Memoirs of the Life of Peter Daniel Huet, Bishop of Avranches, Written by Himself, Tr. by J. Aikin (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1810. Excerpt: ... shall certainly continue so to do as long as life remains. At the time that I was placed under the care of Halle, he was rector of the Sylvan college (Du Bois) in the university of Caen; in which rhetoric was then taught to a great conflux of auditors by Antony Gosselin, from Amiens, regius professor of eloquence, and pastor of the parish of the blessed Virgin at Caen. This person was well acquainted with Greek and Roman literature, and had been long and deeply engaged in the investigation of Roman antiquities, within the limits of which it would have been for his reputation if he had confined himself. For when be extended his research to the relics of Gallic antiquity, and wrote a book upon that topic, though to some ignorant judges he appeared to have fulfilled his object, he afforded scope for censure to the learned, and especially to that adept in rare and recondite literature, Bochart; who, in a letter full of erudition addressed to Moisant de Brieux, marked him with an indelible brand. (7) At that period I entered upon the study of philosophy under the direction of Peter Mambrun, of the society of Jesus, who, after having taught rhetoric with great applause during four years at Paris, came to occupy the philosophical chair at Caen, thus calmly reposing himself in the bosom of the noblest study. (8) On becoming his disciple I acquired his notice and affection, and he resolved to bestow peculiar pains in forming me. In consequence, he called me to him during the vacation of the schools, and privately acquainted me that he intended to treat me as Plato formerly did his disciples, whom, by a law openly promulgated, and fixed upon the school doors, he excluded from his auditory, unless they had previously imbibed a tincture of geometry. When, under the e...