friendship of a queen than to render him worthy of the sceptre. Large, well made, endowed with a figure altogether imposing and full of pleasantness, he spoke and wrote the seven principal languages of Europe with much facility and grace; but he had only a slight knowledge of affairs. His eloquence was vague; his presumption was disgusting. Rather prodigal than generous, he could easily impose upon the unreflecting, but could not persuade well-informed men. He was formed rather to allow himself to be governed than to govern himself. In the meantime, sustained by the influence and arms of Russia, and not having any obstacle to fear from other powers, his triumph was not long doubtful. The selfishness of Catharina was concerned in this triumph, and her policy was applauded by it still more. The Empress profited by her ascendancy over the feeble and inconstant spirit of this new monarch so as to give laws to the Poles.

Never did a prince ascend the throne in circumstances more difficult and more unhappy than those in which Stanislaus Augustus began to reign. Elected king against the wish of a greater part of his nation; menaced by the Turks, who had not recognized his election; a foreign army, which was his only support, scattered in all the provinces of his kingdom, could receive from him no order, although seemingly bound to defend him. The despotism of Catharina excited the Polish nobility and provoked some seditious movements; the King, placed between the duty which he owed to his subjects and the obligation which he had contracted towards his benefactress, sought ineffectually to calm these troubles; shortly after he saw himself the object of hatred to the confederated palatines and of contempt to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg.-J. N. KRYCZYNSKI.

JEAN BAPTISTE POQUELIN was born in Paris, in 1622, where his father was a "tapissier," or upholsterer, holding also an appointment as valet-de-chambre in the royal household. Designed for his father's trade, he was but poorly educated until he reached the age of fourteen; after which, having been in

spired by his grandfather with a love both for reading and for plays, he obtained from his parents, with difficulty, the means of studying in the Jesuit College of Clermont. He there attended lectures in philosophy, given by Pierre Gassendi, one of the most learned philosophers of the time. But his father becoming infirm, he, in his nineteenth year, was obliged to officiate for him in the royal household, and he attended Louis XIII. to Narbonne. His taste for the drama was now confirmed by the fashion which had been set by Cardinal Richelieu.

On his return to Paris, Poquelin associated with a company of young men, who played in the suburbs of St. Germain. Assuming the name of Molière, he composed several short pieces and took part in the presentation of them on the stage. At length he joined La Béjart, a provincial actress, and they formed a company, which, in 1653, played at Lyons his first regular comedy, in verse, "L'Étourdi." This proved a great success, and was followed by "Le Dépit Amoureux," and "Les Précieuses Ridicules," first exhibited at Beziers, where