John James, a celebrated literary character, born at Cassis, a little sea-port on the shores of the Mediterranean, January 1716.

At twelve years of age he was sent to school at Marseilles. Being admitted into the college of the oratory, he was put under the care of Father Renaud, a person of taste and wit, who soon discovered similar qualities in his pupil, and became uncommonly attentive to his progress. M. de Villedieu, a man of letters, and friend to the former, also concurred with him in his endeavours, and young Barthélemy's career soon became equally rapid and brilliant.

He had resolved to dedicate himself to the church; but, in order to prepare for this, it became necessary to change his place of residence, for M. de Belzunce, then bishop of Marseilles, being actuated by a narrow jealousy, refused to admit the students of the oratory to holy orders. Barthélemy, therefore, quitting his old masters with regret, found himself under the necessity of studying philosophy and theology with the Jesuits.

As he had not at first the good fortune to fall into able hands, he determined to follow a private plan of education, independent of the professors. He accordingly applied himself to the ancient languages, and was indefatigable in obtaining a knowledge of the Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, and Syriac. His passion for learning had, however, nearly cost him his life, for he fell dangerously ill, and did not recover his strength until he had entered the seminary where he received the tonsure. In this retreat he dedicated his leisure hours to the study of Arabic. A young Maronite, who had been educated at Rome, afforded him his assistance, and enabled him not only to read, but even to speak it. On this, his new friend proposed to him to render all the services in his power to the Maronites, Armenians, and other catholic Arabians, who were but slightly acquainted with the language of the country in which they resided; in other words, he wished that he would announce the word of God to them in their native tongue, and accordingly presented him with some Arabic sermons, composed by a Jesuit who belonged to the propaganda.

Barthelemy got one or two of them by heart, and pronounced them in a spacious hall belonging to the seminary, to the entire satisfaction of his oriental auditors.

His reputation now rose high, and he began to be considered as a youth of uncommon promise, when a trifling incident occurred which tended not a little to increase it. Ten or twelve of the principal merchants of Marseilles one day introduced a person to him who had implored their charity on the exchange, observing that he was by birth a Jew, and had been raised, on account of his great learning, to the dignity of a rabbin; but having perceived, in consequence of his studies, that the Christian was the true religion, he had become a convert. He at the same time added, that he was profoundly instructed in the oriental languages, and demanded to be put to the proof, by being confronted with some learned man.

Barthelemy, not then 21 years of age, was immediately pitched upon. It was in vain he assured them, that although he could read, he was unable to speak the languages in question; they pressed him to enter into conversation with the native of the east; and the stranger himself entreated that the conference might immediately commence.

The challenge was at length accepted, and the foreigner began the contest, from which Barthelemy retired with the character of a prodigy of eastern erudition.

Barthelemy having now finished his education at the seminary, retired to Aubagne, and spent some time in the bosom of his family, by all the members of which he was greatly beloved. He was accustomed, however, to repair frequently to Marseilles, on purpose to visit the academicians, and other learned men residing there. Among those to whom he attached himself in a particular manner, was a M. Cary, the professor of a fine cabinet of medals and a valuable collection of books, which were quite analogous to the favourite subject of his pursuits and studies. They spent whole days together in conversing on literary subjects; after which, Barthelemy, as if insatiable of knowledge, would retire to the Minims, where Father Sigebus, a correspondent of the academy of sciences, was employed in making astronomical observations. In these labours the young Abbé became his associate, for he was ambitious of improving in every kind of knowledge.

But he began at length to perceive, that in order to render his studies profitable, it would be necessary to circumscribe them, as mediocrity of knowledge, the inevitable result of a diversity of applications, was but little preferable to ignorance itself. Occupied with these sentiments, he repaired to Paris in 1744, with a view to devote himself entirely to literature. He was furnished with a letter to M. de Boze, keeper of the medals, and perpetual secretary of inscriptions and belles lettres. This learned man, so estimable in every point of view, received him with great politeness, and introduced him to the acquaintance of the most distinguished members of the three academies, who dined twice a week at his apartments. Mixing with society of this kind, Barthelemy became more deeply enamoured than ever with a love of letters, and a respect for those who cultivated them.

