distinguished 
himself; and it iS allowed by all, that bis 
academic discourses possessed.a certain 
degree of dignity, which is rarely to be 
found j in those of his rivals. 
Being now resolved to marry, he se- 
lected a young woman for his wife, whose 
parents had been very poor, bat who, 
notwithstanding this, had received an ex- 
cellent education. He was at pains to 
inspire her with a taste for literature, and 
appeared, above all, solicitous that she 
should be able to converse with him, re- 
lative to those objects which occupied his: 
attention. ‘This lady, who had ea tent: 
ed the Theutre Franca ais, Was soon Ce 
pable of declaiming; and by repeating 
the speeches coinpose ail by her husband, 
was thus enabled to afford him an idea 
as it were, by anticipation, in what min 
ner they would be received on the stage, 
But after the misady enture that occurred 
to “ Gustave,” this proved of bat little 
service, and the young couple were soon 
reduced to great distiess. 
On this, Voltaire, with his accustomed 
sencrosity, interp osed, and expressed a 
wish that they shoud remain with him at 
Ferney, until the complete re-estahlish- 
ment of their affairs. The residence of 
this kind patran was, at this period, the 
centre of the correspondence of all the 
philosophers of Europe, while be himself 
was looked up to as their patriarch. Men 
of rank, courtiers, magistrates, and even 
trades-people, imposed on themselves the 
obhgation of performing a pilgrimage to 
the Pay de Gex, in which hislittle domain 
was situate. APCusu ed to correspond 
and converse familiarly with p rinces and 
@ven kings, he himself seemed to resem- 
Moxtuty Mac., No. 159, 
French Academy. 
679. 
ble a sovereign, and enjoyed almost si- 
milar honours; for his anti-chamber was 
crowded every morning with strangers, 
who repaired thither merely to see Jim, 
and were enraptured if he but deigned a 
open his mouth. 
Tt was at this court, the first which any 
poet had ever formed around him, that 
M, and Madame de la Harpe now ar- 
rived. Voltaire had erected a theatre, 
on which his earlier tragedies were act- 
ed, and by its means he also formed a 
notion of such as he had recently com- 
posed. His new guests immediately 
formed part of the dramatis persone; and 
as they possessed good figures, and were. 
accustomed to deca they 300n united 
all the suffrages in leaps favour. 
[twas precisely at this period that the 
subject of the present memoir began to 
conceive hopes of being admitted into the 
His claims consisted 
of a tragedy, which had become a stuck- 
piece at the theatre, together with two 
discourses which had been crowned. 
D’Alembert, and even Marmontel, con- 
sidered his pretensions to be well found- 
ed, and did every thing in their power 
to pave the way for his reception; but 
Dorat, then in great vogue at Paris, had. 
been offended by some of his criticisms, 
and having become his enemy, prey ented 
his success. 
His distress at this period was so great, 
that he had at one time nearly Coreen 
to repair to the Court of St. Petersburgh; 
but he was preveuted by the remonstran- 
ces of Voltaire, with whom he had, now 
resided fur the space of thirteen months. 
, .Durmg this visit, he bad written some 
scenes of h a tragedy of ‘ Baremecides,” 
and also, “ La Reponse a l’Epitre de 
VAbbé de fade 
A new epoeh in his life now occurred. 
On his oe n to the capital, he betook 
himself, as before, to criticism, and had 
the good a tune, as he then deemed ats 
to be associated with Lacombe, at that 
period the proprietor and: the editor of 
the “¢ Mercure.” On this, that journal 
assumed a wew appearance; tor, by 
means of his pen and his talents, it soon 
acquired an uncommon degree of circu-. 
lation and celebrity. 
M. Dupati Heung, nearly at the same 
time, proposed sd the Elogy of Henry L¥. 
on the part of the Academy of Rochelle, 
La Harpe became a candidate for the 
prize 3 but he only obtained the uccessit, 
He was also introduced, by means of 
Voltaire, to the Dyc de, Ghoiseul, and 
soon acquired the friendship of that mi- 
4 R nister, 
