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missions ^rang^res par quelques missionnalres de la Compagnie de J^sus^'. The first eiffht series were by
PIre le Gobien, the later ones by Fathers Du Halde,
Patouillet, Geoffroy, and Marshal. The collection
was printed in thirty-six vols, duodecimo (Paris, 1703-
76), and reissued in 1780-81 by Fathers Yves, de
Querbeux, and Brotier in twenty-six vols, duodecimo,
unfortunately omitting the valuable prefaces. New
editions appeared in 1819, 1829-32, and 1838-43.
One abridgment in four vols, octavo, was entitled
"Panth^n Litt^raire", by L. Aim€ Martin (1834-43).
A partial English translation came out in London in
1714. The publication incited the Austrian Jesuit
St5cklein to undertake his " Neuer Welt Bott " (about
1720), at first considered merely a translation, but
soon an independent and particularly valuable col-
lection (five vols., folio in forty parts) substantially
completing the "Lettres Edifiantes" (see Kath. Mis-
sionen, 1904-05).
SoMiiBRVOGRL, Bibl. de la Cotnp. de Jraua, s. v. Oobien; de GuiLBBRMT, Minoloffe de la Comp, de Jtaue, I (Paris, 1892), 324; Now. biogr. gin., XXX (Pana. 1883), 40;i; Feller, Diet. hUl., IV. 82. A. HUONDER.
LMfimnd, Louis, French theologian and noted doc- tor of the Sorbonne, b. in Burgundv at Lusigny-sur- Ouche, 12 June, 1711, d. at Issy (Paris), 21 July, 1780. After studying philosophv and theology at St. Sul- pice, Paris, he taught philosophy at Clermont, 1733- 1736, resumed his studies at Paris, where he entered the Society of St. Sulpice in 1739 and obtained the licentiate in 1740, professed theolo^ at Cambrai, 1740-1743, was superior of the seminary of Autun, 1743-1745, and having been recalled to Paris received the doctorate in theolo^ from the Sorbonne in 1746. Henceforth he remain^ at the seminary of St. Sul- [nce in various emplo3rments. Appointed director of studies in 1767 he exercised in this capacity a great influence over the brightest young ecclesiastics of France, who were preparing to take their degrees at the Sorbonne. As a doctor of the Sorbonne he was called upon to take a prominent part in framing the decisions and censures of the theological faculty; in that time of intense opposition to Christian dogma no (]uestion of importance was decided by the Sorbonne, it is said, without consulting M. Legrand. It was he who wrote the condemnation of Jean-Jacques Rous- seau's *' Emile", which has been accounted a remark- able analysis and refutation of that celebrated work,
- ' learned, exact, well thought out, deep, and singu-
larly clear" (reprinted in Migne's Theologiae Cuiius Completus ", II, col. 1 1 1 1-1248) . Unfortunately, Le- grand's condemnation is forgotten or little read, while the genius of Rousseau has made " Emile" im- mortal. IjCgrand also drafted the censures of Marmon- tel's "B^lisaire" and Pdre Berruyer's "Histoire du Peuple de Dieu", which, like the censure of "Eroile", were regarded by divines as model expositions of theo- logical knowledge and clear thinking. He helped to tLvisTt a censure from Buffon's "Epoques de la Na- ture", in consideration of the author's retraction. Le- grand's moderation and kindliness gained the esteem and good will of both Buffon and Marmontel. Nearly all the writings of Legrand, most of which, however, are his only in part, have had the honour of being se- lected by Migne in his "Theologise Cursus Comple- tus". The most important are: Prselectiones The-' ologics de Deo ac divinis attributis", a work by La Fosse baaed on Toum^ly's treatise, re-edited by Le- grand, who added about 400 pages of additional mat- ter. It is still considered a very solid and valuable treatise; reprinted in Migne. VII. ^'Tractatus de In- camatione Verbi Di vini " (in Migne, IX) , also based on Tounifily ; a work of high value. Parts of his " Trac- tatus de Ecclesia" have been reproduced by Migne in his "ScriptuTBB Sacras Cureus Completus", IV. Le- KFBpd lert a posthumous treatise, ** De Existentia ud " (PtunSf 1812), which, though unfinished, is con-
sidered equally remarkable for the depth of its doc-
trine and the clearness of its arguments".
