FRANCISQUE SARCEY

Francisque Sarcey, a well-known critic and journalist, was born at Paris in 1828. He was at first a professor of the University. Introduced into journalism by Edmond About, he soon became conspicuous by his articles full of common sensé, of " bonhomie," and of fine humor. Since 1867 ne has been writing the dramatic critiques in Le Temps. He writes also in many other papers, such as Les Annales Politiques et Littéraires. As a lecturer at the Boulevard des Capucines, he has won great success by his common-sense views of the works and authors he criticises, and by his healthy humor and simplicity.

Page 123. — 1. Beaumarchais. The famous author of the Barbier de Séville and Mariage de Figaro. He led a very adventurous life, was at first a watchmaker, then was appointed teacher of harp to the daughters of Louis XV. His marriage with the rich widow of a court officiai gave him both money and nobility, for it is then that he assumed the name of de Beaumarchais, his father's name being simply Caron. His Mémoires du Sieur Beaumarchais par lui-même, which he published as an appeal to the public after his loss of a law-suit against Count Labiche, the heir of

his benefactor Duvemey, made him famous at once. It is a bitter satire against the corruption of the tribunals of the old régime, full of sparkling and biting wit. After a great many more âdventures, Beaumarchais died in 1799 in straitened circumstaAces.