Part 21

Mandeville (Bernhard), b. Dort. 1670. He studied medicine, was made a doctor in Holland, and emigrated to London. In 1705 he published a poetical satire, The Grumbling Hive, or Knaves Turned Honest. In 1709, he published The Virgin Unmasked, and in 1723, Free Thoughts on Religion the Church and National Happiness. In the same year appeared his Fables of the Bees or Private Vices, Public Benefits. This work was presented by the grand jury of Middlesex, 1723 and 1728. It was attacked by Law, Berkeley, and others. Mandeville replied to Berkeley in A Letter to Dion, occasioned by a book called Alciphron, or the Minute Philosopher, 1732. He also wrote An Inquiry of Honor, and Usefulness of Christianity in War, 1731. Died, London, 19 Jan. 1733.

Mantegazza (Paolo), Italian anthropologist, b. Monza, 31 Oct. 1831. Studied medicine at Milan, Pisa, and Paria, and travelled considerably through Europe, and produced at Paris in 1854 his first book The Physiology of Pleasure. He has also written on the physiology of pain, spontaneous generation, anthropological works on Ecstacy, Love and other topics, and a fine romance Il Dio Ignoto, the unknown god (1876). Mantegazza is one of the most popular and able of Italian writers.

Manzoni (Romeo), Dr. Italian physician, b. Arogno, 1847, studied philosophy at Milan, and graduated at Naples. He has written on the doctrine of love of Bruno and Schopenhauer A Life of Jesus, also Il Prete, a work translated into German with the title Religion as a Pathological Phenomenon, etc.

Marchena (José), Spanish writer, b. Utrera, Andalusia, 1768. Brought up for the church, reading the writings of the French philosophers brought on him the Inquisition. He fled to France where he became a friend of Brissot and the Girondins. He wrote a pronounced Essai de Théologie, 1797, and translated into Spanish Molière's Tartufe, and some works of Voltaire. He translated Dupuis' Origine de tous les Cultes, became secretary to Murat, and died 10 Jan. 1821.

Marechal (Pierre Sylvain), French author, b. Paris, 15 Aug. 1750; was brought up to the Bar, which he quitted for the pursuit of literature. He was librarian to the Mazarin College, but lost his place by his Book Escaped from the Deluge, Psalms, by S. Ar. Lamech (anagram), 1784. This was a parody of the style of the prophets. In 1781 he wrote Le Nouveau Lucrece. In 1788 appeared his Almanack of Honest People, in which the name of Jesus Christ was found beside that of Epicurus. The work was denounced to Parliament, burnt at the hands of the hangman, and Maréchal imprisoned for four months. He welcomed the Revolution, and published a republican almanack, 1793. In 1797 and 1798 he published his Code of a Society of Men without God, and Free Thoughts on the Priests. In 1799 appeared his most learned work, Travels of Pythagoras in Egypt, Chaldea, India, Rome, Carthage, Gaul, etc. 6 vols. Into this fiction Maréchal puts a host of bold philosophical, political, and social doctrines. In 1800 he published his famous Dictionary of Atheists, which the Government prohibited and interdicted journals from noticing. In the following year appeared his For and Against the Bible. Died at Montrouge, 18 Jan. 1803. His beneficence is highly spoken of by Lalande.

Maret (Henry), French journalist and deputy, b. Santerre, 4 March, 1838. He ably combatted against the Empire, and edits Le Radical; was elected deputy in '81.

Marguerite, of Valois, Queen of Navarre, sister to Francis I. b. at Angouleme, 11 April, 1492. Deserves place for her protection to religious reformers. Died 21 Dec. 1549.

Marguetel de Saint Denis. See Saint Evremond (C.)

Mario (Alberto), Italian patriot, b. 3 June, 1825. He edited the Tribune and Free Italy, became aide-de-camp to Garibaldi and married Jessie White, an English lady. In '60 he wrote a polemic against the papacy entitled Slavery and Thought. Died 2 June, 1883.

Marlow (Christopher), English poet and dramatist, b. Canterbury, 8 Feb. 1564. Educated at Benet College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1587. He devoted himself to dramatic writing and according to some became an actor. He was killed in a brawl at Deptford, 1 June, 1593, in time to escape being tried on an information laid against him for Atheism and blasphemy. The audacity of his genius is displayed in Tamburlaine and Dr. Faustus. Of the latter, Goethe said "How greatly is it all planned." Swinburne says "He is the greatest discoverer, the most daring and inspired pioneer in all our poetic literature."

Marr (Wilhelm), German socialist, author of Religious Excursions, 1876, and several anti-Semitic tracts.

