JEAN BAPTISTE, son of a notary at Hieres in Provence, was born in 1663, and entered into the congregation of the oratory in 1681. He gained the affections of every person in the towns to which he was sent, by the charms of his genius, the liveliness of his character, and by a fund of the most delicate and unaffected politeness. His first attempts in the art of eloquence were made at Vienne, while he was professor of theology. His funeral oration on Henry de Villars, archbishop of that city, received universal approbation. This success induced Father de la Tour, who was at that time general of the congregation, to call him to Paris. After he had been there for some time, he was asked what he thought of the preachers who made a figure on that great theatre?—"I find them possessed of great genius and abilities (answered he); but if I preach, I will not preach like them." He in fact kept his word, and struck out a new path in this great field of eloquence. P. Bourdaloue was excepted from the number of those whom he proposed not to imitate. If he did not take him for a model in every thing, the reason was, that his genius led him to a different species of eloquence.—His manner of composing, therefore, was peculiar to himself, and, in the opinion of men of taste and judgment, was superior to that of Bourdaloue. The affecting and natural simplicity of the father of the oratory, (said a great man), appears fitter to bring home the truths of Christianity to the heart than all the dialectics of the Jesuit. We must seek for the logic of the gospel in our own breasts; and the most powerful reasonings on the indispensible duty of relieving the distressed, will make no impression on that man who has beheld without concern the sufferings of his brother. If logic is necessary, it is only in matters of opinion; and these are fitter for the press than for the pulpit, which... which ought not to be the theatre of learned discus- sions. The truth of these reflections was clearly per- ceived when he appeared at court. Upon preaching his first Advent sermon at Versailles, he received this eulogium from the mouth of Louis XIV. "Father, when I hear others preach, I am very well pleased with them; but whenever I hear you, I am disaffec- tioned with myself." The first time he preached his fa- mous sermon on the final number of the elect, the whole audience were, at a certain place of it, seized with a sudden and violent emotion, and almost every person half rose from his seat by a kind of involuntary movement. The murmur of acclamation and surprize was so great, that it threw the orator into confusion; but this only heightened the impression of that pathet- ic discourse. What was most surprising in Maffillon, were his descriptions of the world, which were so sub- lime, so delicate, and so striking in the resemblance. When he was asked, whence a man, like him, whose life was dedicated to retirement, could borrow them; he answered, "From the human heart; however lit- tle we examine it, we will find in it the seeds of every passion. When I compose a sermon (added he), I imagine myself consulted upon some doubtful piece of business. I give my whole application to determine the person who has recourse to me, to act the good and proper part. I exhort him, I urge him, and I leave him not till he has yielded to my persuasions." His declamation did not fail to be accompanied with success. "We think we see him in our pulpits (say those who had the pleasure of hearing him), with the simple air, the modest carriage, the downcast and humble looks, the easy gesture, the affecting tone, and the countenance of a man deeply penetrated with his subject, conveying the clearest information to the understanding, and raising the most tender emotions in the heart." Baron, the famous comedian, having met him one day in a house which was open for the recep- tion of men of letters, paid him this compliment: "Continue to deliver as you do. Your manner is peculiar to yourself; leave the observance of rules to others." When this famous actor came from hearing one of his sermons, truth drew from him the follow- ing confession, which is so humiliating to his profes- sion: "Friend (said he to one of his companions who accompanied him), here is an orator; we are only actors."

