Page:Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography Volume 1.pdf/1061

CHA while following his ordinary avocations, he went to Germany, where he passed some years in the like pursuits. At length the Journal des Debats opened its columns to him; his letters upon English and German literature secured him a regular connection with this important journal. From the Debats to the Revue des deux Mondes, the transition was natural and easy, as nearly all the writers for the one were essayists in the other. His connection with the metropolitan press speedily led to his being appointed professor of foreign literature in the college of France, where his lectures upon living English and German writers gained him great popularity. Besides his professorship he holds the situation of keeper of the Mazarin library.—J. F. C.  CHASSAIGNON,, a French writer of eccentric mind and manners, the absurdest personage and the most savage moralist of his age, was born at Lyons in 1736, and died in 1795. On the outbreak of the Revolution he had the heroic courage to write in defence of priests, and against the vices of the people, and, a more dangerous undertaking still, offered to defend the king. Among the titles of his dissertations we notice, "Cataractes de l'Imagination;" "Deluge de la Scribomanie;" "Vomissement Litteraire;" and "Hemorrhagie Encyclopedique."—J. F. C.  CHASSANÉE. See.  CHASSÉ,, a Dutch general, born in 1765; died in 1849. He sided with the patriots in the Revolution, fled, returned with Pichegru, and again entered his country's service. He commanded the Dutch troops in the Peninsular war. After 1814 he again returned to Holland, and distinguished himself at Waterloo. He earned a European reputation by his long and gallant defence of the citadel of Antwerp, where he was besieged by the Belgians in 1830, and by the French in 1832. In the latter year he was made prisoner by the French, but was set at liberty the year after.—R. M., A.  CHASSELOUP-LAUBAT,, Marquis, a French general of engineers, born in 1754; died in 1833. He served with great honour in the Italian, Prussian, and Russian campaigns; was made general of a division in 1799, and grand officer of the legion of honour in 1811. At the Restoration, Louis XVIII. raised him to the dignity of a peer of France.—R. M., A.  CHASSENEUX,, Seigneur de Prelay, a French lawyer, born in 1480. After a sojourn in Italy, he began practising as an advocate in Burgundy, became in 1531 a counsellor of the parliament of Paris, and the next year rose to be president of that of Provence. He suspended the execution of a decree of the latter against the Vaudois of Cabrieres and Merindol. It took effect, however, with the utmost cruelty after his death in 1541.—R. M., A.  CHASTEL or CHATEL,, famous for his attempt on the life of Henry IV., was the son of a Parisian draper, born in 1575. The king, just returned from Picardy, was surrounded by his nobles, when Chastel, then only nineteen years of age, having slipped unnoticed into the chamber, dealt him a blow with a dagger. He luckily received but a slight wound. The ruffian, who was a tool of the jesuits, pretended that he was driven by the wickedness of his past life to do some great action. He was condemned to a fearful death.—R. M., A.  CHASTEL. See. <section end="1061H" /> <section begin="1061I" />CHASTELAIN,, was born in the comté d'Alost in Flanders in 1403; died at St. Valenciennes in 1475. He claimed to be descended by his father from the noble house of Gavre and Mamnes. At seven years of age some favourite opportunity offered of giving him the education fitted for a soldier. In after life he was known by the title of "L'Adventureux." While yet a boy, he visited France and England, and was favourably received at the court of Charles VII. Philippe le Bon, duke of Normandy, his own sovereign, was especially his patron. In 1443, Chastelain left the military service altogether for that of the duke. He was first his pannetier, or pantler; next he was styled his orateur, or littérateur; and finally bore the title of official chronicler of the house of Burgundy. A satire which he wrote in 1455 gave offence to the royal family of France, and his personal safety seems for a while to have been endangered. In 1467 Philip the Good was succeeded by his son, Charles the Rash, who continued Chastelain as chronicler. Chastelain now resided at Valenciennes, where he continued till the time of his death. A manuscript in the imperial library at Paris has a vignette of Chastelain presenting his book to the duke. Georges Chastelain was buried at Valenciennes, in the collegiate church of Salle-le-Compte, to which he is recorded as a great benefactor, and, in particular, as the founder in that church of what would seem to have been an annual service in connection with his patron saint—La solemnité de St.