AITGIER, GUILLAUME Vicron Emnx, a French dramatist of considerable reputation, was b. at Valence, on the 17th of Sept., 1820, and was clucated for the profession of an advocate. He soon, however, showed a predilection for letters, especially the drama. In 1844, he composed a piece in two acts, and in verse; entitled La ague, which he offered IA) the Theatre Francais, but without success. The Odeon, however, received it, and it was played at that theater with considerable applause for nearly three months. This, while it is the first, is said to be likewif7e the best of A.'s works, containing some excel lent moral lessons, set in a frame-work of the antique, and made attractive by ele,gant versification. In the following year, the Theatre Francais sought his services, and he produced for that theater his second comedy, entitled /fit Humme de Bea, in three acts, and in verse. This was a comedy of the day, and was only partially successful. A third, L'Arenturiere, which appeared in 1848, was better received; still there was said to be too much of commonplace in the moral sentiments with which it abounded. Gabrielle, in five acts, and in verse, which appeared in 1849, was also a highly moral piece, and gained for its author the Monthyon prize. In 1852, A. wrote a drama, entitled Diane, 1n which Rachel took the principal hart, but in spite of all her efforts it proved a failure. He was more fortunate with La Peerre de Touche. a prose comedy in live acts,
written in partnership with Jules Sandeau, and produced in 1853. In the same year he wrote a verse-comedy, in three acts, entitled Phaiberte, said to be a charming gunre piece, in which the grace of the details supplies time absence of intrigue. Ills subsequent pieces, however, belong all more or less to the comedy of intrigue. Such are La Ma riage d'Olympe; Le Gendre de M. Puirier, written in partnership with Jules Smindeau; and la Revanche de Geurges Dandin--all produced in 1855; La Jtancese, in 1858; Les Lionnes l'auvres, in the same year, written in conjunction with E. Foussier; and the Beau Har loge, also in conjunction with Foussier, in 1859. Either singly or with others, M. A. has also written Lls Eli On leS, Le Els de Gi5oyer, Maitre Guerin, La Contagion, "xi. Chasse an Roman, L'Ilabit Pert, Paul Forestier, and &limbo—the last mentioned an opera, the music by Gounod. In 1856, lie published a small volume of Puesies, some of which are very elegant both in thought and expression. Usually, A. is regarded as one of the leaders of the school of good sense; in his later pieces, however, approaching too much to the manner of the younger Dumas. In 1838, M. A. was elected a member of the Academic Franchise. and in the same year was promoted to the rank of ()Meer in the legion d'hon neur, of which he became a commander in 1868.