Charles Pierre Chapsal

Charles Pierre Chapsal, a French grammarian, born in Paris in 1787, died near Joinville-le-Pont, department of the Seine, in 1858. His principal work, jointly with Francois Joseph Noel, Nouvelle gramma ire francaise, arec ex-eirices, passed from 1823 to 1858 through over 40 editions, having been adopted as a standard school book, and still used to some extent, though eclipsed by more recent grammars. He became wealthy by his writings, purchased the chateau de Polangis, devoted himself to charity, and bequeathed 80,000 francs to the teachers in the outskirts of Paris.

Charles Pincan Duclos

Charles Pincan Duclos, a French author, born in Dinan, Brittany, Feb. 12, 1704, died in Paris, March 26, 1772. The first work which gained him reputation was his Histoire de la baronne de Luz (1741). His Histoire de Louis XI. was suppressed by the government in 1745. In 1750 he became historiographer of France. A collection of moral essays, entitled Considerations sur les moeurs de ce siecle, is the chief basis of his reputation. His writings have been collected and several times republished (10 vols. 8vo, Paris, 1806; 3 vols. 8vo, 1821).

Charles Pratt

See Camden, Earl.

Charles Richardson

Charles Richardson, an English philologist, born in July, 1775, died at Feltham, Middlesex, Oct. 6, 1865. In 1815 appeared his "Illustrations of English Philology," in which he advocated the principles set forth by Horne Tooke. He undertook the lexicographical portion of the "Encyclopaedia Metropolitana," the first part appearing in January, 1818; but after the issue of the fourth part the work was suspended for some years. The publication of the dictionary as a separate work was commenced in January, 1835, and finished at the end of 1837 (2 vols. 4to). He also published a volume "On the Study of Languages" (12mo, 1854), an exposition of the principles laid down in the "Diversions of Purley".

Charles River

Charles River, a stream rising in Worcester co., Mass., and flowing through Norfolk and Middlesex counties into Boston harbor. The towns on its banks are Hopkinton, Milford, Bellingham, Franklin, Medway, Medfield, Sherburne, Dover, Dedham, Needham, Natick, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Brighton, and Cambridge. It affords numerous sites for mills and factories, and is navigable to Watertown, 7 m. W. of Boston. The lower part of its course is the favorite training place of the boat clubs of Harvard university. It is now (1873) proposed to draw from the upper part of this river an additional supply of water for Boston.

Charles Riviere Dufresny

Charles Riviere Dufresny, a French dramatist, born in Paris in 1648, died there, Oct. 6, 1724. He was descended from Henry IV. by one of the mistresses of that monarch, known as la belle jardiniere. He enjoyed the favor of Louis XIV., wrote some excellent comedies, and had great skill as a landscape gardener. Among his most successful comedies are L'esprit de contradiction, La coquette de village, and Le faux sincere. His Poesies diverses are also praised. A selection of his works was published at Paris in 2 vols. in 1810.