In 1704 Maffillon made his second appearance at court, and displayed still more eloquence than before. Louis XIV, after expressing his satisfaction to him, added, in the most gracious tone of voice, "Et je veux, mon père, vous entendre tous les deux ans." These flatter- ing encomiums did not lessen his modesty. When one of his fellows was congratulating him upon his preaching admirably, according to custom; "Oh! give over, Father (replied he), the devil has told me so al- ready, much more eloquently than you." The duties of his office did not prevent him from enjoying society; and in the country he forgot that he was a preacher, but always without trespassing against decency. One day when he was at the house of M. de Crozat, the lat- ter said to him, "Father, your doctrine terrifies me, but I am encouraged by your life." He was chosen on account of his philosophical and conciliatory disposi- tion of mind, to reconcile the cardinal de Noailles with the Jesuits. All he gained by his attempts was Maffillon's displeasure of both parties; and he found that it was easier to convert sinners than to reconcile theo- logians. In 1717, the regent, personally acquainted with his merit, appointed him to the bishopric of Cler- mont. The next year, being destined to preach be- fore Louis XV, who was only nine years of age, he composed in six weeks those discourses which are so well known by the name of Petit Carême. These are the chief d'œuvre of this orator, and indeed of the oratorical art. They ought continually to be read by preachers as models for the formation of their taste, and by princes as lessons of humanity.

Maffillon was admitted into the French academy a year afterwards, in 1719. The abbacy of Savigny becoming vacant, the cardinal du Bois, to whom he had been weak enough to give an attestation for be- ing a priest, procured it for him. The funeral ora- tion of the duchess of Orleans, in 1723, was the last discourse he pronounced in Paris. He never after- wards left his diocese, where his gentleness, politeness, and kindness, had gained him the affection of all who knew him. He reduced the exorbitant rights of the episcopal roll to moderate sums. In two years, he caused 20,000 livres to be privately conveyed to the Hôtel Dieu of Clermont. His peaceable disposition was never more displayed than while he was a bishop. He took great pleasure in collecting the fathers of the oratory and the Jesuits at his country house, and in making them join in some diversion. He died on the 28th of September 1742, at the age of 79. His name has become that of eloquence itself. Nobody ever knew better how to touch the passions. Prefer- ring sentiment to everything else, he communicated to the soul that lively and salutary emotion which ex- cites in us the love of virtue. What pathetic eloquence did his discourses display! what knowledge of the hu- man heart! what constant disclosing of a mind deeply affected with his subject! what strain of truth, philo- sophy and humanity! what imagination, at once the most lively, and guided by the soundest judgement! Just and delicate thoughts; splendid and lofty ideas; elegant, well chosen, sublime, and harmonious expres- sions; brilliant and natural images; true and lively colouring; a clear, neat, swelling and copious style, equally suited to the capacity of the multitude, and fitted to please the man of genius, the philosopher, and the courtier, form the character of Maffillon's elo- quence, especially in his Petit Carême. He could at once think, describe, and feel. It has been justly ob- served concerning him, that he was to Bourdaloue what Racine was to Corneille. To give the finishing stroke to his eulogium, Of all the French orators, he is the most esteemed by foreigners.

An excellent edition of Maffillon's works was pub- lished by his nephew at Paris in 1745 and 1746, in 14 vols large 12mo, and 12 vols of a small size.— Among them we find, 1. Complete sets of Sermons for Advent and Lent. It is particularly in his moral discourses, such as are almost all those of his sermons for Advent and Lent, that Maffillon's genius appears. He excels, says M. d'Alembert, in that species of eloquence, which alone may be preferred to all others, which goes directly to the heart, and which agitates without wounding the soul. He searches the inmost recesses Massinger, Philip, an English dramatic poet, was born at Salisbury about the year 1581, and was educated at Oxford. He left the university without taking any degree; and went to London to improve his poetical genius by polite conversation. There he wrote many tragedies and comedies, which were received with vast applause; and were greatly admired for the economy of the plots and the purity of the style. He was at the same time a person of the most consummate modesty; which rendered him extremely beloved by the poets of his time, particularly by Fletcher, Middleton, Rowley, Field, and Decker, who thought it an honour to write in conjunction with him. He was as remarkable for his abilities as his modesty. He died suddenly at his house on Bankside in Southwark, near the playhouse; and was interred in St Saviour's churchyard, in the same grave with Mr Fletcher the poet.