Marsais (Cesar Chesneau du). See Du Marsais.

Marselli (Niccola), Italian writer, b. Naples, 5 Nov. 1832. Author of advanced works on the Science of History, Nature and Civilisation, the Origin of Humanity, the Great Races of Humanity, etc.

Marston (Philip Bourke), English poet, b. London, 13 Aug. 1850. He became blind in childhood, and devoted to poetry. A friend of D. G. Rossetti, Swinburne, and Thomson, his poems are sad and sincere. Died 14 Feb. 1887, and was buried in accordance with his own wishes in unconsecrated ground at Highgate, and without religious service.

Marsy (François Marie de), b. Paris, 1714, educated as a Jesuit. He brought out an analysis of Bayle, 1755, for which he was confined in the Bastile. Died 16 Dec. 1763.

Marten (Henry), regicide, b. Oxford, 1602. Educated at Oxford, where he proceeded B.A., 1619. He was elected to Parliament in 1640, and expelled for his republican sentiments in 1643. He resumed his seat 6 Jan. 1646, took part in the civil war, sat as one of King Charles's judges, and became one of the Council of State. He proposed the repeal of the statute of banishment against the Jews, and when it was sought to expel all profane persons, proposed to add the words "and all fools." Tried for regicide 10 Oct. 1660, he was kept in Chepstow Castle till his death, Sep. 1680. Carlyle calls him "sworn foe of Cant in all its figures; an indomitable little Pagan if not better."

Martin (Emma), English writer and lecturess, b. Bristol, 1812. Brought up as a Baptist, she, for a time, edited the Bristol Magazine. She wrote the Exiles of Piedmont and translated from the Italian the Maxims of Guicciardini. The trials of Holyoake and Southwell for blasphemy led her to inquire and embrace the Freethought cause. While Holyoake and Paterson were in gaol, Mrs. Martin went about committing the "crime" for which they were imprisoned. In '43 she published Baptism A Pagan Rite. This was followed by Tracts for the People on the Bible no Revelation, Religion Superseded, Prayer, God's Gifts and Men's Duties, a conversation on the being of God, etc. She also lectured and wrote on the Punishment of Death, to which she was earnestly opposed. Died Oct. 1851.

Martin (Bon Louis Henri), French historian, b. St. Quentin, 20 Feb. 1810. He was sent to Paris to study law, but abandoned it for history. His History of France, in nineteen vols. (1838-53), is a monumental work of erudition. A confirmed Republican, he warmly opposed the Second Empire and after its fall became member of the National Assembly, '71, and senator, '76. He was elected member of the Academy, '78. In addition to his historical works he contributed to le Siecle, la Liberté de penser, and l'Encyclopédie Nouvelle, etc. Died 14 Dec. 1883.

Martin (Louis), author of Les Evangiles Sans Dieu (called by Victor Hugo cette noble page), Paris, 1887, describes himself as an Atheist Socialist.

Martin (Louis Auguste). French writer, b. Paris, 25 April, 1811, editor of the Morale Independante and member of the Institute of Geneva. For his True and False Catholics ('58), he was fined three thousand francs and imprisoned for six months. He published the Annuaire Philosophique. Several of his works are placed on the Roman Index. Died Paris, 6 April, 1875.

Martinaud (M.), an ex-abbé who refused ordination, and wrote Letters of a young priest, who is an Atheist and Materialist, to his bishop, Paris, 1868, in which he says, "Religion is the infancy of peoples, Atheism their maturity."

Martineau (Harriet), b. Norwich 12 June, 1803, descended from a Huguenot family. Brought up as a Unitarian, she began writing Devotional Exercises for Young Persons, and, taking to literature as a means of living, distinguished herself by popularisations of political economy. The Letters on the Laws of Man's Nature and Development, which passed between her and H. G. Atkinson, appeared in '51, and disclosed her advance to the Positivist school of Thought. In '53 she issued a condensed account of Comte's philosophy. She wrote a History of England during the Thirty Years' Peace, and numerous other works. Died at Ambleside 27 June, 1876. Her Autobiography, published after her death, shows the full extent of her unbelief.

Masquerier (Lewis), American land reformer of Huguenot descent, b. 1 March, 1802. Wrote The Sataniad, established Greenpoint Gazette, and contributed to the Boston Investigator. Died 7 Jan. 1888.

Massenet (Jules Emile Fréderic), French musical composer, b. Montard, 12 May, 1842. Has written a daring and popular oratorio on Marie Magdeleine, and an opera, Herodiade.

