DE LOUTHERBOURG, Plum. JAMES, 1740-1812; of a Polish family, but b. at Strasburg, where he was naturalized, educated in the university, and intended for the ministry. His inclinations, however, led him to painting, and he studied in Paris under Van Loo. He speedily made a name and won high rank. He was elected to the French academy while under the required age. He had some eccentricities, which constantly appeared in his work, especially in his titles, as, when he painted a group of asses he called them "Father and Mother," " Little Fanf an," "Aunt and Uncle from Brittany, Cousin Germain," and the "Perruquier of all the Family." He traveled in Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, and became celebrated more for mechanical construc tion than for painting. One of his mechanical contrivances was a model theater, where he cleverly represented the moon and stars by lights, and running water by sheets of metal and gauze with loose threads of silver. In London, he was employed by Garrick to superintend the mechanism and scene-painting of Drury Lane, which be did with remark able success, making a new era in the adjuncts of the stage. The Christmas pantomime of
1781 introduced these novelties, to the surprise and delight not only of the public, but also of artists. The green grass actually became russet, the moon rose and lighted the edges of the passing clouds, and all England was captivated by effects which we now scarcely notice. A still greater triumph was iu his mechanical representation of the rise, progress, and result of a storm at sea—the one which had just destroyed a great East Indianian. The same show gave "The Fallen Angels raising the Palace in Pande monium." At the same time his painting went on, and he produced "Lord Howe's Victory off Ushant," and other large pictures for the Greenwich hospital gallery. His restless spirit led him to dabble in magic. and he joined the famous Cagliostro for a time. He sought the philosopher's stone, and found a reason for his ill-success in the fact that a relative stole in upon him and broke his crucible at the critical moment.