PHILIPPE DE, seigneur du Plessis Marly, was born at Buhy or Eilhuy in Upper Normandy in France, in 1549, and was educated at Paris. What was then thought a prodigy in a gentleman, he made a rapid progress in the belles lettres, in the learned languages, and in theology. He was at first destined for the church; but the principles of Calvinism, which he had imbibed from his mother, effectively excluded him from the ecclesiastical preferments to which he was entitled by his interest, abilities, and birth. After the horrible massacre of St Bartholomew, Philippe de Mornay made the tour of Italy, Germany, England, and the Low Countries; and he was equally improved and delighted by his travels. Mornay afterwards joined the king of Navarre, at that time leader of the Protestant party, and so well known since by the name of Henry IV. This prince sent Mornay, who employed his whole abilities, both as a soldier and a writer, in defence of the Protestant cause, to conduct a negociation with Elizabeth queen of England; and left him wholly to his own discretion in the management of that business. He was successful in almost every negociation, because he conducted it like an able politician, and not with a spirit of intrigue. He tenderly loved Henry IV, and spoke to him on all occasions as to a friend. When he was wounded at Aunale, he wrote to him in these words:

"Sire, You have long enough acted the part of Alexander, it is now time you should act that of Caesar. It is our duty to die for your majesty, &c. It is glorious for you, Sire, that I dare venture to tell you it is your duty to live for us." This faithful subject did everything in his power to raise Henry to the throne. But when he deserted the Protestant faith, he reproached him in the bitterest manner, and retired from court. Henry still loved him; and was extremely affected with an insult which he received in 1597 from one Saint Phal, who beat him with a cudgel, and left him for dead. Mornay demanded justice from the king, who gave him the following answer, a proof as well of his spirit as of his goodness of heart. "Monsieur Duplefis, I am exceedingly offended at the insult you have received; and I sympathize with you both as your sovereign and your friend. In the former capacity, I shall do justice to you and to myself; and had I sustained only the character of your friend, there are few perhaps who would have drawn their sword or sacrificed their life more cheerfully in your cause. Be satisfied, then, that I will act the part of a king, a master, and a friend," &c. Mornay's knowledge, probity, and valour, made him the foul of the Protestant party, and procured him the contemptuous appellation of the Pope of the Huguenots. He defended their doctrines both by speech and writing. One of his books on the Iniquity of the Mass, having stirred up all the Catholic divines, he refused to make any reply to their censures and criticisms except in a public conference. This was accordingly appointed to be held A.D. 1600, at Fountainbleau, where the court then was. The two champions were, Du Perron bishop of Evreux, and Mornay. After a great many arguments and replies on both sides, the victory was adjudged to Du Perron. He had boasted that he would point out to the satisfaction of every one five hundred errors in his adversary's book, and he partly kept his word. The Calvinists did not fail to claim the victory on this occasion, and they still continue to do so. This conference, instead of putting an end to the differences, was productive of new quarrels among the controversialists, and of much profane wit among the libertines. A Huguenot minister, who was present at the conference, observed with great concern to a captain of the same party, "The bishop of Evreux has already driven Mornay from several strong holds." "No matter (replied the folder), provided he does not drive him from Saumur." This was an important place on the river Loire, of which Duplessis was governor. Hither he retired, his attention being constantly occupied in defending the Huguenots, and in making himself formidable to the Catholics. When Louis XIII. was making preparations against the Protestants, Duplessis wrote him a letter, dissuading him from such a measure. After employing the most plausible arguments, he concludes in the following manner: "To make war on the subject, is an indication of weakness in the government. Authority consists in the quiet submission of the people, and is established by the prudence and justice of the governor. Force of arms ought never to be employed except in repelling a foreign enemy. The late king would have sent the new ministers of state to learn the first elements of politics, who like unskilful surgeons would apply violent remedies to every disease, and advise a man to cut off an arm when his finger aches." These remonstrances produced no other effect than the loss of the government of Saumur, of which he was deprived by Louis XIII. in 1621. He died two years after, November 11, 1623, aged 74, in his barony de la Foret-sur-Seure in Poitou. The Protestant cause never had an abler supporter, or one who did it more credit by his virtues and abilities.

Censeur des courtisans, mais à la cour aimé; Fier ennemi de Rome, et de Rome estimé.—Henriade.

The following is a list of his works: 1. Un Traité de l'Eucharistie, 1604, in folio. 2. Un Traité de la vérité de la Religion Chrétienne, 8vo. 3. A book entitled La Mystère d'Iniquité, 4to. 4. Un discours sur le droit pretendu par ceux de la maison de Guise, 8vo. 5. Curious and interesting Memoirs from the year 1572 to 1629, 4 vols. 4to. valuable. 6. Letters; which are written with great spirit and good sense. David des Liques has given us his life in quarto; a book more interesting for the matter than the manner.