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174
Hereditary Genius
Bossuet, Jacques Benigne; one of the most famous of Papal controversialists against
Protestantism; was a laborious student. He was a priest, and therefore had no
family.
N. Bishop of Troyes; editor of his uncle's works. Bronte, Charlotte (her nom de
plume was Currer Bell); novelist. She was the most conspicuous member of a
family remarkable for their intellectual gifts, restless mental activity, and
wretched constitutions. Charlotte Bronte and her five brothers and sisters were
all consumptive, and died young. “Jane Eyre” was published when Charlotte
was aet. 22.
[F.] Rev. Patrick Bronte. Had been precocious and was ambitious, though a
clergyman of scanty means, in a rude, out-of-the-way village.
[U. and U. several.] Rev. Patrick Bronte had nine brothers and sisters, all
remarkable for their strength and beauty.
[f.] Was refined, pious, pure, and modest.
[u.] Was precise, old-looking, and dressed utterly out of fashion.
B. Patrick, who went altogether astray, and became a grief to the family, was
perhaps the greatest natural genius among them all.
b. Emily Jane (Ellis Bell), “Wuthering Heights” and “Agnes Grey.”
b. Anne (Acton Bell), “Tenant of Wildfield Hall.”
[2B.] Maria and Jane; were almost as highly endowed with intellectual gifts as their
sisters.
Champollion, Jean Francois; interpreter of hieroglyphic writing, and author on
Egyptian antiquities. He was one of the party of savans in Napoleon's
expedition.
B. Jean Jacques, historian and antiquary. Author of several works. Librarian to the
present Emperor of the French.
Chateaubriand, Fr. Aug. Vicomte de; a distinguished French writer and a politician,
but half mad; his education was desultory, for he was first intended for the
Navy, then for the Church, and then for the Army. He wholly abandoned
himself to study and retirement, aet. 20; afterwards he sought adventures in the
unsettled parts of America. He served in several ministerial posts under Louis
XVIII. He sank into despondency in advanced life. Most of his ten brothers
and sisters died in youth; several of them
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