RAPIN DE THOTRAS (Paul de), a celebrated historian, the son of James Rapin, lord of Thoyras, was born at Castres in 1661. After being educated under a tutor in his father's house, he was sent to Puy Laurens, and thence to Saumur. In 1669 he returned to his father, studied the law, and was admitted an advocate: but, reflect ing that his being a Protestant would prevent his advancement at the bar, he resolved to quit the law, and apply himself to the sword; but his father would not consent to it. The revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, and the death of his father, which happened two months after, made him come to England; but he soon after went to Holland, and enlisted himself in the company of French volunteers at Utrecht, commanded by M. Rapin, his cousin-german. He attended the prince of Orange into England in 1688; and in 1689 lord Kingston made him an ensign in his regiment, with which he went into Ireland, where he gained the esteem of his officers at the siege of Carrickfergus, and had soon a lieutenant's commission. He was present at the battle of the Boyne, and was shot through the shoulder at the siege of Limerick. He was soon after captain of the company in which he had been ensign; but, in 1693, resigned it to one of his brothers, in order to be tutor to the earl of Portland's son. In 1699 he married Marianne Testard; but this neither abated his care of his pupil, nor prevented his accompanying him in his travels. Having finished his employment, he returned to his family, which he had settled at the Hague; and here he continued some years. But, as he found his family increase, he resolved to retire to some cheap country; and accordingly removed, in 1707, to Wesel, where he wrote his History of England, and some other pieces. Though he was of a strong constitution, yet seventeen years close application (in composing that history) entirely ruined his health. He died in 1725. He wrote in French, Dissertation on the Whigs and Tories. 2. His History of England, printed at the Hague in 1726 and 1727, in 9 vols., 4to., and reprinted at Trevoux in 1728, in 10 vols. 4to. This last edition is more complete than that of the Hague. It has been translated into English, and improved with notes, by the Rev. Mr. Tindal, in 2 vols. folio. Lord Gardenstone observes, that Mr. Hume has branded him as an author the most despicable both in style and matter.' 'The censure (adds his lordship) is invidious and unjust. His work contains an immense multitude of interesting circumstances wholly omitted by the Scottish author. From his situation, a classical composition was not to be expected. He wrote a more complete general history of England than had ever appeared in this country; and, whatever be his faults, it would be ungenerous to deny his uncommon merit.' Gard. Miscell. p. 203. 1. A RA'PINE, n. s. Fr. rapine; Lat. rapina. The act of plundering: violence; force. If the poverty of Scotland might, yet the plenty of England cannot, excuse the envy and rapine of the church's rights. King Charles. The logic of a conquering sword may silence, but convince it cannot; its efficacy rather breeds averVOL. XVIII.-PART 2. sion and abborrence of religion, whose first address is in blood and rapine. Decay of Piety. RAPP (John), a modern French general, was born of an obscure family at Colmar in 1772, and entered upon a military life in 1788. Having become a lieutenant, in the tenth regiment of chasseurs, he served as aid-de-camp to Dessaix in the campaigns of 1796 and 1797, and afterwards in Egypt. After the battle of Marengo he became aid-de-camp to Buonaparte; and in 1802 was employed in the subjugation of Switzerland. Returning to Paris the following year, he accompanied Buonaparte into Belgium: at the battle of Austerlitz he defeated the Russian imperial guard, and took prisoner prince Repnin. In December 1805 he was a general of a division; and appointed governor of Dantzic in 1807. After the campaign of 1812 he commanded the garrison of that city, which he defended with great skill and valor, but he was at length obliged to capitulate. In 1814 he submitted to the Bourbons; but joined Napoleon on his return; and after all his vicissitudes died in 1823 in favor with Louis XVIII., and a member of the chamber of Peers. Mémoires du General Rapp appeared at Paris the same year, 8vo. RAPPAHANNOCK, a navigable river of Virginia, which rises in the Blue Ridge, and runs E. S. E. about 130 miles. It flows into the Chesapeake, twenty-five south of Potomac. It passes by the towns of Falmouth, Fredericksburgh, Port Royal, Leeds, Tappahannock, and Urbanna: has four fathoms water to Hobb's Hole, and is navigable for vessels of 130 or 140 tons to Fredericksburgh, 110 miles from its mouth. RAPPORT', n. s. Fr. rappat, rapport. Relation; reference; proportion. A word introduced by Temple, but not copied. 