Massey (Gerald), poet and archæologist, b. of poor parents at Tring, in Herts, 29 May, 1828. At eight years of age he was sent to a factory to earn a miserable pittance. At the age of fifteen he came to London as an errand boy, read all that came in his way, and became a Freethinker and political reformer. Inspired by the men of '48, he started The Spirit of Freedom, '49. It cost him five situations in eleven months. In '53 his Ballad of Babe Christabel, with other Lyrical Poems at once gave him position as a poet of fine taste and sensibility. Mr. Massey devoted himself to the study of Egyptology, the result of which is seen in his Book of Beginnings and Natural Genesis, '81-83, in which he shows the mythical nature of Christianity. Mr. Massey has also lectured widely on such subjects as Why Don't God Kill the Devil? The Historical Jesus and the Mythical Christ, The Devil of Darkness in the Light of Evolution, The Coming Religion, etc. His poems are being re-published under the title My Lyrical Life.

Massey (James). See Tyssot. (S.)

Massol (Marie Alexandre), French writer, b. Beziers, 18 March, 1805. He studied under Raspail, went to Paris in '30 and became a Saint Simonian. In '48 he wrote on Lamennais' La Réforme, and on the Voix du Peuple with his friend Proudhon, to whom he became executor. In '65 he established La Morale Independante with the object of showing morality had nothing to do with theology. Died at Paris 20 April, 1875.

Maubert de Gouvest (Jean Henri), French writer, b. Rouen, 20 Nov. 1721. Brought up as a monk, he fled and took service in the Saxon army. He was thrown into prison by the King of Poland, but the Papal nuncio procured his release on condition of retaking his habit. This he did and went to Rome to be relieved of his vows. Failing this he went to Switzerland and England, where he was well received by Lord Bolingbroke. He published Lettres Iroquoises, Irocopolis, 1752, and other anonymous works. At Frankfort in 1764 he was arrested as a fugitive monk and vagabond, and was imprisoned eleven months. Died at Altona, 21 Nov. 1767.

Maudsley (Henry), M.D., b. near Giggleswick, Yorkshire, 5 Feb. 1835. Educated at London University, where he graduated M.D. in 1857. Taking mental pathology as his speciality, he soon reached eminence in his profession. From '69-'79 he was professor of medical jurisprudence at University College, London. His works on The Physiology and Pathology of the Mind ('67), Body and Mind ('70), Responsibility in Mental Disease ('73), and Body and Will ('83) have attracted much attention. His Natural Laws and Supernatural Seemings ('80) is a powerful exposure of the essence of all superstition.

Mauvillon (Jakob von), b. Leipzig, 8 March, 1743. Though feeble in body, he had a penchant for the army, and joined the engineer corps of Hanover, and afterwards became lieutenant-colonel in the service of the Duke of Brunswick. A friend and admirer of Mirabeau, he defended the French Revolution in Germany. He wrote anonymously Paradoxes Moraux (Amsterdam, 1768) and The Only True System of the Christian Religion (Berlin, 1787), at first composed under the title of False Reasonings of the Christian Religion. Died in Brunswick, 11 Jan. 1794.

Mazzini (Giuseppe), Italian patriot, b. Genoa, 28 June 1808. In '26 he graduated LL.D., in the University of Genoa, and plunged into politics, becoming the leader of Young Italy, with the object of uniting the nation. Condemned to death in '33, he went to Switzerland and was expelled, then came to England in '37. In '48 he returned, and in March '49 was made triumvir of Rome with Saffi and Armellini. Compelled, after a desperate resistance, to retire, he returned to London. He wrote in the Westminster Review and other periodicals and his works are numerous though mostly of a political character. They are distinguished by highmindedness, love of toleration and eloquence. Carlyle called Mazzini "a man of genius and virtue, a man of sterling veracity, humanity and nobleness of mind." Died at Pisa 10 March, 1872. He was a Deist.

Meissner (Alfred), German poet, b. Teplitz, 15 Oct. 1822. Has written Ziska, an epic poem, The Son of Atta Troll, Recollections of Heine, etc. Died Teplitz, 20 May, 1885.

Meister (Jacques Henri), Swiss writer, b. Bückeburg, 6 Aug. 1744. Intended for a religious career, he went to France, and became acquainted with D'Holbach and Diderot, of whom he wrote a short life, and was secretary to Grimm. He wrote the Origin of Religious Principles, 1762, and Natural Morality, 1787.

Menard (Louis), French author and painter, b. Paris, 1822. In '48-'49 he wrote Prologue of a Revolution, for which he was obliged to leave France. Has written on Morality before the Philosophers, '60, Studies on the Origin of Christianity, '67, and Freethinkers' Religious Catechism, '75.

