Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 12.djvu/75

* LE CLERG. 65 LECOMPTON. history. He had to retire in 1728 in consequence of a paralytic stroke, and for eight years liefore his death was much weakened in mind. He died January 8, 1736. Le Clere's writings are very numerous; se%enty-three separate publications have been enumerated, including a commentan;' on the entire Bible; but his greatest service to posterity was the publication of a quarterly, the Uibliollicqiie uniierseJle et historique (1686-9.3, 25 vols. ). followed up by the Bibliotheque choisie (1703)3), and the Bibtiotltrf/ue ancicnne et modcnw (1714-27). His editions of several of the ancient classics and of the Apostolic Fathers (16n8; 2d ed. 1724) prove both his learning and acumen; while his Ars Critica (3 vols., 1712-30) had considerable influence in his time, and is still not without value. His collected works appeared at Amsterdam in four volumes. A number of his writings were published in English during his lifetime. Consult Van der Hoeven, De Joh'innr Clerico (Amsterdam, 1845). LECLERC, .Joseph Victor (1789-1865). A French classical scholar, born in Paris. In 1824 he was called to the chair of Latin eloquence at the Faculte des Lettres of Paris, and in 1834 he was admitted to the Academy of Inscriptions. His chief publications w-ere his SouveUe rheto- ri(/ue frani-aise (1822. 11th ed. 18.50) : Des jotir- naux chez les Romains (1838) ; and a translation of Cicero. (Eiiires completes de Ciceron (30 vols., 1821-25; 2d ed., 35 vols., 182.3-27). He also edited volumes xx., xxi., xxii., and xxiii. of the Hisloire litlrraire de la France (1842-56). Con- sult Renan. "Joseph Victor Leclerc," in the Revue des Deux Mondes (1868). LECLERC, Sebastiex (1637-1714). A French engraver, born in iletz. He received his only instruction from his father, a jeweler, and began to execute plates at an early age, although he later devoted himself principally to engineer- ing and mathematics. In 1G60 he was appointed civil engineer to the Marechal de la Ferte, but Lebrun induced him to return to his original profession of engraving. In 1670 he received lodging at the Gobelins, in the same year became c.ibinet engraver, and in 1672 entered the Royal Academy, where he was professor of geometry and perspective. Leclerc left a large number of plates. His smaller pieces are the best, and reveal his facility for design, and the precision and brilliancy of his style. The most noted of his plates are 39 for Benserade's Ovid (1676); -'The Passion," 36 plate-s. five large plates after Lebrun (1680-82): "Les graiides conquetes du roi" (1687): and "I.,es petites conquetes du roi (1702). He wrote: I.n i)r<ilirjue de la yeometrie (1669): Discours touihiint le point de vue (1679): Traite de perapecthe. never published; Traite d'architec- ture (1714); and Xouveaii systeme du monde con forme a I'Ecriture sainte (1706). Jombert published a catalogue of his plates in 1774. — His S(m S6b.stiex( 1676-1763) was a painter, and his grandson. .J.CQt'Es Sebastiex, was professor at the Royal Academy. Consult : ileaume, S^bas- ticn I.relerc et son (ruvre (Paris, 1877). LECLERCQ, le-klerk'. Michel TnifeoDORE (1777-1S51). A French dramatist, bom in Paris. From ISIO to 1819 he held a small office in the reenue service. He wrote short stories and the novel Le chateau de Duncan, but is best known for his Proverbes dramatiques, salon comedies, %vritten in the stlc oi his predecessor Carmontcl, and marked by piquant dialogue and vivid character-portrayal. These include L'humoristr, L'inlrigant malencontreux, and Le retour du ba- ron. A collected edition was publi-shed in 1823- 26, and y<inreiiux prorerbes dramatiques in 1833. LECLERCQ, Paui, .Jeax Emile (1827—). A Belgian author, born at Monceau-sur- Sambre. He studied painting under Xavez. but .soon turned to art criticism and literature. His realistic novels include: Le camclron (18.58); Les amours sinceres (1860); Les petits-flls de don Quichotte (1867); Une fille du peuple (1874); A quelque chose malheur est bon (1879) ; and Gaillard frcre et socur (1888). His critical and historical works are: Le second Empire frantais (1872); Caractire de I'ecole fran^aise moderne de peinture (1881) ; and Les hiros et les dieux, d'apres les recits hom6riques (1898). LECLERCQ, Rose (1846-99). An English actress. She was born in Liverpool, of a theat- rical family. After appearing in London as a dancer, she made, in 1801. a hit in Brougham's Playing with Fire. The following years brought her popularity in many parts, such as Eliza in After Dark (1868). Claire in The Shaufihraun (1875), and more recentlv Ladv Bawtrev in The Dancing Girl (1891)." Among her Shake- spearean roles were Desdemona, Mrs. Ford, and later Mrs. Page in The Merry M'ives of M'tndsor. and Olivia in Tnrelfth yight. She died in London, ilarch 25, 1899. LE CLERQ, Chb£tien (c.l630-c.l695) . A French missionary, bom at Artois. He was an ardent member of the Recollet Order of Fran- ciscans, and in 1655 went as a missionary to Canada. After six years of labor among the Indians, on the island of Gaspe, he returned to France, got permission to build a house for the Recollets in Montreal, and returned to Gaspe in 1662; but from that time on accomplished little in his missionary labors. Afterwards he re- turned to France, and became guardian of the Convent of Lens. He wrote youvelle relation de la Gaspesie (1601), and Establishment of the Faith in A'eic France (English translation by John G. Shea, 1881). His history is of no great value, as it deals only with the work of Fron- tenac, who opposed the .Jesuits and favored the Rfcollets, and from the ecclesiastical side is tinged with partisanship. LECOCQ, le-kok'. Alexandre Charles (1832 — ). A French musical composer, born in Paris. He was a pupil of the Conservatory, and won the prize for harmony in 1850. Tie began almost immediately to write the light operetta with which his name has become so wedded. Fleur de the (1868) was his first real success, soon fol- lowed bv his most popular work. La fille de Mme. Angot (1873): Girofle-Oirofla (1874). La jolie Persane (1880), L'oiseau hleu (1884). and many others came in rapid succession. His music is always melodious, gay, and lively. Other and smaller compositions include songs and snion music. LECOMP'TON. A city in Douglas County, Kan.. 11 miles west by north of Lawrence: on the Kansas River, and on the Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad (Map: Kansas, G 3). It is the seat of Lane University, founded in