-Georges à l'honneur des tous chevaliers. The student of history will find it worth while to consult Chastelain. Impartial he is not. On the contrary, he writes with strong party feelings; but his sketches of individuals are always such as impress us with the feeling that we are looking at a portrait, and that the features are given from frequent and careful observation.—J. A., D. <section end="1061I" /> <section begin="1061J" />CHASTELARD,, would probably be forgotten as a poet, were it not for his insane passion for Mary Queen of Scots, that purchased for him at once an untimely death and literary immortality. Either fate was somewhat beyond his merits. In our days he would have finished his life in a lunatic asylum, and his fame would have terminated in an obituary entry. He was born in Dauphiné in 1540. Having the blood of Bayard in his veins, he was, as he said himself in his last moments, "sans peur," and to this he joined the qualities of a gentleman of his day and nation, much liveliness, a little poetry, and less religion. The poet Ronsard was his master and his model, and when Mary returned to Scotland after the death of Francis II., Ronsard addressed some complimentary verses to her, which he sent to her by Chastelard. The favourable reception accorded to him for the sake of his master and his mission, and in honour of his profession, by one whose attractions were irresistible, turned the brain of the conceited poet. He not only loved madly, but in his madness fancied his love was returned. The account of this untoward a flair is differently stated by the French and English writers. The former insist that the queen encouraged the poet, that she replied to his amatory verses, inflamed his passion, excited his imagination, and threw him into a fever of delirium. The latter for the most part acquit Mary of impropriety. Be this as it may, the poet was discovered on the 12th February, 1562-3, concealed with a sword and dagger under her bed, by her ladies, before she entered her chamber. On being informed the next day of this outrage, the queen, says Miss Strickland, ordered the mad bard to quit her court. M. Dargeau asserts, that Mary not only pardoned, but encouraged him in his folly. At all events, she went next day to Burntisland, whither Chastelard followed her, and again gained entrance into her chamber. The queen's screams brought Moray to her rescue, whom she passionately ordered "to put his dagger in the villain." Moray calmed the queen, and reserved the poet for a legal trial, and he was condemned to be beheaded. To all entreaties for his pardon she was inexorable, and the sentence was put in execution. Mad to the last, the poor gentleman ascended the scaffold reading, not his breviary, but "The Hymn of Death" of his master Ronsard. On the whole, we think posterity will acquit Mary of giving any encouragement to poor Chastelard, though we cannot concur in the suggestion of Miss Strickland, that the story of Margaret of Scotland kissing Alain Chartier (see that name) was confounded with a similar liberty, said to have been accorded by Mary to Chastelard. It is quite impossible that such a confusion should take place between living persons and those dead more than a century.—J. F. W. <section end="1061J" /> <section begin="1061K" />CHASTELER,, Marquis du, a famous general in the Austrian service, born at Mons in 1763. In 1789 his conduct at the assault of Belgrade, in the Turkish war, won for him the cross of Maria Theresa. From that time till the peace of 1802 he distinguished himself in numerous sieges and battles. In 1805 he was again in the field under Archduke Charles, and defeated Marmont at Gratz. Three years after he threw himself into the Tyrol, raised the brave mountaineers, and was almost master of the province, when he was totally routed by Lefevre. Chasteler was general of artillery in the campaigns of 1813-14, fought against Murat in 1815, and in the same year was appointed to the difficult post of governor of Venice, where he died in 1825.—R. M., A. <section end="1061K" /> <section begin="1061L" />CHASTELET. See. <section end="1061L" /> <section begin="1061Mnop" />CHASTELET,, a French publicist, born in 1593; died in 1636. He was at first advocate-general to the parliament of Rennes, but subsequently became a hireling of the court. He was employed in a paper war against the house of Savoy. One of the judges of the marechal de Marillac, he published a libel against him during the trial. Richelieu had to commit him for this offence, but he was too useful a tool to be long imprisoned.—R. M., A. <section end="1061Mnop" />