Froissart as an English envoy employed on the continent on secret service. The object of this mission, according to the same French authority, was a treaty of peace and a marriage of the king's grandson, afterward Richard II., with the French princess Mary. Neither of these ains was accomplished, and Edward dying in July of the same year (1377), there was an end of this great patronage. In the mean time the poet and diplomatist had married one of the maids of honor to the queen, Philippa Rouet, whose sister, the widow of Sir Hugh Swinford, became the wife of John of Gaunt, "timehonored Lancaster." This high connection obtained for Chaucer a continuation of royal favor under the new king, Richard II. His income was not less than £1,000 a year, and he was commissioned upon several urgent matters in various parts of the kingdom. For the safe prosecution of these unknown errands, the king granted him a species of safe conduct, or protection from arrest or injury. Richard was deposed in 1399. All his donations to Chaucer were immediately confirmed by Henry IV., who, being the son of the duke of Lancaster, stood somewhat in the light of nephew to the poet. He granted him an additional annuity of 40 marks. Toward the close of 1399 we find Chancer taking a lease for 53 years of a residence in the garden of the priory of Westminster. The foregoing facts rest upon official documents appended to the life of Chaucer by Godwin. Other events, less authentic, are gleaned from passages in his works. As an adherent of the duke of Lancaster, he embraced the opinions of Wycliffe, and formed a close connection with that divine. Persecution and reverses evidently followed in consequence of. this. Godwin refers his personal misfortunes to his support of a Wycliffian candidate to the mayoralty of London (John of Northampton), who was arrested and imprisoned. Chaucer escaped to the continent, where, during some years in France and Denmark, he wrote many of his books. He suffered much privation ⚫ meanwhile from the faithlessness of agents who appropriated his income; and was at length in duced to return secretly in hopes of recovering his dues. He was discovered and arrested; but at length obtained pardon and liberty by disclosing the designs of the men with whom he had been associated. This discreditable circumstance drew upon him a flood of obloquy, which he appears to have attempted to parry by offering an appeal to arms. He was certainly thereafter received again into royal favor; and expressions of remorse are discoverable in his subsequent writings, although somewhat vaguely. Soon after these events, he removed from the turmoil and intrigues of public life into literary retirement. His first retreat was at Woodstock, and finally, upon the death of the duke of Lancaster, at Donnington castle, where an aged and favorite oak tree, under whose branches the poet often meditated, long afterward bore his name. It was here

that he wrote his most remarkable and latest work, the "Canterbury Tales." Their general plan is of a company of pilgrims on the way to Canterbury, assembling at an inn, and agreeing each to tell a tale in going and returning; he who should tell the best tale to be treated by the others with a supper at the inn. In this work Chaucer is considered to have improved upon his model, the "Decameron" of Boccaccio, especially in variety of character and delicacy of discrimination; but the introduction or introductory machinery is contrived with less felicity. This work, in verse, begun in declining years, was left incomplete. It has been learnedly edited by Tyrwhitt, in 5 vols. 8vo. The works of Chaucer generally, unless in versions polished by Dryden and Pope, or more recently by Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt, Mrs. Browning, and others, are little read excepting by philologists and literary antiquaries. The encomiums of poets and critics of greatest renown during 4 centuries have not been able to preserve them to the general reader. This has been attributed less to any change of opinion respecting the merit of the poet, or to the obsoleteness of the language, than to the progressive change of manners and feelings in society, to the accumulation of knowledge, and also to improvement in general morality. Chaucer's command over the language of his day, his poetical genius, and his exhibition of existing character and passing incident, constitute his attraction; but notwithstanding the panegyric of Dryden, he is prolix. His early works bear the stamp of the corrupt taste of his age, but are everywhere remarkable for delineation of character. Our account of his principal works, aside from the "Canterbury Tales," must be necessarily short. The "Romaunt of the Rose," a long allegory, is professedly a translation of the French Roman de la rose. "Troilus and Cresseide," his second poetical essay, taken chiefly from Boccaccio, has been reckoned barren of incident as a tale, but containing passages of much pathos and beauty. The story of "Queen Annelida and False Arcite" was acknowledged by the author to have been taken from Stace and Corinne. The opening is from Statius, but Corinne has not, we believe, been identified. The opening of the "Assembly of Foules" is founded upon the Somnium Scipionis of Cicero. The "House of Fame" has been supposed to have been originally a lay of Provence. This idea has been combated by Tyrwhitt, whose studies of Chaucer were profound. This commentator_suggests a doubt of the "Flower and the Leaf" being from the pen of Chaucer. Dryden has modernized it, without expressing a suspicion of its authenticity. It was printed for the first time in Speght's edition of Chaucer in 1598. The prose works are a translation of Boëthius, the

