JEAN - PAUL MARAT THE PEOPLES FRIEND BY ERNEST BELFORT BAX Author
of Handbook of the History of Philosophy, -Religion of Socialism
Ethics of Socialism etc. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON SMALL, MAYNARD
COMPANY LONDON GRANT RICHARDS CHAPTER I MARATS EARLY YEARS
JEAN-PAUL MARAT, or Mara, the t having been added to give the name
a French look, was born at the village of Boudry, on the lake of
Neuchatel, the present Swiss canton of that name being then a fief
of the Prussian crown. The register of his birth and baptism is as
follows Jean-Paul Mara, son of M. Jean-Paul Mara, proselyte of
Cagliari, in Sardinia, and of Mme. Louise Cabrol, of Geneva, was
born on the 24th of May, and has been baptized on the 8th of June,
1743, having no godfather and having for godmother Mme. Cabrol,
grandmother of the infant. His father thus belonged to the popu
lation of mixed race and Italian speech inhabit ing one of the most
interesting insular seats of early European civilisation. He was
made a citizen of Geneva on the loth of March 1741, having
renounced his hereditary faith in favour of the Calvinism of his
adopted city. The name Mara, taken in conjunction with his native
country, suggests some interesting EARLY YEARS 17 ever, and called
himself M. de Boudry, after his native place. The elder sister
Marie was born at Boudry in 1746. The year after his marriage, the
elder Mara, having obtained a position in a manufactory of Indian
stuffs at Boudry, near the town of Neu chatel, as designer or
chemist, or possibly in both capacities, migrated thither with his
wife. His employment for some reason or other com ing to an end, he
moved in 1754 to the neigh bouring town of Neuchatel. The registers
at this place forthat year contain a notice to the effect that the
sieur Jean Mara, native of Cagliari in Sardinia, proselyte,
designer, and master of the Italian and Spanish languages, having
sought the right of domicile in the town, his request was adjourned
for authentic certificates of his good - conduct. These must have
proved satisfactory, as we shortly after wards find him admitted as
an inhabitant with full rights. His occupation now was that of
professor of languages. Here was born his son David, whose, baptism
is recorded for th, e date 2 ist February 1756, An indication of
the good repute in which the family stood is afforded by the fact
that the godfather and god mother were M David Huguenin, Councillor
of State and Chancellor, and his wife. The Huguenins are, it may be
mentioned, a very old stock of NeucMtel. Charlotte - Albertine Mara
was born here in 1760, and Jean-Pierre in 1767. 1 8 MARAT In 17685
shortly after the disturbances in which the Advocate - General lost
his life, Marats father left the town and returned to the city of
his adoption, Geneva, apparently with the hope of bettering his
position. The Mara family left enemies behind them, how ever, for
they had not long arrived when the following letter was received by
Mme. Mara NEUCHATEL, tyh March 1768. MADAM As you have the most
diabolical tongue that we have ever had in our town, and as you are
a notorious liar and slanderer, who are never tired of injuring
your neighbours by your tongue, I shall take care to make you known
at Geneva. I have already written to different persons, and have
painted you in your true colours, as also your children, who
resemble you. Your one-eyed son apparently David is a notorious
ragamuffin. It ishe who did the most injury to the Advocate -
General. Yes, I say once more that you are a notorious liar, a most
evil tongue, a slanderess, a woman of no character, whom every one
despises, and who is only too despicable. Your husband is no
better. He is a downright hypocrite and canting humbug caffard.
Adieu. Alter your conduct. I have forgotten to tell you that
everywhere I can I shall expose you...
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