M. de Boze, in the mean time, carefully studied the character and disposition of the young man, and at length favoured him with his friendship, and even with his confidence; at least he conferred as much of these as it was possible for a man of so much circumspection and reserve.

As the increasing age, and declining health, of M. de Boze would not permit him to apply any longer with the intense investigation necessary for the completion of the cabinet of medals, he had entertained some thoughts of associating M. de Bauffet, a learned antiquary belonging to the academy of inscriptions, as a partner in his labours. That gentleman lost the appointment, however, in consequence of an unlucky expression, and Barthelemy was selected a few months afterwards: this nomination was approved both by M. Bignon the librarian, and Maurepas the minister of the department. From that moment the Abbé dedicated both his days and nights to the study of those medals which his colleague had been prevented, by his infirmities, from arranging.

Amidst his multiplied occupations, Barthelemy began to enjoy a mode of life so conformable to his taste and his talents, when he beheld with affright a new career present itself. In the course of his journey to the capital he had seen M. de Bauffet, then a canon, at Aix. They were friends and countrymen; for M. de Bauffet was born at Aubagne, where his family had been long established. As he was a young man of considerable expectations, he had promised that Barthelemy should become his vicar-general the moment he himself was decorated with the mitre. Such a flattering offer was not to be rejected; and as the canon was now nominated to the bishopric of Beziers, he did not fail to remind his old acquaintance of their mutual engagement. The sorrow of the medalist on this occasion was too great to be concealed: he was, however, too scrupulous an observer of his word to break his promise; but the prelate, who saw and felt for the embarrassment of Barthelemy, immediately desisted from his importunities.

On the death of M. de Boze, keeper of the cabinet of medals, in 1753, Barthelemy, who had been his colleague during seven years, of course expected to succeed him in that honourable situation. One person, however, started as a candidate; but notwithstanding the Abbé, relying on the justice of his pretensions, took no step whatever to obtain the appointment, yet the zeal of his friends rendered all solicitation on his part unnecessary, for they were both numerous and powerful. M. de Maletherbes, whose unfortunate and tragic death all worthy men deplore; M. de Stainville, Barthelemy, afterwards a duke and minister; and M. de Gontaut, brother of the last Marshal de Biron, supported his pretensions, and he was accordingly nominated successor to his friend in 1753.

M. de Stainville, afterwards better known during his administration by the title of duke de Choiseul, in 1754 was appointed ambassador to Rome. Madame de Stainville, a lady both young and beautiful, being passionately attached to learning and learned men, conceived a particular regard for the Abbé, and it was proposed that he should occupy a place in their carriage, on this occasion, and make the tour of Italy along with them. Such a proposition could not fail to be highly flattering; but he was obliged, from principles of duty, to refrain for a time from complying with their wishes. He set out soon after, however, and arrived in November at Rome, where he and his companion were received and treated in the kindest manner by the French plenipotentiary, who lived in a magnificent style. Pope Benedict XIV, who then wore the tiara, being a learned man himself, did not fail to distinguish Barthelemy by the most courteous reception. But his stay at Rome was not long, for he was desirous of visiting Naples, rendered particularly interesting to an antiquary, at that period, by the recent discoveries made in its neighbourhood. He and his fellow-traveller were occupied during a whole month in admiring the curiosities of that capital, and in studying ancient literature; after which they took a journey of 30 leagues, to behold the monuments of Grecian architecture, still existing on the site of the ancient city of Paestum.

The spacious apartments of the palace of Portici, containing the antiquities of Herculaneum and Pompeia, were still more interesting, and excited a far greater degree of curiosity in the breasts of the French philosophers. There they beheld an immense quantity of paintings, statues, busts, vases, and utensils of every kind; objects peculiarly calculated to engage their attention and excite their applause. It was not, however, without a certain mixture of grief and surprise that they noticed the four or five hundred manuscripts, saved from the ruins of Herculaneum, lying in the same forlorn state in which they were discovered. Two or three only had been unrolled, of which the learned Mazocchi has given an explanation: as these contained nothing important the operation was abandoned.