Treatise on the Astrolabe," and the "Testament of Love." The translation of Boëthius, and occasional quotations from Juvenal and Seneca, prove that he retained always a vivid

acquaintance with the Roman classics; but it is impossible to ascertain the chronology of his works. He left by his wife 2 sons, Thomas and Lewis. The first was speaker of the house of commons in the reign of Henry IV., and was ambassador to France and Burgundy. Chaucer's principal biographers have been Leland, Speght, Tyrwhitt, and Godwin. Fault has been found with the work of the latter as being too voluminous, discursive, and conjectural (2 vols. 4to., London, 1803). An introductory discourse to Tyrwhitt's edition of the "Canterbury Tales" gives clear ideas of the language of the 14th century, and of Chaucer's peculiar mastery and use of it.

CHAUCI, one of the most powerful tribes of ancient Germany. They dwelt between the rivers Ems and Elbe, being divided by the Weser into Majores, W., and Minores, E. According to Tacitus, their country was extensive and thickly peopled. They were distinguished for their love of justice and of peace, powerful, but unambitious, never provoking war, but always ready to repel aggression. They were allies of the Romans in the war of Germanicus against the Cherusci, but subsequently their enemies in the reigns of Claudius and Nero. They are last mentioned in the 3d century as devastating Gaul. They were finally merged in the general name of Saxons.

CHAUDES-AIGUES (Lat. Aqua Calentes), a canton and commune in the department of Cantal (Auvergne), France; pop. of the canton in 1856, 7,757, and of the town, 2,207. The town is situated in a narrow and picturesque gorge. It derives its name from some hot springs in its vicinity, which are extensively used for baths, for washing fleeces, and for. warming the houses during the winter. The annual attendance of visitors is about 500. The spring called Source du Par is one of the hottest springs in Europe. Woollen goods and hosiery are manufactured in the town, and many of the inhabitants resort during the winter to Paris, to obtain employment.

CHAUDET, ANTOINE DENIS, a French artist, born in Paris, March 31, 1763, died April 19, 1810. His statue of Edipus, exhibited in 1801, established his reputation as a sculptor. Among his other works may be mentioned "Paul and Virginia," "Sensibility," "Surprise," the silver statue of "Peace" in the Tuileries, the "Napoleon" which previous to 1815 surmounted the column in the Place Vendôme, and the bass-relief of "Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture," in the Musée Napoleon. He excelled also as a painter and designer, and illustrated a number of works, of which the magnificent edition of Racine published by P. Didot affords an example. He officiated as professor of sculpture, and contributed many carefully written articles to the dictionary of the academy. In 1805 he was named a member of the section of fine arts of the institute. His works tended to modify the classicism which prevailed in the French schools of art in the beginning of the present

century.-JEANNE ÉLISABETH GABIOU, wife of the preceding, born in 1767, died about 1830. A pupil of her husband, she painted a "Child teaching a Dog to read," and many charming little pictures of the kind, and excelled also as a portrait painter.

CHAUDIÈRE, a river of Canada East, rises near the boundary line between Canada and the United States, and flows into the St. Lawrence about 7 m. above Quebec. Its length is about 120 m., and its usual width is from 400 to 600 yards; but it is often contracted by rocks jutting from either side, which occasion violent rapids, and render the stream unnavigable. About 2 m. from its mouth are the falls of the Chaudière, where the water, first contracted by salient points of rock, is then thrown over a precipice from a height of 100 feet. The scenery on the banks of this river is very diversified and picturesque.