Mendoza (Diego Hurtado de), famous and learned Spanish author, b. of distinguished family, Granada, 1503. Intended for the church, he studied Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Hebrew, but on leaving the university he joined the army. At school he wrote his well known comic novel, Lazarillo de Tormes, which was condemned by the Inquisition. Sent on an embassy to Pope Paul III., the latter was greatly shocked at his audacity and vehemence of speech. His chief work is his History of the Moorish Wars, which remained unprinted thirty years, through the intolerant policy of Philip II. Mendoza's satires and burlesques were also prohibited by the Inquisition. He commented Aristotle and translated his Mechanics. Died at Valladolid, April, 1575.

Mendum (Josiah P.), publisher and proprietor of the Boston Investigator, b. Kennebunk, Maine, 7 July, 1811. He became a printer, and in 1833 became acquainted with Abner Kneeland and after his imprisonment engaged to print the Investigator, and when Kneeland left Boston for the West to recruit his health, he carried on the paper together with Mr. Horace Seaver. Mr. Mendum was one of the founders of the Paine Memorial Hall, Boston, and a chief support of Freethought in that city.

Mentelle (Edme), French geographer and historian, b. Paris, 11 Oct. 1730. Studied at the College de Beauvais under Crévier. His Précis de l'Histoire des Hébreux (1798), and Précis de l'Histoire Universelle are thoroughly anti-Christian. He doubted if Jesus ever existed. He was a member of the Institute and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. Died at Paris, 28 Dec. 1815.

Mercier (L. A.), author of La Libre Pensée, Brussels, 1879.

Meredith (Evan Powell), Welsh writer, author of The Prophet of Nazareth (1864), an able work exposing the prophecies of Jesus, and Amphilogia, a reply in to the Bishop of Landaff and the Rev. J. F. Francklin, '67.

Meredith (George), philosophical poet and novelist, b. Hampshire, 1828, and educated partly on the Continent. Intended for the law, he adopted literature in preference. He first appeared as a poet with Poems ('51). Of his powerful novels we mention the Ordeal of Richard Feveril ('59), Emilia in England ('64), now Sandra Belloni, with Vittoria ('66) for a sequel. Rhoda Fleming, Beauchamp's Career ('76), The Egoist ('79), The Tragic Comedians ('81) and Diana of the Crossways ('85). Deep thought and fine grace characterise his writings. As a poet Mr. Meredith is not popular, but his volumes of verse are marked by the highest qualities, and give him a place apart from the throng of contemporary singers.

Merimee (Prosper), learned French writer, b. Paris, 28 Sept. 1808, author of numerous essays and romances. Was made Inspector General of Historic Monuments and was admitted to the Academy in '44. In his anonymous brochure on H(enri) B(eyle), Eleutheropolis (Brussels), '64, there is an open profession of Atheism. Died at Cannes, 23 Sept. 1870.

Merritt (Henry), English painter and writer, b. Oxford, 8 June, 1822. On coming to London he lived with Mr. Holyoake, and contributed to the Reasoner, using the signature "Christopher." He wrote on Dirt and Pictures and Robert Dalby and his World of Troubles, etc. Died in London, 10 July, 1877.

Meslier or Mellier (Jean), curé of Etrepigny, Champagne, b. Mazerny, Rethelois, 15 June, 1664. Died in 1729. After his death a will was discovered of which he had made three copies, in which he repudiated Christianity and requested to be buried in his own garden. His property he left to his parishioners. Voltaire published it under the title of Extract from the sentiments of Jean Meslier. To Meslier has been attributed the work entitled Le Bon Sens, written by Baron D'Holbach. Le Testament de Jean Meslier has been published in three volumes at Amsterdam, 1864, preceded by a study by Rudolf Charles (R. C. d'Ablaing van Giessenburg). It calls in question all the dogmas of Christianity. Anacharsis Clootz proposed to the National Convention to erect a statue to this "honest priest."

Metchnikov (Léon), Russian writer in French; author of a work on Japan and of able articles, notably one on Christian Communion in the Revue Internationale des Sciences Biologiques, tome 12.

Metrodorus of Lampsacus. Greek philosopher, b. 330 B.C., a disciple and intimate friend of Epicurus. He wrote numerous works, the titles of which are preserved by Diogenes Laertius. Died B.C. 277.

Mettrie, see La Mettrie.

Meunier (Amédée Victor), French writer, b. Paris, 2 May, 1817. Has done much to popularise science by his Scientific Essays, 1851-58, the Ancestors of Adam, '75, etc.