BKtnnAitDtHisloirelUtfrairedela Compaonie de StSulpiee, I
g*aris, 1900), gives the complete list of Legrand's writings; ONTAioNB, Notice prefixed to the above mentioned treatise De Existentia Dei (Paris. 1812).
John F. Fenlon.
Le Gras, Louise de Mahillac, Venerable, foim- dress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, b. at Paris, 12 August, 1501, daughter of Louis de Maril- lac, Lordof Femdres, and MargueriteLeCamus ; d. there, 15 March, 1660. Her mother having died soon after the birth of Louise, the education of the latter de- volved upon her father, a man of blameless life. In her earlier years she was confided to the care of her aimt, a religious at Poissy. Afterwards she studied under a preceptress, devoting much time to the culti- vation of the arts. Her fatner's serious disposition was reflected in the daughter's taste for philosophv and kindred subjects. When about sixteen years old, Louise developed a strong desire to enter the Capu- chinesses (Daughters of the Passion). Her spiritual director dissuaded her, however, and, her father hav- ing died, it became necessary to decide her vocation. Interpreting her director's advice, she accepted the hand of Antoine Le Gras, a young secretary imder Maria de' Medici. A son was bom of this marriage on 13 October, 1613, and to his education Mile Le Gras devoted herself during the years of his childhood. Of works of charity she never wearied. In 1619 she be- came acquainted with St. Francis de Sales, who was then in Paris, and Mgr Le Camus, Bishop of Belley, became her spiritual adviser. Troubled by the thought that she had rejected a call to the religious state, she vowed in 1623 not to remarry should her husband die before her.
M. Le Gras died on 21 Dec, 1625, after a long ill- ness. In the meantime his wife had made the ac- quaintance of a priest known as M. Vincent (St. Vin- cent de Paul), wno had been appointed superior of the Visitation Monastery by St. Francis de Sales. She placed herself under his direction, probably early in 1625. His influence led her to associate herself with his work among the poor of Paris, and especially in the extension of the Confr^rie de la Charit<S, an association which he had founded for the relief of the sick poor. It was this labour which decided her life's work, the founding of the Sisters of Charity. The history of the evolution of this institute, in which Mile Le Gras plays so prominent a part, has been given elsewhere (see Charfty, Sisters of) ; it suffices here to say that, with formal ecclesiastical and state recognition. Mile Le Gras' life-work received its assurance of suc- cess. Her death occurred in 1600, a few months bo- fore the death of St. Vincent, with whose labours she had been so closely united. The process of her beatifi- cation has been inaugurated at Rome.
Baunard, La VM/rable Louise de Mariflac (Paris, 1904) ; Life of Mademoiaelle Le Gras (New York, 1884); Archives of the Oongregatioh of the Mission (Paris).
Joseph S. Glass.
Le Hir, Arthur-Marie, Biblical scholar and Orien- talist; b. at Morlaix (Finist<»rre), in the Diocese of Quimper, France, 5 Dec, 1811; d. at Paris, 13 Jan., 1868. Entering the seminary of St. Sulpice, Paris, in 1833, he joined uie Sulpicians after ordination, and was appointed professor of theology. He was then made professor of Sacred Scripture and also of Hebrew, to which branches he had been thoroughlv formed by Gamier, a scholar, says Renan, *' who had a very solid knowledge of languages and the most complete knowl- edge of exegesis of any Catholic in France" (Souven- irs d'enfance et de jeunesse, 269). Le Hir continued in this teaching till his death, about thirty years later, and through his own work and that of his pupil, Renan. he influenced powerfully the revival of Biblical and Oriental studies in France. Renan regarded him as
