CALMET, AUGUSTINE, was born at Meanil-lallorgne, near Commerey, in the modern department of the Meuse, on February 6th, 1672. He received the first rudiments of his education at the priory of Breuil; studied rhetoric at Pont-h-Musson ; and afterwards entered the Benedictine abbey of Mammy, in the Fauxbourg of Toul, where he took the vows in 1639. Greek, Hebrew, philosophy, and divinity engrossed his time until 1704, when be was appointed sub-prior at the abbey of Munster, in which he appears to have diligently pursued his biblical studies. In 1707 he published in French the first volume of his commentaries upon the Bible. In 1715 he purchased the priory of St. Lay from the Abbe Morel, the king's almoner, for a pension of 3000 livres, and three years afterwards he was appointed abbe of St. Leopold of Nanci. His priory of St. Lay was surrendered by him when, in 1723, he was chosen abbe of Senones, and he then also declined the title of bishop 'in partibus infidelium,' which was offered to him by Pope Benedict XIII., at the suggestion of the college of cardinals. He died in his abbey on the 25th of October 1757, greatly esteemed both for learning and for moderation. The following is a list of his principal works Commentaire Littoral our tens lea livres de l'Aneien et du Nouveau Testament,' 1707-16, in 23 vole. 4to, Reprinted in Paris 1713, 26 vole. 4to, and 9 voles fol.; and abridged in 14 vole. 4to. Rondet published a new edition of this abridgement. Avignon, 1767-73, 17 vols. 4to. The Dissertations and Prefaces belong ing to his Commentary were published with 19 new Dissertations, Paris, 1720, 2 vole. 4to. Histoire de l'Aneien et du Nouveau ment,' intended as an introduction to Fleury's 'Ecclesiastical History,' 2 and 4 vole. 4to. and 5 and 7 vole. 12mo. 'De la Poesie at 3Iusique des Anciena Hebreux,' Amst. 1723, 8vo. ‘Dictionnaire Historique, Critique, et Chronologique de la Bible, enrichi d'uu grand nombre de figures eu taille donee qui representent lea antiquit6s Judaiques.' Dictionnairo de la Bible,' &c., 2 vols. 4to, Paris, 1722. Supplement
h ce Dictionnaire,' 2 vole. 4to, Paris, 1728. Reprinted in 4 vols. 4to, Paris, 1730. This very valuable work was translated into English, under the title Historical, Geographical, Critical, Chronological, and Etymological Dictionary of the Holy Bible.' To which is added 'Bibliotheca Sacra,' or a catalogue of the best editions of the Bible, and commentaries upon it translated by J. D. Oyley and J. Calson, with cuts, London, 1732, 3 vols. folio. Three or four more recent English versions founded upon this, but having various notes and additions, have been since published in London : perhaps the best is that published under the editorial care of Mr. I. Taylor. Histoire ecelesiastique et chile de la Lorraine depuia natl.& de Jules Cesar dane lee Guiles jusqu' tt la mort de Charles V. Duc de Lorraine; avec les pieces juatificatives 3 la fin,' Nancy, 1728, 4 vols. fol. Reprihted 1745 in 6 vole. fol. 'Bibliotheque des Ecrivaina de Lorraine,' 1751, folio. 'Histoire Universelle Sacr6e et Profane,' 15 vols. 4to. This undertaking Calmet did not live to finish, and, in other respects, it is not his best work. 'Dissertations sur lea Apparitions des Angee, des Demons, et des Esprits, et sur lea Revenans et Vampires de Hougrie,' Paris, 1746, 12mo ; Einaiedlen, 1749, 12tno ; Paris, 1751, 2 vole. ]2mo. Translated and published in English in 1759, 8vo. Commentaire Littdral, Historique, et Moral, stir la Regle de St. Benoit,' 1754, 2 vole. 4to. Pathaps the most useful of Calmat's works, certainly the one most familiar to the English reader is the 'Dictionary of the Bible.' All his works indeed are replete with learning, but should be read with some degree of caution. Calmet was deeply imbued with fanciful and rabbinical theories. Though a man of great learning he had a strong leaning to the marvellous, and his tendency to superstition was not controlled by a sound judgment. Voltaire, in his usual lively manner, describes him as a man who does not think, but furnishes others with materials for thinking.