FLORIAN, JEAN-PIERRE-CLARIS DE, was born of a nob' family in the Chtiteau-Florian, in the Cevennes, in 1755. His ed: cation was superintended by his grandfather ; but, on his dyin deeply in debt, Florian was obliged to look around him for aono means of support. The Marquis da Florian, his uncle, who had ma ried a niece of Voltaire'e, took young Florian to Feeney, where th philosopher spoke encouragingly of his talents. In 1768 ha becam page of the Duc de Penthievre, and finding that ha had a passion fc the army, that nobleman gave him a compauy of the dragoons d Penthievra. He shortly afterwards retired from active service, an accepted the place of gentleman in ordinary to the duke, who treate him as a friend. Having now an opportunity of devoting himself t literature, he produced in 1783 the romance of 'Galatea,' in imitatio of the novels of Cervantes. His mother being n Castilian, he we perfectly familiar with the Spanish language. Geist& ' was followe by the well-known 'Numa Pompilius,' published in 1786. The pa: toral romance of Estelle,' which was produced two years afterward: and was reckoned by critics his beat production, caused but amal sensation at the time. He also brought out a collection of fables any a number of little comedies, in the Italian atyle, with Arlechino fo their hero, which were very successful. In 1791 be published hi
romance ' Gonzalve de Cordoue,' which was preceded by an histories notice of the Moors. In 1793 he was banished from Paris by th decree published against the nobility, and retired to Sceaux, th inhabitants of which received him with cordiality, as, in conjunctio: with the Duc de Penthievre, he had always been their benefactor He was afterwards arrested, and confined in the prison called Por Libre, hut waa soon liberated. His health was so affected by anxiety that ha died in 1791, leaving, during his incarceration, written th romance of 'Guillaume Tell.' Florian seems to have been a writer who did little else than imitate in an inferior manner, the authors who had preceded him. 'Galatea is an imitation of Cervantes ; N1111111' of Fenelon'a Telemaque ; and the fables, of those of La Fontaine. His fables, which are wel spoken of by La Harpe, contain some very neat and accurate deacrip tious ; iudeed, as a fabulist, La Fontaine is alone his superior. Th: translation of ' Don Quixote,' which is a posthnmons work, is ceu sured for its want of humour.