Meyer (Lodewijk), a Dutch physician, a friend and follower of Spinoza, who published Exercitatio Paradoxa on the philosophical interpretation of scripture, Eleutheropoli (Amst.), 1666. This has been wrongly attributed to Spinoza. It was translated into Dutch in 1667. He is also credited with Lucii Antistic Constantes, de jure ecclesiasticorum. Alethopoli (Amst.), 1665. This work is also attributed to another writer, viz. P. de la Court.

Mialhe (Hippolyte), French writer, b. Roquecourbe (Tarn), 1834. From '60-62 he was with the French army of occupation at Rome. He has organised federations of Freethinkers in France, edited L'Union des Libres-Penseurs, and has written Mémoires d'un libre Penseur (Nevers, 1888).

Michelet (Jules), French historian, b. Paris, 21 Aug. 1798. Became a Professor of History in 1821. Has written a History of France and of the French Revolution; The Jesuits, with his friend Quinet, '43; The Priest, Woman and the Family, '44; The Sorceress, dealing with witchcraft in the Middle Ages, '62; The Bible of Humanity, '64. His lectures were interdicted by the Government of Louis Phillippe, and after the coup d'état he was deprived of his chair. All Michelet's works glow with eloquence and imagination. He never forgot that he was a republican and Freethinker of the nineteenth century. Died at Hyères, 9 Feb. 1874.

Michelet (Karl Ludwig), German philosopher of French family, b. Berlin, 4 Dec. 1801. In '29 he became Professor of Philosophy. A disciple of Hegel, he edited his master's works, '32. His principle work is A System of Philosophy as an Exact Science, '76-81. He has also written on the relation of Herbert Spencer to German philosophy.

Middleton (Conyers), Freethinking clergyman, b. York 1683. His Letters from Rome, 1729, showed how much Roman Christianity had borrowed from Paganism, and his Free Inquiry into the Miraculous Powers supposed to have subsisted in the Christian Church, 1749, was a severe blow to hitherto received "Christian Evidences." He also wrote a classic Life of Cicero. Died at Hildersham near Cambridge, 28 July, 1750.

Mignardi (G.), Italian writer, who in 1884 published Memorie di un Nuovo Credente (Memoirs of a New Believer).

Milelli (Domenico), Italian poet, b. Catanzaro, Feb. 1841. His family intended to make him a priest, but he turned out a rank Pagan, as may be seen in his Odi Pagane, '79, Canzonieri, '84, and other works.

Mill (James), philosopher and historian, b. Northwaterbridge, Montrose, 6 April, 1773. Studied at Edinburgh, and distinguished himself by his attainments in Greek and moral philosophy. He was licensed as preacher in the Scotch Church, but removed to London in 1800, and became editor of the Literary Review, and contributed to the reviews. He published, '17-'19, his History of British India. He contributed many articles to the fifth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. A friend of Bentham, he wrote largely in the Westminster Review, and did much to forward the views of Philosophic Radicalism. His Analysis of the Human Mind, '39, is a profound work. In religion he was a complete sceptic. Reading Bishop Butler's Analogy made him an Atheist. Died 23 June, 1836.

Mill (John Stuart), eminent English writer, son of the preceding, b. London, 20 May, 1806. Educated by his father without religion, he became clerk in the East India House, and early in life contributed to the Westminster and Edinburgh Reviews. Of the first he became joint editor in '35. His System of Logic, '43, first made him generally known. This was followed by his Principles of Political Economy. In '59 appeared his small but valuable treatise On Liberty, in which he defends the unrestricted free discussion of religion. Among subsequent works were Utilitarianism, '63; Auguste Comte and Positivism, '67; Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy '65; Dissertations and Discussions, '59-'75; and the Subjection of Women, '69. In '65 he was elected to Parliament for Westminster, but lost his seat in '68. In '67 he was chosen Rector of St. Andrews, and delivered the students an able address. Prof. Bain says "in everything characteristic of the creed of Christendom he was a thorough-going negationist. He admitted neither its truth nor its utility." Died at Avignon, 8 May, 1873, leaving behind his interesting Autobiography and three essays on "Nature," "Theism," and "Religion."

Mille (Constantin), Roumanian writer, b. at Bucharest, educated at Paris. He lectured at Jassy and Bucharest on the History of Philosophy, from a Materialistic point of view. He was also active with Codreano, and after the latter's death ('77), in spreading Socialism. Millé contributes to the Rivista Sociala and the Vütorul, edited by C. Pilitis.