'Tis obvious what rapport there is between the conceptions and languages in every country, and how great a difference this must make in the excellence of books. Temple. RAPTURE, n. s. RAPTURED, adj. RAPTUROUS. Lat. rapio. See RAP. Violent seizure; ecstacy; transport; violence of passion; rapidity: raptured is ravished; transported: rapturous, ecstatic; transporting. And thicke into our ship he threw his flash : That 'gainst a rocke, or flat, her keele did dash With headlong rapture. Chapman. Could virtue be seen it would beget love, and advance it not only into admiration, but rapture. Holyday. The wat'ry throng, Milton. RAPIN DE THOTRAS (Paul de), a celebrated historian, the son of James Rapin, lord of Thoy ras, was born at Castres in 1661. After being educated under a tutor in his father's house, he was sent to Puy Laurens, and thence to Saumur. In 1669 he returned to his father, studied the law, and was admitted an advocate: but, reflecting that his being a Protestant would prevent his advancement at the bar, he resolved to quit the law, and apply himself to the sword; but his father would not consent to it. The revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685, and the death of his father, which happened two months after, made him come to England; but he soon after went to Holland, and enlisted himself in the company of French volunteers at Utrecht, commanded by M. Rapin, his cousin-german. He attended the prince of Orange into England in 1688; and in 1689 lord Kingston made him an ensign in his regiment, with which he went into Ireland, where he gained the esteem of his officers at the siege of Carrickfergus, and had soon a lieutenant's commission. He was present at the battle of the Boyne, and was shot through the shoulder at the siege of Limerick. He was soon after captain of the company in which he had been ensign; but, in 1693, resigned it to one of his brothers, in order to be tutor to the earl of Portland's son. In 1699 he married Marianne Testard; but this neither abated his care of his pupil, nor prevented his accompanying him in his travels. Having finished his employment, he returned to his family, which he had settled at the Hague; and here he continued some years. But, as he found his family increase, he resolved to retire to some cheap country; and accordingly removed, in 1707, to Wesel, where he wrote his History of England, and some other pieces. Though he was of a strong constitution, yet seventeen years close application (in composing that history) entirely ruined his health. He died in 1725. He wrote in French, 1. A Dissertation on the Whigs and Tories. 2. His History of England, printed at the Hague in 1726 and 1727, in 9 vols., 4to., and reprinted at Trevoux in 1728, in 10 vols. 4to. This last edition is more complete than that of the Hague. It has been translated into English, and improved with notes, by the Rev. Mr. Tindal, in 2 vols. folio. Lord Gardenstone observes, that 'Mr. Hume has branded him as an author the most despicable both in style and matter.' 'The censure (adds his lordship) is invidious and unjust. His work contains an immense multitude of interesting circumstances wholly omitted by the Scottish author. From his situation, a classical composition was not to be expected. He wrote a more complete general history of England than had ever appeared in this country; and, whatever be his faults, it would be ungenerous to deny his uncommon merit.' Gard. Miscell. p. 203. RA'PINE, n. s. Fr. rapine; Lat. rapina. The act of plundering: violence; force. If the poverty of Scotland might, yet the plenty of England cannot, excuse the envy and rapine of the church's rights. King Charles. The logic of a conquering sword may silence, but convince it cannot; its efficacy rather breeds averVOL. XVIII.-PART 2. sion and abhorrence of religion, whose first address is in blood and rapine. Decay of Piety. RAPP (John), a modern French general, was born of an obscure family at Colmar in 1772, and entered upon a military life in 1788. Having become a lieutenant, in the tenth regiment of chasseurs, he served as aid-de-camp to Dessaix in the campaigns of 1796 and 1797, and afterwards in Egypt. After the battle of Marengo he became aid-de-camp to Buonaparte; and in 1802 was employed in the subjugation of Switzerland. Returning to Paris the following year, he accompanied Buonaparte into Belgium: at the battle of Austerlitz he defeated the Russian imperial guard, and took prisoner prince Repnin. In December 1805 he was a general of a division; and appointed governor of Dantzic in 1807. After the campaign of 1812 he commanded the garrison of that city, which he defended with great skill and valor, but he was at length obliged to capitulate. In 1814 he submitted to the Bourbons; but joined Napoleon on his return; and after all his vicissitudes died in 1823 in favor with Louis XVIII., and a member of the chamber of Peers. Mémoires du General Rapp appeared at Paris the same year, 8vo. RAPPAHANNOCK, a navigable river of Virginia, which rises in the Blue Ridge, and runs E. S. E. about 130 miles. It flows into the Chesapeake, twenty-five south of Potomac. It passes by the towns of Falmouth, Fredericksburgh, Port Royal, Leeds, Tappahannock, and Urbanna: has four fathoms water to Hobb's Hole, and is navigable for vessels of 130 or 140 tons to Fredericksburgh, 110 miles from its mouth. RAPPORT', n. s. Fr. rappat, rapport. Relation; reference; proportion. A word introduced by Temple, but not copied. 'Tis obvious what rapport there is between the conceptions and languages in every country, and how great a difference this must make in the excellence of books. Temple. RAPTURE, n. s. RAPTURED, adj. RAP TUROUS. Lat. rapio. See RAP. Violent seizure; ecstacy; transport; violence of passion; rapidity: raptured is ravished; transported: rapturous, ecstatic; transporting. And thicke into our ship he threw his flash : That 'gainst a rocke, or flat, her keele did dash With headlong rapture. Chapman. Could virtue be seen it would beget love, and advance it not only into admiration, but rapture. Holyday. The wat'ry throng, Milton. |