CHAUDON, ESPRIT JOSEPH, a French author, born at Valensolle in 1738, died in 1800. After teaching the humanities in several colleges of the oratoire, he published in 1772, at Avignon, a valuable bibliographical work, entitled Bibliothèque d'un homme de goût, many materials of which were furnished by his bro-4 ther, Louis Chaudon. In 1778 he published in Paris a Dictionnaire interprète-manuel des noms Latins de la géographie ancienne et moderne.-LOUIS MAYEUL, a French author, brother of the preceding, born at Valensolle, May 20, 1737, died at Mezin, May 28, 1817. He studied in the colleges of Marseilles and Avignon, and entered the order of Benedictines. His principal work is a biographical dictionary, which was published at Avignon in 1766, and was designed to be equally removed from the prolixity of Moréri and the dryness of Ladvocat. It was the basis of the subsequent and distinct work of the abbé Feller. Chaudon also edited the Dictionnaire anti-philosophique, and for other works which he composed in defence of religion he received honorable briefs from Clement XIII. and Pius VI.

CHAUDWAR, a ruined city of Hindostan, in the province of Orissa, near Cuttack, of great antiquity. It covers a space several miles in extent, and comprises the remains of temples, reservoirs, and other buildings, of which however little more than the foundations remain visible.

CHAUFFEPIE, JACQUES GEORGES DE, & Protestant divine of Holland, of French origin, born in Leuwarden, Nov. 9, 1702, died in Amsterdam, July 3, 1786. He is principally known as the author of a highly esteemed work, entitled Nouveau dictionnaire historique et critique, pour servir de supplement ou de continuation du dictionnaire historique et critique de M. Bayle (Amsterdam, 1750-56, 4 vols. folio).

CHAUFFEURS, or GARROTTEURS, the name of brigands during the reign of terror in France. Their head-quarters were first in the forest of Orgères, near the city of Chartres, and after

ward they infested other parts of the country in bands, organized under the leadership of Johann Buckler, surnamed Schinderhannes, until 1803, when the measures adopted under the consulate put a stop to their depredations. They garrotted their victims, tortured and burned (chauffer) their feet to make them disgorge their treasures. While engaged in burglaries they put a black veil over their face, or painted it with soot.

CHAULIAC, CAULIAO, or CHAULIEU, GUI DE, a French surgeon of the 14th century, studied at Montpellier and Bologna, practised his profession in Lyons, and was afterward employed by 3 popes of Avignon, Clement VI., Innocent VI., and Urban V. He is the author of a remarkable treatise on surgery, entitled Inventarium, site Collectorium Partis Chirurgicalis Medicine, which was translated into French by Laurent Joubert, under the title of Grande chirurgie, and accompanied with annotations and an index by his son Isaac Joubert (Lyons, 1592, 8vo.). This was the first work of importance on the principles and practice of surgery published in Europe after the middle ages, and during 2 centuries it was considered the classical work on that branch of science. It is even now esteemed for its simplicity and clearness on many points which have been overloaded with theoretical explanations by some modern writers. Plasters and poultices, ointments and embrocations were almost the only resources of surgical practice in western Europe before the time of Chauliac. established the practice of such operations as had been described and performed by the ancient Greeks and the Arabian surgeons, invented several new instruments, and undertook certain operations on the crystalline lens, for the restoration of sight, in cases of cataract. He laid the foundations, in fact, of the modern principles and practice of surgery; and though his works are tinged with the astrological notions of the age in which he lived, they are replete with practical instruction. He also wrote a description of the plague which visited France in 1848, and by which he was himself attacked. CHAULIEU, GUILLAUME AMFRYE DE, a French poet, born at Fontenay in 1639, died in Paris, June 27, 1720. By his associates he was called the Anacreon of France, and by Voltaire the first of neglected poets. The best edition of his works appeared in 1774, 2 vols. 8vo. His Lettres inédites were published in 1850.

He re

CHAUMETTE, PIERRE GASPARD, a French terrorist, born at Nevers, May 24, 1763, guillotined in Paris, April 13, 1794. He made himself conspicuous as a journalist and popular orator on the outbreak of the revolution, contributed much to the establishment of the municipal government in Paris (Aug, 10, 1792), officiated as one of its principal functionaries, adopted the name Anaxagoras, was the great chief of the formida ble Hebertists, took a part in he establishment of the so-called fêtes de la raison and in the destruction of works of art, and after having done

as much as he could to pander to the most abominable passions of the reign of terror, was himself finally executed.

