HARPE, JEAN FRAtccims DE LA, was b. at Paris, Nov. 20, 1739. studied at the college d'Harcourt, and led for some time a rather checkered life. In he published a vol ume of juvenile poems, and in the following year his tragedy of 31.arunek appeared; it was very successful on the stage, and placed to his account both tame and money. the Lgeee, this is by far the best of his works, though the writing has but little force. Grimm has admirably characterized the playas "ie coup d'essais d'un jeune krantne (le wi.rante alms." La flame's three subsequent plays, written in the same vein, Tintolbm, Pharamond, and Gustare entirely failed. The work that preserves his name, and has given him a permanent position among the literati of France, is his Lyeee on (Yours de Litteraturc, which, in default of a better, has till lately been their only reli able work of haute eriligne. That portion which relates to ancient literature is of little vane. and that in which the author treats of contemporary writers is entirely worthless,
owing to the bitterness and pride of the critic, who could see nothing great or good in the works of a rival or fellow-laborer. The intervening portion is, however, of great value to the student, giving, for the time, a complete critical history of French litera ture. The book will also be found serviceable to the student of the language. At its commencement, the revolution found no more ardent admirer than la Harpe; but when lie was cast into prison—where he is said to have been converted to Christianity by a fellow-captive, the bishop of St. Brieux—for refusing to countenance the extremes to which democracy was leading, his views entirely changed, and he became a firm sup porter of church and crown. La Harpe died Feb. 11, 1803.