in botany. See Ruta.
Rue (Charles de la), a French orator and poet, was born at Paris in 1643. He was educated at the college of the Jesuits, where he afterwards became a professor of humanity and rhetoric. At an early age his talent for poetry disclosed itself. In 1667, when he was only 24 years old, he composed a Latin poem on the conquests of Louis XIV, which was so much esteemed by
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(b) The following character of Love was published in the Caledonian Mercury of the 24th of September 1750. "On Thursday morning died at Dalkeith, after a lingering illness, in the 55th year of his age, Mr John Love, rector of the grammar-school there; who, for his uncommon knowledge in classical learning, his indefatigable diligence, and strictness of discipline without severity, was justly accounted one of the most sufficient masters in this country." This character is doubtless just; though Love is now known to have been the schoolmaster satirized by Smollet in the beginning of his Roderick Random. the celebrated Peter Corneille, that he translated it into French, presented it to the King, and at the same time passed for high encomiums on the superior merit of the original, that the author was received into the favour of that monarch, and ever after treated by him with singular respect.
De la Rue, anxious to preach the gospel to the Canadians, requested leave of absence from his superiors; but having detained him for the pulpit, they refused to comply with his request. Accordingly he commenced preacher, and became one of the most eminent orators of his age. In his discourses he would probably have been too lavish of his wit, if he had not been cautioned against it by a judicious courtier. "Continue (said he) to preach as you do. We will hear you with pleasure as long as you reason with us; but avoid wit. We value the wit contained in two verses of a song more than all that is contained in most of the sermons in Lent."
Regarding the delivery of sermons, he entertained an opinion quite opposite to the established practice of his countrymen. In France it was customary not to read sermons from the pulpit, but to recite them from memory. This he considered as a laborious task not compensated by any advantages. On the contrary, he was of opinion that reading sermons was preferable.—The preacher, with his discourse before him, could read it with ease, free from that timidity and embarrassment which frequently attends the act of recollection; and he would save a considerable time which is usually spent in committing it to memory. In these sentiments many will not be disposed to acquiesce; but, without pretending to determine the question, it may be asserted, that a sermon, whether read or recited, if spoken in a serious manner, and with proper inflections and tones of voice, will produce all the effects for which a sermon is calculated.
De la Rue died at Paris on the 27th of May 1725, at the age of 82.
He was as amiable in society as he was venerable in the pulpit. His conversation was pleasant and instructive. His taste and knowledge enabled him to converse with ease, and to express himself with propriety on every subject. He charmed his superiors by his wit, and his inferiors by his affability. Though living amidst the bustle of the world, he was always prepared for the solitude of the closet and the retreat of the cloister. In the pulpit he poured forth the finest effusions of eloquence in the most animated and impressive manner.—He published Panegyrics, Funeral Orations, and Sermons. His best sermon is that intitled Des Calamités Publiques, and his most admired funeral oration was composed on the Prince of Luxembourg. There are also tragedies of his writing, both in Latin and French, which were approved by Corneille. He was one of those who published editions of the classics for the use of the Dauphin. Virgil, which fell to his share, was published with notes, and a Life of the Poet, in 1675, 4to, and is a valuable and useful edition.