But Barthelemy was not so easily discouraged, for he unceasingly solicited, he almost condescended to intrigue, with a view to engage the possessors of these treasures to turn them to the best advantage. He, at length, perceived his labours about to be crowned with success a few years afterwards, but he was finally disappointed by the death of the marquis Caraccioli, the minister of Naples, who had entered most cordially into his views.

Another subject about this time also engaged the attention of the Abbé. He was exceedingly desirous of presenting the learned men of France with a specimen of the ancient writing employed in the Greek manuscripts. He accordingly addressed himself, on this subject, to his friend Mazocchi, and also to M. Paderno, who superintended the treasures of Portici: both, however, replied that they were expressly enjoined not to communicate any thing. On this he solicited permission to look, for a few minutes only, on a page of a manuscript which had been cut from top to bottom since its discovery. It contained 28 lines, and Barthelemy read it over five different times with extreme attention; after this he retired to a corner and transcribed the precious fragment, on a piece of paper, from memory. He then returned, and having made a mental collation between the copy and the original, he corrected two or three trifling errors that had escaped his attention.

Having thus rendered himself master of a fac-simile of the MS. which related to the persecution of the Greek philosophers during the time of Pericles, he transmitted the literary plunder, in the course of that very day, to the academy of belles lettres, strictly enjoining secrecy, however, that Mazocchi and Paderno might escape all manner of blame.

M. de Stainville having been appointed ambassador to the court of Vienna, in 1757, the Abbé accompanied his lady thither. On his arrival he found that his friend and protector had made certain arrangements with the French ministry, on purpose to gratify his passion for antiquities. In consequence of this he had leave to visit Greece and the sea ports of the Mediterranean, at the king's expense, where he was to amass new treasures, and return with them to his native country by Marseilles. But, notwithstanding all the attractions that this project presented, his scrupulous attachment to his duty prevailed over his passion for knowledge; as he deemed it highly improper that the cabinet of medals should be so long shut.

At length, towards the end of 1758, M. de Stainville, now become duke de Choiseul, was nominated minister for foreign affairs in the room of the Abbé de Bernis, who had retired with a cardinal's hat. No sooner did this event take place, than both he and his lady determined to provide for their friend. They accordingly requested Barthelemy to state the sum that would make him easy for life, and he instantly mentioned 6000 livres a-year; blushing at the same time at the largeness of the demand.

As the purse of the nation was now open to the patron, he distributed his favours with a liberal hand; and it must be owned that, on this occasion, an object worthy of remuneration presented itself in the person of the learned Abbé. Accordingly, in 1759, he presented him with a pension on the archbishopric of Alby; in 1765 he conferred on him the treasurership of St Martin de Tours, and in 1768 he made him secretary-general to the Swiss guards. In addition to these the Abbé also enjoyed a pension of 5000 livres on the Mercury. His income was now very large, but he employed it nobly; for he distributed the surplus, which was considerable, among indigent men of letters.

In 1771 M. de Choiseul was disgraced, being succeeded in his office by his enemy the duke d'Aiguillon, and exiled to his estate at Chanteloup. On this occasion he was forsaken as usual by the courtiers, who had balked in the sunshine of his favour; but he was not deserted by the grateful antiquary, who instantly repaired thither to pay his respects; nay, when the king demanded the duke's resignation of the post of colonel-general of the Swiss guards, the Abbé, with a spirit spirit that does honour to his memory, insisted on sending in his own resignation of the secretoryship; but the ex-minister interfered, and prevailed upon him not to deliver it up without an indemnification, which should be sanctioned by the great seal, and authorized by letters patent engrifted in parliament.

Barthelemy was now in possession of more than £2000 sterling per annum; of this he distributed between three and four hundred in the manner before related; the remainder was not dissipated in pomp and ostentation, but employed in such a manner as to enable him to enjoy philosophic ease. He also educated and established three nephews in life, one of whom has been successively ambassador and director; he at the same time supported the rest of his family in Provence, and selected a noble library, which he disposed of some years before his death.

