DANGEAU (Louis Courcillon de), member of the French academy, Abbe of Fontaine Daniel and of Clermont, was born at Paris in January 1643, and died there the 1st of January 1723, aged 80. Few people of family have given so much time to the belles lettres, or paid such attention to rendering the study of them easy and agreeable. He devised several methods for rendering of more easy acquisition the knowledge of history, painting, geography, genealogy, the interests of princes, and French grammar. He published some tracts upon each of these subjects. 1. A new Method of Historical Geography, 1706, 2 vols. folio; 2. The Principles of Painting, in 14 plates, 1715, 4to.; 3. An Historical Play of the Kings of France, which is played like that of Ore, with a small book explaining the method; 4. Reflections on all the Parts of Grammar, 1684, 12mo. 5. On the Election of the Emperor, 1738, 8vo. The first of these, however, is his principal work, and a part of the tenth dialogue on the immortality of the soul, commonly attributed to the Abbe Clioisi, is likewise his. That book is very common; but his other productions are very rare, because he only threw off a few copies for the use of his friends.
Dangeau was master of many languages; Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and almost all the languages which depend upon these. His virtues were equal to his learning. "Full of humanity for the unfortunate (says M. d'Alambert), he distributed succour to the indigent, and had the virtue to conceal his good actions. His heart was formed for friendship. If he had any faults, they were perhaps too great indulgence for the faults and failings of mankind; a fault which, from its rarity, may be called a virtue, and for which few people have any reason to reproach themselves, even towards their friends. He possessed, in a high degree,
Dangeau, Darcy, that knowledge of men and the world which neither books nor genius alone can give when one has neglected to live with his equals. Rejoicing in the esteem and confidence which he possessed in a great degree in France, there could be no better counsellor than he in the most important concerns. Yet his noble soul, delicate and honourable, was ignorant of deceit; and his prudence was too evident to be taken for fineness. Pleasant and agreeable in conversation, but preferring truth in all cases, he never disputed unless there was occasion to defend it, which he did in such a firm manner as to give some people an idea that he was obstinate in disputing, which is seldom found among men than a cool and culpable indifference."