CHAUMONOT, or CHAUMONNOT, PIERRE MARIE JOSEPH, a French Jesuit, born near Châtillon-sur-Seine in 1611, died at Lorette, near Quebec, Canada E., Feb. 21, 1693. His early life gave little promise of future piety. After robbing an uncle who directed his education, he went to Rome, where he entered the society of Jesus under an assumed character. He soon repented of his faults, and after being ordained priest was sent at his own request as a missionary to the North American Indians. In company with Father Poncet he landed at Quebec in 1639, and devoted himself to the instruction of the Hurons, Petuns, and Neutrals. He resided among these tribes until the Hurons were dispersed by the Iroquois, when he accompanied a small body of fugitives to Quebec in 1650. In the following year he removed with the Hurons to Isle Orleans, where a Christian settlement was formed. In 1655 he visited the Onondagas, but returned to his flock in 1658, and was instrumental in founding the mission of Notre Dame de Foye, 5 miles from Quebec. This establishment was removed to Lorette in 1693, and soon after Father Chaumonot closed his career after more than half a century of hardships. He left an excellent grammar of the Huron tongue, published by the literary and historical society of Quebec in 1885; a list of radical and derivative words, a catechism, and a series of instructions, all in the same language, and a memoir of his own life addressed to his superior. These last have not been published.

CHAUMONT, or CHAUMONT-EN-BASSIGNY, an arrondissement and town of France, in the department of Haute-Marne (Champagne); pop. of the former in 1856, 85,990, and of the latter 9,263. The arrondissement is divided into 10 cantons, and possesses 202,000 acres in grain, 9,500 in vines, 17,000 in various crops, 39,000 in natural and artificial meadow, 71,000 of fallow land, and 203,000 in forest.-The town has a public library, manufactories of woollens, linen and cotton yarn, and a considerable trade in iron wares. The allied powers concluded a treaty here against Napoleon, March 1, 1814, which afterward became the basis of the holy alliance.

CHAUNCEY, ISAAC, a commodore in the American navy, born at Black Rock, Conn., Feb. 20, 1772, died in Washington, Jan. 27, 1840. He commenced his career in the merchant service, in which he became distinguished for seamanship, enterprise, and energy. It is related of him that in one of his voyages, when still a youth, the crew of the ship in which he was employed were visited by mortal sickness, and iu a short time he was the sole survivor on board; and that he managed, single-handed, to carry the ship safely into port, for which achievement it is believed he was appointed to the command of her. He entered the navy as lieutenant in 1799, and early in 1802 was ap

pointed acting captain of the frigate Chesa peake, of 38 guns, the flag ship of a squadron of 6 sail ordered to the Mediterranean, under the command of Commodore Valentine Morris, to operate against Tripoli. He served actively in this command during a large part of the war with Tripoli, and also in the squadrons of Commodores Preble and Rodgers, in command of the John Adams, of 28 guns. In the brilliant operations before Tripoli, in 1804, he bore a distinguished part. In that year the grade of master commandant (now commander) was reestablished in the navy, and he was one of 8 lieutenants promoted to it. In April, 1806, he was promoted to the rank of captain. In the war of 1812 the naval superiority on the lakes became an object of high importance, and Commodore Chauncey, then in command of the navy yard at New York, was appointed to command on all the lakes except Champlain. On Oct. 6, 1812, he arrived at Sackett's Harbor, and entered upon his important duties. The late Henry Eckford was appointed naval constructor at Sackett's Harbor, to which place large bodies of ship carpenters were sent, and vessels were built and equipped from that time until the close of the war, with a rapidity which has perhaps never been equalled. The Mohawk, a frigate of 42 guns, was launched in 34 days from the time her keel was laid; and the Madison, a corvette of 24 32-lb. carronades, was launched in 9 weeks from the day when the first tree which entered her frame was taken from the forest. All the operations on shore were supervised by Chauncey, who at the same time had to command his squadron, and watch an active and enterprising enemy. Naval superiority on the lakes was as important to the English as to the Americans, and Captain Sir James Lucas Yeo, an officer of high reputation for spirit and conduct, was appointed to command the British naval forces on those waters, at about the same time that Chauncey received his appointment. On Nov. 8, 1812, Commodore Chauncey appeared on Lake Ontario for the first time, the Oneida brig of 16 guns bearing his pennant, and his squadron, or rather flotilla, consisting of 7 small vessels. His particular object in going out was to intercept some of the enemy's transports. A few hours after leaving Sackett's Harbor, the enemy's principal ship, the Royal George, was discovered and chase given to her. The next morning the Royal George ran into the harbor of Kingston, Chauncey's flotilla pursuing her with the utmost audacity into the deepest part of the bay, where she was made fast to a wharf, and deserted by a portion of her crew. The flotilla now maintained a spirited action for half an hour with the ship and 5 shore batteries, when, as the enemy proved much stronger than had been anticipated, Chauncey hauled off. The loss on the American side was slight, while it was evident that the enemy suffered materially. From this time until December, when the navigation of the lake

