SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF CHEVREAU. URBAN CHEVREAU was born at Loudun, a town of Poitou in France, upon the 12th of May, in the year 1613. At an early period he gave indications of his propensity to the study of polite literature. In his more mature age, he shewed an activity of spirit, and a correctness of judgment, which qualified him for business; and he was a man of a most happy address and insinuating manners. These recommendations introduced him to the court of Sweden; and Christina made Chevreau her secretary. The King of Denmark became desirous of employing the talents, and profiting by the counsels, of this experienced statesman. Lewis XIV. appointed him afterwards to be tutor to the Duke of Maine. In the midst of engagements so honourable to himself, and so useful to others, old age and its incapacities induced Chevreau to retire from public business. He had secured to himself a delightful retreat at Loudun, his native place, where he had built an elegant house, at which he passed the last twenty years of his life in study and tranquil amusements. He died upon the 15th of February, 1701, having almost completed the period of 88 years. He left behind him a very large and valuable library, and he was himself an author. His first work was entitled Les Tableaux de la Fortune, in which he relates all the considerable revolutions that have happened in the world. It was published in 1651, in 8vo. and afterwards reprinted, with alterations, |