(Gaspar), one of the most formidable critics of the 17th century, was born in the Palatinate in 1576, and studied at Amberg, Heidelberg, and afterwards at Altdorf; where he made such a rapid progress, that at 16 years of age he published some critical works which rendered him admired. In 1599, he abjured the Protestant religion, and embraced that of Popery; notwithstanding which he was the greatest enemy of the Jesuits, and was extremely satirical upon them in several books; while on the other hand he wrote with the utmost fury also against the Protestant party, and even persuaded the Catholic princes to extirpate them by the most fanatical methods. He particularly vented his rage against Joseph Scaliger, Caiusbon, and Du Plessis Mornas. He even attacked James I. of England; nor did he spare the person of Henry IV. of France, in his book intitled Ecclesiasticus, which was burnt in France by the hands of the hangman. In short, Scipio, having drawn upon himself universal hatred, and being justly apprehensive of some attempt upon his life, sought for shelter at Padua, where he died in 1649. He was undoubtedly a man of great abilities; and his application to study, his memory, the multitude of his writings, his fire and eloquence, would have justly ranked him high in the republic of letters, had his moderation been equal to his learning.