VINET, ALExArinitE-RonotrirE, Swiss divine and author, was b: at Lausanne, June 17, 1797, and received his education in his native city as a student of the Protestant ehurch, of which he was ordained a minister in 1819. From an early age he showed a passionate fondness for the study of French literature, which he cultivated with so much success that at the age of 20 he was appointed professor of French language and literature in the gymnasium of Basel. This position he held till 1837, when he removed to Lausanne to fill the chair of practical theology in the academy of that city, which chair, however, he resigned in 1840, when lie seceded from the national church, on account of the new constitution imposed upon it in that year. Notwithstanding his resignation, he appears to have continued his lectures either in the academy or pri vately; and in 1844 again connected himself with that institution as substitute-professor of French literature. Vinet took a leading part in the formation of a constitution for the Free church of Vaud, formed by those who seceded from the national church in 1845, this secession having been in a great measure the result of the influence of his own writings and teachings in favor of the separation of church and state. He died
May 18, 1847. Vinet was an eloquent and earnest preacher, clear and brilliant rather than profound in thought; and although highly evangelical and orthodox, advocated the utmost liberty and toleration of opinion and practice in matters of religion. He wrote largely both on literature and religion, and most of his works have been trans lated into English. His works on French literature show that he was thoroughly acquainted with its history, and possessed the critical faculty in no mean degree; as a philosophico-religious writer, he is very popular among the educated religious public both in and America. His principal works are: Chreslonzathie Franise (3 vols. 1829); llistoire de la Litterature Francaise au Sidle; Etudes sur la, Littera ture Pranfaise du XIX. Sidle (3 vols.); Menwire en Pamir de la Liberte des Unites (1826); DI:scours sur quelques Sujels Religieme (1831); and Nouveaux Discours, etc. (1841)—from which two last-mentioned works selections have been translated into English, and pub lished under the title of Vital Christianity; Etudes sur Blase Pascal, Etudes Evangel iques, and Nouvelles Etudes Ecangeliqu,es, which have been rendered into English as Gospel Studies; etc.