CLERC, JEAN LE, born at Geneva in 1657, was the son of Etienne le Clerc, and nephew to David he Clore, a clergyman and professor of Hebrew at Geneva, both known for several theological works. Jean to Clero early manifested great capabilities for learning joined to an extraordinary memory. Ile travelled in Franco and England, and at last settled at Amsterdan, where he became professor of philosophy and belles-lettres and of the ancient languages. He wrote a vast number of books, of very unequal merit, on all aorta of subjects. Those which made moat noise at the time concern Biblical history and theological controversy, such as Latin commentaries on various booke of the Bible, 5 vela. fol., Amsterdam, 1710.31 ; 'llarmouia Evangelica; in Greek and Latin, fol., 1700; Traduction du Nouveau Testament, avec den notes,' 4to, 1703. These works pleased neither Catholic nor Protestant divines, from their having a tendency to Socinianism—a tendency made still more manifest by another work generally attri buted to him, entitled 'Sentimens de 9uelques Thdologiens de Hollande touchnnt l'llistoire Critique du Vieux Testament.' followed by a 'Difense' of the came work, 2 vole. Svo, 1635. In these the author openly attacks the inspiration of the Scriptures and the very foundation of Revelation. As a critic, Le Clero published his ' Ars Critics; 3 vols. 8vo, 1712-30, a work which is much esteemed; and he also edited the BibliothNue Historique et Universelle,' a periodical begun in 1037 and closed in 1603, making 26 vole. 12mo ; the 'Biblio theque Choisie,' 1712.18, 23 vols. 12mo ; and the Bibliotheque Ancienne et Moderne,' 1720.30, 29 vols. 12mo. These literary journals
enjoyed a good reputation in their day,. Ho also wrote—I, ' Parrha sinna, ou Pens&ee divers= sur des matinee de Critique, d'Histoire, de Morale, et de Politique,' 2 vols. 12mo, 1701, a compilation to which he has added some hasty reflections, and many favourable commends upon bie own works ; 2, 'Histoire dos Provinces Unica des Pays Bag,' from 1650 to 1723, 2 vols. fol., Amsterdam, 1738; 3, 'Elided= du Cardinal do Richelieu,' 2 vols. 12mo, 1714 ; 4, ' Trait6 de 1'Inerddulit6; 8vo, 1733, in which he examines and discusses the various motives and reasons which occasion many to reject Christianity. Ile also wrote a number of polemical works and pamphlets, most of which were tinged with bitterness and dogmatism. Le Clerc was one of the first critics of his age, but it was an ago in which the critical art had not attained a high degree of excellence. He was learned, had quickness and penetration, and a great facility of composition ; but ho generally wrote in haste and upon too many and =rime subjects, having at times five or six works in band at once. Ile published also a supple meet to Moreri's Dictionary; and several editions of ancient classics, among others Llvy, Ausonlus, Sulpicius Severus, &c. Ili, edition of Menander and Philemon's fragments was severely criticised by Dr. Bentley. In 1723, while ho was giving his lecture, Lo Clem suddenly lost the use of his speech through a paralytic stroke. After lingering some years in a state bordering upon idiocy, he died at Amsterdam, on the 8th of January, 1736.