After having thus possessed an ample income during more than twenty years, the abbé Barthelemy found himself, towards the latter end of his existence, reduced to live on a pittance calculated merely to furnish the indispensable necessaries of life, in consequence of the suppression of places and appointments that ensued immediately after the revolution. He was never heard, however, to complain; nay, he did not seem to perceive the change; and, while he was still permitted by his age and infirmities to walk from one end of Paris to the other, to pay his respects to Madame de Choiseul, he seemed to the full as happy as before.

In 1788 appeared his celebrated work, entitled Voyage du jeune Anacharsis en Grèce, dans le milieu du quarzième siècle avant l'ère Chrétienne. He had begun it in 1757, and, during an uninterrupted succession of 30 years, occupied his leisure hours in bringing it to maturity.

His hero, a young Scythian, descended from the famous philosopher Anacharsis, whose name he bears, is supposed to repair to Greece, for his instruction, in his early youth; and, after making a tour of her republics, her colonies, and her islands, he returns to his native country and writes this book, in his old age, after the hero of Macedon had overturned the Persian empire. In the manner of modern travellers, he gives an account of the customs, government, and antiquities, of the country he has visited; a copious introduction supplies whatever may be wanting in respect to historical details; while various dissertations on the music of the Greeks, on the library of the Athenians, and on the economy, pursuits, ruling passions, manners and customs, of all the surrounding states, afford ample gratification to the reader of taste.

In 1789 the author became a candidate for a chair in the French academy; and such was the reputation he had obtained by his labours, that this learned body became particularly anxious to enrol him among its members; he was accordingly elected by acclamation. The speech delivered by the Abbé on his inauguration has been equally celebrated for its simplicity and modesty.

In 1790 M. de St Priest, minister of the department of Paris, made him an offer of the place of librarian to the king, then vacant by the resignation of M. le Noir. This was, at that period, a very flattering proposal, but it was not accepted; for the Abbé imagined that it might interfere with his literary occupa-

VOL. III. PART II. Bartholomew Beratius: accordingly at eleven o'clock at night he was awakened from his sleep, and conducted to the house of his fair friend.

But the attention of the government did not stop here; for in a few weeks afterwards, the place of national librarian being vacant by the death of Carra, and the resignation of Chamfort, who had held it jointly, it was offered to the Able, with the most flattering marks of attention. His age and infirmities, however, afforded but too good a pretext for his refusal.

In 1794 his approaching dissolution was apparent to every one but himself, for his fainting fits became longer and more frequent; however, as he did not retain any remembrance of them, he occupied his time as usual; in other words, he devoted all his hours to friendship and literature.

He had now reached the eightieth year of a life which had been entirely spent in a laborious and incessant application to study, which had secretly weakened the springs of existence. The rigour of the winter of 1795, against which he had adopted no precautions, is supposed to have hastened the catastrophe; this did not occur, however, until the spring.

On the 25th of April he dined with Madame de Choiseul. In the course of the night he became so weak that he was unable to ring his bell; and in the morning, when his servant entered, he was found with his feet in the bed and his head on the floor, entirely deprived of sensation. After being replaced, his recollection returned, but he grew gradually worse, and he was carried off without experiencing any pain, April 30, 1795.

He retained full possession of all his senses until the very last moment. At one o'clock he read Horace as if nothing extraordinary had occurred; but his hands turning cold, in consequence of the approach of death, became unable to support the book, which fell to the ground. His head soon after was seen to incline on one side, he appeared to sleep, and it was believed by his nephew and his attendants that this was really the case; but it was soon discovered that his respiration had ceased, and that this learned man was no more!

Thus died, without any of the usual struggles that accompany death, John James Bartholomew, one of the greatest ornaments of his age, regretted by all his relations as if he had been their common father, whose life presented an example, and whose works form a model for literary men. In person he was above the middle size, and, if we are to give credit to his admirers, his countenance displayed an air of antiquity wonderfully correspondent to his studies. His bust, carved by the chisel of Houdon, is allowed to be a masterpiece of art, and that able sculptor has contrived to infuse into the physiognomy a mixture of the mildness, simplicity, good-nature, and grandeur, so visible in the original.