closed, the squadron was constantly employed, cruising most of the time off Kingston. Shipbuilding was prosecuted very actively by both parties during the winter of 1812-'13, but by the enemy under superior advantages. The American side of the frontier was but little better than a wilderness; the roads were very imperfect, and in spring hardly passable. Consequently the transportation of supplies was extremely slow and difficult, and seamen brought from the sea-coast to the lakes contracted debilitating fevers, which were much aggravated by the want of proper quarters to receive them. In addition to these embarrassments, the public credit was much impaired, and Chauncey's operations were carried on by means of a depreciated currency. On April 25, 1813, the navigation of the lakes was considered safe, and the squadron, now consisting of 13 sail, went out, carrying a detachment of 1,700 soldiers, commanded by Gen. Pike. Chauncey's pennant was now borne by the Madison, a sloop of war of 24 guns, which had been built and equipped during the winter. The squadron anchored on the same day off York (now Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada, and the troops were landed in 2 hours, without material loss, the movement being covered by the fire of the vessels. The troops immediately moved to the assault, the squadron engaged the batteries, and the place soon surrendered. Gen. Pike was killed by an explosion, and the squadron suffered considerable loss. Chauncey's gallantry on this day was very conspicuous. He directed the movements of the squadron in person, pulling in his boat from vessel to vessel under the enemy's fire. The capture of York was attended with many important results. A vessel of 20 guns, on the stocks and nearly finished, was burned, a large amount of military and naval stores were destroyed, and a considerable quantity was saved and shipped to Sackett's Harbor. The place remained in possession of the Americans until May 1, when it was evacuated. On May 27 the squadron again cooperated with the land forces in the capture of Fort George, a very important post, which could not have been taken without naval aid. This event brought about an evacuation by the British of the whole Niagara frontier. During the whole of the summer of 1813 Commodore Chauncey was incessantly occupied in watching the enemy, and urging forward the ship-building at Sackett's Harbor. He had now 14 sail of vessels, 2 only of which, the Madison and Oneida, were suited to close action. A large corvette called the Pike, pierced for 26 long 24s, was commenced April 9, launched June 12, and early in August added to the squadron. On Sept. 7, while at anchor off the mouth of the Niagara river, the enemy's squadron, consisting of 6 sail, was discovered about 6 m. distant. Chase was immediately given, and for 6 days the American squadron followed the English, endeavoring to bring it to action without success. On the 11th a partial engagement

