Louis De Cormontaigne

Louis De Cormontaigne, a French military engineer, born about 1695, died Oct. 20, 1752. He entered the corps of engineers in 1713. Between 1734 and 1744 he directed the sieges of Trarbach, Philippsburg, Menin, Ypres, La Knoque, Furnes, and Freiburg. He was afterward employed in surveying the fortifications of France, and in superintending the erection of new works at Strasburg, Metz, Bitsch, and Thionville. He attained the rank of marechal-de-camp, and was the author of improvements on Yauban's system of fortification.

Louis Dominique Cartouche

Louis Dominique Cartouche, a French robber, born in Paris about 1093, executed Nov. 28, 1721. He organized a band of desperadoes, whose robberies and murders spread terror among the Parisians. For years, notwithstanding a high price had been put on his head, he baffled the police, and was arrested by mere chance in a cabaret. His trial, which lasted for several months, created a deep sensation; and an immense crowd gathered to witness his execution, He was broken on the wheel alive; but to the last moment the public and himself were under the impression that he would be rescued by his companions.

Louis Dor

Louis D'Or, a French gold coin, first struck under Louis XIII. in 1641. It has fluctuated in value, but subsequent to 1785 was coined at the rate of 36 1/4 to the mark of gold 22 carats fine, having an intrinsic value of about 20s. sterling ($4 86). These ceased to be legal coins in France as early as 1726, but they still circulated in Germany and Switzerland. Upon the return of the Bourbons in 1814 coins struck by Louis XVIII. in imitation of the napoleons were called louis, or louis d'or; and this name is sometimes given to the same coin struck by Louis Philippe.

Louis Emmanuel Jadin

Louis Emmanuel Jadin, a French composer, born at Versailles, Sept. 21, 1768, died in Paris in July, 1853. He received instruction in music from his father and brother, and in 1802 became a professor at the Paris conservatory, and in 1814 governor of the king's musical pages. His compositions are very numerous, including 39 operas and operettas, many pieces for military orchestra, a great variety of chamber music for reed and stringed instruments, and compositions for piano alone. The whole number of his works was 74. Though popular in their day, they have fallen into oblivion.

Louis Etienne Ernest Reyer

Louis Etienne Ernest Reyer, a French composer, whose real name is Rey, born in Marseilles, Dec. 1, 1823. He was employed in the civil service at Algiers till 1848. His Le Sé-lam, for which Gautier wrote the words, was successfully performed in 1850, and in 1854 appeared his comic opera Maître Wolfram. His subsequent works comprise Sacountala, a ballet, and the opera of La statue. His Éro-strate was less successful. His latest work is Souvenirs d'Allemagne (1875).

Louis Eugene Marie Bautain

Louis Eugene Marie Bautain, a French philosopher and theologian, born in Paris, Feb. 17, 1796, died Oct. 18, 1867. When only 20 years old he was appointed professor of philosophy at Strasburg, where he acquired reputation for his learning and eloquence. Ordained a priest in 1828, he became director of the seminary. In 1830 he resigned his professorship, but was eight years later elected dean of the literary faculty of Strasburg, in which capacity he continued till 1849. He then became superintendent of the college of Juilly, and was subsequently vicar general of Paris and professor in the theological faculty of that city. He published Psychologie experirnentale (2 vols., 1839), Philosophic morale (2 vols., 1840), Conferences sur la religion et la liberie (1848), and other works.