Esprit Flechier
Esprit Flechier [1]
a celebrated French. orator and prelate, was born June 10, 1612, at Pernes, near Avig. non. After studying in the college of the "Fathers of the Christian Doctrine," he went to Paris, and soon became known by a Latin poem on the famous carousal given by Louis XIV in 1662. His sermons and funeral orations soon raised him to such a pitch of reputation that the duke of Montausier recommended him to fill the office of reader to the dauphin. In 1673 he was chosen a member of the Academy, and in 1682 he was appointed almoner to the dauphiness. In 1685 he obtained the bishopric of Lavaur. When the monarch gave it to him, he said, "Do not be surprised that I have been so tardy in rewarding your merit; I was loth to be deprived of the pleasure of hearing you preach." In 1687 he was removed to the bishopric of Nismes. The Protestants of his neighborhood suffered greatly from the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, but. Fleebier administered his office so mildly and tenderly that he gained the lobe of even the Protestants. He died in February, 1710; and when Fenelon heard of his death, he cried out,." We have lost our master!" His panegymic en Tmu-Senne is considered his masterpiece of eloquence. Among his. writings are, Les Paneryriques des Saints (Paris, 1697, 2 vols. 12mo):- Oraisoans Fsunsbres (4to):-Histoire de l'Empereur Theodoce le Greind (Paris, 1679, 4to, and often 12mo): -Vie'du Card. Ximenes (2 vols. 12mo). They may all be found in the collection of his works, Nuvres comphites, revues sur les manuscritat. de lauteur, etc., (Nismes, 1782, 10 vols. 8vo).- Biog. Universelle, 15:35.