took place, but the enemy escaped, owing to his better sailing. On Sept. 27 the enemy was again discovered in York bay under canvas, and after considerable manoeuvring, Chauncey succeeded in bringing him to action at 10 minutes past 12. The Pike bore Com. Chauncey's flag on this occasion, and the manner in which she was manoeuvred and fought has ever since been a theme of admiration in the navy. Before the whole of the American squadron could fairly get into action, the English bore up, Chauncey following. The chase continued 2 hours, during which time the squadrons had nearly reached the head of the lake, where the English had a military post at Burlington bay. Chauncey, finding that the English ships outsailed most of his, made signal to haul off. As the enemy was beaten, and could have been destroyed had he been pressed, this order of Chauncey's has been much criticized; but had it not been given, both squadrons would have been driven ashore by a heavy easterly gale which was then coming on, and at a point where a strong British force was posted, by which the Americans would have been captured. On Oct. 5 Chauncey's squadron captured 5 of the enemy's ves'sels employed as transports, having on board a part of a British foreign regiment; 264 prisoners, including officers, were taken. For the rest of the season Chauncey was employed in watching the enemy at Kingston, and in aiding the army in its descent of the St. Lawrence. By Nov. 27 the navigation of the lake closed, and the squadron was laid up for the winter. From this time until June extreme activity prevailed at Sackett's Harbor. Two frigates, the Superior of 62, and the Mohawk of 42 guns, were built and launched; also 2 heavy brigs of 22 guns each. Every exertion was made to get the squadron ready by the middle of July, but sickness, which prevailed extensively among the mechanics, prevented it. Chauncey, who was subjected to great fatigue both of mind and body, was also taken ill, and confined to his bed for nearly a month. Reenforcements of officers and men arrived from the seaboard, and on the last day of July Chauncey was carried on board the Superior, and the squadron sailed. It consisted of 8 sail, including the 2 frigates and 2 heavy brigs, and carried an aggregate of 228 guns. On the 9th Chauncey appeared off Kingston, in which port he blockaded the squadron of Sir James Yeo for 6 weeks. With a view to induce the English to come out, he kept only 4 ships in the offing, being the number which composed their squadron, and even landed some of his guns to bring the vessels as near as possible to an equality. But the enemy did not see fit to hazard an engagement. This superiority continued with us until Oct. 15, and was of the greatest importance to the American military operations, which the squadron constantly aided by transporting troops, stores, &c. From the middle of October until the close of navigation, which occurred on the last of November,

the superiority on the lake was with the enemy, Sir James having added to his squadron the St. Lawrence ship of the line, of 112 guns and 1,100 men. The war of ship-building continued with unabated vigor during the winter of 1814-'15. The enemy commenced another ship of the line at Kingston, and preparations were made by the Americans to commence 2 ships of 102 guns each at Sackett's Harbor, Mr. Eckford engaging to launch them both in 60 days from the time he commenced taking the lumber from the forest. The news of peace came when one of these ships was about half completed. Had the war continued, Chauncey would have got out in the spring with a force of 2 sail of the line, 2 frigates, 2 corvettes, 4 brigs, and a large number of smaller vessels. At the same time the enemy had received the frames of several vessels from England, and had begun to set them up. During Chauncey's subsequent career in the navy he commanded the navy yard at New York at different times; also the squadron in the Mediterranean, the Washington ship of the line bearing his flag. He also served upon the board of navy commissioners, to the presidency of which he was appointed in June, 1833, and held this distinguished position at the time of his death. No officer of the navy ever served his country more ably and faithfully, and he was always regarded by his brother officers as a model of gallantry, energy, and consummate skill.

CHAUNCY. I. CHARLES, 2d president of Harvard college, and the ancestor of all who bear the name of Chauncy (or Chauncey) in the United States, born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1592, died Feb. 19, 1672. Educated at Westminster and Cambridge, he made the acquaintance of Archbishop Usher, and was appointed professor of Greek at Cambridge. Leaving that position soon after, he took the vicarage of Ware, Hertfordshire. His stern Puritanism involved him in a difficulty with the ecclesiastical judicatories on the publication of the "Book of Sports," and the introduction of railing out the communion table. He was imprisoned and fined for his denunciation of these acts of the church, and recanted, but soon repented of his recantation. He therefore determined to embark for New England, where he arrived a few days before the great earthquake, June 1, 1638. Here he was reordained, and for 3 years remained in Plymouth as assistant pastor to Mr. Reyner, and then took the pastoral charge of the church in Scituate, Mass. There he remained until the change in the ecclesiastical polity of England, when he resolved to return to his vicarage in Ware, which had invited him home. But the first president of Harvard college, Mr. Dunster, resigning just at that time, the office was offered to Mr. Chauncy and accepted (1654), which station he held until his death. He was not a voluminous writer, and a few theological works and a number of sermons are all that remain of him. He was zealous against wearing long hair, and baptizing tho